Friday, 9 June 2017

Fire Sprinkler Recall - CBS News

About 35 million building sprinklers across the country need to be replaced because they might not work during fires, the government and the Pennsylvania manufacturer said Wednesday.

The sprinklers are installed in homes, offices, day-care facilities, hospitals and other buildings, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.



Central Sprinkler Co., of Lansdale, Pa., discovered some of its sprinkler heads have O-ring seals that can corrode, said L. Dennis Kozlowski, chief executive of Tyco International Ltd., which owns the sprinkler company. The firm has received 13 reports of sprinklers failing to work during fires.

"We immediately shared our concerns with the authorities," Kozlowski told reporters. He noted the deterioration of the sprinklers "takes place over a very long period of time."

Tyco will provide fr ee replacements for all the recalled sprinklers, the safety commission said. The first sprinklers replaced will be the oldest, those showing signs of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzdF7T-Gf6A damage or those in buildings such as nursing homes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzdF7T-Gf6A and hospitals.



The recall includes another 167,000 sprinklers sold by Gem Sprinkler Co. and Star Sprinkler Inc., which are also owned by Tyco, the safety co mmission said.

The recalled fire sprinkler heads have the words "CENTRAL" or "STAR", the letters "CSC", the letter "G" in a triangle, or a star-shaped symbol stamped on either the metal frame or the flower-shaped metal piece at one end of the sprinkler head.

About 2.5 million sprinklers installed in other countries, most of them in Canada, are also included in the recall, said Central Sprinkler spokeswoman Anne Buchanan.

People seeking more information about how to replace their sprinklers should call the company toll-free at 1-800-871-3492.

Building owners, however, shouldn't shut off their sprinkler systems because of this recall, said Joseph Hirschmugl, a spokesman for Chicago-based Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which provides safety certifications and has been testing the recalled sprinklers.

"People should remember that sprinklers are important life saving devices," he said, noting that the recall is a precaution.

The vast majority of the recalled sprinklers are of the GB or glass-bulb type that contain alcohol or another liquid in a bulb mounted on the sprinkler head. Heat rising from a fire expands the liquid, causing the glass to shatter. That releases the sprinkler's plug and allows water onto the fire. An O-ring seal keeps the plug from leaking.

The testing organization said in April that some glass-bulb sprinklers produced by Central Sprinkler had crystallized deposits or corrosion around the rubber seal, which indicated leaking water.

It has recommended that the sprinklers be replaced since March 2000, but at the time, Brad McGee, a Tyco senior vice president, said it was too early to consider a recall or replacement of the sprinklers.

In 1998, Central Sprinkler recalled 8.4 million Omega brand fire sprinklers because thy could fail in a fire. Those sprinklers, which were installed nationwide in schools, hospitals, hotels, offices and homes, failed to activate in abo ut 20 http://gardening.cals.cornell.edu/ fires during the 1990s, causing injuries and millions of dollars in property damage, the safety commission said at the time.

MMI The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fire-sprinkler-recall/

Thursday, 1 June 2017

Chipotle Will Use Central Kitchen for Some Ingredients After E. Coli Outbreak

An E. coli outbreak linked to the Chipotle restaurant chain has already led to major changes in the company's food production as it works to regain customers' trust.



At least 52 people have been sickened in the multi-state outbreak that officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked to eating at Chipotle. Those infected ranged in age from 1 to 94 years old and became sick from Oct. 19 to Nov. 13, according to the CDC.

While health officials have not determined which specific ingredient was the source of the outbreak, Chipo tle officials and CEO Steven Ells recently announced new food safety measures that could have a long-term impact on how Chipotle sources its ingredients.

Chipotle has long been supportive of using local ingredients fresh in the kitchen, but company officials said they are now doing more in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbQK4Bl3s_I central prep kitchens before food is sent out to stores in order to help guard against bacteria and other pathogens. For example, Chipotle said it is no longer washing and testing whole tomatoes for its salsa before packaging and shipping them to its local stores because it is not realistic to test every one and the testing process might not detect pathogens inside the tomato. Instead, Chipotle said the safest way to prepare the washed tomatoes is by testing them after they are diced. "The tomatoes that are now prepared in our centralized prep kitchens are washed, diced, and then washed again and tested before packaging and shipment to our restaurants," the company said.

