#what is 571 area code

[journalcloset]

What is 571 Area code?

571 is an area code in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was created in 2000 as a division of area code 703. 571 covers most of northern Virginia, including the cities of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. It also covers the suburbs of Alexandria and Falls Church in Washington, DC. Area code 571 is one of the most populous area codes in Virginia and is home to many businesses and…

[dominioncustomdecks]

Our Expert Covered Porch Installation Services

Business Name: Dominion Custom Decks & Patios

City: Bristow

Business Type: Deck Builder

Page URL: https://dominioncustomdecks.com/services/covered-porches/

Page Title: Our Expert Covered Porch Installation Services

Page Description: Looking to extend your home’s comfort outdoors? Dominion Custom Decks offers professional, high-quality covered porch installation services in Bristow, VA, and surrounding areas. Our team builds beautiful, durable porches that blend seamlessly with your home’s exterior — and give you a relaxing outdoor space to enjoy year-round.

What Is A Covered Porch?

A covered porch involves designing and constructing a roofed structure attached to your home — usually at the front, back, or side. It’s more than just a home addition. It’s an upgrade in how you live, gather, and enjoy your outdoor space.

At Dominion Custom Decks, our porch designs combine form and function. We help homeowners choose from a variety of materials, roof styles, and finishing touches. Whether you want a rustic wood frame, modern composite materials, or traditional columns with custom lighting, we’ve got options to match your taste.

Covered porches can be open or screened-in. You can add ceiling fans, skylights, recessed lights, privacy screens, and more. Each project is built to code and designed to last — no guesswork, no shortcuts.

Benefits of a Covered Porch

Covered porches are one of the smartest investments for homeowners. Here’s why:

Year-Round Use — Virginia weather can be unpredictable. A covered porch gives you shelter from sun, rain, and snow — so you can enjoy your space in every season.

Increased Home Value — A well-built covered porch is a strong selling point. It adds curb appeal and usable square footage, making your home more attractive to future buyers.

Outdoor Comfort — Want to sip coffee outside in the morning or read a book during a summer storm? A covered porch gives you that freedom — without bugs, blazing heat, or soggy cushions.

Energy Savings — A shaded porch can reduce direct sunlight entering your home, helping keep indoor temperatures cooler and lowering your energy bills.

Custom Style Options — Every porch we build is tailored to your home and preferences. Add railings, lighting, screens, trim details, even outdoor TVs. You dream it, we build it.

Extra Living Space — Covered porches function like an outdoor living room. Host cookouts, spend family time outside, or just relax after a long day.

Why Choose Us?

We know you have options. Here’s why homeowners across Bristow and Northern Virginia trust us with their covered porch projects.

Local Expertise — We’ve built custom porches for families across Bristow, Manassas, Gainesville, and beyond. We understand the local climate, county codes, and homeowner preferences. When you work with us, you’re working with a team that knows the area and how to build for it.

Superior Craftsmanship — Our team includes skilled carpenters and builders with years of experience in outdoor construction. We use only premium materials from trusted brands to ensure strength, safety, and durability.

Custom Designs — We don’t offer cookie-cutter packages. Every project starts with a conversation. We’ll help you design a porch that complements your home’s architecture and reflects your personal style.

Licensed and Insured — Your home is a big investment. We’re fully licensed and insured for your protection. Our work meets or exceeds all local building standards.

Clear Communication — You’ll never be left in the dark. We keep you informed at every step, with updates on timeline, materials, and progress.

Contact Information

Bill Jarvis

Dominion Custom Decks & Patios

13452 Wansteadt Place Bristow, VA, 20136

bill@dominioncustomdecks.com

571–201–1149

[veteranbuilthomes]

Transform Your Living Space with Bathroom Remodeling

There's something invigorating about revamping your home, especially transforming one of the most used rooms – the bathroom. A polished, modern, and high-end bathroom not only enhances your home's functionality but also boosts its market value. If you've been considering a bathroom remodeling near me, here are a few aspects to ponder upon before you dive into the renovation process.

Analyze Your Requirements:

Before opting for a whole home renovation or focusing on specific areas such as bathrooms or kitchens, it’s crucial to evaluate and determine what changes are necessary. Whether it's including more storage options, updating outdated fixtures, or indulging in aesthetic improvements- carefully articulating your needs can save time and minimize unnecessary expenses during the remodeling process.

Choosing the Right Materials:

The materials you choose will play a significant role in the final outcome of your bathroom remodel, influencing both aesthetics and durability. From tile and cabinets to flooring and insulation - making wise material choices contributes to achieving a beautiful balance between design appeal and longevity. As various renovations require electrical work or plumbing adjustments, it’s useful to have professionals with expertise in these fields involved in the project.

Innovative Layouts and Designs:

Remodeling presents an excellent opportunity to rethink the layout of your bathroom. Perhaps repositioning the sink would provide more elbow room. Maybe a new bathtub could become the focal point? You may even consider introducing comfortable seating or spacious vanities within bathrooms that have ample space for better functionality.

Implementing Safety Measures:

Considering safety enhancements such as grip bars around slippery areas like showers and bathtubs can be lifesavers during accidental slips. Installing basement escape windows becomes vital during emergencies when traditional exit points might be blocked. Looking for bathroom remodeling near me gives you access to professionals who understand these factors thoroughly.

Interiors, Lights and More:

A major part of bathroom remodeling revolves around selecting appealing interiors, setting up efficient lighting solutions, and ensuring proper ventilation. The colors on your walls should ideally be moisture resistant as bathrooms are prone to dampness. Equally important is lighting that enhances the visual appeal while retaining functionality. Insulation is another key element to prevent heat loss and maintain the perfect atmosphere inside the bathroom.

Hiring a Professional Team:

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free renovation journey, it’s advisable to hire a professional remodeler team who specializes in various services like drywall installation or painting. They manage everything from sourcing materials, adhering to local codes, managing timelines, right through to final cleanup following project completion. Undertaking a bathroom remodel can be exciting yet challenging at the same time due to the many factors involved. A well-planned remodel that takes your needs into account and doesn't compromise on quality will provide you with a haven right in your home you can escape to - whether for long luxurious baths or short refreshing showers! Find expertise close by searching bathroom remodeling near me for professionals who understand aesthetics as well as function like no other!

Veteran Built Homes

Phone: (571) 570-9027

Phone: 571-660-1015

Email: mark@vetbuilthomes.com

Address: 2813 Ps Business Center Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22192

[aeps-api-provider-company]

Expand Your Business Digitally with AePS API Provider Company

What is AePS? Where and When it can be Beneficial?

AePS is Aadhaar based payment system. This payment system is launched by the government of India under the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and was initiated by RBI. It is a bank-led model that allows online transactions using Aadhaar authentication. AePS enable the following six types of transactions:

·  Cash withdrawal ·  Cash deposit ·  Balance inquiry ·  Mini statement ·  Aadhaar to Aadhaar fund transfer ·  Aadhaar pay

Any customer having a bank account linked to Aadhaar can enjoy the facilities of this amazing service by visiting an AePS agent or business correspondent having AePS portal. Here, you can make your payments easy using your Aadhaar card and fingerprint detection. There is no need for any bank details such as account number and IFSC code, only bank name, type of transaction, and transaction amount need to be given.

Now the question arises where it could be advantageous? Suppose, if you go to a retail shop to purchase some household items but you forgot to take your credit/debit card and don’t have enough cash, then AePS is the best option for you. Nowadays most people carry a soft copy of their Aadhaar on their phones.

Become AePS API Service Provider with our user-friendly API & SDK

We at RBP Finivis developed a user-friendly API & SDK with which you can facilitate the best AePS API services to your clients. So, as an AePS API Provider, we are offering you a wide range of FinTech APIs that can be integrated with business correspondent’s payment portals or they can create something of their own with their brand name and logo.

