ontario school plant manager spring 2012

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In this issue...Accessibility spotlight on

KeewAtin-pAtriciA Dsb

Good EnErGy ManaGEMEnt

the role of the Facility Manager

Take Back The LIghTSummer 2012

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Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 20124

DELCommunications Inc.

Table of Contents is published byDEL Communications Inc.Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3L 0G5www.delcommunications.com

PresidentDavid Langstaff

PublisherJason Stefanik

EditorLyndon McLean

[email protected]

Advertising Account ExecutivesRobert Bartmanovich

Cheryl EzinickiJennifer Hebert

Mic Paterson

Production services provided by:S.G. Bennett Marketing Services

www.sgbennett.com

Art DirectorKathy Cable

Layout & DesignJulie Weaver

Advertising ArtDana Jensen

© Copyright 2012, DEL Communications Inc.All rights reserved. The contents of this

pub lica tion may not be reproduced by any means,in whole or in part, without priorwritten consent of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommenda-tions made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

Publications mail agreement #40934510Return undeliverable

Canadian addresses to:DEL Communications Inc.Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road

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PRINTED IN CANADA 06/2012

Editor’s Message — Lyndon McLean 6

The Benefits of Good Energy Management 8

What it Means to be a Facility Manager 11

Take Back the Light and Make an Impact on the Environment 13

Accessibility Spotlight:

Keewatin - Patricia District School Board 15

The Top 10 Energy Wasters in K–12 Facilities

(and What to Do about Them) 18

Firestone Introduces PlatinumPV™ Program

for Low-Slope Rooftops in Canada 20

Enbridge Energy Solutions Consultants

Improving Energy Efficiencies with Enbridge’s Experts 22

The Role of HVAC Air Filtration & LEED® Certification 24

MOLOK® – The New Generation Waste Collection System 26

Every Building Contains Radon - It’s A Matter of How Much 28

Does your Heating System make the Grade? 30

Frost – Innovative Solutions for a Safe Environment 32

Upper Grand DSB Full-Day Kindergarten Moves Forward 33

Index to Advertisers 34

ON THE COVER

New Prospect Public School in Dryden. COVER PHOTO AND PHOTOS ON PAGES 15-17 COURTESY OF SHEENA VALLEY, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT, KPDSB.


Some people see things as they are and say “Why?” I dream things that never were and say “Why not?” – George Bernard Shaw

We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Lyndon McLeanEditor’s Message

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ager includes articles on accessibility,

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As always, your feedback and story ideas

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Good energy management avoids unnec-essary costs improves the local and na-tional environment by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that result from energy use.

Energy costs are, to a large extent, manageable. Prudent schools are saving significant financial resources by avoid-ing energy costs. Practicing good energy management also has the following ben-efits:• avoids energy costs to help provide more

funds for books and equipment;• provides valuable curriculum opportuni-

ties;• strengthens quality management; and• increases physical comfort levels.

By managing energy more effectively, many schools can reduce their energy costs by 15 to 20 percent. Energy waste results from inefficient plant operations, poor controls, poor energy awareness and poor or outdated practices. Canadian schools spend about $500 million annual-ly on energy; avoiding unnecessary costs could reduce national energy costs by ap-proximately $75 million per year.

The Environmental PictureIn 1992, at the United Na-tions Conference on Envi-ronment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the na-tions of the world signed up for Agenda 21, an agenda for the 21st century. In Chapter 28 of the Agenda, local com-munities are encouraged to adopt the principles of sus-tainable development. Each school should do its part to help achieve these goals.

Managing Energy in SchoolsGood energy management ensures that

energy use and energy costs are as low as possible and that standards of comfort and service are maintained or improved. A combined approach generates com-mitment at all levels to reduce costs and pollution. A workshop offered by Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE), “Dollars to $ense: The Energy Master Plan,” also offers how-to guidance.

Developing an explicit policy forms an essential part of raising the profile of energy use in schools. A comprehensive policy should include the following:• a statement of commitment;• an outline of objectives;• an energy management action plan or

master plan;• agreed-upon targets for energy con-

sumption and costs;• a policy review process; and• the responsibilities and resources nec-

essary to make the action plan happen.An effective energy management pro-

gram should involve the entire school population. However, someone must co-ordinate central activities such as data collection and communications. This role may fall to the premises manager or physi-cal plant manager. During initial develop-ment, teaching and non-teaching staff should be consulted in order to obtain commitment. In addition, ideas from pu-pils could be useful, and their involvement should be encouraged. An initial one-year plan for resource management should outline objectives, identify responsibili-ties and resources available and highlight the review process. Publicity and promo-tion of the policy throughout the school should ensure wide commitment.

In the planning framework, set pre-liminary goals, collect base data, design a tracking system, spot low-cost oppor-tunities and plan project implementation. Then take action and start working on a longer-term plan. Remember to publicize and promote the policy throughout the school.

Getting started also involves seeing how the school is presently performing. Benchmarking Guide for School Facility Managers (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/pub-lications/commercial/6299) will help identify current performance, and how it compares with other similar schools. It also indicates what energy costs could be avoided by adopting “good practice.” The first step is to review your current energy management and answer the questions of how is it done, what policies are in place, what information is collected regularly and who is responsible.

Developing an Energy Management Action Plan

A master plan helps focus activities and gain commitment. Guidelines and tem-plates are available from the OEE to help schools complete action plans. An officer from the OEE’s Energy Innovators Initia-tive can also help schools develop their plans. Here are some tips to start the campaign once the energy coordinator has been appointed.• Make sure that energy data are collected

regularly - weekly or monthly - to corre-spond with utility meter readings and/or fuel deliveries.

• Update records and profile the school energy performance over 12 months. Compare these figures with benchmark values.

• Check energy bills for the last year. Are the correct rates being charged?

The Benefits of Good Energy Management

Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2012 9

• Set up a winning team to oversee the campaign, encourage motivation and maintain progress. Choose members from all areas - teaching and non-teach-ing staff and students.

• Start regular walk-through tours• Agree upon good housekeeping mea-

sures room by room, and explain them to teaching and administrative/support staff and students.

• Update lists of items that need mainte-nance, servicing, repair or replacement.

• Set priorities for investment. Where there are plans for building retrofits, incorporate energy-saving measures at little extra cost.

• Have teaching staff and students nomi-nate energy monitors to switch off lights, etc.

• Talk to teaching staff about direct in-volvement of older students through curriculum projects.

• Keep people informed on progress. Give

staff and students regular feedback through newsletters, posters and other communications items.

• Set targets for energy cost savings and/or CO2 savings. Compare overall perfor-mance with best practice benchmarks.

• Set up regular and continuous staff training.

Conducting a Walk-Through Energy Audit

A simple inspection of the school prem-ises can reveal where excess energy use can be avoided.

What is a Walk-Through Energy Audit?A walk-through energy audit is a tour

of school premises to inspect its energy-usage practices. Adapt a checklist to make an organized and thorough inspection of each room and circulation area. Note the following:• where energy is being wasted (i.e.,

where good housekeeping practices are

not being followed);• where repair or maintenance work is

needed; and• where capital investment is needed to

improve energy efficiency.

When Should You Do a Walk-Through Energy Audit?

Aim to audit your school at least twice a year - before the start of the heating season and at the end. If possible, tour more often, e.g., once a month during the heating season. Stagger the times of inspections - at lunchtime, at the close of the school day, during cleaning periods or evening use, on the weekend and even during holidays.

