Tag Archive for: hdpe partitions

How to Overcome Privacy Design Concerns for Commercial Restrooms with Scranton Products®

The biggest concern for most people in a commercial restroom is privacy.  In order to give employees and customers a better experience, commercial businesses should look toward a company that can provide:

  • Higher Privacy Restroom Partitions
  • Gender-Neutral Facilities
  • Adequate Locks and Latches
  • Maintenance and Cleanliness Features
  • Accessibility Designs

Higher Privacy Restroom Partitions

There are a few ways that you can make the experience of going to the bathroom a little more comfortable for the occupants. However, the best way is by installing restroom partitions that offer more security and privacy, as well as customizable options to reduce exposed areas or sightlines. Scranton Products® has partitions available in different height options, privacy features and price ranges that easily fit in commercial restroom spaces. 

Aria Partitions® provide increased privacy, many design choices and innovative features that will significantly upgrade the look of your room and add a whole new level of privacy.  The system has full height options with an edge mounted hinge and shiplap edges to reduce sightlines.  The system is floor supported, meaning it does not need to tie into the ceiling for floor to ceiling configurations. This creates tremendous design flexibility and ease of installation.

Eclipse Partitions® offer a sleek and contemporary design with multiple height options that uses hidden hardware and handles with occupancy indicators that increase the privacy of the commercial bathroom experience.  Additionally, this system comes with an edge mounted hinge and shiplap edges to reduce sightlines.

Hiny Hiders® Signature Series provides different height options for increased privacy. Sightlines can be removed without the use of hardware or by specifying a shiplap cut edge.

Gender-Neutral Facilities

With gender-neutral bathrooms on the rise, it is time for architects to take a fresh look at how their designs are helping users feel safe.

The adoption of gender-neutral restrooms has gained momentum in recent years due to a growing awareness of gender inclusivity and the recognition of diverse gender identities.  High-privacy restroom partitions reduce sightlines and boast enclosed compartments that are not only attractive but also gender-neutral friendly.

Many companies and organizations have adopted policies and initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Providing gender-neutral facilities aligns with these values and initiatives.

Adequate Locks and Latches

When designing a restroom, all aspects need to be reviewed, including the locks and latches.  Scranton Products has many options available for emergency access.  You never know when an emergency will happen and having emergency access options allows responders to reach someone inside the stall that may need assistance or medical attention quickly without any hindrance.  Having emergency access can also make it easier for janitorial staff to enter and clean the restroom without disrupting the normal operation of the stall doors.

Maintenance and Cleanliness

Each Scranton Products partition system has features that allow for easy maintenance.

Because Scranton Products systems are made of HDPE, it is impermeable to moisture, low-maintenance and helps to minimize bacteria growth.*  HDPE materials are also resistant to impact and graffiti. They can be power washed when a deep cleaning is needed.

Aria Partions have innovative solutions including a shoeless pilaster design which creates a cleaner aesthetic while eliminating a spot notorious for dirt collection.  Eclipse Partitions are designed with a post that allows for ease of cleaning the floors and Hiny Hiders have different options, including ceiling hung, to allow for a quicker cleaning of the floors.

Accessibility

Accessibility in a restroom is important for ensuring that individuals with disabilities can use the facilities comfortably and independently.  Accessible restrooms ensure that everyone, regardless of physical abilities, can access and use restroom facilities. It promotes inclusivity and helps create an environment that is welcoming to people with disabilities.  Proper space, layout, and features contribute to a more comfortable and private restroom experience.  Please review all local and international codes to know which codes apply.

About Scranton Products

With more than 30 years of experience, Scranton Products is the industry leader in plastic bathroom partitions and lockers. Endless design options and an array of designer colors and textures provide confidence and elegant style in every project, creating a lasting impression. Proudly made in the USA and constructed from premium-grade solid plastic, our products’ unmatched durability withstands impact, corrosion, graffiti, and mildew. Backed by sustainable technologies and industry-leading warranties, with our partitions and lockers you are investing in peace of mind.