If you are willing to buy API from RBP Finivis Pvt. Ltd. you can feel free to reach us by visiting our website – https://rbpfinivis.com or you can directly contact us via Email – hello@rbpfinivis.com Toll-free no. – 1800-4196-571

Benefits of AePS API to Customers

There are many advantages of this system. Some of them are:

·  It works with biometric authentication, so it is safe and free from fraudulence.

·  There is no need to remember any pin or password

·  Instant payments without a Smartphone

·  Service available 24*7

·  Make payments and do cashless shopping

·  Instant complaint resolve

·  Easy refund, in case of any technical issue

Conclusion

The 21st century is a technology-friendly era. Here we are living in a world where life is hassle-free due to the advancement in technology. With this advancement, our government thought to take banking services towards digitalization. With the support of NPCI and RBI Aadhaar Enable Payment System was launched in India to offer basic baking services to remote areas. As bank branches are not often available in remote areas, so to sort out their issues various AePS API Provider Companies developed customized APIs. These APIs are delivering innovative services to the common man. Apart from this offers opportunities to unemployed people to start their business and earn income with lots of offers and schemes.

AePS

[nhlcommissioner]

why does the commonwealth of Virginia need so many area codes

[civilmanage]

Top Largest construction companies

Based on the information available from the various online and media sources, we have compiled the list of Top construction companies. All these companies we have listed down here are the biggest and most prominent companies from all the world’s continents, and the excellent leadership team represents them. You can also find here the civil engineering companies. All these largest construction companies in the world have done a great job by constructing the world’s marvelous, most significant, and largest projects. “Professionals predict the global construction industry is expected to reach an estimated $10.5 trillion by 2023, and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2018 to 2023. Upcoming efforts to modernize the world’s dilapidated infrastructure will create such output.” The energy and power sector will also be booming over the next few years. In most countries, the government plans to make renewable energy 20% of the country’s total energy mix by 2023. With continued climate change issues, in most countries, federal and state governments are pushing for renewable energy sources. These plans are big business for construction companies. Best Construction Companies in the World We have written this awesome article to answer a few of your questions, what are the top international construction companies? Read this article to learn more about the top building companies in India this is the list of the biggest and the top Construction Companies in the World and What Makes them Great. Power China. Bouygues, Larsen, and Toubro. China Communications Construction Company. Bechtel. Technip, FMC. Skanska etc. Find the top construction companies from around the world based on the company size. You can also consider the below list to find the top construction management companies. This list of the top construction companies in the world, listed by their prominence in the construction industry for your convenience. You can also find below some of the top construction project management companies and the best building and construction companies all around the world. This list of major construction companies in the world & the biggest Construction Companies in the World 2021. we have compiled a list of the top infrastructure companies in the world in 2021. This article examines the biggest construction companies in the world along with a few civil engineering companies and top commercial construction companies also. List of the Top construction companies in the world We have compiled the list of top construction companies in the world. We have considered top construction companies from the United States (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, and Asia Pacific Region. You can find here the top construction companies in the world in 2021. All these companies listed down here are the largest construction and civil engineering companies in the world. We have listed down here the top 40 construction companies in the world. 1. VINCI, France The history of the VINCI Group, heir to hundreds of companies gradually assembled in a convoluted process, goes back to the 19th century. In 1899, two engineers from Polytechnique, an elite French engineering school, Alexandre Giros, and Louis Loucheur, founded Société Générale d’Entreprises (SGE), which became VINCI in 2000 following its merger with the GTM Group. Address: 1 cours Ferdinand de Lesseps, F-92851 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex – France Phone: Tel: +33 1 47 16 35 00 Website: https://www.vinci.com/ Career Page: Careers 2. Grupo ACS, Spain – Construction companies in the world ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. is a Spanish company dedicated to civil and engineering construction, all types of services and telecommunications. It is one of the leading construction companies in the world, with projects in many countries around the world. Address: Av. de Pío XII, 102, 28036 Madrid, Spain Phone: +34 913 43 92 00 Website: https://www.grupoacs.com/home/ Career Page: http://acsconstructiongroup.com/career/ 3. Bechtel, San Francisco,

California, United States – Top Construction Companies in the World Bechtel Corporation is an engineering, procurement, construction, and project management company. It is the largest construction company in the United States and the 8th-largest privately owned American company in 2017. On of the top construction companies in the world. Its headquarters are in the South of Market, San Francisco. Address: 12011 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, VA, 20190-5918, USA Phone: Tel: +1 571 392 6300 Website: https://www.bechtel.com/ Career Page: https://jobs.bechtel.com/ 4. Hochtief, Germany Hochtief Aktiengesellschaft is a German construction company based in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Address: HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft, Opernplatz 2, D-45128 Essen Phone: Tel.: 0201 824-0 , Fax: 0201 824-2777 Website: https://www.hochtief.com/ 5. Skanska, Sweden Skanska AB is a multinational construction and development company based in Sweden. Skanska is the fifth largest construction company in the world according to the Construction Global magazine. Address: Entré Lindhagen, Warfvinges väg 25, 112 74 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: +46 10 448 00 00 Website: www.skansa.se Email: hr.rekrytering@skanska.se Career Page: Careers 6. Balfour Beatty, United Kingdom Balfour Beatty plc is an English multinational infrastructure group with capabilities in construction services, support services, and infrastructure investments. A constituent of the FTSE 250 Index, Balfour Beatty works across the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and South East Asia. Address: Balfour Beatty plc, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU Phone: +44 (0)20 7216 6800 Website: https://www.balfourbeatty.com/ Career Page: Careers 7. Bouygues Construction, France As a responsible and committed leader in sustainable construction, Bouygues Construction sees innovation as its primary source of value: this is “sharedvation” that benefits its customers while improving its productivity and the working conditions of its 47,350 employees. Bouygues Construction generated sales of €11.7 billion in 2017. Address: Bouygues Construction Challenger,1, avenue Eugène Freyssinet Guyancourt, 78061 Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France Phone: +33(0)1 30 60 33 00 Website: https://www.bouygues-construction.com/ Career Page: http://carrieres.bouygues-construction.com/ 8. Kiewit Corporation, Omaha, Nebraska, United States – Top Construction companies in the world Kiewit Corporation is an employee-owned Fortune 500 contractor based in Omaha, Nebraska. Privately held, it is one of the largest contractors in the world. Address: 3555 Farnam St. Omaha, NE, USA Phone:(402) 342-2052 Website: https://www.kiewit.com/ Career Page: https://www.kiewit.com/careers/who-we-hire/ 9. Royal BAM Group, Netherlands Koninklijke BAM Groep is a Dutch construction-services business with headquarters in Bunnik, Netherlands. Address: Runnenburg 9, 3981 AZ Bunnik, Netherlands Phone: +31 30 659 8988 Website: https://www.bam.com/ Career Page: https://www.baminternational.com/en/careers 10. Laing O’Rourke, United Kingdom Laing O’Rourke is a multinational construction company headquartered in Dartford, England, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1978 by Ray O’Rourke. It is the largest privately-owned construction company in the United Kingdom. Address: Bridge Place 1 & 2, Anchor Boulevard, Crossways Dartford Kent, DA2 6SN, United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)1322 296200 Website: http://www.laingorourke.com/ Career Page: http://careers.laingorourke.com/ 11. China State Construction Engineering, China China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd (in short: China Construction; Stock code: 601668), formally established on December 10, 2007, was co-initiated by four Fortune Global 500 enterprises: China State Construction Engineering Corp. (CSCEC), China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Baosteel Group Corporation Ltd and Sinochem Corporation. CNPC is one of the top construction companies in the world. China Construction was successfully listed on the

