How and When to Use a Satellite Phone

Extreme Weather has challenged the power and telecommunications infrastructure in the Western Pacific,  As we found out in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) last year, if our cell phone towers or undersea cables are severed during a natural disaster, the connecting network between our isolated islands in Micronesia and the rest of the world is at risk of failure.  One tool that can utilized in preparation of such an emergency is the satellite phone.  

Satellite phones rely on a network of satellites that are either fixed above the Equator (Geostationary), or in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) anywhere from 500 to 1,000 miles above the surface of the Earth. These phones are rarely affected by violent storms and, depending upon their system architecture, work virtually anywhere in the world. Their compact design is familiar to many of us and very similar to that of the cell phone in our bags and purses.

For years, the traditional sat phone buyer and user has been the government, public safety agencies, shippers and energy companies.  That is changing. Private individuals are securing the use of sat phones so they do not lose their capability to communicate with the rest of the world. Why get one?

With its origins dating back to 1965, the launch 20 years ago of the first low earth orbit satellite network by Motorola and today about 66 satellites crisscrossing the globe on a continual basis via the now thriving Iridium, sat phone options are better and allow us to  communicate via this technology more than ever.

A March 2013 article in Forbes Magazine noted that if you purchase a sat-phone, expect to spend between $600 and $1700, depending upon the network. All of the phones are lightweight, small, and replicate the functionality of your cellular telephone. Some have Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities so you can use a remote headset, and wirelessly connect your computer for data access.

Today, there are options-even the use of sat phones with U.S. based SIM cards that are available for lease.

All satellite phones have a number of common characteristics that you need to be aware of in order to select the one that will work the best for you. The most important point to understand is that sat-phones are not cell phones, and they work on an entirely different network architecture and radio propagation characteristics. There are certain inherent limitations as to how they operate, and where.

Satellite phones help save lives, provide communications during natural disasters, and link users with the outside world when terrestrial-based networks fail. Cellular networks can be fragile and can be unavailable for a variety of reasons. Satellite networks rarely if ever are out of service, which means that if you have a satellite phone, you are almost guaranteed a connection with emergency services, business, government agencies, friends and family. 

They are, in my view, inexpensive communications insurance. 

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our Iridium satellite phone partner at Range Global Services, LLC, can help your satellite phone needs, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.

Working at Height in Windy Conditions-Be Safe, Not Sorry

As an owner of an aerial work platform, we spend much time to understand the challenges of working at height and how to help our customers with their unique requirements on the job site.  While much of our discussions center on getting the right lift for the job, I stumbled across an interested read that led me to a resource and particularly a section about working at height outdoors in windy conditions.

The University of Kentucky Aerial Lift Safety Program is a document that is provided to all of their employees and contractors who work at height.  As part of the program, each operator is required to complete a Work Area Checklist for Aerial Lifts before and during use.  Among the items that crews are asked to look out for on the job is wind and weather conditions.  The University directs lift operators that at 20 miles per hour wind speeds or anticipated gusts, lifts will be lowered to a maximum height of 20 feet. With wind speeds or anticipated gusts of 25 miles per hour or more, all lifts are grounded for that day.

Such wind hazard reporting is important for the safety of those working at height and for the integrity of projects that could be compromised by less that ideal work in higher wind conditions. A number of universities across America have similar wind policies relative to working at height including the University of New York, Temple University and the University of Montana just to name a few.  State Governments and private sector companies in the U.S. also have such wind safeguards in place as well.

All organizations must address the hazards of operating aerial work platforms in windy conditions as the hazards can include the lift falling over,  a worker slipping off the platform if the lift is used during bad weather or high winds, positioned on soft or uneven ground, overloaded with heavy objects and driven over uneven, unstable ground, or surface in poor condition, with the lift in an elevated position.

While all lift owners and operators stress following their manufacturer’s instruction regarding operation in windy conditions, If at any time, personnel feels unsafe, due to weather or wind conditions prior to using an aerial lift, they may make a decision to ground the lift and cease. 

No questions asked

The lift industry has recognized for years that we all have a responsibility to do our part in supplying safe, efficient equipment to users, and to ensure that those users know how to operate the equipment in a proper manner so that the job is completed safely... and then go home.