*Read about our brands’ health and safety: https://www.scrantonproducts.com/better-safety/

5 Tasks School Facility Managers Hate: So Why Not Get Rid of Them?

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As a facility manager in charge of an entire school, there are probably a bunch of tasks that you’re not a fan of. In fact, you may even loathe them, so why not find a way to get rid of them? One of the most common tasks that has caused considerable dislike is routine locker maintenance. Given the number of lockers in your school, and the variety of issues that can occur with them, facility managers simply hate the meticulous nature of maintaining them. However, because it’s a school, you can’t simply get rid of the lockers and have barren hallways. Students need storage compartments for their books and supplies, but there has to be a better alternative that can reduce your workload.

The 5 Tasks of Locker Maintenance That Facility Managers Despise

  • Painting. Giving all of your lockers a fresh coat of paint is never fun. Sometimes, though, there are no other options. Whether the exterior is chipping, or there’s considerable wear and tear, you can’t get away with painting just one locker. Still, while you’re carefully brushing the paint on, you may also dislike the fact that it’s filling your school with harmful VOC emissions.
  • Graffiti Removal. It’s hard not to take graffiti personally since it’s you that has to clean it off the locker. This requires more repainting, which simply adds to the frustration because you know it can, and probably will, happen again.
  • Removing Rust. Facility managers hate rust removal because it’s so tedious. Whether you’re using vinegar or baking soda, endlessly scrubbing one specific spot on a locker is an easy way to wear your wrist out, let alone drive you crazy.
  • Meticulous Cleaning. In order to prevent signs of rust, unsightly stains, or dust, the lockers require significant cleaning. Power washing makes the process a lot easier, but even that results in considerable cleanup, and you have to wait until students are out of the building.
  • Replacing Lockers. When they can’t take any more, lockers need to be replaced. They get slammed shut every day and they’re exposed to the elements. However, replacing them can result in high costs and painstaking installation.

Getting Rid of These Menial Tasks

If you’ve always fantasized about ways to rid yourself of these meticulous, dull, yet important tasks, there are actually ways to get around them while still having viable lockers and storage compartments for students. HDPE plastic has been introduced to schools across the country, and has met with positive results among students and facility managers. These lockers have successfully cut down on routine maintenance. HDPE is a solid plastic, so it has a durable structure that’s actually resistant to impacts, scratches, and rust. When there’s graffiti present, you don’t have to open a fresh can of paint. The graffiti can simply be wiped off the locker without affecting the locker’s homogenous color. You’ll save time and money on maintenance with HDPE lockers. They’ll provide the necessary storage for students while ridding your day of those pesky tasks. Finding ways to cut your maintenance costs is great, but finding a way to eliminate the task altogether is every facility manager’s dream. Implementing HDPE plastic into your school will reduce the time and money that goes into your school’s maintenance. That way you’ll have a long lasting material that doesn’t require any frustrating or meticulous maintenance, allowing you to use your time towards more important and pressing tasks in your school. Want to learn more about HDPE lockers and the benefits of choosing them for your school? Download this eBook, The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers, from your friends at Scranton Products.

HDPE Partitions: Styles & Advantages

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If you’re getting ready to start an intense remodel of your facility’s restrooms, you’ll want to utilize the best materials possible. This is especially true when it comes to choosing your toilet partitions and stalls. You don’t want to make any mistakes and choose the wrong material that will require a lot of upkeep—or, even worse, an early replacement.

HDPE plastic has risen in popularity, and it has become one of the most utilized materials with toilet partitions due to its durability and its longevity. HDPE partitions even come in a variety of styles that will easily go with your plans and design scheme for your facility’s restroom.

HDPE Plastic Partition Styles

Hiny Hiders®

Hiny Hiders® Partitions are sleek, well-constructed, and built to last. They come in a variety of design options and colors that can easily be configured for the aesthetics of the restroom. You can choose from an assortment of layout options, such as ceiling hung for a sleek and modern look, floor to ceiling for added privacy, or even floor-mounted-overhead braced for the classic look.