In addition, the company said its restaurant teams are putting many fresh produce items in boiling water for 3 to 5 seconds to sanitize them before they are used in food preparation.

Chipotle CEO Steve Ells said the company is implementing multiple new procedures to safeguard customers, but that it was impossible to eliminate any risk.

"It is impossible to ensure that there is a zero percent chance of any kind of food-borne illness anytime anyone eats anywhere," Ells told the Associated Press.

The company said last week that it anticipates some local growers will not be able to adhere to the new strict safety requirements during the next produce season.

"Given the heightened requirements for produce -- chiefly the high resolution testing -- we believe that some of our local growers will not meet these enhanced standards," a Chipotle spokesman told ABC News last week. "We'll certainly look to work with suppliers that do, and to help others where we can, but at the moment, we aren't sure what the local program will look like. What we are sure of is that our commitment to using the very best ingredients we can remains as strong as ever."

Ells has announced that even with the new safety procedures there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbQK4Bl3s_I would be no price increase for consumers or suppliers.

"This is a cost that we will bear," Ells told the AP.



Chipotle did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on if the food safety measures would affect all produce or just some items.

Last month, the company announced other new measures it has implemented to ensure food safety and handling, including testing fresh produce with DNA- based tests, and end-of-shelf-life testing to ensure ingredients are safe throughout their shelf life, while also looking to improve the supply chain by measuring performance data of vendors and suppliers, and enhancing employee training in food safety and handling.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/chipotle-makes-coli-outbreak-hike-prices/story?id=35798566

Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Landscaping

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land, including:

living elements, such as flora or fauna; or what is commonly called gardening, the art and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ craft of growing plants with a goal of creating a beautiful environment within the landscape.

natural elements such as landforms, terrain shape and elevation, or bodies of water; and

abstract elements such as the weather and lighting conditions.

Landscaping requires expertise in horticulture and artistic design.

Contents

1 Understanding the land

2 Tools

3 See also

4 References

Understanding the land

Construction requires study and observation. It is not the same in different parts of the world. Landscaping varies according to different regions.[1] Therefore, normally local na tural experts are recommended if it is done for the first time. Understanding of the site is one of the chief essentials for successful landscaping. Different natural features like terrain, topography, soil qualities, prevailing winds, depth of the frost line, and the system of native flora and fauna must be taken into account.[2] Sometimes the land is not fit for landscaping. In order to landscape it, the land must be reshaped. This reshaping of land https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ is called grading.[2]

Removal of earth from the land is called cutting while when earth is added to the slope, it is called filling. Sometimes the grading process may involve removal of excessive waste (landfills), soil and rocks, so designers should take into account while in the planning stage.[3][4]



Tools

In the start, the landscaping contractor makes a letter which is a rough design and layout of what could be done with the land in order to achieve the desired outcome.[2] Different pencils are required to make graphics of the picture. Landscaping[5] has become more technological than natural, as few projects begin without bulldozers, lawnmowers, or chainsaws.[1] Different areas have different qualities of plants. Fertilizers are required for this purpose in excess https://www.lowes.com/pl/Lawn-sprinklers-Garden-hoses-accessories-Watering-irrigation-drainage-Outdoors/4294612478 amounts as natural landscaping is done. Some landscapers prefer to use mix gravel with rocks of varying sizes to add interest in large areas.[6]

See also

Aquascaping

Arboriculture

Ecoscaping

Horticulture

Landscape architecture

Landscape contracting

Landscape design

Landscape ecology

Landscape engineering

Landscape planning

Naturescaping

Sustainable landscaping

Terraforming

Xeriscaping

References

^ a b Natural Landscaping: Designing With Native Plant Communities - John Diekelmann, Robert M. Schuster - Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-10.