If you have any aerial lift needs and would like to discuss potential solutions, please drop GET, LLC a line via our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789-your authorized Terex/Genie Representative for Guam and Micronesia.

Standing Seam Roofs-A Great Fit for Micronesia

A recently published Metal Construction News article highlighted the Metal Roof industry-outlining the top technologies in the marketplace today.  In recent years, GET,LLC has been witness to the utilization of one particular metal roofing system on Guam that can withstand the harsh tropical climate of the Western Pacific and provide a long lasting roofing solution. The end result has been an increase in value to current metal buildings from Yigo to US Naval Base Guam.

Whether you have plans to develop a commercial project or you are closely watching the Guam Housing Corporation's residential home building project in Dededo, there are many types of metal roofing options for a facility on Guam and Micronesia with only one shining above the rest-the standing seam metal roof panel.

The standing seam metal panels are interlocking single-skin panels with concealed fasteners and raised seams.  The panels in these systems are typically installed at continuous lengths from eave to ridge and can vary in widths and styles.  Installed vertically, these systems come in structural or architectural varieties. 

The benefits of a such a system begins with its durability.  A lack of interlocks allows for an expansion of the system that is much better across the entire roof which means a longer life usage.  

Most roofing systems are now sold to meet various UL classifications and ASTM standards for strength, wind uplift and energy efficiency codes for Guam and the region.  Made of aluminum, these systems are recyclable at end of life. With some posting 20 year warranties, the standing seam roof is an affordable solution to any roofing job in Micronesia.  The warranties also take weather tightness into consideration-a must with the amount of rainfall and storm activity we see on a yearly basis.

From a maintenance point of view, standing seam roofs are "low-to-no" maintenance if installed properly.  Cleaning these roofs are as simple as mild soap and clean water.  These systems are also energy efficient and can aid in LEED Certification-especially those in "cool roof" colors.  Integration with solar photovoltaics are simple. Need a quick roof solution? "Float" a standing seam roof system over existing roofing materials for an affordable fix that will last for years. Give a standing seam roofing solution a chance on your next metal building project.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners at Ceco Building Systems, can help 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.

   

Steel is Good "Shelter from the Storm"

A great article by Mark Robbins of Metal Construction News recently brings to mind a great sale pitch for metal buildings: "...with proper design and storm-resistant construction, the damage to buildings by Mother Nature's tantrums can be greatly reduced."

While building to code is just not enough, ensuring your metal building is designed and constructed to resist wind effects is very important.  Living in the Western Pacific that is so true.  Life in "Typhoon Alley" means you must build to withstand hurricane or typhoon force winds of 170 miles per hour.  The best constructed steel buildings on Guam have answered that call.  There are still some post-War buildings that stand today on our island that have seen dozens of storms come and go in our latitude.  Must mean that the construction of the vertical and lateral load paths of these monuments to Mother Nature were spot on.  Fasteners, bracing and straps were also instrumental in keeping these buildings intact.

In discussions with CECO Building Systems, they have assured that will take extra efforts to ensure that steel building built on Guam will be properly engineered to this extreme weather condition that I believe is such a value added benefit for the local steel building customer.  Extra time to ensure that their product can withstand the harsh elements related to tropical storms or typhoons in the Western Pacific is a testament to their commitment to great customer service and above all-keeping the building owner and the neighboring public to these facilities safe.

While perlins and girts need to be strengthened,  it is the roof that must be able to be storm-resistant.  One of our partners in Fabral are just as committed to protecting against the sometimes volatile Western Pacific trade winds.  Their attention to detail in the engineering of roofing systems can be seen on a number of buildings here in Micronesia and take the extra step with weather tightness warranties that are so very important out here.

Other parts of the steel building from the gutter, louvers and curbs cannot be overlooked in relation to being storm ready.  Windows and doors should also be impenetrable to the harsh environments that island life can bring.  

Design to code and install correctly.  Take these steps and your metal building will serve your needs for decades and saves costs and reduces liabilities during a storm.  For more on metal building solutions for your organization, please contact GET, LLC.  Our strategic partnership with MCR Guam Inc. and Metal Construction Resources LLP will ensure you have the best metal building for your needs.  Drop us a line or call us to discuss further.