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Advantages Of Using Fire Resistant Shingles

fire resistant roofing in productsIn the case of any roof, fire safety is very important, because the surface of a roof is a large and exposed area that may be easily prone to acts of nature (wildfires) and electric accidents. Even if you live in an area that is not exposed to wildfires, you should not consider your roof risk-free, because there are other causes of fire, especially during the summer: bonfire or barbecue embers that travel easily with the wind, sparks from a nearby accidental fire, chimney sparks, lightning strikes etc.

The only thing that offers additional protection in such cases is a fireproof roof. Such a roof is built from fire resistant materials (which mean they do not burn easily and do not keep alive a fire). These materials are tested and classified according to a rating system, which makes them easy to distinguish in terms of the provided safety. The main aspects specialists observe during tests are how the flame penetrates and spreads, as well as the degree that the material forms embers.

As a result, class A fireproof roofing in Littleton materials includes materials the least flammable, thus with the highest ratings, class B includes materials resistant against moderate surface fire, and class C materials are only effective against light surface fires, being the most flammable. However, the fire-resistance of these materials also depend on the roof’s structure. For example, a structure made of wood

Here are a few examples of fire resistant roofing materials.

Concrete and Clay Tiles

These are not among the most common materials, mostly because of their price. These materials are very efficient in providing different levels of protection, including fire protection, they look beautiful and complement different architectural styles.

Slate

Slate is a natural stone, thus a roof made of this material is not only rock solid, but also fire proof. Such a roof is virtually indestructible, if it has an adequate resistance structure (slate is probably the heaviest roofing material)

Metal

Metal tiles are probably the most popular fire proof roofing materials, but they are a great option even for homes in geographic areas with heavy rain falls, being covered with a protective layer that increases their resistance to moisture and sea salt particles.

The advantages of a metal roof are important for all those who pay close attention to the qualitative details of their home. Such a roof is very light, it has the ability to reflect the heat emitted by the sun, thus contributing to saving the energy consumed on air cooling systems, during the summer.

Steel and aluminum are the most common and economical materials in these roofs. The paint applied is resistant and provides a glossy or matte finish to the roof. Installed correctly, a metal roof can be as durable as the house. Snow and water are drained quickly from the slippery metal surface, the wind slides easily, and insects and pests will not attack it.

Also, because the metal roofing materials are non-combustible, they usually belong to class A fire resistance.

 

What Are The Typical Services That Restoration Companies Offer?

Water Damage Restoration HomeDealing with home damage because of an unforeseen event such as a flooding or a fire is a terrible perspective and most of the people become to feel really overwhelmed when they are confronted with how much they have to do to make their house look like before the disaster.

Fortunately, now there are professional water restoration Phoenix services offered by specialized companied, for reasonable prices. They do not simply clean the mess and restore properties; they also provide high efficiency and will get the job done in no time, with very little disruption of the everyday activities. Besides, it will save you from A LOT of physical work and even restore objects that you may have considered compromised.

A restoration company is a fantastic help for residential and commercial property owners. However, before hiring one, you should make sure you leave your property in the hands of real professionals.

Check for certifications. A restoration company must be certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification and carry additional credentials for specific restoration areas (e.g. mold restoration, fire restoration etc.).

Ask about the services the company is able to offer. There are different types of disasters that can damage a property (fire, water, toxic waste etc.) and companies are typically specialized only in some of them. Besides, regardless this aspect, you must ensure that the company can handle every part of the restoration process (inspection, remediation, reconstruction, clean up).

Also, make sure to calculate your available budget and ask for a price estimate before signing the contract.   Ask for recommendations and check the company`s reputation.

Finally yet importantly, make sure the company provides emergency services, which means it is ready to start the restoration project anytime instead of putting you on a waiting list.

There are also a few important aspects on what to avoid when hiring a restoration company. The first red flag is if the company asks you to pay a large sum of money upfront. It is not uncommon to pay 10% to cover materials, but anything higher should make you turn to another contractor. Another red flag is the missing license. A company that is not ready to offer you its credentials is not reliable.