Eclipse Partitions®

Eclipse Partitions® provide an innovative design that encompasses a contemporary appearance while ensuring enhanced privacy. These partitions come in 27 different color and texture designs to choose from to heighten the style of your remodeled restroom. They feature hidden hardware for a clean and sleek appearance while reducing the sightlines to provide increased privacy. These partitions are available in a variety of sizes that allow you to tailor the ideal aesthetics for your facility’s restroom.

Aria Partitions™

Aria Partitions™ are the latest in toilet partition innovation, providing a sleek and modern look that will elevate the appearance of any bathroom. These innovative partitions deliver the highest level of privacy by eliminating any hints of sightlines and gaps. They’re available in 7 panel designs, 17 door designs, and 27 different color and texture options that will allow you to separate your facility’s restroom from all the others.

Advantages of Using HDPE Partitions

Durability

HDPE plastic is a solid and dependable material that can outlast most toilet partitions in a variety of ways. Its surface is resistant to scratches, dents, impacts, and even graffiti. HDPE partitions also offer a reduction in noise, providing a softer sound when being shut.

Bacteria Resistant

A common problem plagued by most toilet partitions is the absorption of moisture, which leads to mold growth. HDPE plastic partitions don’t absorb the moisture in restrooms, which prevents mold from sprouting and the pungent odor that follows. Due to its resistance to bacteria and mold, these partitions won’t need to be replaced like other materials.

Sustainable & Cost Effective

One of the key advantages to HDPE partitions is that they’re relatively low maintenance, and pay themselves off after just a few years. They don’t need to be repainted, nor do they require any repairs or adjustments with their screw retention. The plastic is also made from recycled material, making it sustainable and Greenguard Gold Certified. They’re even warranted for 25 years, so you won’t have to worry about finding a replacement for a long time. HDPE plastic partitions are sleek, innovative, sustainable, and private. If you’re planning on a renovation or remodel of your facility’s restrooms, you may want to consider utilizing this durable and reliable material to add some style, security, and innovation in your restrooms. Want to learn more about the best materials to use when remodeling your facility’s restrooms? Check out this free eBook, Choosing Bathroom Materials, from your friends at Scranton Products.

 

How to Paint Metal Lockers

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Lockers are a necessity for schools of all kinds. As a facility manager, it’s your responsibility to maintain them properly throughout the years, and they require a certain amount of upkeep, such as fixing dents in lockers, tightening latches, and scrubbing away rust. Unless you have plastic lockers, they also need to be painted every once in a while, so they can continue retaining the aesthetics of your school.

However, when it comes to painting metal lockers, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take. To successfully paint your school’s lockers, you’ll need to follow these crucial steps.

Picking the Right Time to Paint

When it’s a busy school day, finding the time or the space to paint any metal lockers can be tricky. That’s why it’s always good to embark on a locker painting project during a holiday break or during the summer, when there’s only a few faculty and staff in the school. That way, you won’t have a lot of interference with rows of students heading to class. It’s also beneficial during a low occupancy day because of the VOC emissions that will be put off from the painting.

Choosing the Right Place

Now that you’ve got your time to paint, you need your place. Find an open area in the school that you can paint. It will allow you to have the room to paint multiple lockers, so you can start getting the job done. That way, you can reinstall the lockers quickly. You can paint the lockers where they stand, but you’ll need plenty of tarp or drop cloth coverage to prevent any paint from getting on the floor or the wall.

Painting Your Lockers

Before you start painting the metal lockers, you’ll want to use a paint primer that’s designed for metal. It will help the paint stick while providing some much-needed protection to the paint once it dries. Before beginning to apply the primer or the paint, you’ll need to make sure that the lockers are cleaned thoroughly, so there aren’t any imperfections once you’re completed. When you paint the lockers, you’ll need to apply multiple coats to make sure that the color matches on each locker.

Why Plastic Lockers are Better

Metal lockers are very durable and reliable storage compartments for the students. Sometimes, though, their maintenance, care, and upkeep outweigh their usefulness compared to plastic lockers. The constant maintenance and repainting certainly adds to the locker’s costs. What you need is a reliable locker that doesn’t require the constant upkeep while retaining its appearance and durability.

