By Heidi Schwartz, on August 29, 2006, at 6:27 am One year after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, engineers and designers are still studying measures to improve the durability of buildings. According to researchers for the Wind Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University, concrete is a good bet–much better than wood and steel.
Jackie Craven of About.com explains the study:
To duplicate hurricane-like conditions in the laboratory, researchers shot wall sections with 15-pound 2 x 4 lumber “missiles” at up to 100 mph, simulating debris carried in a 250 mph wind. These conditions cover all but the most severe tornadoes. Hurricane wind speeds are less than the
Continue reading Hurricane proofing with concrete
By Heidi Schwartz, on August 28, 2006, at 7:17 am With the passage of the oil and gas bill, interest in our nation’s ability to create alternative energy continues to grow. The Bush Administration has made limited progress to make America less dependent on foreign resources, so cities and states across the US are taking it upon themselves to enact renewable energy initiatives that will power the nation’s future.
The following are areas that have developed new and unique initiatives and have had major announcements that will make the US more energy independent.
- Baton Rouge, LA: Just announced a new coal gasification plant which is projected to be
Continue reading Renewable Energy Initiatives Independently Enacted By Cities and States
By Heidi Schwartz, on August 28, 2006, at 6:37 am Executives around the world believe it takes companies slightly more than three years (3.2 years) to recover from a crisis that damages their reputation, according to market research by Burson-Marsteller. The research, which is based on the opinions of 685 business “influentials” — CEOs, senior executives, financial analysts, business media and government officials in 65 countries – also shows that quickly disclosing the details of a scandal or corporate misstep should be management’s top priority as it begins the process of restoring corporate reputation.
Every two years, Burson-Marsteller conducts market research to identify the drivers of CEO and corporate
Continue reading Corporate reputation takes 3.2 years to recover from a crisis
By Heidi Schwartz, on August 28, 2006, at 6:08 am Larry Stahl, Industry Director of Eaton’s Electrical Business and Joe Sheehan, NFPA Principal Electrical Engineer are featured in a new podcast being offered by Eaton. In it, Stahl discussing arc flash safety issues with Sheehan. The discussion focuses on compliance with NFPA 70E and features a wide range of solutions to improve workplace safety.
The arc flash podcast was produced to help educate employers, facility/safety managers, and electrical personnel about arc flash safety. It also looks at ways in which companies can work towards a safer working environment to prevent injury and death caused by arc flash hazards.
The
Continue reading Workplace safety podcast available for download
By Anne Vazquez, on August 25, 2006, at 6:44 am Sarnafil Inc., a manufacturer of thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing systems, and Roofscapes, Inc., a full-service green roof firm, have announced a single source Sarnafil system warranty agreement for extensive green roof systems. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies agree to jointly promote green roofs and to offer a single source Sarnafil warranty.
“We are pleased to be the industry’s first single–ply roofing manufacturer to offer a single source green roof warranty,” said Brian Whelan, president and CEO of Sarnafil Inc. “This agreement brings together two of the best companies in the green roofing market with a combined
Continue reading Sarnafil Inc. and Roofscapes, Inc. Offer Single Source Green Roof Warranty
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