Maintenance Solutions Magazine

Product Pipeline | Best Practice | Product Focus: Fleet Management


Marks USA Programmable lockset I-Que Metro is an all-weather construction lockset with a 32-user capability and a black-powder-coat crinkle finish. It is keypad programmable and has functions for: manual passage mode; first manager to arrive; double code entry; PIN-only function; and eight programmable holidays. The lockset runs on four double-A batteries and is available with flush or tactile keypad styles.	Cooper Lighting Recessed pendants A Portfolio recessed, compact fluorescent downlight illuminates the pendants, which are designed for low-ceiling applications. The 497-RP line features a 22-inch, curved-glass square available in five color options, and it is hand-fused to an opaque white glass for structure and lamp uniformity. The 498-RP series features a kokomo art glass bowl available in two finishes. Users can place the pendants in offices, corridors, lobbies and cafes.
Camfil Farr Air filter Riga-V™ is a high-lofted synthetic media in a proprietary V-pleat configuration that is available in three ASHRAE efficiencies – MERV 11, 13, and 14. The frame’s components create a rigid support system to ensure dependable filtration performance under varying airflow conditions. Benefits include superior airflow and dust-loading characteristics. The filter is available in a variety of sizes and in either box style or peripheral-header configurations.	Innovation by Design Programmable thermostat FlowZone provides up to 35 custom, user-defined zones, each with a register that uses infrared technology to monitor the environment. It provides additional energy savings with its ability to set and control the temperature for individual rooms and offices. It requires no additional wiring or ducting for retrofits. It uses the existing duct airflow to charge electronic components in the register.
Hanover Roofing pedestal The ³/₈-inch, fixed-height pedestal incorporates spacer tabs and leveling shims for easier installation. The pedestal is made of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, which provides sound-deadening qualities and resists harmful chemicals and severe weather. It is not stackable and must be considered only for low-elevation support requirements. Users can make final adjustments with the EPDM leveling shims.	Bridgeport Fittings Lighting fixtures Vaporproof fixtures, made of die-cast aluminum, are available in five configurations, each featuring a clear glass globe or a Lexan^® globe in five colors – amber, blue, clear, green, and red. The five configurations, all with incandescent lighting, include: VAX series box-mount fixtures for wall or ceiling mounting; VAT series surface-mount units for round or octagonal boxes; VAP series right-angle units for wall mounting; VAS series pendant-mount fixtures; or VPX series wall-mount units with the box. The fixtures operate on 110/120-volt alternating current.
Munters Evaporative cooling system EPX uses a corrosion-resistant polymer heat exchanger to produce dry, cool air without refrigeration. The heat-exchanger core features vertical polymer tubes, and the system is suited for hot, dry climates. It provides a cool, dry environment, cooling-energy recovery, and winter-heat recovery. The EPX also assists in reducing peak demand loads, which helps qualify for utility rebates.	Control Co. Thermometer gun The product takes instant temperature readings of any surface, and the design permits one-handed, point-and-shoot readings. The laser-sighting beam allows users to aim directly at the target surface. It also features minimum and maximum memory, average readings, and high and low audible alarms. It includes backlighting, data hold, and a low-battery indicator.
EnerSys UPS batteries The DataSafe HX line, which meets requirements for single-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, includes seven new models. The batteries feature: high-conductivity, recessed-brass terminals; long-life terminal seals; corrosion-resistant, lead-calcium-tin alloy positive and negative grids; and hermetically sealed containers and covers that prevent leaks and resist shock and vibration. All batteries have an operating temperature range of minus-22 to 113 degrees. Managers can store them for up to six months at 77 degrees before recharging. Batteries are available in flame-retardant material, and managers can safely recharge them at high-current rates.	DuraBan International, Inc. Antimicrobial formula Mold Shield inhibits the growth of odor- and stain-causing bacteria, fungi – mold and mildew – and algae. Users can apply it directly to most surfaces, including carpet, upholstery, non-porous bathroom and kitchen surfaces, stainless steel, synthetic marble, and fiberglass. The clear, water-based, odorless, non-toxic, and non-flammable liquid delivers an invisible antimicrobial surface coat that lasts for the useful life of the product to which it is applied.
Gamewell-FCI Fire-alarm control panels The Flex Series offers two-, four-, five-, and 10-zone panels. Another 10-zone panel, expandable to 30 zones, is available to accommodate future renovations and expansions. The panels feature: programmable initiating and notification circuits; an 80-character, liquid crystal display interface; built-in form-C relays; digital alarm communicator transmitters; and history logs that record up to 256 events. They also have enhanced dip switches and key pads that allow easier field programming.	Bryan Steam LLC Water-tube boilers The HE-RV series offers an efficiency of 85 percent with the high-combustion efficiency resulting from an integrated surface heat extractor. The units feature 7 square feet of heating surface per boiler horsepower. They operate under normal operating temperatures without special venting or condensing materials. The flexibility of the bent water-tube design helps eliminate possible damage from thermal shock and stress caused by poor or unequal internal circulation. This feature is important for forced hot-water heating systems designed for higher temperatures and greater temperature drops.