Shanghai Stock Exchange on July 29, 2009. The China State Construction Engineering Corporation is the largest construction company in the world by revenue and the 14th largest general contractor in terms of overseas sales, as of 2016. Address: Beijing, China Website: http://english.cscec.com/ Career Website: http://english.cscec.com/Career58/201211/2750881.html 12. China Railway Group, China China Railway Group Limited known as CREC is a Chinese construction company that floats in Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. The major shareholder of the company is the state-owned China Railway Engineering Corporation. Address: Building NO.9 Fuxing Road 69 Haidian District Beijing China Website: http://www.crecg.com/english/index.html 13. L&T Constructions Larsen & Toubro Limited, commonly known as L&T, is one of the largest Indian multi-national firms headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was founded by two Danish engineers taking refuge in India. Kindly check here the list of the top construction companies in India. Address: L&T Campus, TC3 – Tower, Mount Poonamalle High Road, Manapakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600089 Phone: 044 2252 9855 Website: http://www.lntecc.com/ Career Page: http://www.lntecc.com/homepage/common/careers.html 14. Fluor Corporation, Irving, Texas, United States – Top construction companies in the world Fluor Corporation is a multinational engineering and construction firm headquartered in Irving, Texas. It is a holding company that provides services through its subsidiaries in the following areas: oil and gas, industrial and infrastructure, government and power. Address: 6700 Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX 75039, USA Phone: +1 469-398-7000 Website: https://www.fluor.com/ Career Page: https://www.fluor.com/careers 15. Turner Construction, New York, USA Turner Construction Company is an American construction company. It is one of the largest construction management companies in the United States of America, with a construction volume of $10 billion in 2014. It is a subsidiary of the German company Hochtief. Address: 375 Hudson Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10014 Phone: (212) 229-6000 Website: http://www.turnerconstruction.com/ Career Page: http://www.turnerconstruction.com/careers 16. PCL Construction Enterprises, Edmonton, Canada The PCL family of companies is a group of independent general contracting construction companies. The organization has over 4,400 employees across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Address: 5400 99 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 3P4, Canada Phone: +1 780-733-6000 Website: https://pcl.com/ Career Page: https://careers.pcl.com/ 17. KBR, Inc., United States KBR, Inc. is an American engineering, procurement, and construction company, formerly a subsidiary of Halliburton. After Halliburton acquired Dresser Industries in 1998, Dresser’s engineering subsidiary, The M. W. A civil engineering companies in the world. Address: Houston (Corporate HQ)KBR Corporate Headquarters, 601 Jefferson Street, Houston, TX 77002 | USA Phone : +1 713.753.2000 Website: https://www.kbr.com/ Career Page: https://www.kbr.com/careers 18. Whiting-Turner, USA The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Inc. provides general building contractor services. Its project portfolio includes art and entertainment, cybersecurity, energy, federal/military, food and beverage, healthcare, higher education, hospitality/hotel, industrial, K-12 private and public education, sports and fitness, science and technology, nano research, mission-critical (data centers), museum, office, public/utility, retail, senior living, transportation, and warehouse/distribution projects in the United States. Address: 300 East Joppa Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21286 Phone:: 410-821-1100 Fax: 888-864-5769 Website: http://www.whiting-turner.com/ Career Page: http://www.whiting-turner.com/careers/careers.html 19. Jacobs Engineering Group, United States – Top Construction companies in the world Jacobs is a global provider of technical, professional, and scientific services, including

engineering, architecture, construction, operations, and maintenance. One of the best civil engineering companies. Address: 1200 1999 Bryan St 75201.All Jacobs Engineering Group Locations.Dallas (HQ), United States. Website: http://www.whiting-turner.com/ Career Page: http://www.whiting-turner.com/careers/careers.html 20. McDermott International, United States McDermott International, Inc. is an American multinational engineering, procurement, construction, and installation company with operations in the Americas, Middle East, the Caspian Sea, and the Pacific Rim. Incorporated in Panama, one of the top construction and civil engineering companies in the world, it is headquartered in the Energy Corridor area of Houston, Texas. Address: 757 N. Eldridge Pkwy.,Houston, TX 77079, USA Contact Number: +1 281 870 5000 Website: https://www.mcdermott.com/ Career Page: https://www.mcdermott.com/Careers Source: civilmanage.com

[tthomashharry]

Window Installation Bristow, Virginia

Window Installation Bristow, Virginia

Mike’s Remodeling | Top-Notch Window and Door Installation Services in Manassas VA.

Window Installation Bristow, Virginia

What Does Window Installation Bristow, Virginia Mean?

Determining architectural designs is traditionally accomplished by looking back in time to see what style motions have emerged throughout the years – Window Installation Bristow, Virginia. Considering that the Modern style is ever developing to reflect contemporary thought and sensibilities, there isn’t constantly an agreement regarding what constitutes this movement. That stated, three approaches have increased to the top in present Modern design architecture: International Modern style, Modern design and Commercial Modern design. Window Installation Bristow, Virginia.

Plus, windows give an opportunity to add information and charm to your home while maintaining and securing your financial investment. This window guide will assist you find out about the types of windows for homes offered so that you can make the best choice for your job.

With a knowledgeable and skilled staff, we are able to precisely detect the real condition of your existing windows. Window Installation Bristow, Virginia. We have actually made our credibility as the trusted window installation and replacement provider in Manassas, Virginia with our sincere and reputable services (Window Installation Bristow, Virginia). Parts of a Window Prior to we dive into various types of windows for homes, it is essential to understand the terms that specifies the primary parts of a window: A window frame is attached to the home and surrounds and supports the whole window – Window Installation Bristow, Virginia.

The mullion is a major structural piece running either vertical or horizontal that integrates two or more windows together. (The two windows are “mulled” together). A muntin is a little bar that separates 2 or more pieces of glass in a window sash. Their origin is older from when glass might not be made in plus sizes without breaking.

On the exterior of a house, the ornamental frame around a door or window is called trim, while on the inside, the same thing is called casing. The type of window that you choose helps specify the design of your home. Window Installation Bristow, Virginia. Whether your taste is standard, transitional, modern, or modern there is a window design that will fit your visual (Window Installation Bristow, Virginia).

Little Known Facts About Window Installation Bristow, Virginia

These right or left hinged windows have sashes that open outwardly by the turn of a crank. Casement windows offer better ventilation and have a more energy-efficient seal than double-hung windows (Window Installation Bristow, Virginia).

Awning windows are often utilized in damp environments as they function as an awning when open. They are also often discovered in lower-levels or basements as they can be reliable versus trespassers. Window Installation Bristow, Virginia. Due to their direction, awning windows do not scoop in outdoors fresh air as effectively as casement windows. Window Installation Bristow, Virginia.

The main downside of this type of window is that construction can be expensive. If you have the space and the spending plan, a bay window can change the appearance of your home. Including 4 or more linked windows, these big curved windows extend the interior space in your house and offer a scenic view.

If you own a home situated in a historic zoning district, you might have old windows you want to fix (Window Installation Bristow, Virginia). The windows and doors of an old house contribute in a special way to its historical character. Historical District Commissions will frequently firmly insist that you maintain the number, place, and size of a structure’s windows and doors.

Preserving the original appearance of the fenestration, or the arrangement of windows and doors in a building, is important to protecting the architectural heritage that many individuals like about historic districts. Window Installation Bristow, Virginia. Commissioners will require professionals to try to refurbish existing windows before authorizing any new-window plans. It is essential to work with a company that concentrates on historical restorations (Window Installation Bristow, Virginia).

More Information About Bristow, Virginia

Bristow is an unincorporated community of Prince William County in Northern Virginia about 30 miles from Washington, D.C. In 2014, Bristow’s postal area population was 29,346, a 287% increase since 2000; however, the Bristow community is formally included in the Linton Hall, Virginia census-designated place. Area: 37.76 km² Population: 29,346 (2014) Area code: Area codes 703 and 571 ZIP codes: 20136

Our Window Installation Bristow, Virginia Ideas

We hope this introduction of the kinds of windows for homes will help you comprehend which choices might work best for your project. Windows are one of the most crucial parts of your house, and they are worthy of the utmost care and attention when choosing, preserving, and replacing.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the options readily available when selecting new windows or replacements for existing windows. Size, glass type, divided lites, wood species, finish color and hardware are just a few of the decisions to be made. Before considering the modification possibilities of all these alternatives, let’s begin with two basic questions. If you do want an operable window, which type is finest? Set windows frequently are matched with operable windows. Window Installation Bristow, Virginia.