What Should You Look For?First, draw a simple block plan of your

school. Mark how the school is divided up in zones for heating and lighting. As you make your tour, identify the position of the following:


To achieve and maintain good or best practices, schools

must implement effective energy management alongside

specific improvement projects. In addition to establish-

ing a master plan, good housekeeping measures should

be regularly maintained. Tasks vary with the time of year.

Here are some seasonal tips to help schools plan their

campaign throughout the year.

Spring

• Adjust heating systems to ensure that overheating does

not occur.

• Check that the warm-up period of your building is

shorter than in winter.

• Check if heating is turned off earlier in the day.

• Reset time switches for daylight-saving time.

Summer

When premises are closed, ensure that all non-essential

heating, ventilation and lighting systems are switched

off. This can be checked by reading meters during empty

periods. Plan ahead for energy-efficient operation prior

to the heating season, and ensure that boilers are ser-

viced and that pumps are checked. Fan convector filters

should also be cleaned. In addition, check the following:

• external envelope of the building should be free of dam-

age that could result in heat loss;

• roof space insulation should be in place and be of the

current recommended thickness;

• external doors should fit and close properly, and door-

closers should be operating effectively;

• effective weatherstripping should be fitted to all exter-

nal doors and windows; and

• all windows should fit and close properly, and any dam-

aged handles and latches should be repaired.

Autumn• Check timers, including resetting when daylight-saving

time ends.

• Turn on the heating only when it is needed.

• With the heating on, check that room temperatures

are at the minimum required for comfort with no over-

heating.

• Check that buildings are at the correct temperature dur-

ing occupancy only.

• Avoid heating the whole building when only security

staff is occupying the building.

Winter• Ensure that buildings are correctly heated and lighted

only when required.

• Ensure proper control of supplementary portable heat-

ers.

• Label light switches to ensure that only necessary lights

are turned on.

• Check that security lighting comes on only when dark-

ness approaches.

• Check that controls permit different weekend settings.

• During holidays, check that minimum essential services

operate correctly.

• Check that heating system controls respond to changes

in weather.

• Ensure that cleaning staff use minimum lighting to

work effectively and permit safe movement.

Notes:

When adjusting heating temperatures and lighting levels in teach-

ing and working spaces, make certain that health and safety re-

quirements are fully met.

ASHRAE standards also provide guidance on suitable seasonal tem-

peratures for comfort purposes. »

• the school’s boiler room;• all gas, electricity and water meters, on/

off valves and stop controls;• fuel storage tanks and their contents

gauges;• any zone controls or switches for heat-

ing and lighting; and• all boiler controls, time clocks and ther-

mostats.

Use this plan to familiarize members of your team on how the school is heated, lighted and ventilated, and the location of any major items of equipment that con-sume energy. This is useful because it will allow staff to have a better knowledge of the school.

Have members of the team read each type of meter you have. Read these regu-

larly (once a week). In addition, try read-

ing them the last thing after school on

Friday and then again before school on

Monday to discover how much of your con-

sumption is occurring while the school is

unoccupied. Include all heated and light-

ed spaces, not just classrooms.

SEASONAL TIPS FOR GOOD PRACTICES

All information courtesy of the Office of Energy Efficiency (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/commercial/16513).


Thirty or so years ago, not a lot of thought was given to facil-ity management and what it meant. It was a thriving industry and was providing some very good opportuni-ties for a great many

individuals, but those “looking in” did not really understand it. Sure, they may have seen various operations overseen by real-estate management firms or people hired specifically to run the maintenance of a building, but for many that is where it stopped.

Many people fell into the role of facil-ity management not by design but by hav-ing seen an opportunity for some sort of advancement within their area of work.

What it Means to be a Facility ManagerBy Chuck Morris Previously published in the Fall 2011 issue of Ops Talk,

the official publication of the Educational Facility Managers Association of B.C.

They developed over the years and grew into the role. Others saw a different sort of opportunity, decided that’s where their strengths were and thus identified a career path they thought would be a good course to follow. Notwithstanding their reasons for choosing this work, both groups made a good choice.

It is not just facility managers who re-alized this career path was a good one to choose; this industry is huge, and as the years went on (beginning far longer than thirty years ago), many of these people re-alized they had commonalities with others around the country. Like-minded individ-uals got together and formed associations to allow a broad exchange of information and create an ability to grow. Take a look at how many facility management (FM) as-sociations exist today:

• International Facility Managers Associa-tion (IFMA)

• Facilities Management Association (FMA)

• Association of Physical Plant Adminis-trators (APPA)

• Restaurant Facility Management (RFM)• Educational Facility Managers Associa-

tion of B.C. (EFMABC)• Health Estates and Facilities Managers

Association (HEFMA)• Louisiana School Facility Managers As-

sociation (LSFMA)• Association of Property and Facility Man-

agers (APFM)These are only a portion of what is out there, all working to promote growth of their members and position those mem-bers for opportunities within the facility management field.

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Beginning with the early days, people moving into this choice of work would have an identified interest maintaining build-ings. They may have learned certain traits through osmosis, working under a trades-person, or they may have been a trades-person who wanted to do more than build, install and walk away from the facility. As time went on, others became attracted to the work as well. Most soon realized either more education was necessary or, to help them out, contractors were hired to carry out identified work within the facility.

In the past number of years, more and more people saw the growth within this in-dustry and the need to provide education centred on facility management, includ-ing all the components that make up the day-to-day life of a facility manager. The various associations have been working to identify educational needs and bring in fa-cilitators to teach numerous courses. The vendors who facility managers deal with on a regular basis have seen this happen and they, too, have stepped up to provide

product – and service-specific training.What is even more interesting is the fact

that colleges and universities are now of-fering a myriad of coursework to educate the facility manager through certificate and degree programs. Many facility man-agement associations have now identified specific course materials that are offered at these institutions and specify these to their members as a requirement toward earning a designation that identifies, to others, that this person really is trained and knowledgeable about his or her work.

A facility manager needs to have great communication skills, enjoy working with people and have good problem-solving skills and an overall focus on everything safety. A facility manager can be tasked with the responsibilities of looking af-ter large commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, condominium complexes, uni-versities and schools. The work entails a very wide range of responsibilities, which could include staffing, all components of a building’s upkeep and renovation, new

building projects, maintaining the sur-rounding grounds and, in an educational setting, possibly even managing bussing and fleets.

Facility management is a great career choice. If you love challenges and can deal with the unexpected with focus and determination, this could be for you. As educational requirements and responsi-bilities for the job increase, so too does the potential for a very good income. Facility managers are dedicated people carrying out their work in a professional manner that directly reflects on their de-meanour, the organization they work for and the profession itself.

Just over 30 years ago, Chuck entered the world of facility management in the K-12 education public sector. With his trades background and certification in some specialty areas, he already had a good grasp on what makes a building “tick”. Identifying opportunities to ex-pand his knowledge almost immediately, Chuck firmly entrenched his work life with continuing education, building upon his ability to understand new systems and how to incorporate these into the life of a facility.

Chuck worked his way through the ranks and was soon managing departments be-fore moving into a director of operations position. During those years, he recog-nized the need to share information with his peers, as some of them were struggling with problems for which others already had developed solutions. Chuck was invited to run as a director with the provincial as-sociation formerly called the School Plant Officials Association of British Columbia (SPOA B.C.) and now re-branded as the Educational Facility Managers Association of British Columbia (EFMA B.C.). He spent seven years on the executive and was the president for the 2007/2008 term.

