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There are so many amateurs masquerading as experienced and qualified electricians these days that choosing the best ones becomes a daunting task. It is important to choose the right electrical contractor for your commercial or residential property. You may be tempted to go for the cheapest option available but will soon realize that it was a costly mistake. Furthermore, you also want someone who takes care of safety concerns when it comes to electrical work. It is important not only for them but also for you and your family.

If you are looking for an electrical contractor, then you must consider the following factors before choosing anyone.

1.      Certification and Licensing

The first thing to look for in electrical contractors is if they are certified and licensed to do the job. As mentioned before, every other person these days is posing to be an expert electrician. But you must only choose the ones that are certified by a professional organization and are licensed to carry out electrical work in commercial and residential properties. This will ensure that you and your property are in safe hands.

2.      Equipment

Electrical work needs state-of-the-art equipment. Thus, if you are looking to hire an electrical contractor, make sure that they have the latest equipment that helps them complete the tasks efficiently. Only choose a company that has the latest equipment. Having the latest and good quality equipment also ensures that the work is done cost-effectively at a reasonable price. This is, of course, done without compromising on the quality of services.

3.      Trained Staff

Only choose an electrical contractor that you are sure that enough manpower to handle the tasks at hand. They must have trained staff as electrical work is not a child’s play. It requires years of training and practice to be called an experienced electrician. Hire an electrical contractor that can provide you a proof of their staff’s training as well as has enough people to take care of all your work. This will ensure that you don’t have to look elsewhere for help. The bigger and more trained the team, the easier and quicker you will be able to get your work done.

4.      Expertise

If you are looking for electrical contractors for a specific task, make sure you look for someone who is specialized in that field. This will not only save your time but also money. Ask around for references from people who have had similar work done before. Choose an electrical contractor who has a good track record of working on similar tasks. You will find experts this way who will be able to locate the problem immediately and will be able to fix it there and then.

If you are looking for an expert, highly trained, and experienced electrical contractors, then call EE&G at (305) 374-8300. We have a team of electrical contractors with years of experience. They will help you will all the electrical work you need at your commercial or residential property.

When it comes to property cleanup, it is essential to understand exactly what kinds of procedures are required to decontaminate the property. This is especially true for biohazard cleanup. So what is biohazard cleanup and why is it best to call professionals for it? Let’s find out.

What is Biohazard Cleanup?

Biohazard cleanup refers to cleaning up a property or space linked with instances of death. It takes a strong stomach to clean up any site where a tragic incident, such as suicide, homicide, unattended decomposition or a fatal accident, may have taken place. Usually, specialized equipment is required to clean up the scene. Furthermore, it is important to follow Health and Safety standards when it comes to disposing of the waste.

Biohazard cleanup generally involves getting rid of blood, bodily fluids, body tissues, any item saturated with biohazard materials and infectious agents from spores and bacteria. In short, biohazard cleanup is not pretty and cleaning up a place where tragedy has struck is not for everyone. Therefore, it is better to let the professionals handle the situation. Here are a few other reasons why trying to clear up the mess yourself is not a good idea.

Biohazard Cleanup to Disinfect the Scene

Biohazard cleanup requires more than a strong stomach. Even if you take all precautions, self-attempting a biohazard cleanup is still not a good idea. It is not as easy as you may have imagined!

Blood spilled on the carpet usually soaks in the floorboard. Even if you remove the carpet, it can be hard to get the blood out of wood. Furthermore, it can leave a lingering odor that is unpleasant and may act as a constant reminder of the tragic incident. It can also contaminate the environment and become a health hazard.

Biohazard Cleanup to Dispose of Biohazard Waste

Thorough cleaning is required to decontaminate an area where a biohazard takes place. This is important because germs and bacteria from biohazard waste like blood and bodily fluids can not only lead to infections and various diseases but it can also stay in the environment for a long time if the waste is not properly disposed of.

For instance, the Hepatitis virus is known to survive up to two weeks in the blood after it is spilled. This can pose serious health threats to public health and the environment. The only way to avoid any other tragedy is to clean the area thoroughly and properly dispose of the waste, making sure it does not come in contact with anyone.

Since pathogens in the blood can lead to health hazards, biohazard waste must be disposed of by a biohazard waste hauler according to federal or state laws.

Biohazard Waste Can Lead to Property Damage

Biohazard waste can cause sewage backups and water intrusions. Such damages may introduce harmful microorganisms in the structure of the property. To prevent this from happening, it is important to remove containments, sewage, and moisture from the scene.

Keep in mind that it is not only crucial to call the biohazard cleanup experts but it is also time-sensitive, so call them immediately to avoid any further damage or loss.

