ATLANTA — The DeKalb County School System started construction of a new high school that is expected to achieve LEED silver certification and set new building standards for the district and the state.
Arabia Mountain High School, scheduled to open in January 2009, will be the first LEED-certified public school in the state of Georgia, according to reports.
Sustainable design concepts can take hold in a variety of different ways. Some school planners are forced to take a subtle approach, incorporating design techniques that offer the most cost-effective solutions for communities that are still not sold on the legitimacy of the green building. Other planners have the luxury of stretching their arms and grasping new ideas that push the boundaries of what can be done to produce high-performance, sustainable schools.
Vicon Industries Inc. introduces the I-Onyx Series of IP cameras. Powered by ViconNet software, the series consists of three models: the VN-855, a high-resolution model; the VN-855DN, a day/night version; and the VN-855 wide dynamic range model. All three can deliver up to 30 fps across a network.
The series provides color images with a resolution of up to 540 TV lines and uses MPEG-4 compression that enables simultaneous transmission of multi-channel video across the LAN and WAN to recorders and workstations.
Peerless Industries Inc. manufactures a flat-panel conversion kit that enables installers to use existing CRT wall and ceiling hardware to mount a flat panel in the same location and at the same angle as the CRT TV. It can be used to retrofit a single arm, double arm, ceiling or multidisplay mount configuration to fit flat panel screens up to 50 inches.
The kits are available in two models: the PLCK-UNL, which includes a universal adapter plate for 32-inch to 50-inch TVs, and the PLCK-1, which offers a portrait or landscape orientation with screen-specific adapter plates.
Lennox’s Humiditrol dehumidification system removes moisture based on relative humidity levels instead of a thermostat, while maintaining ASHRAE 62.1 2004 fresh air requirements. Available on many Lennox L series rooftop units, the Humiditrol system uses a patented hotgas reheat design to control humidity, removing more than 1.44 gallons of water per hour at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When humidity levels are high, the system delivers a dehumidified and neutral air supply. The system adds only three components to standard cooling systems.
Mercury Waste Solutions offers the LampTracker DualGuard fluorescent lamp recycling system for short-term storage, shipping and recycling of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps. The container features a sturdy dual-box design that provides protection for lamps during storage and transportation. The system also provides protection to individuals against lamp breakage and contact with hazardous materials. The company offers online tracking to ensure compliance. Customers can order the prepaid box containers online, which are delivered with bilingual instructions for assembly.
Triton Power introduces the 29 kW John Deere rental-grade mobile generator set with trailer. The generator can function as a full-blown construction site power provider or act as a backup power source for a facility. It is sound-attenuated to operate at 68 dB and can be switched from three-phase to single-phase using a voltage changeover switch. Advantages to its mobility include the ability to shift among sites without the drawbacks or expense of permanent installation.
Air Cycle offers the Bulb Eater fluorescent bulb crushing system to meet disposal needs. The OSHA- and EPA-compliant units are designed to make disposal and recycling processes more efficient, improving bulb storage, handling and safety/liability issues. The fully contained Bulb Eater system crushes spent bulbs in seconds, compacting them into specially designed 55-gallon containers. It uses a two-stage filtration process that captures 99.99 percent of released mercury vapor and particulate matter.