^ a b c Landscaping Principles and Practices - Jack Ingels - Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2013-04-10.

^ Landscaping - William Slack - Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-10.

^ Taylor's Master Guide to Landscaping - Rita Buchanan - Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-10.

^ John Smith. "Landscaping by landscape gardeners: Methods and Tactics". New Ways Landscaping Design. Retrieved 2016-06-14.

^ Sharon Cohoon and Jim McCausland. "How to Landscape Gravel - Page 2". Sunset.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-10.

v

t

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General

Degradation

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Conflict

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Sustainable land management

Landscaping

Integrated landscape management

Land grabbing

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Land loss

Habitat loss

Illegal construction

Land reclamation

Land rehabilitation

Landscape ecology

Rangeland management

Environmental planning

Leopold matrix

Watertable control

Developed environments

Built-up area

Property

Property

Subdivision (land)

Real estate developer

Land development bank

Land (economics)

Customary land

Related fields

Soil

Soil science

Soil compaction

Soil pollution

Overpopulation

Pollution

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Urban planning

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Urban renewal



Agriculture

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Drainage system (agriculture)

Sustainable agriculture

Category Categories: Land use



Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Landscaping&oldid=776521820"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landscaping

Sunday, 14 May 2017

Arsenic Uses

If you are a fan of popular thriller fiction like me, then you must have come across arsenic as a very effective medium for murder by poisoning. This is mainly because white arsenic is odorless and tasteless and is also widely available. But, there are several other uses of arsenic, besides being a rather toxic Sprinkler System Installation Mckinney poison. The atomic number of the chemical element arsenic, is 33 with an atomic mass of 74.92. The density of arsenic is 5.776 grams per cubic centimeter and it is solid at room temperature. Its symbol is As and it has three most common and abundant allotrope. They are, metallic gray arsenic, yellow arsenic and black arsenic. Arsenic is mainly produced as a by-product of smelting concentrates derived from copper, lead and zinc ores. Arsenic is found as a compound and it rarely occurs as a pure element. The chief producer of arsenic is China followed by Peru, Morocco, Namibia, Belgi um, Philippines and Chile. We are going to discuss some uses of arsenic in different fields like medicine, military and other commercial uses.

Some Common Uses of Arsenic

There are http://www.kew.org/ several uses of arsenic in different fields, from agriculture to military.

The primary use Mckinney Sprinkler System of arsenic is for the preservation of wood. Since arsenic is poisonous and it is effective in getting rid of insects, fungi and bacteria, it is used in the treatment of wood. This was one of the most widely used industrial applications of arsenic, although most countries banned its use in consumer products due to its high toxicity.

One of the most important of all arsenic uses is as a doping agent in solid state devices such as transistors. Doping is the process in which an impurity, such as arsenic is added to a semiconductor to increase its conducti vity.



Arsenic, in its inorganic form is used for the production of pressure-treated wood. In wood preservation, chromated copper arsenate is injected into the cellular structure of the wood. Pressure-treated wood is used for commercial, industrial and residential applications including decking, highway noise barriers, landscaping, playground equipment, retaining walls, signposts and utility poles. One of the benefits of using chromated copper arsenate pressure-treated wood is its resistance to rotting and insect attack. The content of chromated copper ar senate in pressure-treated wood is greater where there is higher likelihood of insect infestation. Pressure-treating can increase the wood's life to a great extent.

Arsenic is also used in the leather tanning industry as a preservative. Widely used as a weed killer, it is often sprayed from a small aircraft over fields to destroy any kind of infestation. It is also used as an insecticide as it is effective in treating termite infestation. But due to the growing popularity of organic pesticides, the amount of arsenic used for agricultural purposes have dramatically decreased.

Another use of arsenic is as an anti-friction additive in ball bearings and for hardening lead. Arsenic is also used for manufacturing germanium-arsenide-selenide optical materials. Indium-gallium-arsenide was formerly used for short wave infrared technology.

