Livingston Reporting - page 344

Access Control Systems: Ever Changing Technology

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It is important as a business owner that we know who is coming and going from our facility at all times.  Tracking this is often a difficult task.  We do this for safety and security reasons.  It is expensive to hire a security company to watch the flow of traffic and track it for you.  That is where access control systems come into play.  An access control system allows you to monitor when people enter and exit access control systems help to keep unauthorized people out, while providing flawless access to those who are authorized to be there.

Access control systems have three main mechanisms.  They include a controller, locks and the device that enables and disables the lock.  The controller is a multi level device that is programmed with software from a computer that manages the system. This is where your control access, create accounts and look at the logs of entry and exit.  Cost is usually a factor with how in depth the reporting from the controller.  The more detailed the options and flexibility in programs the more expensive the system.

The locks are enabled and disabled per a command from the central control system, computer.  There are two different types of locking systems available electric and magnetic.  Magnetic locks tend to be chosen more over electric locks.  They tend to be a bit more costly but are advantageous because of their strength, ease of installation and power.

The access device is the key to the access control system.  There are several different options available in the area of access devices.  It is often determined by the level of security needed for a facility.  A high tech government facility may be interested in doing a biometric scan instead of a pass code entry because it is possible to pass along a code but is nearly impossible to pass on the information needed for a biometric scan.  If you are however just giving access to your companies parking garage something simpler like a magnetic card reader is all you need.

I was recently at a gated community up in Oscoda where in order to access the cabin you needed to enter through a sliding electric gate.  It is nice because every visitor has a unique id that tracks when they arrive and exit. The code was then deactivated after our stay at the facility.  I felt incredibly safe letting the kids play more freely than on other vacation I had been on because I knew that people entering through gate were supposed to be there.

The technologies available within the access device systems themselves are incredible.  I think it is crazy that you can range in access from a number code, a magnetic reader, a key fob, scanning systems all the way to biometric devices. Fingerprints and hand scanners are, in my opinion, the most secure systems.  It is incredibly hard to lose or duplicate a part of you.  Whereas it is easy to misplace a magnetic card reader or forget an access code.

Whatever business you are in and whatever system you need whether an exit and entrance gate access system or a door access system make sure to research the options available to you.  It is important that your system be able to allow you the insurance needed to fell that your business is as secure as it possibly can be.

SAC Fence

Wheelchair Ramps: Easing Access for Those with Limited Mobility

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Many of us take for granted the ease of which we access or homes and the businesses that we visit.  It is as easy as opening the car door and swinging your legs out and then walking into the building.  We don’t worry about the flight of stairs we have to climb or the lip on the sidewalk.  We just maneuver our feet around them.  Now think about if you were bound to a wheelchair or had to use a walker.  Those simple tasks we take for granted then become very difficult.

The ADA has set forth guidelines to help mobility issues that people with disabilities face.  Included in these guidelines is the requirement that public entities must make certain that all people with special needs are able to access buildings to participate in any and all services offered.  Included in this is the need for wheelchair ramps at businesses that have only been able to be accessed by stairs.

Before a wheelchair ramp is installed there are several steps to consider in planning for the addition whether you are installing a wheelchair ramp for use at a residence or place of business. It is important that you look into the laws regulated by the American with Disabilities Act for specifications on materials and planning requirements.  It is also advisable to look into the laws set forth by the local and state governments regulating wheelchair ramp installation.

After you have given the necessary for thought involved with planning take pictures of the location you are installing the ramp in. It is also helpful to scope out the neighborhood or other businesses for ideas and inspiration.  Take measurements of your area and then measure again for accuracy. The worst part of any project is incorrect measurements.

Create a picture map to the scale you are building the ramp.  A site plan should be drawn up and the detail, including materials, should be labeled and entered.  This will help with the actual construction phase.  If you have people helping you it should be easy for them to see your vision through the drawn plan.  Go over the different laws regarding the slope of the ramp and hand rail specifications.  Also, ensure that the landing to the ramp is completely level.