Mike’s Remodeling

8581 Fairfax St,

Manassas, VA 20110

(571) 946-2990

The post Window Installation Bristow, Virginia appeared first on Mike's Remodeling.

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[571plumber]

When you have something in your eye at work you need an eyewash. What about the water ? When you are taking a shower at home you have a personal "comfort zone" for water temperature. If the water’s too hot or too cold, chances are we’ll cut the shower or bath short. The same concept applies to eye and face wash fixtures, in which water temperature plays a significant role in ensuring someone will drench long enough to remove all hazardous chemicals from affected areas. Due to the potential risks to workers and the responsibility of owners to protect them it is important that all new and existing systems have a tepid flow of water to encourage a full rinse. The code for Eyewash is very simple must be able to run 60° to 100° Water for 15 minutes incase of Chemicals in you eyes. Chances are you might need a tempering valve on the line. www.571plumber.com (703) 878-7800 (571) PLUMBER #woodbridgeva #lakeridgeva #montclairva #dumfriesva #alexandriava #arlingtonva #dalecityva #manassasva #manassasparkva #occoquanva #herdonva #dumfriesva #fairfaxva #annandaleva #springfieldva #cilftonva #tysonscorner #tysonsva #greatfallsva #mcleanva #viennava #burkeva #oaktonva #centrevilleva #northernvirginia #fairfaxcountyva #princewilliamcountyva #plumber #plumbers #plumbing #571plumber https://www.instagram.com/p/CHLBcvKDJ9X/?igshid=dbnwbwroeh4x

[matthew-trs]

History of Lazberia, Part 4: Biographical Information

I changed my mind regarding what I wanted to cover next. You might want to take another look again at Part 3; it’s been heavily revised quite a bit, which was necessary after realizing I’d gotten the order of events wrong: the Raze Empire allied with the Western Powers before the Apostle’s Oracle, not after it.

Today’s subjects will be biographical in nature. I also decided to move the fate of the Leian royalty to here rather than awkwardly squeeze it into the previous section.

Do be warned that the section on Anastasia/Friedrich/Arcturus has massive spoilers. (The other sections are spoiler-free.)

Bernstol

Reese’s father Bernstol was the third son of a royal knight, born in 571 VAC in a small village in the northern reaches of the Kingdom of Veria. As a child, he was thoughtful and mature, and he had a natural talent for swordplay. At age 15, he left home and traveled the countryside supporting himself as a freelance mercenary. He was hired by backwater towns and villages to ward of pirate attacks, typically after all other mercenary bands had abandoned the area due to the great risk involved. But even with such high-risk, low-reward jobs, he fulfilled them to his best ability.

He gained quite a reputation among the local people, who were fascinated with his eagerness, honesty, and dependability. It was in this period that he first met Ward, who was a guard at a border fortress. Bernstol also became friends with Prince Marius of Riana, who hired him during a tumultuous time in Riana’s history. It was also around this time that his best friend, a fellow mercenary in his group, fell in battle, leaving behind his young son Elbert, who Bernstol vowed to look after.

Bernstol’s reputation grew and grew, reaching even the ears of King Harmel VII, who was so impressed that he appointed Bernstol’s unit to be his direct subordinates. Bernstol did his best to politely decline the king’s offer, but after much urging, he became the captain of the king’s palace guards at age 26 (597 VAC). It was around this time that Bernstol met and married his wife.

And three years later, shortly before Harmel’s death, in recognition of his achievements--and not to mention being the king’s personal champion who had won victory in the annual Berwick League’s jousting tournament three years running--Bernstol was made a full-fledged knight of the kingdom. He was gifted a small castle land near the capital and named its lord, and he used his newfound influence to arranged that that his dependable acquaintance from years before, Ward, be reassigned from the borderlands to his own soldiers. Bernstol’s only son, Reese, was also born this year.

During his time as a lord, Bernstol’s direct superior was King Harmel’s Domestic Minister Padolf (the elder brother of the “Padolf” who appears in-game), with whom he did not see eye-to-eye. On one occasion, Padolf was harassing a young maid on the palace grounds, and Bernstol, filled with rage, struck him violently to stop him.

Padolf, who was of weak constitution, was severely injured, and it was expected that Bernstol would be executed for insubordination and assaulting a nobleman. However, he was pardoned by Prince Mordias (who had never cared much for Padolf in the first place), and while Bernstol was allowed to keep his peerage, his lordship was revoked. Instead, he and his soldiers were assigned to serve directly under Mordias.

During the Berwick Civil War, Bernstol and company were the key players that allowed Mordias to emerge victorious at the Battle of Sevall River. King Carloman of Leia had sandwiched himself in a naturally defensive position between the Sevall River and the Sergia Plateaus, creating a makeshift but nigh impenetrable line of troops by spanning the narrow pass. Bernstol, being familiar with the area and anticipating that Carloman would make his stand there, got Mordias’s permission and hid with this men on the slopes of Sergia, overlooking the Eastern camp from far above.

Mordias’s and Carloman’s armies clashed furiously the first day of the battle, and thousands of lives were lost. After the Leians retreated to their camp, Bernstol made his move. In the dim light of early morning, he charged down the slopes in an ambush, overwhelming the exhausted Leian army. Though he suffered many injuries himself, in all the confusion, Bernstol managed to make his way into the camp’s headquarters and slit Carloman’s throat himself. In recognition of his success, Mordias honored Bernstol by granting him land once more, naming him the first Margrave of Sinon.

Up until that point, the March of Sinon had been known as the Sinon Territory, an unincorporated frontier inhabited solely by indigenous pastoral tribes. Although it and the rest of the Barmoar Region had come nominally part of the Crown Lands half a century before, it was untamed and unwelcoming. The native horse-riding people of Sinon, who were proud and unyielding, had rebelled and killed all previously appointed governors. Harmel VII had deemed it a lost cause and left peacekeeping in the area to the discretion of the neighboring Duchy of Serenia. The Duke of Serenia in those days, Louvet, had also decided to simply leave the tribes alone.

Therefore, when Mordias decided to have Bernstol attempt to fully incorporate the land into a new fifth march of Veria, the entire kingdom expected him to fail and run away. But Mordias believed that if anyone could control those incorrigible aborigines, it was Bernstol.

Bernstol was determined to succeed at the task that had been set for him. As soon as he arrived, he summoned the tribal chiefs and asked each for his tribe’s laws and conditions for vassalage. He accepted all that were possible, and established a basic code of laws to which all in Sinon agreed to be bound. To form his new government, he appointed many young people from the various tribes as civil servants and military personnel. With Duke Louvet of Serenia’s assistance, he also undertook an effort to assess the conditions of the whole land, distributing food and livestock to the impoverished.

Through these measures, the once-rebellious people of Sinon slowly grew to trust their new margrave. At the time that Bernstol’s son Reese was sent to Narvia, his was a rich and stable--albeit rather small--country.

Due to his position close to Mordias (occupationally) and the penal colony in the March of Mineva (geographically), Bernstol was also able to secretly assist Paramythis and the other members of the Shining Knights during the latter days of the Civil War, as well as ensuring that the exiled Prince Bernard was not badly mistreated.

At the time of King Volcens’s call to arms, Bernstol was too ill to answer, hence why he sent his son Reese in his stead. Later, after recovering, he would assist on the northwestern front alongside his confidant Bernard.