HDPE plastic school lockers are a great place to start because they don’t require a paint job. They’re available in a variety of homogenous colors that will stand up to the elements. Plastic lockers don’t require as much up keep as metal lockers, and can actually outlast metal lockers because they don’t rust. If there’s graffiti present, too, it can simply be wiped away.

Do you want to learn more about HDPE plastic lockers and how they can save you time and money with your school and maintenance? Check out this free eBook, The Ultimate Guide to HDPE Plastic Lockers, from your friends at Scranton Products.

How HDPE Partitions Can Save You Money

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When it comes to managing your facility—whether it’s a school, an office building, or even a store—you’re probably trying to find ways to cut costs and save money. One of the costliest endeavors that all facility managers face is maintenance. The time and money that goes into constant maintenance can certainly add up, but there has to be an easier way that can lower your costs and save you money on your facility.

One of the best ways to combat costly maintenance is by utilizing the best materials around that will last for years, stand up to the elements, and result in very low maintenance. One such material is HDPE plastic, which can be used as toilet partitions in your facility’s restrooms.

Here are a few ways that these HDPE partitions can save you money with your facility and maintenance costs.

HDPE: The Superior Partition

You may not really take the time to consider the variety of materials that can be used as toilet partitions. However, reviewing all of your options can allow you to make the best choice for your facility. Most toilet partitions are made from plastic with an inner core made from kraft paper or cardboard. Materials like Phenolic, Baked Enamel, and Plastic Laminate may look nice in your restroom, but they may be left vulnerable to the moisture and humidity in your restroom. The inner core will absorb the moisture, and over time, it’ll sprout mold, leading to a pungent odor and a substantial problem to solve.

The smell of mold is never a welcoming sign when entering a commercial restroom. However, utilizing HDPE can actually combat this problem because it’s a solid plastic. There’s no inner core made of paper or cardboard. Moisture and humidity will not seep into the inside of your HDPE partition, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re using the best material possible for your toilet partitions.

Cutting Costs on Maintenance & Partition Replacement

When mold has made its way into the inner core of a toilet partition, there’s no going back. The partition is ruined, and it needs to be replaced. However, due to the constant presence of moisture, you’ll end up replacing partitions frequently. HDPE is a quick and easy fix that will outlast other materials.

Other factors, like aesthetic damage, can lead to substantial maintenance. Whether the partition is cracked, dented, or even written on in permanent marker, there’s a lot of maintenance that’s costly and time-consuming. HDPE, on the other hand, is a more durable option. It won’t show surface damage through scratches or dents. It won’t even absorb any spray paint or marker, so you can forgo a paint job to cover up someone’s unwanted artwork.

A Material That Lasts

Due to the ability to stand up to common issues facing your restroom, HDPE partitions are the preferred choice for facility managers who are looking for a material that they can rely on. Since HDPE is a solid and durable plastic, it can endure a lot more than the average toilet partition. It’s even covered by warranty for up to 25 years. So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting solution to combat costly maintenance, HDPE is certainly a huge step in the right direction.

Would you like to learn more about how HDPE plastic toilet partitions can actually save you time and money on maintenance? Download our free eBook, Choosing Bathroom Materials, from your friends at Scranton Products.

 

 

How to Start a Preventative Maintenance Plan for Your School

When you’re the building manager for a school, you know that there’s no escaping routine maintenance. It’s a necessary ingredient to running a functional building. However, as a facility manager, it’s imperative to stay ahead of any mechanical failures, repairs, and otherwise lengthy maintenance projects. What you need to do is come up with a preventative maintenance plan for your school to help you stay on top of everything.care and maintenace

Here’s a few helpful tips and tricks on getting the right preventative maintenance plan together.

Rally the Team

The first step towards executing the proper preventative maintenance plan is having a team of professionals to rely on to help you see your plans through. As the facility manager, you can’t be everywhere at once to spot any minor issues that could develop into a major problem. However, when you have members of your staff that are just as dedicated to staying on top of maintenance, your plan can proceed with great results. Through coordination and communication, tackling any major issues will be a lot easier.