Always pushing to share information, Chuck is a big advocate of building confi-dence in his staff by teaching and coaching them as part of succession planning. Chuck believes in sharing as much information as he can with his peers around the province. »


If you are reading this article at work, look up – what do you see on the ceiling? Prob-ably fluorescent lamps. When people think of fluorescent lamps, they likely think the four foot tubes that look like Star Wars light-sabers. While these are the most common lighting sources used in the institutional lighting sector, there are many other lights that fall into the fluorescent lighting cat-egory, including compact fluorescent lamps (also known as CFLs), high-intensity dis-charge lamps, mercury vapour metal halide lamps and low-pressure sodium. Mercury is an essential component for these types of lamps to work. Because fluorescent lamps – and in fact all lamps – contain hazardous materials, they all should be managed prop-erly of at the end of their life, and by proper-ly, I mean reduced to their component parts and recycled.

So how is your facility handling the end-of-life management of its spent lamps?

While some facilities are recycling their lamps, a great many others are not. In 2005 (the most recent study of its type), the Re-cycling Council of Ontario found that only 5% of the more than 30 million lamps gen-erated yearly in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors were being prop-erly recycled. With no regulatory pressure and none on the horizon requiring greater lamp recycling, the question arose of how this situation can be improved. It is because of this void that a program called Take Back the Light was created.

What is Take Back the Light? How does it work?

Take Back the Light (TBTL) is Ontario’s first comprehensive fluorescent light recy-cling program designed to make purchasing and recycling easy and cost-effective. The program is built on the principles of green

procurement, which necessitates that end-of-life management be taken into account when a product or service is purchased, just

as performance, customer service and cost are considered. TBTL works with both lamp suppliers and buyers of fluorescent lights

Take Back the Light - AND MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENTBy Jodi Frye, Recycling Council of Ontario


to recover and recycle spent lamps whether they are generated through relamping, on-going service or a retrofit. According to Ja-son Fani, Assistant Director of the Ministry of Environment, “The Take Back the Light fluorescent lamp stewardship program is an excellent example of the innovative and ef-fective programs we need in Ontario to drive waste reduction and pollution prevention. This program incents the right behavior by

using the marketplace to incent environ-mental leadership.”

TBTL only partners with processors that have been audited and approved against the programs standards, standards that were written in consultation with more than 20 stakeholders, including Environment Canada, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Labour and lamp processors.

As a buyer of lighting products, facility

managers are in a unique position to find great lighting service at a reasonable price through TBTL because lighting suppliers that partner with TBTL are able to offer value added collection and recycling ser-vices in addition to your standard lighting. Chris Ferris, the Manager of Purchasing Ser-vices for the Toronto District School Board, says that “the program provides a positive framework for our interactions with light-ing suppliers. We believe in this program so much that we made it a requirement of our last tender for lighting supplies. Our document stated that the successful bid-der must be a registered Take Back the Light distributor and process the TDSB’s spent lamps through the program.” The benefit to the buyer is not only the great service – which will include lamp recycling – but also the knowledge that the lamps are be-ing properly recycled and that all lamps re-cycled data is being tracked and verified by a third party for accuracy and impartiality. TBTL also profiles program participants and provides promotional materials so that TBTL participants can be recognized for their pro-gressive efforts to recycle their lamps.

TBTL has been operating for four years and has an impressive selection of suppliers on its roster, including Eco-Shift Power, Ger-rie Electric, Graybar Canada, Guillevin Inter-national, HD Supply Litemor, House of Elec-tric Suppliers, LaPrairie Inc., Nedco, Osso Electric Supplies, Paul Wolf Electric, Power-trade Electric, Province Electric, Westburne Ruddy and WESCO Distribution Canada LP.

We asked WESCO Distribution Canada LP their reason for becoming a registered par-ticipant of TBTL, and this is what they had to say: “WESCO believes that we all have a social responsibility to protect our envi-ronment. Across Canada and the United States, WESCO’s partnership with lamp-recycling companies simplifies sustain-able practices for customers and WESCO operations alike. WESCO is reducing its energy consumption and environmental impact. We want to help you do the same.” So what is your facility waiting for? For more information about how to make sure that your facility is properly recycling it lamps, visit www.takebackthelight.ca. »


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Accessibility Spotlight: KEEWATIN-PATRICIA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Since the Accessibility for Ontarians with Dis-abilities Act became law in 2005, all organiza-tions, including schools, have been working to ensure all students have the opportunity to learn. With more than 5,000 students at 23 schools, Keewatin-Patricia District School Board in northwestern Ontario is one of many school boards making accessibility a priority.

Once the AODA legislation was in place, KP-DSB developed a plan to make its schools ac-cessible and create a positive learning atmo-sphere. In keeping with their policy of provid-ing an environment in all of its facilities that builds independence, dignity and respect for students, parents/guardians, the public and staff, KPDSB has identified and removed nu-merous barriers to accessibility. These include physical (i.e. a door knob that cannot be op-erated by an elderly person with limited upper

By Lyndon McLean

Dryden High School Resource Room


body mobility and strength), architectural (i.e. a hallway or door that is too narrow for a wheelchair or scooter) and policy/practice (i.e. an organization that does not have any policies in place to address the issue of hir-ing persons with disabilities), among oth-ers.

KPDSB’s accessibility plan and the process of making schools accessible have increased awareness at all staff levels, according to Facilities Manager Kim Carlson. “The whole process is great and has brought accessibil-ity to the forefront. It has become part of the budget and part of the daily routine.”

A lot of progress has been made, with nu-merous changes and improvements being implemented, including:• At Lakewood Public School, the stairway

at the front of the school was too narrow for traffic flow, so they were widened to twice the width.

• At Beaver Brae Secondary School, the Physical Science lab was redesigned to in-clude a handicap work station.

• At Dryden High School, a wheelchair ramp

was installed to allow access to from the gym to the field. A portable wheelchair lift was also purchased and installed to allow wheelchair access to the gym stage.

• All schools purchased rocking chairs for autistic students to replace uncomfort-able student chairs. As well, the standards for desks purchased were changed to bet-ter accommodate handicap/oversize stu-dents. Work is ongoing at all schools. And while

awareness certainly reduces the challenges of making schools accessible, the main hur-dle, according to Carlson, is one that’s com-mon to all schools boards: funding. He says many items have been bookmarked for future work and are completed as funding becomes available, such as:• Developing an area outside the classroom

for students requiring special needs pro-grams at Red Lake High School.

• Installing an elevator at Keewatin Public School to allow handicap access between floor levels.

• The reception counters in the main offices

Dryden High School’s acting vice-principal Brad Bartlett demonstrates the school’s sound system

New, handicap accessible front entrance of Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora


accEssibility for all ontarians

The Ontario government introduced the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in June 2005 because it’s important for everyone, regardless of their abilities, to have equal opportunities. The AODA outlines enforceable standards with timelines for compliance in accessing goods, ser-

vices, information, transportation, employment, buildings and public spaces. Requirements are being phased-in between 2011 and 2025 to allow organiza-tions time to plan for accessibility.

The final proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard is currently under development. The Standard proposes requirements in areas such as entrances, doorways and ramps, parking spaces, signs and displays and builds upon current accessibility provisions in the Ontario Building Code. If the standard becomes law, it will apply to new construction. However, buildings that undergo extensive renovations will be required to conform to accessibility requirements in the On-tario Building Code, as is the case now. This will allow organizations to include accessibility in building plans right at the beginning.

For more information on accessibility in Ontario, visit http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/ »

of all schools are being reviewed to ensure

they are wheelchair accessible.

Carlson says special education programming

resource rooms like the one in Red Lake High

School are a priority and will eventually be part

of every school, as will high-quality sound sys-

tems, which help hearing-impaired students

(they can be tied into hearing aids) and also

provide clarity to all students.

