noble's notes

Green Roofs in New YorK City

2008-09-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

Another way that building owners in NYC are looking to reduce their energy costs is by planting plants such as purple and green sedums on their roof tops. Sedum is an absorbent plant typically found in many deserts.

When the sun hits these plants on the roof, the sedums not only absorb the sunshine but cool the air when the water in their leaves evaporates. Temperatures on buildings with green roofs are up to 30% lower during the daytime in the summer than they are on conventional roofs. This means that tenants directly below these roofs do not have to run the air-conditioning as much.

These green roofs also absorb as much as 70% of rain water that might otherwise overwhelm the city's sewage system during heavy rain storms. By diverting the runoff of this water from entering the city's rivers, the city prevents millions of gallons of polluted water from reaching it's waterways.

Con Ed recently installed a 10,000 square foot green roof in July 2008. The plants sit in a mixture of volcanic rock , sandstone and other light stones capable of absorbing water.

Con Ed has teamed up with Columbia University's Climate Systems Research to evaluate the benefits and costs. Con Ed has installed roof top sensors to measure the temperature, wind and water runoff. They hope that the benefits will encourage Con Ed's client to consider green roofs.

Let's hope that they are successful.

60 chairs reupholstered using recycled fabrics

2008-08-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Recently the reupholstery division of Furniture Rental Associates worked with FK International by having 60 of their Geiger wood frame side chairs reupholstered using recycled fabrics from United Fabrics.

In addition to having their chairs reupholstered, FK International decided to have the wood frames refinished as well.

The reupholstery and refinishing process gave these chairs another 10 years of life and kept them from being thrown out into our city's landfill.

To see the "before" and "after" pictures of these chairs please visit www.seannoble.com

8 ways to save the planet from work

2008-04-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

Most of us know how important it is to think about how our everyday lives effect the environment, but often we feel we just don't have the time to make some of those changes.

Here are some changes AT WORK that you can do to make your world and hopefully your office a little greener.

1. Ride your bike to work or ride your bike to the train station. That will cut down on CO2 emmisions and more importantly it will lower your blood pressure.

2. At the water cooler eliminate plastic or paper cups. Have your employees bring in their own water bottles.

3. Be a telecommuter. To cut down on the pollution caused by your daily commute, find out from your employeer if working from home is a possibility. Email and cell phones make this possible.

4. Have your employeer conduct an energy audit. The audit will show problems, that when corrected, can save money.

5. Turn off the lights in unused rooms!

6. There is no need to keep your computer screen running if you're at a meeting or at lunch. Turn it off if your not using it.

7. Use sensor hand dryers in the bathroomss. Throw-away paper towels are a major waste of paper .

8. Switch from those old light bulbs to energy saving fluorescent light bulbs. They use less energy and last longer.

Do you know of any other ways to save energy and reduce waste at work?

Let me know!

Sean Noble

New York City's First Green Building

2008-03-13T11:09:00.001-07:00

Later this year New York City will be home to the Bank of America's Tower headquarters located in midtown. It is being called the most sustainable skyscaper in the country. The design of this "green" building has earned it the highest LEED rating possible from the U.S Green Building Council.

A platinum rating was based on several features that were built into this grand building. Some of them are:

1.The building is able to produce, on-site, about two thirds of its own annual energy needs by usage of it's own cogeneration plant. The plant is three times as efficient as using energy from an outside power grid.

2. The men's urinals will be waterless. Three million gallons of water will be saved now that the flush handle has been elimated.

3.The building has been designed with floor to ceiling glass so that people can work within naturally lit work environments. The floor to ceiling glass is also able to take advantage of solar heat.

4. Conveniently located near mass transit, the Tower will keep hundreds of people from using their cars as they waste fuel and spew thousands of chemicals into the atmosphere.

5. Opened office windows will now filter out airborne particles bringing in air that is 95% fresh.

The architects, Cook + Fox, should be commended for designing this 55 story glass and steel structure with such innovative green designs.