It is also important to create a budget to follow, draw permits and call the local utilities company before construction begins.  A budget allows for you to stay fiscally responsible when actual construction begins.  You will be able to determine if you can afford the materials you are interested in for the ramp or if you need to research other building materials.  It is also important in determining if this is a job better left for a professional installer, if the budget allows for it.  Permits are required for all structures to do with your home.  Take your plans up to the local governmental offices and pay the permit fee.  You will be happy you listened to this step as the fees for not having a permit are outrageous.  Miss dig is important because the last thing you need to do is hit a gas or electrical line as you are getting started in the construction of your wheelchair ramp.

Wheelchair ramps help ease the transition in and out of buildings residential or businesses.  It is important that those of us who have an ease of mobility don’t lose sight of those who don’t.  It is up to us to ensure that quality of life is had by all.  It is so important that wheelchair ramp access is given to all those who are in need due to limited mobility issues.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

Curb Appeal: Replacement Windows with Blinds Between the Glass

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I love taking a Sunday drive in the spring and summer looking at everyone’s landscaping and homes in general.  Curb appeal is everything to me.  I hate seeing reality signs that say, “Must See Interior”. That to me is like a screaming billboard that says the owner didn’t keep up with the yard work.  If I was looking for a new home I would want both curb appeal and a must see interior.

Another thing I love looking at is the windows people choose for their homes.  One thing that does not appeal to me is windows with plastic prairie grids.  Not only do they not look clean but they just cheapen the overall look of the home. The dust and cob webs seem to be attracted to the little plastic squares.  The windows I really think look sharp from my curb point of view are the windows with the blinds between the glass.  They make the whole house look uniform.  I am a creature of consistency so this feature in replacement window really appeals to me.

Another thing I love about Sunday drives in checking out the ways people use the space in their yards.  Some people have fancy backyards that are pristine and make you feel like you are in a story book such as Alice in Wonderland. Their sheds have windows with the blind between the glass, the flowers are all symmetrical and the grass is not littered with dandelions like mine. I should tell you at this point I live on a river and the grass really doesn’t grow and the only thing present in our yard are hosta plants and ferns.  The shade trees that surround our yard kill the Alice in Wonderland theme I crave.

It is always funny to me to drive by older homes that have started to migrate their belongings to the porch or better yet the yard.  Instead of a nice wooden bench to sit on these folks bring out the sofa.   I laugh at the creativity.  In fact my brother’s home is one of these.  Instead of using a wine barrel planter they have planted flowers in an old toilet.  I guess you could say they are the world’s best recyclers.   They do not have the home that you drive by with designer windows with blinds between the glass but instead have different colored sheets hung over the windows.  To each their own and thank goodness because it makes my Sunday afternoon drives that much more interesting.

Think about your own curb appeal.  Do you have the majestic well maintained lawn, perfect brick and windows with blinds between the glass or are you more like my brother; a trailer with curtains made out of sheets and toilet bowl flower pots?  Whatever your style own it and have fun with it.  Remember there is some Sunday afternoon gawker who will enjoy the creativity possessed by your home.  Whether ornate or simply classic homes will appeal to their owners and that is what counts.

Heatkeeper

Helping Seniors Stay Safe on Their Own

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It is so interesting that as our parent’s age we become the ones that start to parent them.  Not only do I worry about them inside their home in regards to personal safety and safety due to mobility but I worry about them with outsiders.  I have read many studies that show senior citizens are the least targeted group for crimes I still however worry that one day someone will realize a vulnerable senior loves in the neighborhood.  I worry about a physical assault as well as any other.  I know it is more likely they will be taken advantage of financially then physically.  All this tends to worry me.  I can take care of the aging in place needs like a wheelchair accessible ramp but how can I make sure they are safe from predators?

The first tip I have involving the safety of senior citizens involves the wheelchair accessible ramps.  When a home has a ramp that is visible from the street it basically tells all the people that drive by that someone elderly or disabled lives in this home.  This is not the message that you want to send to the crooked people that exist in our world. Instead of having wheelchair accessible ramps installed at the front of the house add one to the back or side yard.  In the side yard it is easy enough to put up decorative fencing or tall hedges to camouflage the ramp which in turn does not allow predators to know that a person that has limited mobility lives in the home.