Other measures being taken to improve

learning access students include designing

new schools like the recently opened Open

Roads Public School with heating and ventila-

tion systems that reduce background noise and

keep students’ attention focused. “Environ-

ment is key,” Carlson says. Sound, colour and

lighting are some of the things now taken into

consideration in school design and redesign

to eliminate any and all barriers. Even spe-

cial education staff and local agencies have

become involved in the process – because it’s

important that all students have equal oppor-

tunities and a positive learning experience.

Wheelchair lift at New Prospect Public SchoolAtrium of Open Roads Public School

Photos by Sheena Valley, Communications Assistant, KPDSB


1

3 5

64

2

Every year, K–12 facilities waste millions of dollars in excess energy consumption. Those dollars may take the form of lost heat through walls, windows, doors, and roofs. Or the villain may be poorly conceived or mismanaged control systems. Those excess funds that districts are sending to the lo-cal utility companies could be invested “at home” to improve the facility and work to-ward a zero net-energy environment. Start with the following list of top energy wasters and strategies to mitigate them.

1. Inefficient Energy Management System A poorly configured energy management

system can waste 20%–25% of your gas and electricity dollars. Align yourself with a control professional who not only under-stands how to “write code” but also

Integrates the functions of your me-chanical systems, using concepts of time-of-day scheduling, ventilation control consistent with space use, optimized start-stop, free cooling, and heat recovery;

Demonstrates a working knowledge of the rate structures offered by your util-ity company and ways to manage your mechanical systems to function within the restrictions of those structures; and

Develops graphic interfaces that a nov-ice user can understand and navigate. Al-though often cursed, an energy manage-ment system can be one of your greatest assets.

2. Lack of Central Plant Optimization The typical workhorse components of

your heating, ventilating, and air-condi-tioning system are boilers, chillers, pumps, and cooling towers. They can look intimi-dating and if not properly optimized can be very costly to operate. For example, if the burner on a boiler is improperly calibrated,

The Top 10 Energy Wasters in K–12 Facilities (and What to Do about Them)This article originally appeared in the May 2010 School Business Affairs magazine and is reprinted with permission of the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). The text herein does not necessarily represent the views or policies of ASBO International, and use of this imprint does not imply any endorsement or recognition by ASBO International and its officers or affiliates.

it can cause a boiler designed to operate at 80% efficiency to run at 60%.

Although often cursed, an energy man-agement system can be one of your great-est assets.

Develop a relationship with a mechani-cal systems service organization that has a verifiable positive record in providing preventive maintenance on central plant components. Again, as with the controls, the service organization must be able to articulate a working knowledge of utility rates so as to help “right size” equipment or offer higher-efficiency alternatives to your current equipment.

In addition, your energy management professional must be able not only to pro-gram your central plant to function in har-mony with your K–12 building operation but also to exploit opportunities in the utility rate structures.

3. Postponed Routine Preventive Maintenance Even the most routine maintenance, like

changing filters, can greatly enhance the energy efficiency of a building system. The facilities management staff should review the operations and maintenance manuals for each piece of equipment and use that information to develop a list of mainte-nance tasks, such as boiler cleaning, belt tensioning, lubrication, and chemical treatment. From there, they must integrate the task list into a calendar. Contract with a preventive maintenance firm or purchase a computer software program to track tasks and generate reminders.

4. Domestic Hot Water Systems Domestic hot water systems are also

prime candidates for promoting energy conservation. Centrally located domestic

water heaters with large storage capaci-ties are often designed for the anticipated demand of locker room shower use occur-ring simultaneously with dish-washing and general restroom hand washing.

By their very nature, steam systems are less efficient than hot water heating sys-tems.

A strong energy partner can evaluate the domestic water system as it relates to actual use. It may be advantageous to dis-tribute small point-of-use water heaters for hand washing in restrooms, to develop a dedicated system for the kitchen, and to install time-of-day controls. Consider demand-based water heating at shower lo-cations. This approach can eliminate long runs of domestic hot water distribution piping with the associated energy losses and can eliminate the losses associated with large storage tanks.

5. Inefficient Lighting Systems Are the gym lights left on all day because

they take so long to “warm up”? Maybe the daylight in the lobby or cafeteria would be more than enough on a sunny day, but the “keyed light switch” makes it inconvenient to turn off the lights.

Lighting systems are making tremen-dous advances in technology and efficien-cy; in fact, simple lighting controls along with florescent and LED technologies are making two-year-old lighting systems ob-solete.

Consider systems like occupancy con-trol, daylight harvesting, and automatic dimming as cost-effective ways to reduce your electricity consumption and energy demand profiles.

6. Traditional Pumping Systems Many K–12 facilities use pumps to allo-

By Dave Leathers


79

10

8

cate hot water and chilled water from the central plant to the distributed heating and cooling systems. By design, these pumping systems can meet the greatest demand for heating and cooling imposed by occupancy and weather conditions. In fact, in design-ing the pumping systems, the systems en-gineer likely assumed that all areas of the building peaked simultaneously.

Yet we know the students are in the caf-eteria at lunchtime and not in the class-rooms, and the gym rarely sees full occu-pancy on the hottest, sunniest days of the year. As a result, there is ample opportu-nity for the pumping systems to circulate “less-than-design” flows as much as 98% of the year. Consider variable frequency drives, reduced pumping capacity, parallel pumping, primary and secondary pump-ing, or other technologies to immediately lower your electric bills.

7. Wasteful Boiler Systems As systems age, they tend to become less

efficient. Hot water boilers are no excep-tion. The burner components wear and be-come “sloppy”; the heat transfer surfaces get dirty both inside and out; and controls need recalibration. Preventive mainte-nance can keep a boiler at its best for many years; yet there is more to consider.

Don’t just assume that because your facility is new, the boiler plant is capable of delivering efficiently generated heat throughout all ranges of use.

Much like pumping systems, boilers are selected to meet the greatest potential de-mand, so for 90% of the year they are over-sized. An energy professional should be able to review your gas consumption his-tory and evaluate the potential advantages of a high-efficiency “light-load” boiler.

8. Outdated Steam Systems Many older K–12 facilities use steam

boilers and steam distribution systems as a building’s heating source. By their very na-ture, steam systems are less efficient than hot water heating systems. They operate at higher temperatures, thereby losing more “up the flue.” Consequently, they have a constant demand for makeup water and chemical treatment and the need to heat

cold “makeup water” to steam tempera-tures. They are also much more difficult to control. Because steam systems operate at higher temperatures, the piping systems have greater losses. And when you consider steam traps and condensate pumps, they are more costly to maintain.

The best approach is to replace the steam plant and distribution system with an alternative; however, the cost for this work may be more than the utility savings can justify. In those cases, have your en-ergy partner evaluate technologies like pe-riodic trap inspections, flue gas heat recov-ery, enhanced piping insulation, and heat recovery at locations where condensate is vented to the atmosphere.

9. Outdated Plumbing Fixtures K–12 facilities are huge consumers of

water. Much like lighting, improvements in plumbing fixtures have been swift in the past three to five years. Many fixtures that formerly consumed 2.5 or 1.6 gallons per flush can now be replaced with fixtures that use 1.1 or 0.8 gallons.

Furthermore, you can decrease your wa-ter cost with low-flow faucets and shower-heads and the application of sensor-based technology.

10. Retro-Commissioning School districts have used commission-

ing for years. By definition, commissioning is the methodical evaluation of systems and controls to ensure that their perfor-mance is consistent with the design intent of the original architect and engineer.

Retro-commissioning is also a methodi-cal evaluation of your building systems; however, the focus is shifted to make the building function efficiently as it is current-ly used. Often, buildings are remodelled or the function of rooms has changed; yet little consideration is given to the effect of energy use as a result of such changes.