Finally yet importantly, never agree to work with a Colorado roofing contractor that is not so willing to make a contract, because the risks are too big. You are already vulnerable after the disaster that damaged your property, and additional problems are the last thing you need.

Restoration businesses are very profitable these days and have a great growth potential. A professional reliable company uses state-of-the-art equipment and methods to remediate the problems that generated the disaster (fire, flooding etc.), clean and reconstruct your damaged property and your belongings, whether it is about doing carpentry, flooring, mold or toxic substances removal and other operations.

It is also good to know that many of these companies also work with your insurer to get your house back to how it was.

Security Systems for Small Businesses – Components and Benefits

Surveillance For Small Businesses

According to statistical data, businesses, especially small companies are around four times more likely to suffer theft, vandalism and break-in than residential buildings, but even so, only around 30% of businesses have any security system in place, other than door locks and maybe some rails on the windows. If you are the manager or an owner of a small business and you are concerned about the security of your premises, of your assets, your employees and your clients, here are a few measures that are essential for the security systems of small businesses, whatever their profile is.

Proper Locks

Security starts with proper door locks. If the locks used on the doors of your company premises are simple and easy to pick, start the process of improving your security by replacing you existing locks with more sophisticated ones that are either unpickable or more difficult to break. There are many locking solutions that come with special, unique keys that cannot be copied and unbreakable lock mechanisms.

The Benefits of Lighting

Well-lit premises are rarely targeted by burglars and thieves. The installation of exterior illumination that is either on all the time or features motion control and is turned on when the attached sensors detect movement is known to be another excellent deterrent against crime.

Alarms

Burglar alarms that make a loud sound if their sensors detect any kind of illegal activity after the alarm has been armed are also great deterrents. The systems that are connected to a security company or directly to the nearest police station are even more efficient.

Security Cameras

Modern security camera installation Colorado provider systems no longer require a substantial investment, yet they provide high-quality video footages of whatever is going on among your corporate premises and they send the designated persons alerts whenever suspicious movement is detected.

The security benefits of surveillance camera systems range much further than preventing unauthorized outsiders to access your company premises – here are some:

  • Monitoring employees – surveillance cameras are not only for monitoring what is going on outside your building. They are just as effective inside, allowing you to know what is going on in your company during the day, whether your employees arrive punctually, whether they work as they are expected to. Many cameras can be used for recording audio as well, so you can also listen to the conversations on your corporate premises;

 

  • Improved work safety – surveillance camera footages provide managers and company owners useful information about their machines work or are operated and whether the safety regulations are observed during work. Employees who know that they are working under the surveillance of cameras take more care to use the safety equipment required for their activities and they avoid shortcuts while operating machines as well, so surveillance cameras ultimately improve the overall safety of the workplace;

 

  • More affordable insurance – insurers encourage companies to improve the security on their properties by offering them discounts if they install advanced security systems that use cameras. The process usually starts with a security audit to identify the potential hazards and the measures implemented by the company to eliminate those hazards or to reduce their likelihood of turning into real security problems.

Why Do I Need To Call a Utility Locator Before Starting a Digging/ Excavation Project?

Make A Call Before Digging

There are several types of underground utilities and they are made from different materials. Detection and location methods may also vary and are performed by professional utility locators who use maps and special equipment.

Typically, buried utilities with petroleum products are marked permanently with posts, because damaging them would be very dangerous, due to their content. Metal pipes are detected using electromagnetic equipment and a transmitter, while concrete and plastic pipes are detected by ground penetrating radars and radiolocation.

Buried utilities are also marked with particular colors (orange for telecommunications, blue for drinking water, red for electric lines, yellow for gas and other flammable materials, green for sewage and purple for reclaimed water) as well as flags that help identifying the ownership of the lines.