Arsenic Uses in Medicine

In spite of its toxic properties, arsenic compounds were used in the field of medicine in the 18th and 19th century. Use of arsenic was mostly for the treatment of syphilis, before the discovery of penicillin. Fowler's solution (1% solution of potassium arsenite), discovered in 1786, was used in the treatment of various diseases. Some other arsenic solutions that were used as medicines are arsenic trioxide or Donovan's solution and arsenic trichloride or de Valagin's solution. However, in modern medicine, the use of arsenic for treating certain diseases like cancer is still debatable.



So, we have seen that there are many uses of arsenic besides being the poison of choice for many murders. Several studies have shown a link between arsenic exposure and lung cancer. As it is highly toxic in nature, caution is advised in the use of arsenic.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/arsenic-uses. html

Friday, 12 May 2017

What Do Garden Snakes Eat? It's Not What You Imagined

Garter snakes, commonly known as 'garden snakes', belong to the family Colubridae. They are commonly found in North America. They are also referred to as 'gardener snakes'. They, like all other snakes, are carnivorous. They are opportunistic feeders. Generally, they tend to eat whatever they can easily overpower. They are immune to the toxic skin secretions of toads and, therefore, can eat toads without any http://www.truevalue.com/thumbnail/Lawn-Garden/Hoses-Watering/Underground-Watering-System/pc/10/c/146/1418.uts harm. Mostly, they catch live prey. However, they may eat eggs and carrion, especially if live prey is not easily available..A typical menu for Garter Snakes would include:Small rodents like mice, rabbits,etc.

Snails and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w slugs

Leech es

Earthworms



Frogs, tadpoles, and frog spawn

Toads

Insects like ants



Small reptiles like lizards

Fish (when living close to water bodies)

Eggs, nestlings and small birds

Garden snakes usually hunt in the early morning, late afternoon and early evening, when the temperature is warm. They find their prey using their good sense of smell. They use various hunting methods such as ambushing, craning and peering, in order to capture the prey. They immobilize their prey with their sharp teeth and quick reflexes. Their saliva may be slightly toxic to some of their smaller prey. These snakes swallow their food whole. If the prey is small, it is immediately swallowed alive. If the prey is large, the garden snake unhinges its jaws to ease swallowing. With this ability, the garden snake can swallow a wide variety of prey.

Owing to the low toxicity of their venom, garter snakes are usually harmless to humans. They, therefore, make good pets. However, venomous or not, it is never a good idea to keep reptiles as pets in households that have small children. Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w are seldom able to handle these creatures properly and, hence, run a high risk of getting nasty, painful bites.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-do-garden-snakes-eat.html

Thursday, 11 May 2017

50 Landscaping Company Names | hubpages

Landscapers are the elves of Mother Earth, giving her life, keeping her beautiful and healing her wounds. In return, the earth gives high doses of Vitamin D and a way to earn a living.



Seems like quite the beneficial relationship! If professional landscaping is something you are interested in, read on!

Having professional-level equipment and excellent service can help you land some clients, but you'll need something that will lure them in first so they can experience what your company has to offer.

What better way to do this t han to have a great business name? Your name is the first impression you will make on a potential customer, and it could mean the difference between them choosing you or your competitor.

Since most regions have lots of different landscaping companies, you're going to face some stiff competition. You need something that will set you above the rest right off the bat. Your business needs to sound professional as well as unique and catchy!

Here's a list of 50 names to help you get some inspiration.

Brainstorming Tips

When brainstorming, keep the following in mind:

Use your industry: Have a name that indicates what type of company you are, even if you don't say it directly.



Use your specialty: If you specialize in something specific such as landscape design, make this clear since it can help you attract a different set of customers.

SCOTLAND. Parks

Use rhymes: Rhymes just have this way of sticking in someone's head, and the stickier your name, the better!

Use your own name: You own this company, right? Be proud! There is nothing wrong with that. Bonus points if there is a clever way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKWCB_3nMJg to squeeze it in.

Use your location: Your town or street name could be a good source of identity and inspiration. Be sure it doesn't limit you, however. Who knows where you'll grow!

Keep it simple: Your first or last name + Landscaping is a great name for a company.