GE Consumer & Industrial AC drives The AF–6 series features a removable and hot-pluggable, illuminated liquid crystal display with a full-function keypad. The keypad’s information key provides full–text, context–sensitive information to ease programming and remove the need for printed manuals. Users can set up one drive via the hot-pluggable feature and copy settings to other drives, eliminating the need for duplicate programming. Other drive features include: a built-in process proportional-integral-derivative controller; a built-in logic controller that eliminates the need for many additional controls; and auto-tuning to optimize motor performance and reduce set-up time.	Chloride Outdoor lighting fixture The PathMaster Composite light emitting diode (LED) Bollard is an outdoor fixture designed to provide energy-efficient illumination of walkways, decks, sidewalks, and landscape areas for normal and emergency use. The light is fabricated from fiberglass-reinforced polymers, exposed hardware is stainless steel, and the light engines are constructed of die-cast aluminum. Standard finishes include black, bronze and white, but custom finishes are available.
Pass & Seymour/Legrand Weather-resistant receptacles The receptacles are listed to the weather-resistant supplement of UL498, meeting the following UL requirements: the ultraviolet-light exposure test; the cold-impact test; the accelerated-aging test; and material requirements for current carrying parts, wire binding screws, and mounting straps to ensure superior corrosion resistance. The National Electrical Code^® requires all non-locking, 15 and 20 ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in wet and damp locations to be weather-resistant receptacles.	Insparisk Safety-inspection software Versentia™ is a suite of software solutions for various applications, including boilers, elevators, fire detection and suppression systems, building facades, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, and electrical panels. The software enables technicians to schedule inspection routes and upload and download job details, including routes, contact information, boiler records, prior-inspection results, inspection data, and digital images. The software’s boiler function manages inspections and client data in the boiler industry and combines customized routing and inspection functionality.
Coleman Cable, Inc. LED work light TwistBrite™ features a flexible neck that allows technicians to position its bulb in multiple ways. The light comes with a polyvinyl chloride-coated magnet on the base of the unit for quicker attachment to metal surfaces, and it is ideal for use in workshops, construction sites, heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, and plumbing. The light operates on three double-A batteries and the light emitting diode (LED) bulb has a life expectancy of 50,000 hours.	The Toilet Jack Co. Toilet stabilizer The jack safely increases the weight capacity of a wall-mounted toilet from 300 pounds to 1,000 pounds. The stainless-steel jack mounts under the toilet bowl, provides a pedestal that works with the existing carrier, redistributes the weight, and reduces vibration and strain to the mounting bolts. Managers can raise the pedestal/leg for cleaning, maintaining the hygienic benefits of a wall-mounted toilet.
TCP Inc. Fluorescent lighting The Green Hi-Bay linear fluorescent lighting system is recommended for 15- to 40-foot mounting heights in a variety of applications, including warehousing, commercial facilities, manufacturing facilities, and open and stack aisles. The system features 95 percent lumen maintenance, improved color rendering, extended lamp life, multi-level switching, instant on, dimming, and improved uniformity. The system’s 20-gauge housing uses code-gauge steel and the unit’s sockets include secure-positioning rotating collars.	Anderson Power Products Connectors and contacts Managers can pre-assemble the circuit board connector and contact series in one- or two-row configurations, reducing assembly costs and eliminating accidental connector separation. Connectors and contacts also are available separately, allowing for customization of connector configurations. The connectors have a UL rating of 45 amps per circuit and use contacts composed of copper alloy with tin plating. The connectors are available in many colors and with multiple accessories, including mounting wings, spacers, and board-mounting staples.
Control Co. Full-scale thermometer The unit’s switchable temperature range is minus 58 to 500 degrees. Its resolution is 0.1 degree from minus 20 to 200 degrees and 1 degree elsewhere. The thermometer’s diameter is 2.1 inches with a ⁹/₁₆-inch depth. Its probe length is 5.5 inches, and it has a 10-foot cable. The thermometer also has a 1.5-volt, silver-oxide battery. A ³/₈-inch liquid-crystal-display readout shows the thermometer’s measurements, which can be updated every second. The piercing tip on the stainless-steel probe can withstand exposure at temperatures at the ends of the range.	Nixalite of America Goose repellent Migrate is a biodegradable, non-toxic concentrate that can reduce Canadian geese populations after one application. The product is made of food-grade ingredients extracted from common sources, such as Concord grapes, neroli oil, acacia, and gardenia blossoms. It is environmentally friendly, non-phytotoxic, and harmless to people and pets. The sticking agent allows the repellent to stick to grass and other plant growth. One gallon treats 8,000 square feet of turf.
Baldor Electric Co Adjustable-speed controls/motors Managers can use the controls’ brushless technology for general-purpose applications that use adjustable speed, including conveyors, mixers, door openers, material handling, and packaging. The control has models available from ¼ to 3 horsepower. The brushless, direct-current motors are available with National Electrical Manufacturers Association mountings from ¼ to 3 horsepower at 1,800 revolutions per minute. The motors have permanent magnets on the rotor and windings on the stator, so the unit can handle higher continuous loads without exceeding design temperatures.