Eco-friendly fabrics for reupholstery

2007-12-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

The reupholstery division of F.R.A. understands the importance of protecting the environment by using renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly products.

We have found fabrics from companies such as Robert Allen, J.Ennis Fabrics, Kravet and United Fabrics that are sustainable, organic and/or recycled.

Sustainable fibers come from renewable resources with growth and harvest cycles of five years or less.

Organic fibers are grown without the use of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers.

Recycled fibers come from post consumer waste such as soda bottles, etc.

Next time you need to have something reupholstered in your home or office ask you sales rep for eco-friendly fabrics. The world will be a lot more greener for it.

For examples of some of the reupholstery work we've done check out my web site at www.seannoble.com

Sean Noble
917 596 6815

Reuse, recycle, reupholster, refinish and redecorate!

2007-11-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

There are many different ways that businesses can contribute towards the fight against global warming. Refinishing and reupholstery are two services in which businesses, large and small, can help preserve our natural resources.

Refinishing prevents wood furniture from ending up in a landfill. Its one less tree that needs to be destroyed, processed and transported.

Reupholstery also prevents metal and wood frames, from chairs and sofas, from entering our landfills. Recycled fabrics can be used to revive the look of your furniture from looking old to looking new.

These two services are a "win-win" for businesses. The environment is less burdened with waste and businesses can save money.

Check out some examples of reupholstery and refinishing on my website http://www.seannoble.com/

Sean Noble
917 596 6815

Reupholstery helpful hints

2007-11-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

Over the many years of doing reupholstery I have compiled a list of helpful hints that I'd like to share with my clients to ensure that the reupholstery process proceeds correctly and in a timely fashion.

1. When asking for a reupholstery quote please keep in mind that I would like to view the item in person. This way I can check the item for any frame work that is needed such as refinishing or reconditioning.

2. I can also check to see if the item, such as a chair, needs additional foam in the seat or back.

3. I will also check to see if the chair has any welting or buttons. All these items, foam, welting and buttons can affect the price for reupholstery

4. If I cannot view your furniture in person please send me an email of the items. My email is snoble@frarents.com. Send as many pics as you would like. The more pics the better.

5. Are you supplying the material for reupholstery or do you want me to show you samples? If you have the material I will quote you the yardage or square footage. Please let me know what the repeat is on the fabric.

6. Not all fabrics and leathers are made for reupholstery on all furniture. Ideally we would like you to send us a sample of the material that you have chosen so we may approve it.

7. If I am quoting the fabric or leather it will be qouted seperately.

8.What time of the day or evening can the items be picked up and delivered? If it's in the evening what time does the overtime start?

9. Once my warehouse has received the material I will let you know. When we are ready to reupholster your furniture we will let you know as well.

10. After we have received the material please let me know if you would like to receive a small sample of that material as proof that it is correct.

If all the helpful hints above are followed it will ensure a smooth transition for your furniture.

Check out my website http://www.seannoble.com/ for all the "before" and "after" pics on my reupholstery page!

Sean Noble
917 596 6815

My Interview in CIANJ

2007-10-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

See my interview in Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey. Download article (232k PDF file)

Interview in OfficeInsight

2007-10-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

See my interview in officeinsight™ newsletter. Download article (72k PDF file)

Top Ten Facilities Management Lies

2007-10-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

1. I enjoy supervising my overtime and weekend installations.

2. The deadlines and requests I receive are always reasonable and never mundane.

3. I have never wondered how much commission my sales rep was making on my projects.

4. My building manager has always been accommodating as possible.

5. My salary is a true reflection of the huge responsibility I have at my firm.

6. At night, in bed, I never stare at the ceiling and think of the projects that I still have to finish.

7. Office politics never affects the decisions that are made at my company.

8. I leave my beeper / cell phone / radio off on weekends.

9. On Weekends I never check my voice-mail.

10. I never encountered any problems with my construction projects or installations. They always go real smooth. No headaches.

If you are a Facilities Manager or Office Manager and want to contribute to another Top Ten List, E-Mail me at snoble@seannoble.com

Sean