Additionally, schools may design a build-ing with the anticipation of particular enroll-ment figures that have changed or have not yet been met. These, and similar issues, jus-tify the investment in retro-commissioning. If for no other reason, it can enhance com-fort and therefore the learning environment.

Start Now This list of tips, steeped in engineer-

ing and technical details, may seem over-whelming. So where to do you start? 1. Remember, the money is in your budget

to make the appropriate modifications. It is currently being spent as excess en-ergy consumption. Reinvest those dol-lars in the form of payments to retire an investment in energy security.

2. Be sure to benchmark your utility con-sumption against other K–12 facilities in your geographic area. The U.S. Depart-ment of Energy, Energy Star, utility com-panies, and others all have benchmark-ing information. In addition, firms that specialize in energy work can evaluate your buildings. And don’t be surprised to learn that your new, supposedly effi-cient, five-year-old building is an energy hog!

3. Find a professional energy services firm that can help you integrate the process. Some firms specialize in energy analysis and retrofits, but invest some effort in checking their references. Talk to your peers and find out who they have used and whether they had a good experience that resulted in real savings.

4. Don’t become enamoured by all the “re-newable technologies” currently being promoted. Yes, they are great technolo-gies and will ultimately allow the United States to become more energy indepen-dent. But you should first focus on what you can do to make your facility efficient. For example, why invest in a 200kilowatt solar panel system to generate power you would have otherwise not used? Remember, you can’t tell who won the

game without a scorecard. Don’t just pay the utility bills—track them. Ensure that you have developed an energy baseline before you start your energy projects and then, on a monthly basis, compare your current consumption to the baseline.

Make sure you are winning the energy savings game!

David Leathers is senior vice president of building service and energy solutions with Limbach Inc.

Email: [email protected]. »


Firestone Building Products Canada, in partnership with Firestone Energy Solu-tions, is pleased to introduce the Plat-inumPV™ program for low-slope rooftops in Canada.

The program provides building own-ers with an energy-producing rooftop, consisting of a Firestone top-of-the-line Platinum roofing system – EPDM, TPO, asphalt or metal – combined with a turn-key rooftop PV solution. The PlatinumPV™ program minimizes risks, maximizes re-turn on investments and provides peace of mind for decades to come.

High-Performance Roofing SystemA high-performance roofing system

must be in place to turn the roof into an energy-producing asset. Available with EPDM, TPO, asphalt and metal, Firestone Platinum roof assemblies sum up decades of roofing system design expertise to bring the best commercial roofing has to offer.

By incorporating ISOGARD™ HD 120 psi polyiso cover board to protect from higher levels of traffic with Firestone’s thickest and toughest fully adhered single-ply membranes, SBS and metal profiles, Fire-stone is able to offer the ultimate in build-ing owner peace of mind.

Once a high-performance roofing as-sembly – warrantable for 30 years – is in place, it’s time to turn the roof into a “power plant.”

Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic SystemFirestone Energy Solutions is a one-

stop-shop for rooftop PV systems. Besides

a full line of PV products with 25-year so-lar module efficiency guarantees, services offered range from financial analysis and system engineering to solar system con-tracting. Once the PV system is in place on top of the high-performance roof assem-bly – “Platinum” – Firestone can offer an optional Solar Service Agreement (SSA).

Solar Service Agreement (SSA)Firestone’s Solar Service Agreement

(SSA) is a promise to remove and rein-stall rooftop PV as needed to investigate warranted roof leaks. Linked to coverage terms of Firestone’s industry leading Red Shield™ warranty, the SSA can be pur-chased for up to 30 years, outlasting PV module warranties. By creating such a durable roofing substrate for a rooftop PV system, solar electrical production can go on undisturbed for decades, resulting in years of additional profit generation.

Rooftop solar is purchased based on a calculated return on investment. The ex-pense of disassembling and moving solar arrays for roof maintenance or replace-ment can obliterate anticipated ROI. The Firestone PlatinumPV™ program combines 30-year Red Shield® roofing warranties and 25-year solar module efficiency guar-antees along with an optional Firestone Solar Service Agreement for the ultimate peace of mind and maximal ROI.

For more information on the Plat-inumPV™ Program, please contact Mi-chael Sexton, Senior Sales Engineer at Firestone Energy Products, at [email protected].

About Firestone Building Products Canada

Firestone Building Products Company, LLC (FSBP) is a leading manufacturer of EPDM, TPO, asphalt and metal roofing sys-tems, polyiso insulation and accessories for the commercial roofing industry. Fire-stone also offers a number of green roof-ing solutions, including photovoltaic, day-lighting and vegetative roofing systems. Beyond high-performance roofing solu-tions, FSBP offers installation expertise and product support through roofing solu-tions and technical services departments and an international network of roofing contractors, distributors and field sales representatives. FSBP Canada is headquar-tered in Mississauga, Ontario. Visit the FSBP website at www.firestonebp.ca.

About Firestone Energy SolutionsFirestone Energy Solutions is commit-

ted to providing products and systems that assist in conservation and the pro-duction of energy for the commercial building envelope. Working in conjunc-tion with Firestone Building Products, the company serves as a single-source option for all products associated with rooftop photovoltaic installations. In addition, Firestone provides solar and installation technologies from leading manufacturers, along with the ability to provide warranty coverage for both the roof and energy systems. Firestone Energy Solutions is a division of Firestone Building Products, LLC. Visit the Energy Solutions website at www.firestoneenergy.com. »

Firestone’s PlatinumPV™ Program

Okanagan College of Excellence (Living Building Challenge) in Kelowna, BC. Its 71,000 ft2 roof is covered by the Firestone EnviroReady System.

A PV installation by Firestone Energy Solutions.


Achieving energy efficiency is not as complicated, time consum-ing and costly as one may anticipate. In fact, it’s never been easi-er for sustainable building owners with the help and support of an Enbridge Energy Solutions Consultant (ESC).

An ESC’s primary objective is to improve energy efficiencies with their technical expertise and sustainable energy solutions while saving the customer money by reducing energy expendi-tures and making them aware of financial incentives available. They have industry knowledge, which allows them to find the en-ergy initiative that’s right for each business.

Enbridge’s ESCs offer a wide range of related free services espe-cially designed to help customers establish and fulfill a success-ful energy conservation plan. The consultants are able to provide customers with a customized natural gas energy plan identifying improvements to maximize available financial incentives by per-forming a preliminary walk-through of a building.

An Enbridge ESC is available to offer solutions to customers for

a program, promotion or technical assistance they require and will ensure projects are simple and easy to execute.

In addition to offering solutions, they are also able to connect customers with an inventory of Enbridge’s independent business partners including manufacturers, energy specialist and contrac-tors for equipment, installation and maintenance estimates and assistance.

ESC’s work with their customers to determine the most suit-able incentive program to ensure they receive the maximum payback as possible. These experts will work with their custom-ers during the application process to ensure everything runs smoothly, ensuring that not only is time saved but also that the project will be eligible and that it can start immediately.

To get started on an energy efficiency project or for more information, please contact Enbridge Gas Distribution at 1-888-427-8888 or visit www.enbridgegas.com/commercial. »

ENBRIDGE ENERGY SOLUTIONS CONSULTANTSImproving Energy Efficiencies with Enbridge’s Experts

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Air Filtration for IAQ and Energy Efficiency

A building’s HVAC air filtration system provides tangible ways to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency – two main tenets of the LEED program. In addition to contributing to the comple-tion of LEED credits and prerequisites, careful selection of the right HVAC filter and filter media can actually save money in the long run – answering critics’ charg-es that green buildings always have to cost more.