Best Practice

Kansas School District Learns Lessons in Energy Use
The Highland (Kan.) Unified School District 425 has completed $369,000 in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency in its facilities.

The Energy Solutions division of TAC completed the work as a performance contract with the district. TAC guarantees the Highland schools will reduce annual utility costs by $35,000, a 40 percent savings.

Highland 425’s facilities include an elementary school, a high school and a vocational agriculture building, totaling 85,000 square feet. TAC installed efficient lighting in the schools, as well as a digital energy-management system to provide effective control of all mechanical systems.

Performance contracting is a turnkey method whereby design, construction, commissioning and performance measurement are incorporated into one guaranteed, fixed price. Improved facility efficiency, comfort, financial management, and environmental protection are among the long-term results TAC delivers as the single provider accountable for all aspects of the project.

TAC guarantees the amount of savings performance-contracting projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not achieved. Typically, new and more efficient equipment and upgraded facility-automation systems generate the utility savings, as well as maximize energy efficiency and improve occupant comfort. Performance-contracting projects are funded in a variety of ways, including general-obligation bond funds, maintenance-reserve funds, and financing secured against guaranteed energy savings.

Highland had numerous comfort problems in its buildings, as well as high maintenance costs on its equipment. The existing pneumatic controls were faulty and did not stay calibrated. The maintenance staff also had difficulty controlling the multi-zone rooftop units, resulting in pressurization problems and uncomfortable classrooms.

Because the lighting at Highland was outdated and inefficient, TAC replaced all T-12 fixtures with T-8 fluorescent lights and retrofitted the gym lights with high-bay, compact fluorescent lamps.

“Because the Highland district has limited funds, it was not financially capable of getting improvements done on its own, so performance contracting made it possible to update their buildings and make systems run as they were designed,” says Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. “In addition, TAC brought to Highland a level of expertise that, because they are a small district in a very small town, they could not otherwise get.”