It is also important to use locks that include a steel stopper.  Believe it or not deadbolt locks can still be broken through.  If you add a metal stopper it is nearly impossible for the door to be kicked in.  Alarm systems also help keep our loved ones safe.  When looking into alarm systems for parents who are aging in place that notify police, fire and ambulatory services.  Security lights should be installed at different angles of the home.  This is also valuable for seniors to be able to see out into the yard in the evening hours.  I would also recommend that all sliding doors have locks and extra security rods put into place.

Make sure that a trusted neighbor has an extra key to the house.  Thieves know all the hiding spots for spare keys.  Don’t chance it.  It is one hundred percent safer to leave a key with a neighbor in case of an emergency.  I also really like the option of purchasing a realtor lock.  This way if there is an emergency and entrance is needed a code could be given to EMS and they could obtain entry to your loved one.

Like my parents did to me when I was little I did to them now that they are aging.  I sat them down and discussed the birds and bees of financial safety.  I remind them that social security number and credit cards were something that should never be released to anyone over the phone or that comes to your door.  In fact I have asked them not to open the door when they are not expecting visitors.  Internet safety was something I addressed as well.

When my parents leave the house I always remind them to carry only one credit card and enough cash for their purchases.  My dad has begun carrying his wallet in his front pocket and my mother is very careful to hold her purse close to her side.  As they have aged there are limits on when they should be out verses home.  My parents are home before dark so that it is easier for them to drive, park and enter the house again without problems.  Using the handicap accessible ramp becomes difficult for my mom at night.  When she is tired and has been going all day the level of strength she possesses has decreased and my dad does not have enough strength to help her.

For their safety and my piece of mind they allow me to help guide changes in their lives so that they can age in place instead of moving into assisted living.  It seems to be a winning combination for us right now.  As they continue to age and become less mobile we will discuss options but for now it works.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

Maximization of Search Engine Placement Leads to Success in Business

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Where is the first place you turn now days to find a product or service that you are in need of?  Fifteen years ago the answer would have been the phone book. Today however technology has advanced so far that many of us instantly recycle the phone book that lands in our driveway twice a year.  Instead we turn for our I-pads, laptops or phones and start searching the internet.  Businesses always wanted the biggest and best ad in the phone book.  The same is true for the internet.  Your website is the front window of your business.  It must be well designed and functional.  More importantly however is getting the consumer to your website in the first place.  This function happens in the internet world with search engine placement.

We get to websites that sell the products or services we are searching for using key phrases commonly associated with what we need and plug them into a search engine such as Yahoo, Google or Bing.  From there we are bounced to a list that the search engine has found listing the web pages that are associated with our key phrase.  The job of search engine placement is to make sure your company is recognized with the key phrases people will type in for your product or services.  Not only do you want to come up when the key phrase is entered but you want to be on the front page of the search and as close to the top as possible.

This is important because as with the phone book people are going to call upon the first advertisements, or web page in this case, that catches their eye.  So it is easy to see how a website design is important to actually sell your product or service but search engine placement is even more important in that it is the process of getting them to your site in the first place. A company that does website design should place as much emphasis on search engine placement as on the design of your site if not more.

Search engine placement is an ongoing process.  To keep your site rankings on the first page and to get them there in the first place you will need to work with a search engine company that places value on this process.  Working with a company you should expect results within a few months.  It is important to work with a firm that is willing to research key phrases, using input from you, to come up with the most commonly used phrase search engine recognize with your services and products.

Many companies that offer search engine placement services should also offer website optimization.  This includes either building a site revolved around keywords associated with your business or tweaking an existing site to include phrases that will be used in the process of maximizing searches to get consumers to your website.  Your website should then be designed in a matter that is visually impressive, easy to use and includes information that consumers will be looking for.

