ASBESTOS

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building materials. Many products are in use today that contain asbestos. This paper is intended to provide general information. It should not be considered an official, technical documen...

MOLD, What’s the Real Scoop? – Hype or Real Risk?

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

Contents Introduction to Molds Basic Mold Cleanup Ten Things You Should Know About Mold Asthma and Mold Floods/Flooding Health and Mold Homes and Mold Indoor Air Regulations and Mold Large Buildings and Mold Schools and Mold and Indoor Air Quality How to Order Publications IAQINFO Hotline DISCLAIMER: The documents on this server contain hypertext pointers to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. Please be aware that...

SMOKE DETECTORS – A Matter of Life and Death

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

A smoke detector or smoke alarm is a device that detects smoke and issues an alarm to alert nearby people that there is a potential fire. A household smoke detector will typically be mounted in a disk shaped plastic enclosure about 150mm in diameter and 25mm thick, but the shape can vary by manufacturer. Because smoke rises, most detectors are mounted on the ceiling or on a wall near the ceiling. To avoid the nuisance of false alarms, most smoke detectors are mounted away from kitchens. To in...

Arsenic in Arizona Water

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

In October 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its decision to lower the arsenic standard for public water systems from 0.05mg/L to 0.010 mg/L (50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, respectively). The effective date of the revised rule and new standard is January 23, 2006. What is the purpose of this New Arsenic Standard? The purpose of the new standard is to protect public health by reducing the occurrence of carcinogenic (e.g., lung and bladder cancers) and non...

Mold – A MustSee Problem

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

What are molds? Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of fungi and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or break-down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Molds become a problem when they go where they are not wanted and digest materials such as our homes. What makes molds grow in my home? Mold enters your home as tiny spores. The spores need moisture to begin growing, digesting and ...

Should I Buy an Apartment?

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

On the surface, it sounds like an easy get-rich-quick plan: Buy a multi-unit building, sweat equity into it, rent out the units, then sit back and reap the profits. While many people have created a large nest egg with a great cash flow, purchasing such a building is not as easy as it seems. And there are pitfalls to being a landlord. In fact, most real estate experts say that buying and managing a multi-family unit building is akin to running a small business. That's why there are a number of th...

Swimming Pool Safety In Arizona – It Only Takes a Second!

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

Swimming Pool Safety in Phoenix CPSC Holds Public Hearing in Phoenix on Swimming Pool Safety Swimming Pool Safety Last year the Phoenix Fire Department responded to 91 drownings and near drownings. Most of these tragic incidences could have been prevented. In 1990 the City of Phoenix adopted a swimming pool barrier ordinance into the building code. The ordinance requires that all swimming pools built after May 4,1990 are required to have an interior barrier. Barriers shall be: N...

A Few Words About WINTER….BRRRRR

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

Seen on a Maine license plate - BRRRRR. When it comes to winter, that says it all! But what of our houses in winter? Here are a few thoughts. CONDENSATION is the result of a combination of high moisture levels in the air and low temperatures. Warmer air can hold more moisture - cold surfaces cause condensation to occur. Thus, condensation is more likely in the winter. Condensation on windows is common. On old windows with storm windows, condensation on the inside of the insid...

Summer in Phoenix – It’s a Dry Heat

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

Why summers in Phoenix aren't so bad... This article is presented for general informational purposes only. If you have a question please consult with the appropriate professional before implementing any of the following suggestions. Air conditions can be quickly characterized by using a special graph called a psychometric chart. Properties on the chart include dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures, relative humidity, humidity ratio, specific volume, dew point temperature, and enthalpy (see Fi...

Facts About LEAD

Posted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2018 by admin

Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly. Research suggests that the primary sources of lead exposure for most children are: - deteriorating lead-based paint, - lead contaminated dust, and - lead contaminated residential soil. ...