Why You Should Refinish Instead of Replace

An easy way to update your lockers is by coating them with electrostatic paint.  Lockers are built tough, but their looks will deteriorate after years of abuse.  School lockers get dents & scrapes from students and gym lockers get oxidized from the wet towels and humidity.  Dirty lockers can create an unappealing image for your school or business.

Dirt is usually not appealing..

Electrostatic painting is a quick, efficient, and clean process.  It gives the lockers a new coat while minor repairs are made.  The paint should be applied during off hours, when no one is inside the building.  The best time to do it is during holiday breaks to give time for the paint to cure.  The paint is dry to the touch within an hour, but it takes 7 days to fully cure.  The building is safe after painting as long as the paint used is lead and chrome free.   

That's better!

Ransburg No. 2

A variety of paint guns can do the job.  Here we use: Ransburg #2, REM, & REA.  The main difference between the guns is the pressure used to apply the paint.  The Ransburg #2 applies paint at a low pressure and it has a bell on the nozzle for more accuracy.  REMs & REAs are high pressured, but they run the risk of overspray.

Before painting, there are a few things to keep in mind.  The temperature should be at least 60 degrees.  If it's any lower, the paint won't cure and you're project will end up in a mess. Avoid scheduling the painting while there's other construction in the building.  Dust and debris can create static, which can disrupt the painting process.  The odors from the paint may also affect the other workers.

Electrostatic painting is a great alternative to replacing lockers.  With the right conditions and paint, your lockers can look new at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

Chairs for the Health Conscious

With 2013 coming up, many of us are planning our  resolutions.  The most popular of which are health related and include "going to the gym", "eating better", "losing weight", etc.  If you're working at an office, you might want to add something extra to your list of resolutions: staying healthy at work. Studies show that sitting all day has many negative effects on the human body. Unfortunately these damages cannot be undone by going to the gym before/after work. But don't be discouraged, with a few simple adjustments you'll be on your way to a happy & healthy new year!

For healthier workstation, we recommend these chairs:

1. A Perch:

Perches are ideal for workers who spend all day standing, but need a break every so often.  A perch is similar to a stool, but it's meant for leaning on as opposed to being fully seated.  Its function is to give the body a short rest.  Perches are varied in design, some are more simple and some are more intricately designed to provide more comfort and hold more weight.








Example: The Perch by Symmetry.  It's adjustable, has an extra wide comfort seat, and it's sturdy enough to hold 300 lbs.  It's also the winner of the reddot design award.

2. Yoga Balls:

Stability Balls have become quite popular in many workplaces because they require your muscles to work instead of rest.  Balancing on a yoga ball can strengthen your core and help improve your posture.  However, according to health officials, using a yoga ball for long term can cause adverse affects.  Their lack of  lumbar support can cause lower back injuries.  We advise using yoga balls for short periods of time throughout the day.







Example:  Zenergy by Safco.  It's a yoga ball base with a mesh covering and stationary gliders. It has the comfort of a yoga ball with more durability and style!

3. Drafting stools:

If you're just starting out with a standing desk we recommend pairing with a drafting stool.  Unlike perches, most drafting stools come with backs and armrests for better lumbar support.  These chairs are better for taking longer breaks from standing.  However, you should avoid taking too long of a break, otherwise you defeat the purpose of having a standing desk!





Example: apollo by eurotech seating
It has an adjustable seat to match your height and the height of your desk.  The armrest and the adjustable back provide lumbar support for extended periods of sitting.  It's also designed with a waterfall seat to improve circulation.






For more information please see:
Sitting Risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
Livestrong: Pros & cons of sitting on a stability ball

Small Steps to a Healthier Workspace

We've all heard of standing desks by now, but how many of us have actually made the transition?  Reports on the health risk of sitting are published daily, only to be drowned out by the comfort of our chairs.  Excuses such as: "I'd get too tired", "I already go to the gym", or "My coworkers will think I'm weird" are easy to make, but they don't make the damage go away.  Multiple studies are starting to show that prolonged sitting can cause detrimental problems to the human body.  This is because our bodies were designed to move, not sit.  Here's a good visualization of what sedentary lifestyle could lead to (from Disney's Wall-E):

The future's bright, just not very mobile

So we know sitting is bad for us, but some of us are still not making the change.  Commitment to change is hard and it's easy to avoid through excuses and denial.  We come across these types of commitments when we start a diet or join a gym.  The initial step is hard, but if we do it in small doses, it gets gradually easier. 

The Electric Table by Symmetry

The same idea can be applied when you're making the transition from a chair to stand up desk.  Don't quit sitting cold turkey.  Instead, take small steps to increase mobility throughout your work day.  Get up from your seat more often for breaks or just for a small stretch.  Do this more and more until you feel that you're ready for all day standing.

Adjustable tables are now available from manufacturers such as Symmetry or ESI (Ergonomic Solutions).   These are great if you're planning on doing standing work for half the day or 2-3 days out of the week.  It's an easy way to transition to an all day standing desk.

Of course, budget may be issue, but don't let that be an obstacle.  Instead use this opportunity to get creative! For inspiration take a look at some of the standing desks that members at Lifehacker.com have put together.

For more tips and information see this brochure by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACMS): Reducing Sedentary Behaviors: Sitting Less and Moving More

CAL 133

Working at ROI, we use the term CAL 133 quite often.  Most of the furniture we sell, especially to educational institutions, must be be CAL 133 approved due to safety protocols.  But what is it exactly?

CAL 133 is short for California Technical Bulletin 133: a written flammability standard for furniture used in public occupancies.  It specifies test procedures and acceptable levels of fire performance (smoke, heat, etc.).  For furniture to be compliant, it must be made with a combination of materials that are less combustible.

Developed in California in 1984, CAL 133 was created to combat the rise of fire fatality in the United States.  Housefires were becoming more frequent as flashover points were reached at a much faster rate.  A flashover occurs when the fire reaches a temperature that causes combustion.  This posed a problem to firefighters who were unable to reach the fire before flashover occured.

The time it takes for a fire to reach it's flashover point can be reduced by altering the materials used to manufacture furniture.  Companies such as DuPont, Burngard, & Ventex create fire resistant barriers which are placed between the fabric and cushion of chairs & sofas.  Special coatings may also be applied to create fire resistance in various materials.  To fulfill CAL 133 compliancy, furniture that's made with resistant materials is tested by being burned in an approved facility.  The proper procedure for the test is outlined in CAL 133 Guideline.

Furniture that is CAL 133 compliant is only required in public areas located in states where the firecode is enforced.  Public occupancies are rooms that provide seating for 10 or more people. This includes, but not limited to: hospitals, educational facilities, and jails.

Long Island School Destroyed by Fire 

Note that aside from CAL 133 there's also CAL 117: "Requirements, Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing the Flame Retardance of Resilient Filing Materials Used in Upholstered Furniture."  The difference between the two is that CAL 133 is used for testing a complete piece, whereas CAL 117 only applies to the upholstered component.  These two are not interchangeable.  CAL 133 compliant furniture is appropriate for facilities that require CAL 117, however if CAL 133 is required, CAL 117 may not be used.

When a furniture has met CAL 133 compliancy, it must be labeled with a sticker for proof.  Furniture manufacturers also list this information on the specs sheet.

Since it's implementation, CAL 133 has come a long way.  It is now required in 7 of states. (click here for list and info)  Seeking CAL 133 furniture may limit your choices, but it ensures fire safety.  Many manufacturers are now offering a wider collection of CAL-133 approved furniture.

For any questions call us or email us:
T: 800.876.1913 E: info@roiind.com