Components and Materials


Bradley Company Launches Washroom Accessories Collection

Commercial restroom solutions company Bradley Company recently launched a new collection of washroom accessories, according to a news release. The Elvari Washroom Accessories offer an integrated design across the entire collection to “unify and elevate” the aesthetic of professional restrooms, the release reports.

Zurn Elkay Launches Update to Exposed Sensor Flush Valves

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced an update to its line of exposed sensor flush valves. The new Zurn Top Mount Exposed Sensor Flush Valves With Ceramic Gear Technology take advantage of ceramic gear technology instead of solenoids to increase reliability, precision, and efficiency while also providing low-maintenance flushing.

California K–12 District Launches Energy Infrastructure, Sustainability Program

The Burlingame School District in Burlingame, Calif., recently announced the upcoming launch of its Energy Infrastructure and Sustainability Program Phase II, according to a news release. Construction on HVAC modernizations and solar structures will begin early this year and is scheduled for completion before the beginning of the 2024–25 school year.

Modine Offers Germicidal Air Disinfection for K–12 Schools

HVAC indoor air quality company Modine has debuted the VidaShield UV24 Active Air Disinfection System for the K–12 school market. The product line combines UV-C light irradiation with air circulating fans and an optional ceiling light, the company said.

Let There Be Proper Light for Learning

Creating the right environment is essential to maximizing a child’s learning potential, and a critical part of that environment is the right lighting system. Unfortunately, the lighting system at St. Augustine Catholic School in Richmond, Mich., was failing both its students and teachers.

Carnegie Releases Full Spectrum Collection

Sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions provider Carnegie recently launched a new series of fabrics called the Full Spectrum Collection, according to a news release. The series features 45 colors and patterns across a variety of price points that were designed for use in commercial spaces and offer high degrees of performance, style, and durability.

Tennant Launches Two New Walk-Behind Floor Scrubbers

Cleaning equipment and solutions provider Tennant Company recently launched two new products—the T260 and the T391—to add to its fleet of walk-behind floor scrubbers, according to a news release. The products will be available to order in October 2023.

Single-Package Unit Ventilators Improve Indoor Air Quality, Efficiency

There is a growing level of both interest and requirements to improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) through improved ventilation, temperature and humidity control, and filtration to improve the health of students and teachers in K–12 schools. Aging equipment often is not designed to meet these requirements, prompting replacement. But this replacement comes with an added benefit—that being significantly improved efficiency.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Schools In Focus: New Acoustical Solutions — From the Top Down

Acoustics isn't only about creating quite classrooms. It's a critical part of the overall IEQ of a school—from classrooms to nurses' offices to administration spaces. New and better technologies exist to give schools solutions that achieve what is needed in today's world while keeping budget parameters in mind. These acoustical solutions start at the top with ceilings, and not all ceilings are alike. Join us as Sean Browne, Senior Manager of Research & Development for Armstrong World Industries, walks us through choosing the right ceiling to optimize acoustics for better learning experiences.

Surviving Extreme Heat in K–12 School Facilities

Extreme heat is becoming more and more of a problem during the early and late weeks of the school year. To prevent hot temperatures and poor air quality from being an issue for K–12 facilities, it’s important for school leaders to be proactive in their preparation.

Novara LED Fixture

Wenger Launches LED Light Fixture

Music and theater education solutions company Wenger Corporation recently announced the launch of the Novara LED light fixture, according to a news release.

Flooring Innovations Offer Eco-Friendly and Durable Options

Renewing and maintaining school floors is friendly on the budget and environment.

AMR Scrubbers Free Up Staff for More Human-Centered Duties

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) are the future; Isaac Asimov and the rest of classic sci-fi have been telling us this for decades.

Case Study: Modernizing a 1960s L.A. School with Biophilic Design

The client was Grover Cleveland Charter High School, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles, Calif. The challenge, modernizing a 1960s-era, single-story school to double its square footage to accommodate additional students and to follow biophilic design goals that would benefit students and foster collaboration and social interaction.

Listen Up: Creating More Equitable Learning Environments

A simple and tangible step that K–12 leaders can take to support all students more effectively is to make sure students can hear their teachers and their classmates. When students can hear instruction clearly, everyone benefits.

