2021 February
How Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) Improve Security Entrances?
February 26, 2021
With the evolving dynamics of cloud storage and the ability to harness and proactively employ an ever-increasing pool of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted video surveillance, which has been among the biggest beneficiaries of faster processing and impactful analytics. Even building automation, fire systems, intrusion detection, and physical and network access control have AI built into many core competencies.
New podcast looks at window shade fabrics selection to balance aesthetics and performance
February 24, 2021
Is the selection of window shade fabrics purely about aesthetics and color? Not at all, and that’s a big misconception. Many factors influence these decisions. To discuss what those are and bring insights to listeners, host Tyler Kern talked everything fabrics with Jeff Miller, Director of Architectural Shading Solutions for Draper, and Colin Blackford, Director of Business Development for Mermet USA. Quantifying its performance, which includes many components, is key to choosing the right fabric.
Weather Resistant Planters
February 22, 2021
Outdoor planters should be able to withstand the UV rays of the sun and other outdoor elements. Still, most landscaping products are not made to withstand the wear and tear provoked by nature and the general public. It doesn't take long for standard planters to start fading if left in the sun day after day. TerraCast® resin planters are treated with a UV inhibitor, which means they will not need painting or refinishing because they will not fade, chip, or peel.
Bollards for Campus Safety: A strategy for successful traffic management
February 17, 2021
Colleges and universities often function like small towns. University planners oversee construction of many of the same facilities and amenities found in typical cities. Along with learning centers and student living quarters, post-secondary institutions now increasingly include shops, banks, restaurants, pubs, large sports venues, and business offices. Creating campus safety means integrating these into the ebb and tide of students that surge through a busy campus. This can represent an increased strain on institutional infrastructure, as colleges and universities must plan for high levels of both pedestrian and non-motorized traffic, buses, and a larger-than-average proportion of young drivers on the road. These demands make traffic safety on campus both uniquely challenging and of critical importance.
Glass door security options: developing an all-glass bulletproof door
February 15, 2021
'Frameless' all-glass doors are broad and inviting—practically the standard for modern offices. It’s important to know, however, that startlingly few glass door security options both fit and meet aesthetic demands while still providing significant safety.
How to Properly Install and Weld Thermoplastic and Metallic Waterstops
February 12, 2021
Today we're going to cover how to weld PVC and TPV waterstops. Before we can show you how to weld waterstop we need to go over waterstop welding safety as well as some of the tools you'll need.
Daylighting Benefits: Give Your Building's Occupants a Boost
February 10, 2021
We all know the dread of walking into a dark, dreary, windowless space, or working in an area where there's no access to natural light. Without cues from the sun and the natural world, we can feel tired and depressed, and this lack of light can even have an effect on our sleep patterns. Luckily, that's where daylighting systems come into play - the natural light they bring into a space doesn't just help with energy costs, it also boosts our well-being.
Acousti-Mat® - the sound control solution for your mass timber project
February 8, 2021
Mass Timber continues to revolutionize the construction industry. Maxxon has performing sound tests and providing sound control, Acousti-Mat® Systems since the trend emerged in the United States.
Designing Radiation Shielding for NDT and Other Industries
February 5, 2021
Our lives are impacted by industrial x-ray and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) as they play a crucial role in ensuring safety and reliability of everything from aircraft parts, to bridges and power stations. However, this also puts equipment operators and sensitive components at risk of being exposed to harmful radiation. MarShield designs and manufactures custom modular radiation shielding rooms, protecting all stakeholders by maintaining a safe work-place environment.
STC or OITC? How to select the proper sound rating for automatic smoke vents
February 3, 2021
Diving into the world of acoustical ratings is like opening a can of alphabet soup. You’re unsure which letters will float to the top, what their significance is and how to unscramble and define the mishmash of letters staring at you. While there is a jumble of letters, the critical ratings for determining the acoustical quality of building products fall into two groups: Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC). Depending upon the structure being built and the application of the products, the difference in the ratings is essential for architects, designers and construction teams to understand.
Do You Need to Increase the Weight Capacity of Your Elevator?
February 1, 2021
We take elevators for granted in our daily lives and use them without thinking twice if they are secure. Elevator test weights are essential for ensuring safety and are a critical component in the testing and certification of elevators. Mars Metal offers a broad range of casting abilities and can provide custom test weights to meet your exact requirements.