Creative Programs and Systems

Handicapped Ramps: Hiring a Contractor Verses Doing It Yourself

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How should you begin is the first question most people ask when thinking about any home improvement project.  The same question should come up when talking about building a residential wheelchair ramp.  It is no easy task.  It is however a must if you have someone in your life that needs a handicapped ramp.  This could be someone who has knee joint issues, is in a wheelchair, using a walker or even parents who use a stroller.  It takes a lot of effort to construct a handicapped ramp that works correctly and is not an eye sore.

Starting the construction of a handicapped ramp should only be done after you have answered a few questions regarding the project.  Ask yourself if the structure is meant to permanently be attached or are you only in need of a temporary wheelchair ramp.  The reasons you might only need a temporary handicapped ramp installed is if a parent is only coming to stay with you in the final stages of life.  You would need the ramp to ease the transition.

Ask yourself if this is a project you should be undertaking.  Do you have knowledge of the construction field?  Are you an experienced builder?  Do you have the time it takes to commit to a project of this size or would it be best to hire a licensed handicapped ramp installer?

It is important that you take time to read and understand the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities act.  Those guidelines help set in place all of the specifications which make the ramp safe.  Have you reviewed the specifications for the slope, width, landing and handrails?  It is important that all aspects be looked into when dealing with handicap accessible ramps.

Can you construct the ramp for prime maneuverability of the wheelchair or walker?  It is important that it is easy to use and that all the building code that is enforced in your area is properly met.  If you have any question in regards to your ability to start and complete the project it is best left to the professionals.

Hiring a professional handicapped ramp installer would be the first place I would turn when my parents finally want to stop living on their own.  My dad has problems walking up and down the stairs so it would alleviate a lot of the strain on his body.  In building a ramp for our home one of my goals would be to make sure it blends into the landscape and environment of our home and neighborhood community.  Handicapped ramps that are installed correctly truly enhance the beauty of a home and add value.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

Landscape Installation: Letting Nature Take Over

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Landscape installation does not need to be difficult, time consuming or expensive.  I know that is a shocking statement but there are alternatives to the back breaking hours it takes to create a design in your landscaping.  Native landscaping is not a new concept but is catching on as the economy is slowing because people do not have the money to pour into landscape installation and resort to using natural plants and materials.

For years I have spent hundreds of dollars investing in annuals that grace my garden and then occasionally make it through the harsh winter to bloom again.  It is more likely however that the next year I will find myself back at the landscaping supply store buying more the next year.  I know I am not alone in my quest for a beautiful full lawn but this year I decided that I was going to stick with what nature supplies and forgo the rest.  Plants that are beautiful and that truly grow in my back yard will be what grace my landscape design this year and for years to come.

The benefits of this type of landscaping installation are plentiful.  First, these gardens don’t need any regular maintenance.  They are already used to the amount of water and soil type for the area.  The plants will evolve along with the changes in our environment if they are truly native plants to the area.  I love the fact that I will not have to labor over the maintenance of the new landscape installation.

Another major benefit people find with natural landscape installation is that the species that are native to your area will find refuge in your gardens.  Butterflies, birds and smaller creatures will find a place among your landscape instead of your home.  The habitat will be one that is suitable for their needs and they won’t have to create an environment amongst plants that are foreign to them, possibly ruining what you have attempted to create.  A native scheme lets all creatures within the area to live in harmony.

Obviously if you have a yard that is used for children playing a section will have to be turned into a manicured lawn.  We have created a space in the backyard for the kids where they can throw the ball around, swing and play.  The area surrounding however is left natural to allow the landscape to form naturally.

My immediate family gets my quest for a more natural landscape environment.  They have lived through the expense of maintaining a garden that is just not meant for our space.  The native planting has allowed for us to explore the different plants that grow here in Michigan wild.  I loves that with the seasons my landscape changes.  It is amazing to see what comes up from the seeds left by the birds throughout the untamed yard and beautiful, colorful flowers are what we get mixed in with the native grasses.