Effective air filtration provides the primary defense for building occupants and HVAC equipment against particulate and gaseous pollution generated within a building, as well as pollutants from air drawn into a building by the HVAC system. At the same time, air filters play a signifi-cant role in the energy consumed to op-erate the HVAC system. The higher the fil-ter’s resistance to air passing through it, the more energy is consumed to operate the HVAC system.

But even though we speak of air fil-ters, it’s really the filter media that has

HVAC Air Filtration By Bob Jackson, Norspec Filtration Ltd.

the biggest effect on providing clean air, protecting HVAC equipment and minimiz-ing energy consumption. That’s why the

right filter media strategy can help build-ings become more environmentally sus-

tainable and meet LEED and other green building rating system criteria.

Select the Right FilterTo understand how the right filter can

help to achieve LEED prerequisites and credits, it’s important to understand how filters should be selected to meet

IAQ and energy efficiency requirements. One of the biggest factors is filtration ef-ficiency, which defines how well the filter

will remove contaminants from air passing through the HVAC system.

The American Society of Heating, Re-

frigerating and Air-Conditioning Engi-neers (ASHRAE) has an HVAC filter test standard to quantify the efficiency of fil-

ters. The ASHRAE 52.2 test standard mea-sures the fractional particle size efficiency (PSE) of an HVAC filter. This indicates the filter’s ability to remove airborne particles

of differing sizes between 0.3 and 10 mi-

crons in diameter. A Minimum Efficiency

Reporting Value (MERV) is assigned to the filter media depending on the PSE in

three different particle size ranges: E1 (very fine particles in the 0.3 to 1 micron range), E2 (fine particles in the 1 to 3 mi-cron range) and E3 (coarse particles in

the 3 to 10 micron range). A MERV rating of 5 is least efficient, while a rating of 16 is

most efficient. For the best and most com-plete way to compare the filtration effi-ciencies of different air filters, review the efficiency values that are included in the

ASHRAE 52.2 test report. The E1, E2 and E3 efficiencies represent the true mea-

sure of filter performance and give users a more complete picture of what the filter will actually do.

Filters and Energy EfficiencyCommercial and residential buildings

account for 70 per cent of all electricity consumption and 40 per cent of all green-

house gas emissions. A third of the energy used by commercial buildings goes to ven-tilation and space heating/cooling. The energy used by HVAC systems is based on

Buildings pursuing LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification need to evaluate many things relating to energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and related materials and resource selection. But did you know that choosing the right air filter also can be an integral part of a building’s environmental sustainability strategy? In fact, implementing the right HVAC strategy could net you up to 11 leeD credits.

The Role of


the resistance of the air passing through

the filter. The lower the filter’s resistance,

the lower the energy consumption will

be. Switching to a filter with a lower re-

sistance to airflow is one of the easiest

changes building professionals can make

in an effort to reduce energy usage and

cost. That’s because the HVAC system fan

motor needs to overcome less resistance

to deliver the required airflow, thus reduc-

ing the motor’s energy consumption.

Fortunately, modern filter media has

given the industry the capability to pro-

duce filters that provide a lower resistance

to airflow while maintaining high-particle

capture efficiencies, thereby providing

the ability to improve IAQ and reduce en-

ergy costs simultaneously.

Reduce Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In addition to providing for superior

IAQ and reducing energy consumption,

HVAC filter selection has a direct effect on

a number of environmental sustainability

issues:

– greenhouse gas emissions – A 0.05”

WG reduction in a filter’s initial resis-

tance to airflow may reduce CO2 emis-

sions up to 4% or 120 lbs. per filter. A

0.20” WG reduction in a filter’s initial

resistance to airflow may reduce CO2

emissions by up to 9% or 480 lbs. per

filter.

– raw material use – Some filters pro-

vide superior performance while using

less media than other filters. In ad-

dition, filter media can be made with

recycled polymer from manufacturing

waste streams.

– waste output – Choosing high-capac-

ity pleated filters can extend filter life

and reduce changeouts and associated

waste streams.

Conclusion

Once a robust air filtration system has

been implemented, it’s important to pay

attention to proper filter maintenance.

Delaying filter maintenance increases

energy consumption and increases CO2

emissions. Reducing HVAC energy con-

sumption therefore helps conserve

natural resources – a wise sustainability

strategy. »

& LEED Certification


The MOLOK® Deep Collection System for waste and recyclables offers the ultimate solution to all as-pects of project development and management – from the ease of planning to preserving nature in the end. As a planner, there is no need to worry about extra space requirements for cumbersome waste enclosures or waste rooms, there are no lost parking spaces and no eyesores spoiling the otherwise creative and beautiful designs of new schools and other projects. Instead, the MOLOK®

Deep Collection System provides new opportunities for beautiful landscaping while conserving precious space.

How Can This Be?MOLOK® containers are installed partly underground, and be-

cause of the way they’re emptied, MOLOK® containers are never moved once installed. This allows for creative landscaping around the units – plus precious space is saved for other uses, such as parking, playgrounds etc.

The containers are emptied by means of an articulate crane, which allows for flexible placement of the containers. A typical MOLOK® emptying truck needs only a fraction of space to operate compared to traditional above-ground systems.

Benefits to the BuilderMOLOK® containers are quick and easy to install. By following

instructions, a typical MOLOK® container installation requires

only about 1.5 hours of work. MOLOK® North America Ltd. pro-vides these instructions and works closely with installers to en-sure a quality end result. MOLOK® North America has developed a certified installer program for those contractors who wish to specialize in MOLOK® products. This also guarantees that the end user will receive complete satisfaction with their new system.

Happy End Users and Mother NatureBecause the majority of waste is stored underground, the un-

derground temperature keeps the waste cool, as if it were in a fridge. Therefore, there are practically no unpleasant odours, which allows for longer intervals between the empties. Also, the longer the waste stays in the container, the more it is compacted, simply due to gravity. This turns into instant savings in collection costs and reduces the environmental impact caused by collection vehicles. Reduced collection vehicle traffic also means increased safety on site.

MOLOK® Around the WorldThe MOLOK® system has been in use for over 20 years and has

reached more than 40 countries. Millions of happy users enjoy the benefits of this system every day, including a fast-growing number of Ontario schools.

Please contact [email protected] or call 519-323-9909 for more information, or visit our website at www.molokna.com. »

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Attractive Hygienic


Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present outdoors and within every building. It forms from the radioactive decay of uranium and, ultimately, radium 226 and exists in soil, rocks and even groundwater. Problems arise when too much radon accumulates inside a building and becomes an indoor air-quality issue and health hazard. You cannot see, smell or taste radon and as a result, elevated levels could be present inside a building and you’d never know without testing for it.

Radon poses a risk to human health when it breaks down into what are com-monly referred to as radon decay products (RDPs). These RDPs emit high-energy al-pha radiation particles in the lungs which increase the risk of getting lung cancer. According to Health Canada, approxi-mately 10% of all lung cancer deaths in Canada are caused by radon, resulting in

the loss of about 2,000 lives per year. Next to smoking, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer.

The hazards of radon have been known for some time but the issue gained promi-nence in 2007 when Health Canada low-ered the acceptable upper limit of radon concentration in buildings from 800 bec-querels per cubic metre (Bq/m³) to 200 Bq/m³ based on current medical knowl-edge. Since then, many buildings have been tested for radon, including residen-tial dwellings, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings such as schools. The Atlantic Provinces were the first to mandate radon testing in their schools and since that time have undertaken numerous mitigation projects to reduce radon to acceptable levels. Last year the Ministry of Education in Quebec began a radon testing program to determine radon concentrations in all schools throughout

the province. When the Quebec program is completed in 2014, 100,000 individual ra-don tests will have been conducted. Mani-toba is anticipated to become the next province to order radon testing within all of its schools.

