AMA Warns of Risks With LED Street Lighting

When I was doing my daily search of the news making headlines around the world, a story on www.cnn.com last week caught my attention and forced me to look closer at the whole issue of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and impacts on healthcare.

It all started with "community guidance" by the American Medical Association (AMA) earlier this month to reduce the harmful human and environmental effects of high intensity street lighting.  While many American communities, including Guam, are taking significant efforts to modernize  roadway lighting systems, it appears that converting to "improper" LED technology can have great impacts on health and the ecosystem near these lighting fixtures. 

The AMA cites the Blue Lighting, or the white light of an LED to the naked eye, can decrease visual acuity which can create a road hazard for drivers.  The AMA guidance also cites the impacts of LED lighting on species of animals that need a dark environment in which the related systems can disorient some birds and sea-life in and around the modern streetlight. The AMA guidance would imply that all Guam drivers and much of our mangrove ecosystems, in and around our main roadways, are at risk.  There were recommendations to utility companies to use among other things lower correlated color temperature fixtures, LED lighting shields to minimize glare and utilize dimming technologies in the street lighting during peak time periods as a way to reduce such risks. 

"The guidance adopted today by grassroots physicians who comprise the AMA's policy-making body strengthens the AMA's policy stand against light pollution and public awareness of the adverse health and environmental effects of pervasive nighttime lighting, " said the AMA in a news release.

The AMA did recognize LED street lighting does have energy efficiency benefits. Nearly 10 percent of the Nation's roadways feature LED lighting today. More of Guam's roads can expect to see more of this technology installed during these times of rising costs to manage this important public program as directed by the Guam Consolidated Commission on Utilities.

"The new AMA guidance encourages proper attention to optimal design and engineering features when converting to LED lighting that minimize detrimental health and environmental effects," said AMA Board Member Dr. Maya A. Babu.

University of Connecticut School of Medicine Professor Richard G. Stevens also noted that there is almost never a completely satisfactory solution to a complex problem-the impacts of LED Streetlights to human health. 

"We must have lighting at night, not only in our homes and businesses, but also outdoors on our streets, said Dr. Stevens. "The need for energy efficiency is serious, but so too is minimizing human risk from bad lighting, both due to glare and to circadian disruption. LED technology can optimize both when properly designed".

For more information on bringing an LED lighting solution to your facility, please contact us at GET, LLC at 671-483-0789 or see our website at www.get-guam.com for details of the technologies that can be of significant value to all building and property owners-All Made in America!!!

Could There Be More Women in Construction?

As a HUBZone Certified Women-Owned Small Business, GET, LLC is priviliged to sit right at the construction industry table in this part of the world.  Each day, does not pass that we ask why are not more women in the field of construction?  As a recent editorial in the San Diego, California-based The Daily Transcript outlines, not many women take advantage of the opportunity to be a part of the construction field and have such high potential to close the gap in earnings as a part of this profession.  

Chief Financial Officer of Sherwood Mechanical William Smyth opined that as the American economy recovers from the recent recession, and construction jobs are becoming more plentiful from Maine to Guam USA, why aren’t more women pursuing opportunities in construction?

"Many women never even consider working in construction because of a lack of role models," wrote Smyth.  "The current absence of women craft professionals stamp construction as a boys-only club, a stubborn stereotype that isn’t true, but persists.

Other women are simply unaware there is a place for them in construction and that they are welcome in the profession. In the same Women’s Policy Research study, out of 200 women surveyed, only one said she learned anything about careers in construction from a high school counselor. Two others learned about their opportunities at a regional job-training center.

Lack of recruiting and exposure to construction trades plus persistent stereotyping and the lack of role models add up to a serious concern for the construction industry."

Smyth gives much credit to the the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) for helping change this situation.  

As a proud member of NAWIC, GET, LLC recognizes that this discussion is not a new one-in fact this topic has been at the forefront of construction professionals minds for over 60 years.  It is the awareness by these small business owners and construction professionals that continues to break the stereotypes. NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training and public service-the Guam Chapter is no different.

"Thanks to the economic recovery, the construction industry nationwide added 20,000 jobs in August, which boosted employment in the industry to a five-year high," wrote Smyth.  "At the same time, unemployment among builders and crews fell to its lowest level in seven years, a combination that has builders in some areas delaying or turning away projects because they can’t staff up fast enough. There has never been a greater opportunity for groups across the construction industry to reach the common goal of advancing the roles of women in the workplace."

We agree.  

Like Mr. Smyth, GET,LLC encourages our industry leaders, educators, career counselors, advocacy groups like NAWIC and parents all over the Country to give young women the opportunity to explore careers in construction-when this happens everyone benefits.

For more information on NAWIC and the efforts of the Guam Chapter feel free to contact us at 671-797-0789.  GET, LLC is a proud member of NAWIC and stand in support of enhancing the success of women in the construction industry. 

Tips to Buying Metal Roofing

A recent article by Metal Construction News noted the challenges of the supply chain of America's top metal roofing manufacturers.  While the construction industry supply chain is having its problems, there is no question of the trickle down impacts to the rest of the specialty markets including metal roofing.  U.S. suppliers are concerned of the how such challenges are impacted by the infiltration of international competition and getting consumers to stay home when purchasing metal roofing. Also, new players in the market have long time metal roofing companies cautiously optimistic on what the future holds for their industry.

What will rule the day?  

One answer-the establishment of minimum requirements for metal roofing quality.  

