Contracting for school maintenance in Vancouver (Washington) has improved custodial care and provided more than 20 CETA jobs while saving money. (Author/WD)

Presents tips from experienced facility professionals for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of flooring and carpet. (EV)

Concerning the issue of molds and indoor air quality in school buildings, addresses the importance of planning and design for building operations and maintenance, the effects of indoor air quality, and ongoing documentation and training. (EV)

Five basic questions are posited that pertain equally to "fully alive,""partly alive," and "barely alive" languages. These three types of languages may be seen as existing along a continuum, differing in the degrees to which they can be linked to the dynamics of reward processes and institutional spill-overs that…

Reports that thousands of the world's languages face extinction and that linguists are racing to preserve at least some of them. (MM)

Describes how to establish an internal service fund (ISF) for school district vehicle maintenance. Includes three drawbacks to establishing ISFs. (PKP)

Discusses "picture framing"--when roof shingles appear to bulge at the joints of insulated roofing panels. Explains how lack of ventilation contributes to the problem and offers some solutions. (EV)

Describes a model integrated pest management (IPM) program for schools used in Monroe County, Indiana. Addresses how to implement an IPM program, specific school problem areas, specific pest problems and solutions, and common questions. (EV)

Discusses the benefits in terms of moisture and therefore mold resistance of using masonry products for a building's envelope. Also describes maintenance steps to help combat moisture problems. (EV)

Reviews labor-saving innovations and processes in restroom cleaning, including cleaning kits, vapor cleaning technology, and pressure washer/squeegee/vacuuming systems. Also includes a sidebar on choosing better mop equipment. (EV)

Outlines minor repairs and maintenance that can be done to minimize problems and to lower service costs for computers. Highlights include: components of a repair tool kit; benefits of familiarity with equipment; preventative measures to cut down on repairs; installation of RAM, DIP, and SIMM chips; board configurations; installation of a drive;…

After five years of research, custodial staffing guidelines were developed to determine the proper custodial staffing of office, classroom, and laboratory facilities, including ways to tailor the staffing for specific circumstances. Four figures illustrate the factors involved. (MLF)

Describes equity leasing, a program that enables people to acquire housing without an up-front investment but with an incentive to maintain and improve the property. Under this proposal, lessees would acquire a leasehold interest in a house and own the right to use the property for a continuously extended lease term. (JOW)

Details what is expected in a good floor finish for athletic facilities, and explores the different categories of finishes and their content within the context of environmental regulation and manufacturing standards. Also discusses urethane finishings, the debate over using waterbased finishes, and the influence of regulatory control that may…

Reviews the facility stewardship of each of the seven state universities belonging to the University System of Maine. Focus is on successful and often creative facility management when confronted with limited budgets. (GR)