Ferianne and Enid

On Martius 10, 604 VAC, Leia Palace fell to the Raze Army. During the storming of the palace, Ferianne’s husband Bengrion Goddegram used his own body as a shield to protect his wife and sister-in-law. He was an elite soldier of the Church of Veria, an officer in their military corps, Shining Knights. It was said that he was 28 years old.

Ferianne wished to share the same heroic fate as her husband, but doing so would mean abandoning her sister and her children to their death--not to mention (as she later realized) her unborn child as well. Ferianne, Artemia, Anastasia, and Friedrich escaped north into the mountainous wilderness, but it was a grueling journey, and the four of them eventually got separated during an ambush by their Razite pursuers. Ferianne collapsed to do fatigue and anemia, and Anastasia and Friedrich were captured by the Raze Army. [What happened to Artemia isn’t mentioned here.]

However, Ferianne was rescued by a passing hunter and brought to the mountain village of Tasbury in northern Leia. There, despite difficulties with her harsh pregnancy (and later childbirth), she gathered her compatriots and formed a resistance movement, led by herself and her brother King Alecto.

In the village of Tasbury, Ferianne gave birth to her daughter Enid on Novembris 604 VAC. This was after the Apostle’s death and Mordias’s subsequent declaration of war--meaning the Raze Army retreated, giving them a brief respite. However, Mordias had instructed the armies of Duke Roswick of Narvia to put down the remnants of the Eastern Powers, and he marched on Tasbury two months after Enid’s birth, in Ianuarius 605.

King Alecto was captured and forced to surrender, and the Tasbury resistance was beaten. Ferianne, still in a weakened state to her particularly harsh childbirth, knew that she would be captured if she did not flee, but she could not guarantee the safety of her newborn Enid during her escape. For the sake of her daughter, she met with Duke Roswick personally, who was a kind man who understood her plight. Ferianne entrusted Enid to him, and he secretly urged her to flee into the Northern Lands, where the harsh winters served as a natural deterrent against Mordias’s wrathful ambitions.

Ferianne escaped into Riana, where King Marius graciously agreed to hide her. She stayed there for a brief time serving as the wetnurse of his daughter Aegina, but soon, rumors began to spread and she left for the rural parts of the country. She came to a city of outlaws called Myfelle. There, years later, she rescued an orphan boy with magical talent who’d been captured by rogues--a boy named Perceval, whom she adopted herself.

As for Enid, Duke Roswick kept his word, and he decided to entrust her to his daughter Catherine, who was childless. Catherine was married to the Duke of the Lowland, Mikhail Warrenheit, and so Enid was brought up as their own daughter, Enid Warrenheit. No one in the Lowland even suspected that Enid was not their child. She was loved by her foster parents and wanted for nothing, growing up into a gentle and lovely girl.

Anastasia, Friedrich, and Arcturus [MAJOR SPOILERS]

When Anastasia (14 y.o.) and Friedrich (11 y.o.) were captured by the Raze Army (Martius 604 VAC ≈ Eanair 631 RAC), they were fortunate that their captors were unaware of their true identities. As such, Anastasia made up false identities false names for the two of them; they were Spica and Zephyrus, two commoners from the Kingdom of Pesil. “Zephyrus” was placed into the Empire’s janissary program, where he was raised in the arts of war until he was of age.

During Zephyrus’s training, he met a fellow slave who had once been an influential aristocrat’s son, but whose family had been killed in a political feud against Pope Urbanus and Imperial Prince Pfeizal. On one occasion, this boy was being flogged severely during training and was on the verge of death, but Zephyrus begged the abusers to stop, and the boy was spared.

As for Anastasia (”Spica”), she became a domestic slave in the house of a wealthy merchant for a handful of weeks. This merchant was a kind person, and he turned a blind eye to Spica’s efforts to keep in contact with her brother. On occasion, he even bribed the military trainers so that the two of them--and later the three of them, when Zephyrus’s friend was included--could meet and take short vacations. Together, the three of them vowed that they would one day escape from the Empire together. Spica gave Zephyrus’s friend the name “Arcturus,” since he was forbidden by his captors to use his birth name.

However, their plot was soon interrupted when Spica accompanied her master on a visit to the Temple of Raze, where she was recognized as a Princess Anastasia of Leia and Veria. She was imprisoned for a short time, but when she was brought before Emperor Cleiman himself, he was smitten with her beauty, and he arranged for her to become his wife, Empress Anastasia of Raze.

Anastasia gave birth to her first and only child, Imperial Prince Manaris, later that year; soon after (in the same year, RAC 631), the elderly Emperor Cleiman VI died, making the newborn Manaris the next emperor, regnal name Emperor Cleiman VII. This inconvenient appearance and subsequent inheritance of a child of Cleiman VI infuriated Prince Pfeizal (his nephew), who for decades had been the heir apparent to the throne.

With Anastasia now the Empress, Zephyrus and Arcturus’s plan was put on permanent hiatus, and they instead devoted themselves to helping her in any way possible. They began to embrace their training, quickly becoming their overseers’ favorites, and they were eventually granted their freedom and named generals in the Raze Army. Everything they did was for each other, and for Anastasia’s and Manaris’s sake.

When the armies of the Berwick League invaded near the Imperial Capital of Leoglard in 610 VAC, Zephyrus was the one who pushed them back to Ft. Sakiria. After years of sieging the fort, he eventually captured it as well, and due to his (false) identity as a Pesilian commoner, he gained much support among the citizens of the Eastern Three, who were already thoroughly dissatisfied with Veria after the Civil War and being on the border of the Raze-Berwick conflict. It was thanks to this popular support that Zephyrus continued to be so successful, eventually taking his revenge on Mordias himself, killing him in battle in 616 VAC.

When Pfeizal led his coup d’état against Emperor Manaris in Februarius 620 VAC, he was met by Zephyrus and his army at the Battle of Thiedlitz. Zephyrus, despite being outnumbered 60000 to 30000, achieved an overwhelming victory, and Pfeizal was killed by his own men as they fled from his side.

After the war, when Manaris’s and Anastasia’s safety were secured, Arcturus was named the Prime Minister of the Empire. He produced no heirs nor amassed any sort of fortune, instead focusing his whole effort on supporting his young emperor. On his deathbed at the unfortunately young age of 42, he declined advanced treatments and refused a large state funeral. He passed away in silence in the arms of his sole caretaker, Empress Anastasia.

Zephyrus, on the other hand, resigned from the army and wandered across the continent after the war. However, after years of persuasion by Arcturus and his brother King Bernard, he eventually returned to his homeland of Leia, where he succeeded the vacant throne. A year later, he married a beautiful and noble woman, the daughter of a Pesilian aristocrat.

His friendship with Arcturus never faltered in life, but when Arcturus died, he did not attend any mourning. Instead, he mourned privately with his queen. As for why this was the case, no one knows for sure. Some say he must have understood that it was the way Arcturus would’ve wanted it.

Later, the Eastern Three united under the banner of the Leian King, and the continent of Lazberia celebrated the entrance to a new peaceful era of three great superpowers: Veria, Leia, and Raze.

Next(?) Time - The Raze-Berwick conflict, up until Berwick Saga

[571plumber]

What is the difference between a BRV and a BR549 ? A BRV stands for Ball Relief Valve. It is a shutnoff valve for a water heater and it has a relief for thermal expansion built in to the side. I can take the place for an expansion tank in tight areas. They are approved by code. BR549 was an old five-digit phone number that Junior Samples would give out for his used car lot on the TV show Hey Haw. www.571plumber.com (703) 878-7800 (571) PLUMBER #woodbridgeva #lakeridgeva #montclairva #dumfriesva #alexandriava #arlingtonva #dalecityva #manassasva #manassasparkva #occoquanva #herdonva #dumfriesva #fairfaxva #annandaleva #springfieldva #cilftonva #tysonscorner #tysonsva #greatfallsva #mcleanva #viennava #burkeva #oaktonva #centrevilleva #northernvirginia #fairfaxcountyva #princewilliamcountyva #plumber #plumbers #plumbing #571plumber https://www.instagram.com/p/CAU0BdODh5E/?igshid=1fbz1rs74a9b3

[qubemagazine]

New Post has been published on Qube Magazine

New Post has been published on http://www.qubeonline.co.uk/building-safer-school-role-door-hardware/

Building a safer school - the role of door hardware

Knowledge and understanding around access control measures is still far from being at the ideal level if we are to protect our schools better and prevent pupils coming into harm’s way, says Simon Osborne of Allegion UK & Ireland.

