It is officially springtime, however it is still the season for coughs and sneezes. Colds, flu, and a new respiratory illness are all reasons to take precaution for contractors and non-contractors alike. This new respiratory illness, the novel coronavirus or officially known as COVID-19, is spread person-to-person through respiratory secretions. Similar to cold and [...]
Insulation is a crucial component of energy efficient buildings. It helps keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, heating and cooling costs are 50-70% of energy use for the average household in the U.S. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by the ability of the [...]
Radon gas is a natural chemical element that affects the air quality inside of buildings. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It forms when uranium breaks down to radium, which further breaks down to form radon. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled into the lungs. Radon is emitted from the ground [...]
Earth buildings are structures that are made from earthen materials, such as straw or adobe. An earth building can range from a simple garden shed to a residential dwelling that is large enough to be called home by multiple people. Earth buildings are environmentally sustainable, affordable, stable, strong, comfortable, and are appropriate for a variety [...]
Recycling construction and reusing salvaged materials not only helps to conserve natural resources, but also saves money. According to Metro (oregonmetro.gov), as much as 90 percent of construction waste could be recycled or salvaged for reuse at a lower cost compared to disposal. Garbage disposal fees in the Portland metro area are approximately $94 per [...]
Sick Building Syndrome comprises of various non-specific health symptoms that appear to be related to spending time in a building (EPA, 2009). To learn more about SBS and the contributing factors of SBS, please see our previous article. Various buildings across the globe have been surveyed for SBS and studied further. An example of a [...]
Contagious illnesses, such as the common cold, tend to travel rapidly in office environments, partly because of people working so closely together in the same building. But people in some buildings have also reported an increase in other ailments, such as headaches and allergies. Source: Mold Solutions NW In the late 1970s, it [...]
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board recently conducted a survey regarding contractor continuing education (CE). Contractors that are licensed in Oregon must complete CE units for every license renewal period. Based upon feedback from the survey responses, the CCB approved a course of action to amend to the CE requirements. According to the CCB, this requires [...]
Neighborhoods are more than just groups of buildings. They are where people live, work, play, shop, socialize, and learn. There are neighborhoods called ecodistricts that have this in mind while also considering resource efficiency and environmental sustainability as well as promoting health and well-being. According to EcoDistricts (formerly the Portland Sustainability Institute), these areas are [...]
An Overview of Green Commercial Buildings Buildings can become green, also known as sustainable, in the design, building, and renovating stages. Green buildings are resource-efficient and the overall impact to the environment is reduced. Operating expenses are lowered, plus employees and visiting clients benefit from greater air quality. Qualities of green commercial buildings include: [...]