Determine Your School’s Weaknesses

In order to stay on top of issues with preventative maintenance, you need to figure out the areas that are most likely to result in problems. This includes checking your HVAC system to ensure that it’s operating at capacity, your water system to find any impurities, and, of course, the bathrooms. Your school’s bathrooms and locker rooms are susceptible to mold growth, specifically with the partitions, which can reduce the air quality and result in an unpleasant odor.

Luckily, materials like HDPE plastic partitions are durable, solid, and impenetrable to mold and mildew, so you can passively keep your bathroom from sprouting mold by utilizing this solid plastic. This material can even be used for lockers to replace the metal ones that are in your school. Metal can dent, get rusty, chip its paint, and even get covered in graffiti. HDPE plastic lockers are impact-resistant, and when it comes to graffiti, all it takes is a simple wipe to remove it. You don’t have to add a fresh coat of paint to this material because it will keep its aesthetics intact while cutting down on your maintenance costs and time.

Plan the Schedule

It’s important that you coordinate your maintenance plan with the school schedule to determine the best time to complete certain projects. Throughout the school year, getting major projects completed can be difficult because the school is at its highest occupancy. Also, heavy-duty maintenance can be a major distraction during lessons.

Save any major maintenance projects for summer. Given that there are many fewer occupants in the building, getting the projected completed will be a lot easier during the summer. Winter break is another window for projects, but make sure you can determine what can be done given the amount of time you have to complete it.

By planning out your preventative maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your school in great condition with all of its systems functioning properly.

Want to learn more about preventative facility maintenance? Download this free eBook, The Ultimate Guide or Facility Maintenance & Property Solutions, from your friends at Scranton Products.

 

 

Reduce Your School’s Energy Consumption in 4 Easy Steps

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More often than not, school facility managers are trying to find ways to cut costs. This is particularly important with energy consumption, not only because energy has a hefty price attached to it, but there are many ways to reduce the costs that are more green and eco-friendly.What Makes HDPE Sustainable

To help you get started on coming up with an action plan to cut costs, here are 4 easy steps to help you reduce your school’s energy consumption.

Let There Be LED & Natural Light

Homeowners know that one of the major energy consumers in their household is light bulbs, so to combat the energy bill, they simply leave the lights off in rooms they aren’t using. This isn’t the case with a school because, ostensibly, every room is in use. However, implementing LED light bulbs instead of fluorescent or incandescent bulbs can greatly reduce the amount of energy that your school uses.

Not only should you implement the energy-saving LED lights in your school, but you can always get rid of unnecessary fixtures. Most notably, interior lighting fixtures that are near a window are technically not needed, and your school and energy bill can certainly benefit from utilizing as much natural light as possible.

Cut Down on the Air Conditioning

Who doesn’t like fresh air? Cutting down on the air conditioning can have positive benefits for your school’s energy consumption. When the weather is particularly beautiful, don’t be afraid to turn off the air and open the windows. This can help keep your school at a reasonable temperature without having to use your air conditioning system. By utilizing fresh air and keeping your air conditioning off, you’ll cut costs on your energy bill while reducing harmful emissions.

Be Mindful of Appliances & Devices

After the school day is over and the occupants have gone home, be sure to do a thorough check throughout the building for any electrical appliances that are still on. While appliances like the refrigerator should remain on, other equipment shouldn’t, such as computers. Leaving computers on all night not only consumes a decent amount of energy but also wastes it. Be sure the turn off all classroom computers before leaving the school to help save on energy costs.Earth Tone Inspiration

Generate Your Own Energy

One of the best ways to save on energy costs is simply to create your own energy. Solar panels have been widely used in school facilities across the country with fantastic results. Installing solar panels on the roof or property of your school can help to reduce the cost of energy consumption. Implementing solar energy at your school, you’ll see a noticeable drop in costs and improve your school’s image as being forward thinking, environmentally conscious and, of course, sustainable.

Were these 4 steps on reducing your school’s energy consumption helpful? Are you looking for more ways to make your school more eco-friendly? Download the Sustainable Building Products: How to Make Your Facility Eco-Friendly from Top to Bottom from your friends at Scranton Products.