When we think of our children going to school, we should be at rest and know that they will be closeted in a safe and enclosed space, a safe haven for learning and education and nothing else.

However, overall UK security levels are at their highest ever, while news and cases around school security is alarmingly frequent across our newswires. It is fast becoming an unfortunate reality that our schools and education facilities are not as protected as we would like them to be.

A quick recent timeline of events in the UK will ratify this, and some of the stats and news we’ve seen of late include:

May 2017 – Theresa May raises UK threat level to ‘critical’, following terror attack at the Manchester Arena at a concert with predominantly teenagers and children attending

May 2017 – Metropolitan Police Chief Commissioner Cressida Dick told children as young as six years old are carrying knives by community members

November 2016 – Boy seriously hurt in City of Birmingham school stabbing

July 2016 – Children bringing knives to school up nearly 90 per cent in London

April 2014 – Teacher Ann Maguire during class by pupil carrying knife

While we would not like an education landscape dominated by security measures, we also cannot deny the effects recent events are having on our schools and how it is transmitting feelings of fear and anxiety.

It is therefore imperative now that our schools and leaders recognise these threats and understand what role door hardware can play in making our schools safer. We will identify the important factors which need to be addressed when developing a comprehensive security solution.

One size does not fit all

One of the most important points to bear in mind is all schools are different, and as such you cannot build an off-the-shelf security solution.

Each school has a unique set of security objectives, and that is down to physical school layout and size, population of the school, the demographic of the school i.e. primary, secondary, sixth form or college, staffing arrangements and more.

Door hardware selection will play an important role in the functional performance throughout the facility, and also the effectiveness of the security solution.

Concept of vulnerability

In its simplest form, all schools adhere to three levels of vulnerability. Level 1 being the least vulnerable and relating to perimeter entry and exit points. Level 2 is more vulnerable and is the point at which people are screened before entering the interior of the school. Level 3 is the area which is most vulnerable, and refers to the core of the school which pupils and staff occupy.

Level 1 – Perimeter Security

The first level of security is the perimeter, which includes all external gates and entry/exit doorways for the school.

Perimeter security becomes most important during certain times of the day, usually outside of the periods when pupils, staff and visitors are permitted to come and go onto school grounds.

The first aspect to consider is the amount of exit/entry points for each facility, and that is based on the physical size and layout of the grounds.

The simplest, and most cost-effective, method of securing these points is by utilising a mechanical lock, such as a padlock or mortice lock. Ease of installation and maintenance also add to the benefits. However, there are many negatives to this solution, as it requires a lot of staff intervention, and a reliance on people to ensure the integrity of the perimeter is maintained.

Incorporating some level of electronic access control should be a consideration, whether than is a combination of electronic and mechanical door hardware, or a complete electronic solution.

For an electromechanical solution, consider electronic strikes. They are easy to install and are able to control access via various credentials such as keypads, cards and proximity readers. When combined with mechanical locks, they provide the benefits of unrestricted egress. This option also allows integration with central security systems, which can be automatically activated and pre-programmed for regular scheduled control.

For a complete electronic solution, schools can install maglocks instead of mechanical locks which are centrally controlled and monitored.

Level 2 – Front Entrance

The second level of security is the administration or reception area. A well designed school will channel all visitors through this area, and the concept of effective access control requires that entry to and from a facility to be regulated.

Having a single point of entry allows for such monitoring, and an entrance area restricts visitors from having free access to the rest of the school.

Access-controlled egress doors are permitted in all schools. Their latches can be electronically controlled from the reception area or school office. Exit/entry doors can be readily opened by a push from the inside, and if your entry area is also a panic exit, use of electronically powered panic bars such as the Briton 571 EL is an effective and permitted solution.

If you supplement the entry point with an intercom and a security camera when the entry point is not visible from the reception area then you have an excellent entry control device.

Electronically controlled keyless door locks are available as hard-wired models (usually networked), and also as wireless stand-alone models.

The stand-alone models are economical to install, but the hard-wired models are superior when it comes to instantaneously cancelling access or otherwise reprogramming doors. Wireless models must be reprogrammed individually, either manually or by using portable electronic devices that can download information at each door.

In either case, the actual access control measure can be based on anything from push-button codes to proximity cards, biometric readers, or any combination of entry control methods desired. Electronic solutions also give you time and date stamps so you can track who enters the building, and can be programmed to limit access to defined days and hours, and micro-customised for each access card or code.

Level 3 – The core of the school

The third level of vulnerability for a school are the internal hallways, corridors, stairwells and entry points into classrooms and restricted areas (e.g. laboratories, staff lounges). This is the most important area to protect and ensure pupils and staff feel safe in.

Multiple studies have shown that a safe learning space is imperative for a quality learning environment, and if students do not feel safe in school it impacts on their ability to learn properly. As well as occupants, restricted areas also need to be protected, as they contain sensitive information, expensive equipment or chemicals.

When choosing access control solutions for classrooms, it is important to remember that there should be free egress from within at all times.

Again, the most economical solutions are mechanical lockdowns, and key cylinders that locks the outside lever only of a door handle are now readily available. However, these mechanical solutions are time consuming in an active situation, rely heavily on staff intervention, and also do not allow for audit trails.

For electronic lockdown solutions, there are two routes you can take – either via remote control or through a centralised system.

Centralised systems are networked systems, meaning you have an integrated access control system for the entire school. Doors throughout the school can be locked down from a central command point in an emergency and this option locksdown in the least amount of time compared to other solutions.

Remote lockdown options are best if the budget does not allow for installation of an integrated networked system. The locks are activated by remote control individually within the proximity of a door. If, however the school perimeter and front entrance has been breached, this type of solution relies heavily on staff communication and teachers being made aware of the situation.

If you are considering an electronic lockdown solution, it is advisable to choose locks that can offer audit trail features. Audit trails gives visibility of who accessed a certain area and at what time, so security or site managers can monitor and understand any irregular activity.

More security, less risk, better experiences

Our pupils and teachers deserve facilities where they feel safe. Only by understanding the variety of situations our education facilities could be put in, and the ability of door hardware that is now available, can schools come up with a security solution that matches with their daily operation.

Contact an Allegion security consultant today for an assessment of your school premises and to understand where potential risks could be, and what options and improvements are available. For more information please contact on 0121 380 2400 or visit Allegion UK’s website www.allegion.com/uk.

  Building a safer school – the role of door hardware

[seattlepestcontrol1]

SEATTLE PEST CONTROL EXPLAINS THEIR EXTERMINATION COSTS TO COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES

Pest control refers to the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest, and can be perceived to be detrimental to a person's health, the ecology or the economy. A practitioner of pest control is called an exterminator.