There are many misconceptions about radon, one of the most common being that radon can only enter buildings with basements. The truth is, radon can enter any building that is in contact with the un-derlying soil and/or rock. This means that slab-on grade buildings are as suscep-tible to radon entry as buildings with sub-grade basement levels. Radon is known to enter buildings through cracks, sumps, floor/wall joints or unfinished floors in crawlspaces. Radon can also come into a building via well water, but this contribu-tion is typically less significant than radon which comes from soil and/or rock.

Radon gas can enter through micro-

Every Building Contains RaDON -

By Scott Cryer, P.Geo. NEHa-NRPP, C-NRPP Certification

It’s a Matter of How Much


scopic cracks, and large holes or seams are not essential to having elevated radon levels in a building. Because radon can enter via small holes due to natural air movement, sealing openings with caulk-ing won’t generally solve your radon prob-lem – another misconception. Sealing is not an effective stand-alone method for mitigating radon problems and instead is used to enhance other mitigation meth-ods.

Testing a single family dwelling for radon is relatively simple but testing a larger building, such as a school, is more complicated. Considerations in establish-ing testing protocols include occupancy patterns within rooms and the proximity of the device to the floor, walls, ceiling, other objects and mechanical systems in the test area. It’s recommended that cer-tified radon professionals registered with either the National Environmental Health Association–National Radon Proficiency Program (NEHA-NRPP) or the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-

NRPP) conduct the testing. Testing can be performed by school board staff in-house if the testing protocol is pre-established and the worker has been trained by an instructor having NEHA-NRPP or C-NRPP certification.

Radon testing may be short- or long-term. Long-term tests range from 91 days to one year in length and short-term tests typically take from 48 hours to seven days. Radon concentrations vary significantly in a building from hour to hour, day to day and even more so from season to season. As a result, long-term tests are better at estimating the annual average radon concentration in a building. In schools, long-term test durations of 10 months are commonly used to provide an indica-tion of radon concentrations during the school year.

If a school has been tested and all ra-don concentrations measured are below 200 Bq/m³, no further action is required, according to Health Canada’s guideline. If test results indicate levels ranging from

200 Bq/m³ to 600 Bq/m³, the guideline in-dicates that mitigation should occur within two years to lower radon concentrations to acceptable levels. If the results are found to be above 600 Bq/m³, the recommenda-tion is to mitigate within one year. Mitiga-tion options are quite variable but often inexpensive. These range from simply ad-justing the HVAC system within a building to installing a sub-slab depressurization system to create a reduced pressure un-der the building. By doing so, radon from beneath a building is collected and ex-hausted outside the building before it has a chance to enter into the building. The costs of a worst-case radon scenario are far less than asbestos or mould abatement.

A healthy environment within your school starts with simple radon testing. For more information see:

Health Canada - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/

ewh-semt/radiation/radon/index-eng.php

Pinchin Environmental –

www.pinchin.com/radon »


From the space heating that keeps class-rooms comfortable in cold weather to the domestic hot water used in washrooms, showers and cafeterias, your school’s boiler system must carry a significant heating load while delivering consistent, uninterrupted service. Equipment, main-tenance and fuel costs, along with system reliability and greenhouse gas emissions, must all be taken into account when ad-dressing your heating system needs. This becomes especially challenging with tightening budgets and growing environ-mental concerns. Fortunately, Viessmann has a solution that is sure to fit the bill – and your budget.

The Vitocrossal 200, CM2 from Viessmann: A Practical Approach to Innovation

With its distinctive mix of proven Viess-mann technology and innovative features, the new Vitocrossal 200, CM2 takes a bold step forward while retaining trusted Viessmann quality and performance. The

DOES YOUR HEATING SYSTEM MAKE THE

gas-fired boiler combines unparalleled flexibility with maximum efficiency, mak-ing it an ideal choice for a new installation or economical retrofit of your school’s heating system.

Viessmann Technology from Top to Bottom

The Vitocrossal 200, CM2 utilizes ad-vanced condensing technology to extract heat that would escape up the chimney in a conventional heating system, signifi-cantly reducing fuel consumption, heat-ing costs and environmental impact.

Its new, fully-modulating Viessmann pre-mix cylinder burner features a wide modulation input range of 5:1 turndown ratio to precisely match load and provide clean, quiet and environmentally friendly operation. The burner comes fully pre-as-sembled to simplify installation and com-missioning.

The generous heat transfer surface area/heat input ratio of the SA240 316Ti stainless steel Inox-Crossal heat ex-

changer allows for maximum heat extrac-tion while maintaining a compact size. Its smooth, corrosion-resistant surface allows condensate to simply run off – a “self-cleaning” process that ensures con-tinuous condensing efficiency, reduced maintenance costs and longer boiler ser-vice life. When combined with powerful Viessmann control technology, the fully-modulating burner and Innox-Crossal heat exchanger enable the Vitocrossal 200, CM2 to achieve outstanding efficien-cies up to 94.6%.

Progressive Design FeaturesThe Vitocrossal 200, CM2 operates with

low inlet gas pressure (NG) of only four inches of water column for compatibil-ity with a greater range of supply pres-sures. Extremely low water pressure drop through the heat exchanger eliminates the need for a dedicated boiler pump and low-loss header, while the boiler’s large water content extends burner run time and reduces cycling.

Inox-Crossal Heat Exchanger Surface

Grade?


A Versatile SolutionThe Vitocrossal 200, CM2 offers a so-

lution for almost every school building. Multiple venting options (direct or chim-ney, up to 200 feet in length), fuel flex-ibility (NG/LPG/LNG) with simple elec-tronic conversion and seamless integra-tion into building control systems simplify retrofit projects and provide numerous possibilities for new schools. Shipped unassembled for easy transportation and maximum installation flexibility, it is easy to install, even in older buildings with narrow entrances (30-inch standard doorway clearance) and small mechanical rooms.

Multiple-Boiler SystemsUp to four Vitocrossal 200, CM2 boilers

can operate in a cascade configuration to precisely match your school’s varying heating load (inputs of 133 to 4448 MBH), maximize boiler plant efficiency and pro-vide security against heating plant service interruption. Harness the full potential of your Vitocrossal 200, CM2 cascade instal-lation with the powerful Vitocontrol-S – an advanced digital boiler and system

control with outdoor reset function to en-sure reliable, efficient performance of the entire heating system. The Vitocontrol-S will modulate burners; stage and rotate boilers; and regulate boiler water tem-perature, common supply temperature and up to two heating circuits with mixing valves.

A Wise InvestmentWhen you choose clean, quiet and ener-

gy efficient heating from Viessmann, you not only save money and conserve energy – you also invest in your students’ future. For more information on the Vitocrossal 200, CM2, call 1-800-387-7373 or visit www.viessmann.ca. »

Grade?GREEN RULE #1: USE LESS ENERGYacross Canada with less maintenance, greater reliabilty, and reduced gas consumption.

The MACH boiler has the size range for every application available from 300MBH to 4,000MBH.

Smith Energy has represented Patterson Kelley for over 20 years with hundreds of MACH installations and have the expertise to make your next boiler project a success.