Restroom Requirements for Commercial Buildings

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Whether you’re the proud manager of a commercial facility, or you’re in the process of designing your building, there are a lot of legal requirements that you need to adhere to for the benefit of the facility’s occupants. More importantly, your facility’s restrooms need to meet certain standards involving architectural planning and health code standards. Here are a few tips to help you meet these OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) specific requirements for commercial buildings that ensure your occupants can have a safe and sanitary restroom.

Planning Your Toilet Facilities

When you’re planning your facility’s restrooms, there’s a lot that you need to factor into the designs. It’s always best to have an idea of how many employees or occupants are going to be in the facility on a daily basis. Generally, 1-15 occupants legally require at least one toilet per each gender-designated restroom. If the occupancy is between 36 and 55 individuals, then that number jumps to three toilets per restroom.

While many people enjoy the single occupant restroom, it can cause frustration and complaints, so if you’re planning your facility from the ground up, a multiple occupant restroom should be heavily considered. If you expect a possible influx of occupants due to company growth, choosing a multi-toilet and urinal restroom is a wise choice. Make sure to include a designated handicapped stall to be ADA compliant.

Ensuring Occupant Privacy

Relieving oneself is a private matter, so taking the necessary steps to ensure privacy is important. Single-toilet restrooms should have a door that can be locked from the inside. Multiple-toilet restrooms should feature stalls and partitions that provide the necessary privacy. Non-ADA stalls should be at least 60 inches in width and a minimum of 55 inches high, but not limited to 72 inches in height.

Sanitation Standards

Hand washing stations are also a requirement in your restroom. Signs indicating the requirement to wash hands can be helpful in reducing health risks of spreading germs and infections. For a multi-toilet restroom, more than one hand washing station should be made available to the occupants. Soap dispensers should be checked sporadically throughout the day and refilled if necessary.

A thorough cleaning should be conducted daily to ensure that any germs or bacteria are eradicated. It’s imperative to combat mold growth because it can reduce the air quality and result in respiratory issues for the occupants. Due to the constant exposure to moisture and humidity, various restroom components can actually harbor mold growth.

Whether mold has already sprouted inside your stalls, partitions, or vanities, or you’re simply looking for preventative measures, there have been great results with the implementation of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) solid plastic materials. Not only are HDPE materials impervious to mold growth, they’re also impact-, dent-, and graffiti-resistant. Due to their solid construction and homogenous coloring, they don’t require repainting. These low-maintenance stalls can actually help you keep your air quality in good standing while providing the utmost privacy and security for your occupants while they’re using the restroom.

 

Following these guidelines will help ensure that your restroom is OSHA and ADA compliant. If you’d like to learn more about designing your restroom, or the best materials to use, download the Restroom Design for Commercial Facilities or Choosing Bathroom Materials eBooks, courtesy of Scranton Products.

Are You Prepared for Flooding?

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No one wants to think about a flood, but they are a very real part of the phenomenon that is nature. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flooding is the nation’s most common natural disaster. During the early weeks of spring, as the temperatures start to warm up and the snow starts to melt, the ground may still be frozen in spots, while other ground surfaces become saturated. Along with the snow melts, drenching rains and ground saturation, streams and rivers become swollen and spill over onto roadways, and into cities and towns. In other areas, burst dams, hurricanes and storm surges can cause catastrophic flooding.

Flooding can have serious consequences to buildings and what’s inside them, causing structural damage; affecting electrical wiring, as well as heating and cooling systems; saturating walls and floors, leading to mold growth and contamination; and damaging and contaminating furnishing and equipment.

No matter where your school is located, be prepared for flooding. This is particularly critical if your school is in a low-lying or coastal area, near water, or downstream from a dam – areas that can be in the pathway for raging floodwaters.