People in our neighborhood have taken awhile to grow on the idea.  At first they were concerned with an abundance of critters living within the habitat that had been created.  Now though they realize that the critters are living safely in our space and leaving their vegetation alone so it is a win for all of us.  We did not even find ourselves having to spray for mosquitoes this year.  Instead lemongrass, marigolds and catnip are growing throughout the yard.  All of these natural growing plants are right there in my backyard naturally repelling mosquitoes.  That is landscape installation that I can live with.

Bladerunners Landscape

Engineering Services: Plotting a Career Path

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In determining a career often young people think very general.  My daughter often says she wants to be a teacher but never thinks into what field she would further her education in.  The same goes with doctors, lawyers, engineers and technology.  When thinking about careers we need to encourage our teenagers to start thinking about exactly what areas of life interest them.  If they think engineering is where there interests lay then they should dig deeper to decide the field of engineering that interests them before starting their college programs.  If they really love being outdoors a career as an environmental engineer would play better into their interests then biomedical engineering.

We will take a look into some of the engineering services field below.  Generalizing the field of engineering into subcategories will often help to spark interest in on field over another for teens preparing to further their education.

  • Telecommunications Engineering:  This type of engineering specializes in systems such as; phones, computers, fiber optics and automatic tellers.  They are specialist in the field of communication whether it is between a car and a bank teller or businesses working with each other from opposite sides of the world.
  • Electronic Engineering: This type of engineering services offers a chance to work with systems that are designed for the capture, storage, analysis and transmission of information. They do this by designing a mechanism that makes use of electrical energy that is able to operate and control portions of everyday life.
  • Aerospace Engineering: This type of engineering would be perfect for someone who is interested in the space and technology field.  They design, create and control aircraft, space transportation and momentum systems.  These engineering services are used by airlines, civil aviation and governments.
  • Environmental Engineering: This type of engineering is perfect for a person interested in working with issues that affect the world we live in environmentally.  They study, asses and correct issues impacting the environment.  This includes air, water and soil and the conservation and use of natural resources.
  • Material Engineering: This type of engineering services involves the manufacturing, structuring and handling of different substances be it metal or not.  This field is very diverse in terms of working conditions.  You could find yourself in a foundry, steel/aluminum, plant or even research companies that use different alloys.
  • Biomedical Engineering: This type of engineering is for all those who want to work within the hospital industry but are not interested in the patient care side of the field.  These people have a diverse job.  They can be fixing machinery such as CAT scanners, pacemakers to assisting surgery teams with artificial limbs.  They help to improve the quality of life of individuals.
  • Civil Engineering: This type of engineering services is dealing with the everyday structures we use in the convenience of our everyday lives.  Bridges, overpasses, roads, railways and water systems are all possibly areas that civil engineers will work in.

Engineering is just one field where the breakdowns in study are vast and varied.  Each time my daughter discusses her plans for college and pursuing a degree in the field of education we discuss the many aspects of this field of study.  She needs to think about what age group she would be interested in and what subjects she would want to specialize in.  Choosing a career is a difficult think to think about when you are just finding yourself out of high school.  It is important that we guide our children as much as possible in making choices that will help their better good in the long term.

SRCMI

Handicap Ramps: Simple Solutions for Aging in Place

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Keeping a person that is aging safe when they live alone is a key concern for many of us as our parent’s age. It is important for them to stay in their homes for as long as possible.  I can’t blame them for wanting to stay where the memories are.  It is comfortable and familiar.  Moving would be strange, unfamiliar and many older people do not handle change well.  All the more reason to alleviate the issues they have regarding aging in place as they arise.

The first thing we had to deal with as my parents got older was how to handle the steps to get inside their home.  The main area we needed for them to access was the area within the garage so that they could easily get to their vehicle.  We had a specialized handicap ramp contractor come in and evaluate the area.  He said that we needed to remove the steps going up into the house because they were incredibly steep.  He then said that a metal ramp was the best fit for the area.  It would be durable and offer extra grip for them to walk on it now and for walkers or wheelchairs later.

He also sold us on the handicap ramp for the front porch for safety reasons.  For instance, if the garage were to catch on fire they would need another way to exit the house.  The front porch would house a handicap ramp made from wood that would blend in to the existing landscaping.  This would keep the neighbors happy and my parents safe.