Other Things to C onsider

A few more questions to ask yourself when thinking of your name:

Is it brandable? You're competing with some top-dog companies for the spotlight.

Does it have the green light online? Check for available web domains and social networking pages to see how common the name is.

Does it really stand out? Keep in mind your local competition and steer clear of any names that sound similar.

Is it easy for the average person to spell and pronounce? This will help your name be memorable.

What are the most popular or biggest landscaping companies in your region called? Use them as examples of what works.



Now that you know what to look for in a name, it's time for you to start making a list of your own. Write down 100 names and don't stop until you do! Let some of them be bad. It's okay. It's all part of the process.

Decidin g on a Business Name

After you've made a list of potential names, you will then begin to chop and hack away at it to narrow it down to the ones that are really good.

Ask for help if you are the indecisive type; you might be surprised at the ideas in the heads of others! And let's face it, people are pretty opinionated, and this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKWCB_3nMJg is a time when you really want peoples' true opinions.

If all else fails, find inspiration in your work, whether it's cutting grass or planting a new garden. It just might plant the seed that you need to grow a few ideas!

https://hubpages.com/living/landscaping-company-names

Monday, 8 May 2017

Pick One That is Utility-specific

An important material or part of a sprinkler system is the sprinkler heads. This knowledge comes in handy for people who have houses with giant lawns, or also those who get sprinklers installed as a fire safety precaution.

Description



Installing the right sprinkler system is extremely essential for lawn care. A lawn needs a proper watering and irrigation system for good health and to stay fresh, green, and alive. Manual https://www.pinterest.com/categories/gardening/ watering of a lawn is not an easy task, and neither does it ensure an even distribution of water.



A sprinkler head is a device that is attached at the end of a hose or water pipe, and evenly distributes water to a certain distance. It is small in size with a circular shaped top, and surrounded by a set of thin blades or fins arranged in a circular design. The main purpose of sprinklers is to change the steady stream of water, and discharge it in a circular motion and curved shape from the sprinkler system, so that it reaches the desired distance and spreads evenly without any human intervention.

Types



Sprinkler heads are not only used in lawn sprinkler systems, but also in fire suppression systems. Although the applications Sprinklers are different in both cases, the basic purpose is to distribute the water without any manual or human intervention.

For the Lawn

Rotor Heads: These are used Sprinkler System Installation Flower Mound in large and open areas as they rotate very wide. The distance that the spray of water covers is called 'throw', and the spray range can be adjusted according to the requirement.

Pop Up Rotor Heads: Pop up sprinklers are ones where a lower and wider portion is put into the ground. Here, the upper portion rises above the ground, and the spray of water is discharged when the sprinkler is activated. These are apt for open lawns, sidewalks, and curbs.

Spray Heads: Spray heads are quite common and are ideal for small lawns and shrubs. This is because their throw or spray range remains at a fixed radius, which allows target watering.



Another type is called bubbler, which sprays the http://www.thompson-morgan.com/gardening-information water downwards, so that it waters only the roots without wetting the foliage.

Fire Sprinklers



Fire sprinkler systems are not only used in industrial and commercial establishments, but also in domestic properties to protect the inhabitants, valuable things, and the building from any potential breakout of fire.

ESFR Sprinklers: ESFR stands for Early Suppression Fast Response. These are designed to fight fire in no time and prevent it from getting out of control. The buildings that contain combustible material, or the places where such material is produced, are where ESFR sprinklers would be the most appropriate option.

Suppression Sprinklers: Suppression sprinkler heads spray a finer stream of water, that directly targets a highly combustib le material and suppresses the fire.

Low Pressure Heads: These are specially designed for large buildings and skyscrapers that suffer from low water pressure, making the other types ineffective.



Control Mode Sprinklers: These can be fixed in individual rooms or specific areas. They are very commonly used. They spray water on and also surround the fire-affected area with water, preventing secondary fires from starting.



Others types of sprinklers include decorator sprinklers, extended coverage sprinklers, residential, and water mist sprinklers.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sprinkler-heads-types.html