The Beauty of Hardened Glass

Glass has long been a favorite material of architects and designers, and there are many good reasons why. Along with the benefits of glass in K–12 design, however, come greater concerns today about its security and safety—especially with the increase in active shootings on school campuses.

ESSER Funds for HVAC

How ESSER Funds Can Help with HVAC Upgrades

The importance of HVAC units in schools was brought to the forefront when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in the early parts of 2020. The federal government also took notice as they issued approximately $190 billion in COVID relief funds through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).

Texas Education Agency Sets Security Window Film Mandate

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently announced that all school districts in the state will be required to install security window film on glass doors and windows by August 2023.

Greenheck Introduces AER Configurable Condenser Fan

Greenheck, a national supplier of air movement, air control, and air conditioning equipment, recently introduced its new AER direct drive configurable condenser fan, according to a press release.

ESSER Funds HVAC Upgrades

How ESSER Funds Can Help with HVAC Upgrades

The importance of HVAC units in schools was brought to the forefront when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in the early parts of 2020. While vaccines became one option for combating the virus, the need for increased ventilation and filtration became an area of focus for many school districts.

Birchwood Lighting Releases New Acoustic Luminaries, Panels

Birchwood Lighting recently announced the launch of a new set of acoustic luminaries and panels designed for large, open spaces. The BWA250 luminaries and panels are intended to provide both seamless illumination and sound dampening capabilities in environments like open office spaces, common areas and education spaces.

Iowa High School to Upgrade HVAC System

For the first time ever, the main gymnasium and cafeteria at Fort Dodge Senior High School in Fort Dodge, Iowa, will have air conditioning when the next school year begins this fall.

Ecore, Spartan Surfaces Relaunch Popular Flooring Line

Ecore, a company that converts reclaimed materials into a variety of performances surfaces, announced this week that it is partnering with flooring sales and marketing company Spartan Surfaces to relaunch its popular ECOsurfaces product line.

Toronto Junior Middle School Installs New Acoustic Panels

Islington Junior Middle School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which serves students in grades PreK–8, recently announced that it has installed new acoustic ceiling and wall tiles in four of its classrooms.

Learn Live Collection Taking Steps

Mohawk Group Expands Popular Carpeting Collection

Flooring solutions company Mohawk Group recently announced that it is expanding its Learn & Live Collection with the addition of Taking Steps, made up of three versatile 24” x 24” modular carpet styles.

Passive House Sierra Grande School

Future-Proofing Educational Facilities: The Passive House Design Solution

High-performing, energy-efficient school facilities can serve a foundational role in uplifting students, staff and the greater community over the long term. The good news is that the solution for some facilities—depending on size, location and available resources—might be born out of the strategic implementation of a concept originating nearly 50 years ago: Passive House.

Sacred Heart University Martire Family Arena

Sacred Heart University Hockey Arena to Install Smart Windows

Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., announced recently that it will install Smart Windows by View, Inc., at its new Martire Family Arena, currently under construction. Designers wanted to include natural light as part of the rink’s design but were worried that the associated heat would melt the ice.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Schools In Focus: Creating Worry-Free Environments in Education

This episode’s guests are Elizabeth Bonner, design director for education and hard surface, and David Dembowitz, senior vice president of sales North America, both with Mohawk Group. We’ll discuss choosing the right flooring solutions and the impact it can have on creating healthier, worry-free spaces throughout the lifecycle of the installation. We’ll touch on topics like creating productive spaces for students & staff, the impact of COVID-19 on cleanliness standards, choosing the right flooring solution, and how to navigate the flooring decision making process. This episode is sponsored by Mohawk Group.

Armstrong Tectum Create Direct Attach Panels

Armstrong Introduces Direct-Attach Ceiling, Wall Panels

Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions recently introduced its Tectum Create! Direct-Attach line of ceiling and wall panels. The textured panels come in a variety of standard and custom designs to add flair and aesthetics to any space.

East Central College HVAC Upgrade Covered by COVID Relief Funds

A $1.4 million HVAC upgrade at Missouri's East Central College, paid for by federal COVID-relief funds, is expected to mitigate the transmission of viruses in several campus buildings. The work was performed by Johnson Controls as part of its "OpenBlue" healthy buildings program.

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