Product Focus: Fleet Management Expanding fleets, growing solutions
*Vermeer* Skid steer The S400TX features a 23-horsepower gas engine and two joysticks that control the ground drive, boom, and bucket motion. Technicians can operate the machine while holding onto an integrated handgrip bar. The location of the joysticks and the handgrip bar help the operator maintain control of the machine and maintain its balance. The unit produces only 3.8 pounds per square inch ground pressure and features a 1,430-pound tipping capacity.	*Yanmar America Corp.* Mini-excavator The ViO17 features an expanded track gauge that delivers greater stability without increasing undercarriage width. A three-pump system improves the machine’s power, speed, and fuel economy. The 3,836-pound unit uses a zero-tail-swing design to allow for 360-degree turning of the counterweight within the width of the crawler. Maximum digging force is 3,417 pounds with a digging depth of 7 feet, 7 inches. Spring-steel guards offer added security to the arm and bucket cylinders. The unit features a 13.5-horsepower diesel engine.
*JLG Industries Inc.* Compact telehandler The G5-18A boasts a 5,500-pound lifting capacity and 1,850-pound capacity at the fully extended reach of almost 11 feet. The machine comes with three operator-selectable steering modes, including four-wheel circle, four-wheel crab, and two-wheel steering. The 126-inch turning radius helps operators maneuver the unit in congested work areas. They can use several attachments with the unit, including a general-purpose bucket, a light-material bucket, a grapple bucket, various carriages, and a crane hook. The machine has 18-foot maximum boom height and weighs less than 11,000 pounds.	*Bobcat Co.* Skid-steer loader The S70 is 71.4 inches tall, 35.4 inches wide and 75.5 inches long without an attachment, making it useful in smaller areas. The unit has a rated operating capacity of 700 pounds and features a 23.5-horsepower diesel engine that powers a hydrostatic, four-wheel-drive system with a travel speed of 6.1 mph. Features include an updated engine mount, hydrostatic-pump centering, and a belt-drive system. The engine mount reduces vibration in the machine for greater operator comfort, and the pump centering uses a tension spring instead of a torsion spring. The unit uses a serpentine-style V-belt in the belt-tensioner system.
*Kubota Tractor Corp.* Utility tractor The TLB series M59 is a 59-horsepower, four-wheel-drive unit that features an integrated main frame and a heavy-duty rear axle for extended life and smoother stopping performance. The unit’s backhoe has a 12-foot digging depth and a bucket digging force of more than 7,600 pounds. The loader offers increased productivity and a lifting power of 3,960 pounds.	*John Deere* Skid steers The 313 and 315 models have operating capacities of 1,300 and 1,500 pounds, respectively. They feature 45-horsepower engines certified to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency interim tier-4 emissions levels, as well as electronic controls for superior idle stability, cold-start performance, and transient response. The units feature 10- by-16.5-inch tires, drive chains that never need adjusting, and enhanced visibility for safe operation in tight spaces. The machines are equipped with a PowerTech™ 4024T four-cylinder, 2.4-liter engine rated at 2,400 revolutions per minute. Automatic-shutdown control is standard equipment on these models to prevent overheating or running low on fluids.
*The Toro Co.* Compact utility loader Managers can use the Dingo^® TX 420 for various applications, including tree planting, hauling and handling materials, preparing seedbeds, building ponds, constructing decks and fences, demolishing structures, and installing irrigation systems. The unit features a 20-horsepower, air-cooled engine and offers more than 35 attachments, such as an auger, trencher, vibratory plow, hydraulic breaker, backhoe, leveler, tiller, cultivator, hydraulic blade, power box rake, adjustable forks, tree forks, two-stage snow thrower, rotary broom, and several sizes of buckets. Using the quick-attach system, managers can add or remove attachments by turning two locking pins or, for hydraulic attachments, connecting two hydraulic lines.	*Honda* Snowblowers Track-drive snowblowers are equipped with ice-breaking, heavy-duty, serrated augers, adjustable-discharge chutes, user-friendly controls, and hydrostatic drive for infinitely variable speed control. Its three-position auger and dual-track drive system allow traction that can handle most snow conditions. It can move up to 2,370 pounds of snow per minute. The HS1132 model features the GX340 engine and electric start.