The Cool Carpet ™ option is one step you can make to stop global warming with your commercial carpet. Create a “greener” building with “green” product choices.
The Natural Step is a non-profit advisory and research organization focused on accelerating global sustainability. Is an international organization (NaturalStep.org) that can guide a company towards an ecologically, socially, economically sustainable path. The sustainability experts, scientists, and businesses create solutions that will lead towards a sustainable future.
Commercial flooring is manufactured by companies with a mission towards global sustainability.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization to educate businesses on green buildings. Check out the usgbc.org to learn about green building, join as an organization or sign up for courses and workshops.
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is a separate organization that supports USGBC by administering credential programs related to green building practices.
A rating systems was developed called the LEED ®, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This LEED Rating System offers LEED-based education programs. Check out gbci.org to find out how to volunteer, to have rating resources or to register for an exam.
If you can’t build a “green” building, you can take numerous steps towards making your business and your building “green” by using products manufactured by companies with missions towards global sustainability.
Even the government is on track with the Greening the Government Executive Order 13123 states that the “federal government shall significantly improve its energy management in order to save taxpayer dollars and to reduce emissions that contribute to air pollution and global climate change.”
The first step you can do to achieve a zero environmental footprint is to use commercial flooring that was manufactured by companies using renewable energy, with missions to reduce waste and recycle as well as reduce harmful emissions in the air.
The Many Uses of Carpet Tile
By, Tom Mikulski
Carpet Tiles are one of the most useful products ever invented. They come in a variety of colors, sizes and yes even shapes. They come with and without cushion attached. Here are some of the many uses I have found for carpet tile.
The testing of moisture emissions is recommended for an owner, general contractor and flooring contractor to determine the level of moisture or the relative humidity in the concrete. Three commonly used tests are the PH test, Calcium chloride test and the Wagner RH test.
PH Test - The first test that should be performed is a simple PH test. High alkalinity levels are what you want to avoid. The high alkalinity levels can be an indication of too much moisture in a slab.
Calcium Chloride Tests - The most often used method of testing is to use Calcium Chloride Tests. This test uses Petri dishes filled with Calcium Chloride. The Petri dish is weighed before it is used.
The dish is put directly onto a patch of concrete that has been roughed up and cleaned of all contaminates. The dish is covered with a plastic dome and left to absorb the moisture vapors for a period of time no less than 60 hours and no more than 72 hours. The Petri dish is then reweighed and the amount of moisture vapor is calculated from a formula. This test measures the amount of moisture vapor emissions over time. Results of under 3 lbs of moisture emissions over a 24 hour time period for 1000 sf area is the benchmark. Some materials will allow you to go to 5 lbs of moisture emissions. Results like 10 or above indicate serious moisture emission issues. I have seen Petri dishes filled with water from an overabundance of moisture vapors.
Wagner RHÂ Test - Another method to test for moisture emissions is a Wagner RHÂ Test that measures for relative humidity levels inside the concrete. This test is recognizes as a more accurate testing method.
The test is performed by drilling a hole into a concrete slab and a RH gauge is inserted into the whole and left there. The advantages of this method are that the moisture levels are measured down in the slab instead of the top ¼ “ of the slab. This will give a more accurate assessment of the moisture levels present.
The additional reason for this test is that one can track the progress of moisture levels. For instance, lets say that the concrete slab is poured in Month 1. Six months later the owner installs his HVAC system and the HVAC system starts to draw the moisture in and under the slab out. If there is excess moisture in the slab, the use of a wagner rh test will allow you to monitor the improvement in the moisture levels over time. It has been my experience that it can take 3-4 weeks of continuous HVAC running to reduce a moisture reading to the acceptable 75% and below relative humidity levels that most manufacturers require.
Most of the products that are used in commercial flooring are glued directly to the substrate whether that substrate is wood, concrete or on top of another flooring product.
My discussion will focus on installations over concrete substrates. Most people do not realize that concrete is porous like a sponge. In fact, water is required for the cement to hydrate and solidify. It takes time for the chemical process called cement hydration to produce crystals that interlock and bind together. It is not advisable to install flooring on top of fresh concrete because the water must be evaporated in the hydration process.
Moisture vapors can and do permeate though concrete. If the concrete is on grade and there is no or an incomplete moisture vapor barrier, then moisture vapors can wick up through the concrete. Today’s flooring and adhesive manufacturers have answered the call to provide more eco friendly adhesives. Many of more environmentally adhesives give off less harmful vapors into the atmosphere. The effect is that these adhesives are often less forgiving and less able to resist moisture than the old solvent based adhesives that used to be on the market.