We did more drastic changes to the areas in the house that needed them.  We installed a chair lift for them to get into the basement.  No one wants their elderly parent climbing the stairs.  It was also important to remove the tub and toilet and add handicap accessible equipment throughout the bathroom.  The extra railings would be beneficial for offer stability.  We added a seat to the shower and a removable shower head for access to the shower even when help might not be around.

It was important to keep the memories around the house but to remove the clutter that canvassed the home.  This was a bit harder as they saw this as ‘the end”.  Instead I reminded them about the safety issues we were addressing and how the memories will live on even without every scrap of paper and such that recorded the event for them.  I did remove the sharp end and coffee table sin the living area and replaced them with ones that were shaped like a circle.  I would still worry about them falling just not hitting a sharp pointy end table.

When I looked into resources in our area I was shocked to find all types of senior benefits that were out there with a little work that I could find that would benefit them.  A volunteer service is in the area that offers opportunities for volunteers to assist the elderly with yard maintenance and handyman services.  This is helpful in keeping a bit of the autonomy they crave.  My parents can call and schedule a volunteer to come out to help clean or maintain the house.  This way they are not always relying on their children.

I am sure the handicap ramp and bathroom are just the start of many age in place remodels that will have to be done as my parents age.  Hopefully for us, their children, they will continue to be mobile enough to get around unassisted and still have the zest they have now. It is funny because their bodies have definitely aged but I still see their minds working as if they were in their forties.  They still give me a run for my money playing Euchre and Scrabble.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

Gate Operator: Understanding the Mechanics of Gates

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A gate operator is a motorized piece of equipment that is used to release and secure an entry/exit gate.  Gates are common at parking garage, at the end of driveways and industrial business centers.  Basically if you want an added bit of security at your home or business an entry/exit gate is used. Often gates are used with attendants in order to collect tolls or to monitor traffic in and out of a structure.

There are two different types of gate operators in use today, automatic and electric.  Automatic gate operators offer the convenience of having a gate without using a high voltage power source.  Automatic gate operators work using solar energy.  This is important for many clients who do not have a power supply readily available.  A good example of this would be a long, remote driveway.  For some automatic gate owners it is all about using natural resources that provide renewable energy and are cleaner for the environment.

Electric gate operators are motorized by a mechanical arm that is used to open and close the gate.  A circuit is used that sends signals to the gate from an access control which tell it to open or close.  Access control systems can come in many different forms.  An access control can consist of a remote control, and intercom system, an entry keypad or even sensors.

Gate operators are used on many different styles of gates.  Two of the most popular types are swing gates and slide gates.  The style that you choose will depend on personal preference and the space it is intended for.  Swing gates tend to be more intricate and stylish but require a lot of space to extend open.  Where as a sliding gate opens horizontally along the fence using only the space that is currently occupies.

In understanding gate operators it is important to know how the technology has advanced.  In previous years installing gate operators took a good amount of time.  This coupled with their large and unattractive presence often made automatic gates too industrial looking for most homes.  Today most gate operators are installed so inconspicuously.  They can be mounted either above or below the actual fence.

Some models even allow for underground installation.  Underground installation of gate operators is a nice option because it allows the gate to function as a piece of landscaping without having the systems operating it in full view.  It adds the mystery element of how the gate is actually opening and closing.

One thing to remember when having a gate system installed is that the gate operator system needs to be made of weatherproof materials.  It also needs to be free of any materials that could corrode with your areas different elements.  Different temperate climates make it necessary to research gate operators that function well in your area.

The United States varies greatly in climate from rain, wind, heat and cold so it is important to know that a top gate operator system in Michigan might not be the best bet for a system in Arizona.  Your gate installer will be able to provide detailed information to make sure the product meets your areas requirements.

Gates are becoming an ever popular trend among home owners and home owner associations.  It provides security and allows the owner to have control over the people who are able to access the homes.  They also are an attractive piece of landscaping that can be used to increase the value of your property and decrease insurance rates.

SAC Fence