Mitigate Damages After A Flood

You may not be able to stay out of the path of those waters, but you can prepare your school facility for the aftermath and mitigate long-term cleanup

According to the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, the following measures may help mitigate the impact of a flood on your school building:

  • Improve site drainage
  • Provide sump pump back-up power
  • Maintain or replace check valves in sewer lines
  • Provide off-site computer backup
  • Elevate or flood-proof mechanical and electrical equipment
  • Consider locating library facilities on a second story or higher level if possible

Select Furnishings Materials Carefully

In addition to these recommendations, to avoid damage to furnishings, consider selecting materials that are impervious to water and that can easily be cleaned and decontaminated.

School lockers, for example, can become a total loss to the school or require extensive repair and maintenance if they are not made of a strong, durable water resistant material. Currently, the only school hallway locker material that is not affected by water damage is Scranton Products high performance HDPE lockers.

Fully-fire rated for use in school hallways, Scranton Products Duralife Lockers® are manufactured from solid core high performance HDPE (high density polyethylene) and are impermeable to moisture. The solid core construction and non-porous surface means that no mold or mildew will grow inside or outside the lockers, and the lockers will never rust, corrode or delaminate. When cleanup is required, Duralife Lockers® are fully power-washable and steam-cleanable. In addition, Duralife Lockers® are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for use in school facilities, and are manufactured using recycled materials and are 100% recyclable, supporting a healthier environment both inside and outside of your school facility.

For more information on how Scranton Products Duralife Lockers® can help mitigate your school’s response to a serious flooding event, contact us today. To learn more about the sustainable and bacteria resistant properties of HDPE, click here to view our Continuing Education Center.

What Is a Sustainable School?

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You may have heard the word “sustainability” a lot recently, and as a facility manager of a school, you may be wondering how you can make your school more sustainable. Many educational facilities across the country have been implementing sustainability and green plans to make their schools more eco-friendly and energy efficient. But what makes a school sustainable?

What Makes a School Sustainable?

In recent years, many organizations and schools have begun taking the necessary steps to reduce their carbon footprint though various means. The most popular route that schools have taken is with recycling. Ramping up their recycling process, and even hosting recycling-oriented events have proven successful in not only reducing waste, but also educating students on the environmental benefits of properly recycling their trash.

While recycling is effective at reducing waste and taking the necessary step toward eco-conscious practices, there are other ways that schools have made their facilities more sustainable. Cutting down on unnecessary energy by opening the windows during particularly nice days and utilizing non-toxic cleaning materials and school supplies have become popular practices. Even implementing green materials during renovations have proven to be highly effective. 

Making Your School Sustainable

Taking the necessary steps toward making your school sustainable has numerous benefits, including student health, reducing waste, conserving energy, and helping the environment. There are many different ways that you, the facility manager, can help make your school more sustainable and eco-friendly.

 

Using Green Materials

Whenever you need to renovate or remodel a portion of your school, you should implement green building materials wherever you can. Green building materials can help you use your resources and energy more efficiently. Materials like cork flooring, solar hot water heaters, and even recycled carpeting go a long way in increasing your school’s sustainability. Updating your school’s corridors with HDPE (high-density polyethylene) lockers has numerous sustainability benefits, and they even last longer than traditional lockers due to their durability and rust/mildew resistance, resulting in effective lockers that require very little maintenance.

 

Cleaning Your Air

One of the scourges of the environment is poor air quality. Unless you’re regularly testing your air, you may be dealing with poor air in your school. Touching up or completely repainting sections of your school can release VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions in your air, which over time can result in poor air quality and health complications.

 

Focusing on the Bathroom

One of the best ways that you can move your school into a greener direction is by updating your restrooms. Whenever there’s a drop in your school’s air quality, the restrooms tend to be ground zero. Due to the constant barrage of moisture and humidity, mold will sprout. If it’s on the walls and on the floor, it can be easily removed. However, mold could be inside the stalls and partitions, so you’ll need a more durable and eco-friendly replacement. Utilizing HDPE materials for your stalls will not only reduce the mold growth, but it’ll also increase the air quality of your restrooms for a long time.

Taking the necessary steps toward sustainability will not only reduce waste, but it’ll be more cost-effective and eco-friendly.

 

Want to learn more about how to make your school more sustainable? Read Sustainable Building Products: How to Make Your Facility Eco-Friendly from Top to Bottom, courtesy of Scranton Products.