US manufacturers remain under the constant barrage of products introduced into the American marketplace from all over the world.  Keeping bad metal out keeps the bad experiences out.  Performance is key here.  Process is just as important with an eye on pre-treatment, metal coating and substrate gauge.  Finally, experience is probably the single most important variable that a consumer must take into consideration before buying a metal roof-little experience means greater cost down the road for the unsuspecting building owner or facility manager.

Key to protecting both the consumer and this important U.S. market is education.  Writers on this topic are saying that consumers need to understand the language of metal and the metal roofing industry needs to raise awareness among consumers of the benefits of metal roofing as well as the importance of choosing the right contractor. 

Quality contractors also need to educate the marketplace as well.  Can they certify the coating, paint warranties, steel thickness and quality? Is there documentation to support the quality levels? The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has an established a certification program for metal roofing. According to Executive Director of the MCA Jeff Henry the program currently has 45 metal roofing products certified among a handful of manufacturers. If the program is expanded, industry experts believe such action will  ensure the industry doesn't suffer from adverse publicity because of poor metal roof performance.  

Bottom line-Contractors need to work with experienced, long-term providers who stand behind their work.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners can help with your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.    

Buying for Retail-Some Advice for Purchasing Quality Leather Furniture

A great article re-emerged from Russell Bienenstock in the home furnishings industry's top publication on the benefits and advantages to buying leather furniture products.  His first in a two part piece in the New Rochelle, New York-based Furniture World Magazine made me think-WOW!  This blogger shares some of it here and I must say it was very informative and helps with the argument on whether or not to use this material in a modern office or living space:

"...From a consumer standpoint, buying a leather sofa can seem like a “no-brainer, wrote Bienenstock. "There are no fabric patterns to choose, simplifying decorating decisions for the design-challenged. It is also true that quality leather has properties which can make it superior to many fabrics. 

Consider the following...Leather outlasts most fabric coverings. It has an exceptionally long useful life. It will not tear and is half again as strong as other upholstery materials -- even along the seam lines. It is fire resistant and emits no toxic fumes, even when exposed to intense heat. Modern full grain leather products won’t crack or peel. Quality leather stretches and retains its shape without sagging. It 'breathes', assumes body temperature rapidly and is instantaneously comfortable. It resists heat and sun damage. Leather is a practical material, ideal for busy lifestyles. No special solvents or cleaners and no lengthy or expensive procedures are necessary for its care. Leather generally ages well.

On the other hand, depending on how it is used, covers promoted and sold as leather differ in how long they will last, how easy they are to clean, in their suppleness and, how effectively they can be repaired. There are big differences in leather price, quality and wear, yet retail customers may have trouble evaluating how these differences correlate with desired benefits. This is not surprising since even retail salespeople who should have this expertise, may not be conversant with the types of leather, finishes or products such as leather splits, vinyl and fabric/leather composite materials.

Although home furnishings industry professionals do not need to know the fine details of leather production, basic information regarding hide quality, tanning, dyeing and finishing can help retailers to steer customers toward making informed purchase decisions."

The article stresses that there is quality to be had across the entire price point spectrum.  Best to be educated than to make a poor design and material choice.  In the end the value will be appreciated by the owner or end users.

Don't think leather is only for the ultra-rich.  Bienenstock remarked that tanning technology, globalization and composite leather materials are changing the marketplace making leather furniture more affordable and gaining broad consumer appeal.

For more on how GET, LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific furniture needs-even leather-please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!!!

Delamping with LED Lighting-A Strategy to Save Energy Costs

Building owners are always looking for an efficient way to reduce costs in their facilities come budget time. The following strategy is a great way to get the cost savings they are looking for while also modernizing the lighting system in their respective building. 

 De-lamping, or the replacement of two fluorescent tubes with one LED tube, is gaining popularity among business owners because it greatly diminishes the operating cost for owners and, in many cases, reduces the payback period for an LED retrofit to as little as one year.

My friends at Independence LED Lighting offer up an example of de-lamping-converting a 2’x4’ office troffer containing four, 32 watt 4’, T8 fluorescent tubes to an LED Retrofit Kit consisting of two, 4’, 22 watt tubes powered by one external driver. This reduces the total fixture wattage from 128 watts to 44 watts, resulting in a 66% lighting savings.  LED retrofit products that are DLC listed and qualify for rebates with major energy providers, can also reduce the payback period and increase ROI.

GET, LLC, through our friends at Independence LED has installed "American-Made" retrofit kits in the commercial and industrial, warehousing, educational, parking garages, hospitality and multi-family residential markets. Independence LED CEO Charles Szoradi says that the key an LED De-Lamping strategy is based on our ability to use one high output tube to replace two existing fluorescent tubes or a pair of imported tubes.

"Since our tube systems are modular, coming in a selection of wattages and lengths, we can de-lamp just about any fixture configuration," said Szoradi. "Our deep fin aluminium heart sinks and external driver technology enables one of our LED tubes to do the work of two alternative options.”

When performing an LED retrofit, it is important to evaluate the fixture retrofit cost, and not just the tube cost. Four $35 imported Chinese tubes to replace four 32 watt fluorescent tubes may seem to be a less expensive solution than $68 US Made LED tubes.  However, buyers have to take the cost per unit off the table and look at the fixture retrofit cost. 4 x $35 = $140 while 2 x $68 = $136.  The value is in the FIXTURE retrofit cost and not the tube cost. Plus the US made tubes, including those by Independence LED, consume less electricity and have a 10 year warranty versus the imported tubes that often cap out at five years.

De-lamping’s ability to reduce the overall fixture retrofit cost, lower lighting electricity costs, and achieve greater performance has made it increasingly popular among business owners in the private and public sector.

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important energy efficient lighting needs-All Made in America!!!