The quality of indoor air is very important. An average person spends 90 percent of their time indoors and takes around 17,000 to 23,000 breaths per day. Consequently, indoor air is at least a thousand times more polluted than outdoor air. As per the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality is 5 times worse than outdoor air quality. This can affect your performance at work as well as your health, and you must carry out a ventilation system evaluation to check the quality of indoor air.

Factors Responsible for Poor Indoor Air Quality

Air contaminants can originate from various sources that exist inside and outside of the office building. These include:

Airborne Chemicals

The use of cleaning chemicals can often disrupt the quality of indoor air. These can contain volatile organic compounds that release irritants in the form of vapors. Other airborne chemicals that are commonly found in offices come from tobacco smoke, cosmetics, fragrances, respiration, and perspiration. Chemicals used for office equipment can also contaminate the air. For instance, chemicals used to operate printers and copy machines or those found on office furnishings, etc.

Inadequate Maintenance of HVAC Systems

Poor maintenance of the HVAC systems in the office can also affect indoor air quality. For instance, if there is an imbalance in the amount of air that is removed and supplied by the HVAC system, then this can create negative air pressure inside the building. This difference in pressure between indoor air and outdoor air can cause unconditioned air to enter the building. This air carries a variety of contaminants that pollute indoor air. The design of the HVAC system can also influence the quality of indoor air in your office building. Make sure you call a professional for ventilation system evaluation to address such issues.

Microbes

Microbial growth can also affect the quality of indoor air. Damp materials, stagnant water, and dusty surfaces provide a favorable environment for microorganisms. These microbes release odorous compounds and other airborne particles that contaminate the air. Workers may also develop allergic reactions due to these compounds.

Other air contaminants include pollen, fungi, and dust.

Tips for Improving the Quality of Indoor Air

There are several things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air. These include:

• Making sure your HVAC systems are in accordance with the guidelines defined by the American Society of Refrigerating and  Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• Making sure that factors such as humidity, temperature, and air movement are within an acceptable range (as defined by ASHRAE)
• Keeping the surfaces of mechanical equipment clean
• Promptly identifying and controlling sources of biological and chemical contamination
• Making sure that any equipment releasing a large number of emissions is kept away from the main work area.
• Having good housekeeping practices in place

Maybe you’ve heard of asbestos. It’s that fluffy-looking fiber that reminds you of woolly pillow stuffing. But this natural material can create significant health hazards to you and your family if found inside your home.

Don’t run the risk of exposing your loved ones. Read this step-by-step guide on how to test for asbestos. Then you can keep your home the “home sweet home” that it is.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of silicate minerals that have long, thin fibers. Although these fibers are flexible and soft, they’re resistant to corrosion and heat. Natural asbestos land deposits are located all over the world.

Asbestos becomes dangerous when they’re airborne and people can inhale them. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes scarring and inflammation. Many diseases and cancers are caused by asbestos exposure.

Where Can You Find Asbestos?

Asbestos has long been used in many building construction materials because of its strength and heat resistance. Between the 1920s and 1980s, asbestos was routinely used to make materials like roofing shingles, cement products, and floor tiles.

When Should I Do Asbestos Testing?

If you’re doing renovation or remediation on a building constructed before 1989, you should test for asbestos. The only way to be sure if you have any asbestos-containing material (ACM) is to collect a sample. Then you can send it to a laboratory certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for further analysis.

How to Test For Asbestos

Removing asbestos samples takes rigorous precautions to avoid exposure. In some US states, only EPA-certified contractors can remove samples. If your state allows you to gather samples, you can find asbestos test kits online or at hardware stores.

You can also collect samples using everyday items such as gloves and a spray bottle. Here is a list of steps on how to carefully collect a sample:

1. Turn off the airflow inside the room where you plan to collect your sample. Close all windows and doors. Your goal is to limit any circulating asbestos fibers from becoming airborne;
2. Place plastic sheeting on the floor and walls. Dispose of this sheeting when your sampling is done;
3. Wear a disposable coverall suit. Hardware stores sell these coveralls in their paint department. Put on goggles, a face mask, and latex gloves;
4. Fill a spray bottle with water. Spray your sample area repeatedly until there is water mist throughout the room;
5. Remove a sample of building material you suspect contains asbestos. You can use a paint scraper or chisel, or simply lift the contaminated materials out. Try to collect a sample that weighs around four ounces;
6. Place the sample in a self-sealing polythene bag. Label the bag with your name, the date and time you collected the sample; and
7. Send the sample to an EPA-certified, asbestos-testing lab. Stay out of the infected area until you have received your lab results. If the lab results are positive, you can get a cost estimate for asbestos removal by licensed contractors.

Next Steps

Do you have a home construction project coming up soon? Was your home built before 1989? If so, asbestos testing could be the smartest thing you can do to keep your family safe. Check to see if your state requires EPA-licensed contractors to remove asbestos samples. If not, follow these steps listed above to collect your sample in the safest way possible.