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Paint

March 13, 2025
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Painting the Eiffel Tower

In any industry painting (and decorating) operations play a crucial role in facility management by enhancing the overall appearance, protecting surfaces, and maintaining a healthy and conducive environment.  In the education industry we find these operations in both the business and academic units; often co-mingled with sign-making shops.   

  • Aesthetics and Branding: Fresh coats of paint revitalize the appearance of walls, ceilings, doors, and other surfaces, creating a clean and inviting environment. Painting can also be used strategically to incorporate branding elements, such as company colors or logos, to reinforce brand identity throughout campus.  Bright, vibrant colors can stimulate creativity and engagement, while well-chosen color schemes can create a sense of calm and focus.
  • Surface Protection: Color coatings are a protective barrier for surfaces, shielding them from environmental factors like moisture, sunlight, dust, and regular wear and tear. It helps prevent structural damage, corrosion, and deterioration, extending the lifespan of various components in the facility, including walls, floors, metal structures, and equipment.
  • Maintenance and Preservation: Regular painting operations are part of preventive maintenance programs in facility management. By addressing minor issues like peeling, cracks, or stains on surfaces, painting helps maintain a well-maintained and professional appearance. It prevents further damage and the need for costlier repairs in the future.  Using environmentally conscious paints contributes to sustainable practices and healthier indoor air quality.
  • Functional Differentiation: Painted color variations are utilized to differentiate various spaces within a facility. By using different colors, patterns, or textures, specific areas can be designated for different purposes, such as work zones, storage areas, or recreational spaces. This assists with wayfinding and enhances overall functionality.

Today at 15:00 UTC we review best practice literature for large-scale painting operations — an exploration different than the one undertaken during our Fine Art and Signs, Signs, Signs colloquia — with attention to worker and chemical safety.  Among these considerations:

  • Falls from Heights: When painting large structures such as buildings or bridges, workers often need to work at elevated heights using ladders, scaffolding, or aerial lifts. Falls from heights are a significant hazard, and proper fall protection systems, such as guardrails, harnesses, and safety nets, should be in place to prevent accidents.  Large-scale painting operations may require workers to access or work on structures that have structural weaknesses, corroded surfaces, or unstable platforms. 
  • Inhalation of Hazardous Substances: Paints, coatings, solvents, and other chemicals used in large-scale painting operations can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful substances. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals, particularly in poorly ventilated areas, can lead to respiratory problems, dizziness, skin irritation, or other health issues. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) like respirators, gloves, and protective clothing should be provided and used to minimize exposure risks.
  • Skin and Eye Irritation: Contact with paint, solvents, or other chemicals can cause skin irritation, dermatitis, or allergic reactions. Splashes or spills can also result in eye injuries. Workers should wear appropriate protective clothing, such as gloves, coveralls, and safety goggles, to protect their skin and eyes from direct contact with hazardous substances.
  • Fire and Explosion Risks: Some paints and solvents are flammable or combustible, posing fire and explosion risks, especially in enclosed spaces or areas with inadequate ventilation. Strict adherence to fire safety measures, including proper storage and handling of flammable materials, use of spark-proof tools, and implementing effective fire prevention protocols, is crucial.
  • Weather Conditions: Outdoor large-scale painting operations are often subject to weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures, high winds, or rain. Adverse weather conditions can pose risks to workers’ safety and affect the quality of paint application. Adequate weather monitoring and planning, along with appropriate safety measures and protective equipment, are necessary to mitigate these hazards.

Open to everyone.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Relevant standards:

Chemistry

ASTM D-series titles

EN 1504-2: Products and systems that are graffiti-resistant

ISO 12944: Paints and varnishes

Application and Fire Safety

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers: Self-Operating Paint Bot

National Fire Protection Association

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

“All Glory, Laud and honour”

March 13, 2025
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“All Glory, Laud and Honour” is a hymn written by Theodulf of Orléans around 820 AD, originally in Latin as “Gloria, laus et honor.” Composed during his imprisonment in Angers, France, it was meant for Palm Sunday, celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

The hymn became part of liturgical traditions, sung during processions. Translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1854, it gained widespread use in Anglican and other churches. Its enduring melody, often paired with the text, is attributed to Melchior Teschner (1615). The hymn remains a staple in Christian worship, especially during Holy Week.