From carpenter ants to mice, find out how much it costs to control common household pest problems. Don’t be shy about asking questions as they move through the home or commercial business building. Reputable pest control contractors should be willing and able to explain pest control service to treat the problem a three-treatment annual program for preventive measures. if there are problems in between treatments, Willing re-treat at no additional cost. To choose the experience of an exterminator. Most will charge a fee for consultation, which includes visiting homes or commercial business buildings, doing a thorough inspection. Getting rid of bed bugs is challenging. But with the right treatment plan in the hands of an experienced professional pest control, thoroughly cleaned and protected against further infestation. The first step to  https://plus.google.com/+AMPMExterminatorsseattlepest control is to identify the type of pest at a home or commercial business building. Some pests come around due to other pests, so don’t assume that because a building 0wner caught one mouse that mice are the only problem. For example, If a building has a cockroach problem the source could be a sanition problem. As an experienced licensed pest control home improvement contractor, I know first hand what it should cost for various levels  from Basic, Better, and of course the best. The Pest Control service will provide building owners with up to date pricing for seattle king county areas. Simply provide a zip code, a breakdown on what it should cost to have Pest Control done at homes or commercial business building. Common Pest control Services usually have an upfront fee of: $100-250.00 followed by monthly, quarterly plans to keep the bugs & pests away. The average  http://ampmexterminators.com/pest-control-questions-answered/cost to hire an insect control service averages between $209 and $378 depending on the problem. Hiring a pest control professional is the best way to rid of pests, not just convince the critters to stay out of sight. when concerned about the cost, calling in a pro to take care of the pest problem.Some insects are wood-boring and can damage house’s structure and cost tens of thousands of dollars in repair, or can make the home structurally unlivable.Stinging and biting insects can range from merely painful when at attack to literally deadly. Cockroaches a serious health hazard. bed bugs won’t let you have a good night rest only to wake up with bumps all over the body. Before seeking professional exterminating help, consider what can be do to remedy the problem. Prevent  or control — most household pest problems by taking a few general steps: Cut off access to foods; keep the home or business building as clean as possible (good luck, parents!); reduce or eliminate excess moisture; and seal cracks and other entry points. In addition to these preventive measures, Place baits and traps and use sprays to rein in minor or moderate infestations. Doing owner own pest control usually will spare expenses of hiring an exterminator  and lessen the risk of exposure to pesticides that could harm family or pets. If you want professional help, start by calling a few companies and describing your pest problem. Ask them how they’d approach it and how much they’d charge. It is fairly easy to get price quotes via phone for basic household pest problems. Companies have different approaches: for example, baits vs. sprays. Another important difference is that some companies charge $150 or less for a single visit that includes free retreatments, if needed, for 30 days or longer; other companies sell only annual contracts that cost $450 or more. For most pests, a long-term treatment program is unnecessary; a single, well-done treatment should do the trick. Some pests can be gotten rid of in one or two visits. Raccoons and squirrels, for example, can be handled by removing food sources and blocking access to where they’ve been nesting. Some ant issues can be handled by trimming tree branches and other house-access “highways” that they and other pests use. Bees can often be removed (sometimes for free) by a beekeeper who relocates the queen, and thus the hive, to his own inventory of bees. Sometimes it’s a one-off problem, such as a snake that has wandered onto your property and into your walls or crawlspace. Other pests keep coming back. Roaches, spiders, termites, ticks, mice, rats, fleas, and ants are the most common pests that won’t take “no” for an answer. Your house is a very attractive food source and nesting area. Even if you take precautions and keep things spotlessly clean, they can still be there. They may come out at night seeking anything you might have left behind, eventually wandering farther and farther into your home. http://ampmexterminators.com/bellevue-exterminators-a-local-pest-control-company/Regular maintenance pest control is the best way to handle these problems. Whether  a building owner chooses monthly visits, semi-monthly visits, or quarterly visits should depend on how bad the problem is. Climate can also influence the type and severity of the pest problem. Warm, dry areas can see severe problems as pests seek shade and cooler places to live. Warm, humid areas can attract wood-boring insects that initially feast on wet or moldy wood but quickly start attacking good, dry wood. In cold climates, wet or dry, insects such as the earwig, roach, and even the normally beneficial ladybug will seek out the warmth of your home. Even wasps will leave their larvae to die in paper nests while they take up residence in attics and other relatively warm places. The best time to  https://plus.google.com/+AMPMExterminatorskentcall an exterminator is before insects and other pests become a problem. Waiting until trying to dealing with the pests will only cost  more in the long run both in terms of money and health. Media Contact Company Name:  http://www.abnewswire.com/companyname/ampmexterminators.com_12891.htmlCommercial pest control services Contact Person: Shawn Price Email:  http://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=seattle-pest-control-explains-their-extermination-costs-to-commercial-businessesSend Email Phone: 206 571 7580 Address:2688 136th Ave. SE Suite # 2  City: Bellevue State: WA Country: United States Website:  http://ampmexterminators.com/http://ampmexterminators.com/insects can range from merely painful when at attack to literally deadly. Cockroaches a serious health hazard. bed bugs won’t let you have a good night rest only to wake up with bumps all over the body. Before seeking professional exterminating help, consider what can be do to remedy the problem. Prevent  or control — most household pest problems by taking a few general steps: Cut off access to foods; keep the home or business building as clean as possible (good luck, parents!); reduce or eliminate excess moisture; and seal cracks and other entry points. In addition to these preventive measures, Place baits and traps and use sprays to rein in minor or moderate infestations. Doing owner own pest control usually will spare expenses of hiring an exterminator  and lessen the risk of exposure to pesticides that could harm family or pets. If you want professional help, start by calling a few companies and describing your pest problem. Ask them how they’d approach it and how much they’d charge. It is fairly easy to get price quotes via phone for basic household pest problems. Companies have different approaches: for example, baits vs. sprays. Another important difference is that some companies charge $150 or less for a single visit that includes free retreatments, if needed, for 30 days or longer; other companies sell only annual contracts that cost $450 or more. For most pests, a long-term treatment program is unnecessary; a single, well-done treatment should do the trick. Some pests can be gotten rid of in one or two visits. Raccoons and squirrels, for example, can be handled by removing food sources and blocking access to where they’ve been nesting. Some ant issues can be handled by trimming tree branches and other house-access “highways” that th

from Ampm Exterminators Seattle WA | Bellevue WA | Kirkland WA | Redmond WA | Issaquah WA | Sammamish WA - Docs.com https://doc.co/uijDjo

[sherristockman]