 

Utility locating services

People do not do that often digging and excavation projects on their properties therefore many do not realize that they can cause extensive damage by simply digging a hole for installing a fence.

In these circumstances, the answer to the question “Why do I need to call a underground cable locator” is rather obvious. If your property has not been marked recently, you have to call a utility locator, as this is the only thing that ensures safe digging and keeps you away from being fined and held legally responsible for damaging utilities that serve an entire community.

When it comes to contacting utility locators, you have two options.

  • Dial 811

This is a phone number that can be dialed from any location in the US and will direct you to public utility locating service. You will talk to an operator, explain what you plan to do in terms of digging/ excavating, provide your address and then, in a few days, you will be visited by professional locators sent by companies that have buried facilities in your area. This public service is free; all you have to do is dial 811 a few days before starting your excavation project. However, there is a downside: public underground utilities are water, electric, gas, and sewer and, if there are other utilities on your property, such as fiber optics or other private buried lines (for heating a pool, providing power for a garage, lighting a parking lot etc.), they will remain unmarked, as public locators do not deal with them. In these circumstances, you must consider a second option.

  • Contacting a private utility locator

Private utility detecting services are not free, but you get the advantage of having public and private utilities marked. These companies have quality equipment, trained personnel and use different utility locating technologies, being able to detect even the trickier lines, so you can dig and excavate safely.

Always remember that digging without marking the site for underground utilities may result in very costly damage that may include particularly dangerous hazards such as fire, electrocutions and explosions. A private locating service will ensure your peace of mind and keep you away from problems.

 

 

Can Steel Buildings Be Made Beautiful? – Designs Options for All Components

Beautiful Modern Steel Building

Many business owners and individuals who are already convinced about the reliability, strength and versatility of steel buildings still have doubts about the aesthetic appeal they can enjoy with their buildings. The short answer to the question “can steel buildings be made beautiful?” is a resounding yes – here are a few features to support the argument.

Endless Design Options

In terms of initial design, steel buildings are plain structures that can be embellished almost any way. A metal building consists mainly of panels, frames and trusses that can be covered to make the walls resemble more conventional, brick and mortar buildings and the design options are almost unlimited when it comes to adding openings and deciding about roof style.

Design Options for the Walls

The wall panels can be left exposed for a more industrial appearance or they can be covered or coated to confer them a truly unique look. Owners can use pre-engineered exterior panels to be installed over the walls to create the appearance they want without having to add weight to the walls with traditional masonry.

Design Options for the Roof

Steel buildings can be fitted with flat roofs, with sloping roofs or with a combination of the two for an attractive contemporary look. The wall panels can be painted and coated to resemble shingles or clay tiles and cool roofs are also available if energy-efficiency is the owner’s top priority.

Accessories

The additional features, such as the skylights, windows, doors and vents used in steel buildings are also available in an almost endless variety:

  • Steel buildings are very stable and resistant structures, therefore they can be fitted with windows of any style and size without compromising the integrity of the building;
  • The roof can accommodate any type of skylight to add not only visual appeal, but natural light to the interior space as well;
  • Door options are also wide, allowing owners and designers to choose the style that reflects the use of the building. Simple walk doors, garage doors, overhead roll-up doors, glass doors, sliding doors and many other types are available;
  • The gutter pipes and the vents can also be chosen to meet functional and design-related considerations. The pipes available for modern steel buildings serve not only the purpose of channeling excess water, but they can also be used as accents that mark the building perimeters. As for the vents, you can get them coated to the color around to conceal them or you can paint them in a contrasting color to use them as design accents.

Colors and Finishes

Most steel building manufacturers offer a wide range of colors that they have in stock, but if you cannot find the exact shade that you are looking for among the default colors, you can get custom colors mixed to your exact specifications.

Textured finishes are also available. You can choose not only glossy or satin finishes, but rough textures as well, so you can mix, match and combine colors and textures to create the modern, elegant, attractive building that meets your requirements and is a pleasure to look at.