565 Trillium Dr., Unit 7 • Kitchener, ON N2R 1J4Phone: 519.744.7295 Email: [email protected]

101-20167 96th Avenue • Langley BC V1M 3C5 Phone: 604-513-5919Email: [email protected]

To find out more about PK boilers visit: www.harscopk.com


When Frost first opened its doors 50 years ago, founder Warren Biggar manufactured everything from garbage cans to license plates. Now in its third generation of fam-ily management, Frost has evolved to be a leading Canadian manufacturer of com-mercial washroom accessories. Frost’s slogan “Hygienic Solutions at Work” em-bodies what the company is all about as it strives to provide the best quality prod-ucts which will transform any space into a clean, safe and more livable environment.

Frost products are used every day in a wide variety of settings, from movie the-atres to your local coffee shop. Along with our diverse range of customers, school

boards across

the country

have adopted

Frost’s products into their environments.

As always, Frost strives to provide du-

rable, functional and attractive solutions

to meet their customers’ cleanliness and

safety requirements.

Recently Frost has seen a shift in the

recycling needs of many school boards

across the country. Recycling regulations

are constantly changing, leaving schools

scrambling to keep up with the evolv-

ing requirements. To better meet these

changing needs, Frost has introduced two adaptable recycling stations, codes

315 & 316. These stations allow the user

to interchange the labels on the units to

easily adjust to new recycling programs.

Frost has also taken into consideration the different lay outs and space restric-tions that each school might be faced with. One of the recycling units is wall-mounted, which allows cleaning staff to easily maintain the floor area around the unit. The other is a larger, free-standing unit that provides three streams in which recyclable material can be sorted. By pro-viding two mounting styles with twelve adjustable labels – including glass, pa-per, plastic and trash – it gives the users multiple options that can been changed as quickly as the requirements demand.

Frost recognizes the importance of safety in schools and consciously designs and manufactures their products to keep environments as safe as possible. Frost recycling and waste receptacles are made with fully welded fabricated metal, which provide maximum fire protection. Going beyond fire and building codes, Frost rec-ognizes issues with bullying and accidents in change room facilities. In response to these issues, Frost invented a collapsible coat hook, code 1150. These coat hooks are designed to collapse when more than 25 pounds of force is place upon them. Frost wanted to ensure that their prod-ucts could help to make the school a safe environment, even if it is something as simple as a coat hook.

Frost is committed to helping make schools a safe and clean environment. We look forward to expanding our connec-tions with school boards while encourag-ing up-to-date recycling programs and expanding the number of solutions that can be offered to schools. »

– Innovative Solutions for a SAFE

EnVIronmEnT

W.G. Osborne Inc.Making Safety Child’s PlayTM

668 Millway Avenue Suite 2 | Concord, Ontario L4K 3V2Phone: (905) 760.1705 | Cell: (416) 717.6732 | Fax: (905) 760.2154

Email: [email protected] | www.osborne.ca


Upper Grand DSB Full-Day Kindergarten

Since Ontario started the full-day kindergarten program in September 2010, many schools have undertaken renovations or other projects to ac-commodate students. An example of this is Upper Grand District School Board, which is proceeding with a number of construction projects as part of their Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) Capital Plan.

Five elementary schools in Guelph and Shelburne will undergo renova-tions and additions valued at $4.6 mil-lion, but the biggest project approved was the construction of a new JK-8 el-ementary school in Guelph. The pres-ent-day Laurine Avenue Public School – a single-storey school building constructed in 1959, with just seven classrooms for kindergarten to grade 6 – will be torn down and replaced by a new two-storey building with an es-timated cost of $6.7 million and slated to open in September 2013.

Situated on a 3.9-acre lot at the end of Laurine Avenue, the new school will have up to 17 classrooms, a design tech room, gymnasium, seminar rooms, re-source room, library, staff room, work room and administration offices. Al-though it will have more square foot-age, it’s expected the new two-storey school will occupy a similar footprint, preserving much of the schoolyard landscape, trees and playground.

Expansions and renovations to three other elementary schools in the City of Guelph were also given the green light, including:

• Ken Danby P.S. – $850,000 for an addition of two new kindergarten classrooms.

• Ottawa Crescent P.S. – $1,050,000 for the addition of two new kinder-garten classrooms and the renova-tion of one existing classroom into a purpose-built kindergarten class-room.

• Fred A. Hamilton P.S. – $1,850,000 for the renovation of two existing classrooms to become purpose-built kindergarten rooms, and the ad-dition of five or six standard class-rooms.Also going forward are renovations

at two elementary schools in the Town of Shelburne:• Centennial Hylands E.S. – $450,000

for the renovations within the ex-isting school building to create four purpose-built kindergarten rooms.

• Hyland Heights E.S. – $450,000 for the restoration of two existing kin-dergarten rooms, plus a renovation of two existing classrooms to be-come one kindergarten room and a seminar room.

• Purpose-built kindergarten rooms are 1,000 square feet – larger than the typical classroom size of 750 square feet.The projects are all part of the

board’s FDK Capital Plan, an $89-mil-lion initiative to expand the board’s capacity for full-day junior and senior kindergarten students, and add more classroom space in neighbourhoods with high growth in enrolment. »

moves Forward


Index to advertisersCarma Industries Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

Dafco Filtration Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Davroc & Associates Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Decommissioning Consulting Services Limited . . . . 15

Delta Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Dol Turf Restoration Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Enbridge Gas Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Equipment Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Firestone Building Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Frost Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Laird Plastics Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

MAPEI Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Molok NA Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Norspec Filtration Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Pinchin Environmental Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Poly-Mor Canada Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Recycling Council of Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Reliable Controls Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC

Smith Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc. . . . . . . . . OBC

W.G. Osborne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Yorkland Controls Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Suite 300, 6 Roslyn RoadWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3L 0G5

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forward thinking

Reliable Controls CorporationSASBO Ops Talk Magazine - - full page ad dimensions (single page full bleed [8.625” x 11.125”] trim size [8.375”x10.875”) - 10.01.11 rev-B

www.reliablecontrols.com

LEED™ 5 year™

w a r r a n t yBACnet® SPOA™

m e m b e r

Looking to improve the energy efficiency in your school district?

Let the Internet-connected products from Reliable Controls® help you do the math. We deliver high performance energy management and control systems for school districts all across Canada.

Visit our website to contact a Reliable Controls® Authorized Dealer near you and let us help you do some forward thinking.

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C

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SASBO mag ad rev-B 2011.pdf 1 11-10-20 10:12 AM

Introducing the Vitocrossal 200, CM2: a brand new face with familiar features

www.viessmann.ca/CM2

A global product portfolio of effi cient heating solutions for all fuel types and applications.

New

Meet the Vitocrossal 200, CM2 gas-fired condensing boiler – featuring the Viessmann technology you know and the performance and value you expect.

Effi ciencies of up to 94.6%†

Ideal for large residential or commercial applications with inputs up to 1112 MBH (single)/4448 MBH (cascade)Generous heat transfer surface area/heat input ratio of stainless steel heat exchanger maximizes heat extraction in compact sizeExtremely low NOx emissions and quiet operation from fully-modulating Viessmann pre-mix cylinder burnerWide modulation range of 5:1 turndown ratio precisely matches loadMultiple venting possibilities with pre-installed air intake kit for direct or chimney venting (PP or stainless steel) up to 200 ft. Gas fuel flexibility (NG/LPG/LNG) with simple electronic conversion Low inlet gas pressure requirement (NG) as low as 4 inches of water column Large water content extends burner run time and reduces cycling No dedicated boiler pump required due to extremely low pressure drop through heat exchanger - no low-loss header required Seamless integration of powerful Viessmann control technology and building management systems Suitable for high altitude operation up to 10,000 ft.

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OSPM - June - CM2.indd 1 6/11/2012 11:52:34 AM

ontario school plant manager spring 2012

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