King’s College Chapel

Solar Panels on King’s College Chapel Roof

Color Metrology

March 13, 2025
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Color and Appearance

Range of colors chart used in NIST measurements

The National Institute of Standards and Technology measures color through a combination of sophisticated instrumentation and established standards:

1. Standards and Calibration

    • Primary Standards: NIST maintains primary color standards, such as spectral reflectance and transmittance standards, that are traceable to international measurement systems.
    • Calibration of Instruments: Instruments used for color measurement are calibrated using these standards to ensure accuracy and consistency.

2. Instrumentation

    • Spectrophotometers: These instruments measure the intensity of light at different wavelengths. They are used to obtain the spectral reflectance or transmittance of a sample.
    • Colorimeters: These are simpler instruments that measure color using a few broad wavelength bands. They are often used for less precise applications.

3. Measurement Process

    • Sample Preparation: The sample to be measured is prepared according to specific protocols to ensure uniformity and consistency.
    • Spectral Measurement: The spectrophotometer or colorimeter measures the light reflected or transmitted by the sample across the visible spectrum.
    • Data Collection: The data collected includes the spectral power distribution, which indicates how much light is reflected or transmitted at each wavelength.

4. Data Analysis

    • Color Spaces and Models: The raw spectral data is converted into color space coordinates (e.g., CIE XYZ, Lab) using mathematical models. These models account for human vision characteristics and provide a numerical representation of color.
    • Comparison and Reporting: The measured color can be compared to standard references or reported in various formats depending on the application (e.g., color difference ΔE).

5. Quality Control and Assurance

    • Repeatability and Reproducibility: NIST ensures the repeatability and reproducibility of color measurements by using rigorous quality control protocols.
    • Uncertainty Analysis: The uncertainty associated with the measurements is analyzed and reported to provide a clear understanding of the precision of the measurements.

Example Instruments and Techniques

    • Goniospectrophotometers: These measure the color of materials that change appearance with viewing angle.
    • Integrating Spheres: These are used with spectrophotometers to measure diffuse reflectance or transmittance.
    • Laser-based Systems: Advanced systems that use lasers for highly precise color measurements.

NIST’s methods are designed to provide highly accurate and reliable color measurements that can be used across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, textiles, and digital imaging.

Standards Michigan: National Institute of Standards and Technology

 

THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE FOR COLOUR

March 13, 2025
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Colours determine our lives – consciously and subconsciously. They give us direction, influence our emotions, act as a means of communication, underline individuality and give us our identity. RAL colours have existed in all areas of our lives for decades and they set the colour standards for clear global communication of colour in architecture, design, skilled trades and industry.

Enter into the three RAL colour ranges with over 2,500 clearly specified shades for professional colour design. Find out on our website about our colour collections, our analogue and digital products as well as the latest trends from the world of RAL colours.

Paint Hazard Management

March 13, 2025
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NFPA 1 Fire Code does not have a specific section dedicated solely to painting facility safety. However, there are several sections within NFPA 1 that address fire safety requirements relevant to painting facilities. These sections provide guidelines and standards for various aspects of fire prevention and protection. Here are some key sections within NFPA 1 that are relevant to painting facility safety:

  1. Chapter 10: Hazardous Materials: This chapter outlines requirements for the storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials, including paints, solvents, and flammable liquids. It covers topics such as storage limitations, ventilation, spill control, and fire protection measures.
  2. Chapter 13: Spraying, Dipping, and Coating Using Flammable or Combustible Materials: This chapter addresses specific fire safety requirements for spray booths, spray rooms, and dip tanks used in painting and coating operations. It covers aspects such as construction, ventilation, electrical equipment, ignition sources, and fire suppression systems.
  3. Chapter 15: Spraying and Dipping Operations: This chapter provides general requirements for spray finishing operations, including safety precautions, ventilation, electrical equipment, and handling of flammable or combustible materials.
  4. Chapter 16: Combustible Dust-Producing Operations: While not specific to painting, this chapter is important for facilities that generate combustible dust during surface preparation or other operations. It addresses fire and explosion hazards associated with combustible dust, providing requirements for dust control, ventilation, equipment, and other safety measures.

These sections highlight key areas within NFPA 1 that can guide painting facility safety. It is essential to consult the latest edition of NFPA 1 and any applicable local or state fire codes to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date requirements and regulations specific to your location and facility type.

UpCodes: Free Access to State Variations of NFPA 1

We maintain this title, and related titles in the NFPA catalog on the standing agenda of our periodic Paint colloquia; open to everyone.   Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

What Is A Standard Drink?

March 12, 2025
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“It’s a fine line between Saturday night

and Sunday morning” – Jimmy Buffett

 

“Rather a bottle in front of me

than a frontal lobotomy” — Some guy

 

Many people are surprised to learn what counts as a “drink”. The amount of liquid in your glass, can, or bottle does not necessarily match up to how much alcohol is actually in your drink.  Even before the United States federal government withdrew from regulating alcohol, the conversation, and degree of agreement and  attitude, remains remarkably regionally specific:

Missouri University of Science & Technology: What is a Standard Drink?

University of South Alabama: What is a Standard Drink?

Stanford University Office of Alcohol Policy and Education

Other nations serve alcohol to students on campus in university owned facilities.

Maynooth University Student Union County Kildare


College students create the ultimate hangover cure


British High Schoolers Try American Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

March 12, 2025
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Biscuits and sausage gravy is firmly rooted in Southern American cuisine, which has a rich history influenced by African, Native American, European, and other culinary traditions. The combination of biscuits and sausage gravy reflects the availability of ingredients in the South, where biscuits (similar to a type of British scone) and pork products were common.

The concept of biscuits, similar to what Americans call biscuits, has British origins. Early settlers brought this baking technique with them to the American colonies. However, the American biscuit evolved over time to become lighter and fluffier compared to the denser British biscuit.

Kitchens 300

Information technology for learning, education and training

March 12, 2025
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Illustration from 1913 showing Pythagoras teaching a class of women. Pythagoras believed that women should be taught philosophy as well as men and many prominent members of his school were women.

We follow the catalog of best practice titles developed by a joint committee of the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission that should interest educational institutions with an interest in capturing revenue from students outside their home country (which is nearly every educational organization as far as we can see, save for secondary school districts).

ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 36 Information technology for learning, education and training is charged with standardization in the field of information technologies for learning, education, and training to support individuals, groups, or organizations, and to enable interoperability and reusability of resources and tool. Excluded from this scope are: •standards or technical reports that define educational standards (competencies), cultural conventions, learning objectives, or specific learning content.  Work done by other ISO or IEC TCs, SCs, or WGs with respect to their component, specialty, or domain. Instead, when appropriate, normative or informative references to other standards shall be included. Examples include documents on special topics such as multimedia, web content, cultural adaptation, and security.   The landing page for all ISO/IEC JTC 1 is linked below.

ISO/IEC JTC 001/SC 36 “Information technology for learning, education and training”

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards is the Global Secretariat.  INCITS is ANSI’s US Technical Advisory Group administrator.   CLICK HERE for a list of committees.

We maintain the work products of this committee on the standing agenda of our Global, ICT and Acoustics colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.

Issue: [13-100]

Contact: Mike Anthony, Christine Fischer, Paul Green

Category: Academic, Finance, Global, ICT

Freely Available ICT Standards


LEARN MORE:

Workspace ISO/IEC JTC1

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