Building Management Hawaii - April/May 2012 - (Page 23)

Keep a Clean Chute By Matthew Galanek Shut the Door on a Possible Chute Fire Maintenance of trash chutes prevents serious high-rise fires. C hutes are the fastest, most efficient way of moving materials in your building. But under certain circumstances an improperly maintained chute is also the fastest, most efficient way to move a fire. If chute doors are inspected regularly and maintained in perfect working order, any flame will be contained and extinguished. Yet, faulty chute doors can cause you to lose your building, your insurance coverage, and because of large liability suits, even your business. One of the culprits is sludge buildup. Sludge in a chute can ignite at temperatures as low as 180 degrees. And, defective intake doors that do not close and seal, as well as non-functioning fire doors in trash rooms, can cause fire and smoke to rush up the chute, with a wind tunnel effect. Obviously this could have devastating results to the building and its residents. Dirty trash chutes not only add to fire and pest control problems, but also have been proven to create “sick building syndrome.” Residents depositing trash into the chute can expose themselves to many biological health hazards, which can cause respiratory ailments and affect allergies. Trash chutes are an often-neglected areas of a building. But it’s better to take care of them before tenants start to complain. Inspect trash chutes once a year to keep them in top working condition. The inspector should provide you with a written inspection report of any code violations and a review of the overall condition of the trash chute. Serious damage to the chute can also be documented with digital photos for your review. Your trash chute should also be professionally cleaned at least once a year, using high-pressure washing and specially formulated cleaning solutions. Wash down systems do not effectively clean trash chutes. At best they may decrease odors, but adversely add to the corrosion of the steel chute. FREE TRash ChuTE FiRE inspECTions CALL 839-1300 For your appointment For peace of mind UL RAted inTakE DooR Ask about our New UL Rated Fire Door UL RAted FiRE DooR G.o TEChno LoGiEs, inC. G. o.C. TEC hno LoGiEs, in C. hnoLoGiEs • Cleaning • Repairs • Parts • Installations • Compactors • Automatic Odor Control Systems sales@goctechnologies.net www.goctechnologies.net King’ Disposal s A COMPLETE REFUSE SERVICE Locally Owned & Operated COMPETITIVE RATES • FRIENDLY SERVICE • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL Fork Truck Services Frontload Service 2 cubic yards to 8 cubic yards 8 cubic yards to 40 cubic yards Roll Off Services Recycle Services Compactor Sales & Services – New and Used Concrete Washout Services Hauling Services Island Wide Call for Free Estimates… Matthew Galanek is president of the GOC Technologies, the waste handling experts. He has more than 30 years experience in the waste industry. www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com 847-4856 BMH April - May 2012 23 http://www.goctechnologies.net http://www.goctechnologies.net http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii - April/May 2012

Contents Building Management Hawaii, April/May 2012
DEPARTMENTS: Concrete Restoration
If You’re Not Testing, You’re Guessing. Diagnose your concrete woes to save time and money.
Corroding Rebar and Spalling Concrete. Why zinc can be a spalling solution.
Top Five Fixes for Spalling. Preventing the corrosion of your building.
Trees – Our Green Assets. How not to plant the wrong tree in the wrong place.
Watts Up? Watts Down!. What you don’t know about parking lots could cost you big bucks.
Covered Parking & Photovoltaics: A Symbiotic Relationship. Covered Parking & Photovoltaics: A Symbiotic Relationship
Fire Prevention & Response
Top 10 Fire Fighters. Preventing fires is a job for everyone, but condo boards and property managers have a particular responsibility.
Keep a Clean Chute. Maintainance of trash chutes prevents serious high-rise fires
Stop, Drop & Go Wireless. New technology aids in fast response and saving lives.
Insurance: Do Condo Owners ‘Get’ Your Master Policy?
EDITORIAL: Editor’s Note
Ask An Expert: Epoxy vs. Regular Rebar
Association Updates
Movers & Shakers
Industry News
Resource Guide: Concrete Restoration & Asphalt

Building Management Hawaii - April/May 2012