Parasites in Pools Are on the Rise Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola Sometimes the evening news reveals something that causes you to worry about that which you never worried before. Such may have been the case when news emerged recently of a huge uptick in the number of diarrhea outbreaks after people went swimming in a public pool and inadvertently swallowed the water. But that was just the beginning of their problem. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)1 noted that when they sought medical attention, the diarrhea sufferers learned the pool water they ingested contained parasites and that the parasites, known as cryptosporidium, or crypto, now resided in them. Can it get worse? Well, yes: The diarrhea outbreaks have doubled in just a few years, as there were at least 32 known outbreaks due to crypto contamination in pools or water parks in 2016, while there were only 16 cases in 2014, the CDC reported. That’s not 32 people infected; that’s 32 outbreaks that affected multiple individuals. Reuters added: “Arizona last year reported that 352 people became sick with Cryptosporidiosis from July through October, compared with no more than 62 cases per year from 2011 to 2015. Ohio reported 1,940 infections in 2016, compared with no more than 571 in any one year from 2012 to 2015.”2 The Skinny on Crypto Crypto is the most common cause of such diarrhea outbreaks, made worse because the parasite can survive for as long as 10 days even in chlorinated water and is “notoriously difficult to kill.” It hasn’t been just in the last handful of years that this problem seems to be multiplying. Since 2004, crypto cases have actually tripled. The CDC reports that the parasite is found in every region of the U.S. and throughout the world.”3 Swallowing a single mouthful of water is all it takes for someone to find themselves knotted up with stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and/or “profuse, watery diarrhea that can last up to two to three weeks,” during which, not surprisingly, dehydration is common. While some reports say crypto can spread when people come into contact with the feces of an infected person, the CDC asserts that it can also come from an animal, and that millions of cryptosporidium parasites can be released in a single bowel movement.4 Not just pools, but hot tubs, spas and other water venues can also pose a problem. The only good news is that, in the U.S. at least, the CDC isn’t sure if there are actually more parasite-driven diarrhea cases out there, or if states are simply reporting better since a new DNA-based tracking tool was introduced in 2010. However, states aren’t required to report how many patients come in with such complaints. Crypto Plagues Water Sources, Treatment Systems and Food Supplies In seven countries in Africa and Asia, cryptosporidium is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and toddlers, sometimes cutting off their ability to absorb nutrition, which can be fatal if left unchecked. In underdeveloped countries, crypto can cause chronic diarrhea in people who have HIV and other immunodeficiency problems. Research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine reported that the prevalence of crypto illness in gastroenteritis patients is 1 percent to 4 percent in Europe and North America, while it’s 1 percent to 37 percent in Africa, Asia, Australia and South and Central America.5 Not only water but food is also under threat of the pathogen. Milk, meat and vegetables, apple cider, fermented milk and salads have all been the source of outbreaks, and the threat is increasing. Here’s how this parasite becomes so virulent, according to the CDC: “Crypto may be found in water sources such as private wells that have been contaminated … Water can be contaminated through sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted storm water runoff and agricultural runoff. Wells may be more vulnerable to such contamination after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored, or have been submerged by floodwater for long periods of time.”6 While the fact that crypto can contaminate swimming pool water is sobering enough, in many parts of the world the only drinking water available is contaminated with the parasite. The World Health Organization (WHO) reveals: “Cryptosporidiosis was one of the defining illnesses for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) before the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 1993 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a Cryptosporidium outbreak resulted in 400,000 infections and 50 deaths. A review of 46 studies of chronic diarrhea in people living with HIV in low-resource settings identified Cryptosporidium as the most common waterborne pathogen associated with chronic diarrhea and its increased risk of mortality. Most cases of HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa, the region that ranks last in sanitation coverage and next to last in safe drinking water coverage.”7 Recommendations to Avoid Contracting — or Spreading — Crypto According to Michele Hlavsa, chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program, most healthy people recover from crypto contamination without treatment (and one wonders if some sufferers even realize what’s wrong), but if diarrhea doesn’t go away on its own within three days, she advises them to call their doctor. Additionally: “Parents can encourage their children not to swallow the water when swimming. Also, take kids on bathroom breaks every hour, and check diapers in a diaper-changing area and not right next to the pool. We all share the water we swim in, but we don't want to share germs, pee or poop.”8 The CDC also advises people to keep kids out of the pool if they have diarrhea and not to buy water toys that might encourage kids to drink pool water, such as a cup or anything that could be used like one. People who already have the parasite should wait two weeks after the diarrhea stops before they hit the water again. It seems incredible, but the fact is, people who hit water parks and the like too soon after suffering a bout of diarrhea — or even before they’ve recovered — continue to spread the parasite in public pools, hot tubs and any other water-related venue people frequent. The MMWR report adds: “Young swimmers aged under 5 years are more likely to contaminate the water because they are more likely to have inadequate toilet­ing and hygiene skills; therefore, prevention efforts should focus on their parents (because) as the Arizona outbreak investigation demonstrated, patients continue to swim while symptomatic.”9 NBC News reported that in Alabama, at least 35 people were sickened from a single venue. In Phoenix, 51 Little League players, their families and a total of 352 people had confirmed crypto cases from one pool. NBC News added a little-known recommendation from the CDC: “All swimmers should shower and use soap before going in any swimming pool. Toilet paper alone does not remove disease-causing germs.10 Increasing Levels of Pool Chemicals Could Lead to ‘Something Worse’ When there’s a crypto outbreak linked to a certain pool or water park, Reuters said the CDC recommends the facility be closed so the water can be zapped with especially high doses of chlorine, called hyperchlorination.11 Chlorine use is not something that should be messed with without oversight, as human error and equipment failure can produce toxic chlorine gas. CNN reported 156 incidents where people were exposed and noted that for properly treated pools, “upping” the levels of chlorine is not recommended because “that might lead to something even worse.”12 An example of such an emergency occurred when about 34 of the 50 people in an outdoor pool in Contra Costa County, California, began experiencing eye irritation, coughing or vomiting. A chemical controller malfunction had allowed the release of sodium hypochlorite, which reacted with muriatic acid and the release of toxic chlorine gas. You’d like to think that was an isolated incident, but since then the CDC has reported that more than 4,800 people throughout the U.S. visited emergency rooms for similar chemical-related health issues in 2012 alone.13 Symptoms, CNN reports, depend on whether the chlorine poisoning involved the liquid or gas form, the amount, how long the exposure took place and how close the individuals were to the source. Many scenarios can cause a toxic level of exposure. You may remember that chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon during World War I. Exposure can cause skin redness, burning pain and blisters, blurred vision, a burning sensation in the nose, throat and eyes, difficulty breathing, coughing and/or fluid in the lungs. The CDC report on chlorine adds, “When chlorine gas comes into contact with moist tissues such as the eyes, throat and lungs, an acid is produced that can damage these tissues.”14 The CNN report says in order to prevent such accidents: “Pool chemicals need to be properly handled, stored and monitored. Pool operators and staff must be trained in pool chemical safety as well as appropriate operation and maintenance of equipment. It is also important to follow standard pool policies, including evacuating bathers before a recirculation pump is restarted. State and local jurisdictions write, implement and enforce public water venue regulations, with no federal agencies overseeing facility design, construction, operation or maintenance.”15 Measures Taken (or That You Can Take) to Disinfect Water The CDC has developed an “all-inclusive” Model Aquatic Health Code as a “voluntary guidance document” to help federal, state and local health officials collaborate and share efforts to help make swimming, spas and other water-related activities safer and healthier.16 Crypto, as stated, is notorious for being impervious to chlorine. The CDC’s advice for people wanting to kill or inactivate crypto entails bringing your water to a rolling boil for one minute. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes. Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean, sanitized container with a tight cover and refrigerated. When using water from a stream on a camping trip, for instance, a point-of-use filter is a good thing to have. Keep in mind, however, that not all home-use water filters eliminate cryptosporidium, so the CDC recommends only one of the following, listed on its A Guide to Water Filters page:17 Reverse osmosis Absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller Tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for cyst removal Tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for cyst reduction With all that, I believe an explanation is in order: Pure Water Gazette18 explains that ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, is the official certifying agency in the U.S., but the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation, or NSF International), is not a government agency. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as all U.S. states, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC,) Health Canada and all of Canada’s provinces rely on ANSI and SCC to determine the standards accepted for third party product certification. Again, the CDC notes: “Alternative disinfection processes to consider include systems that utilize ultraviolet light or ozone. Contact your local health department for recommended procedures. Remember to have your well water tested regularly, at least once a year, after disinfection to make sure the problem does not recur.”19 Protect Yourself, Your Family and Your Community Of course, crypto isn’t the only threat for contamination in pools. Norovirus, giardia, E. coli and shigella are other illness-causing microbes that may be found in public pools. Symptoms and problems can range from allergies to asthma, sinusitis to DNA damage. If you suspect there’s a problem with a drinking water source, the EPA requires laboratories to obtain certification for analyzing drinking water.20 You can find a certified laboratory to have your drinking water tested via the EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.21 And if you swim in a pool or visit a water park, don’t drink the water.

[health1information]

Pool party poopers: CDC warns of parasitic infection, toxic gas

Pool party poopers: CDC warns of parasitic infection, toxic gas

Beware of contaminated pool water: You epidemics of a parasitic infection of June Related to diarrhea causing diarrhea and swimming pools of water Water in the United States United States Double 2014-2016, the report on Half-yearly And morbidity on Thursday by the published mortality Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Cryptosporidium is a May the Germs Sick Who Make People With a Period A Maximum Three Year Diarrhea Pendant" Michele Hlavsa at Observations L, Head of the CDC Healthy Swimming Program. Crypto Nicknamed, by contact this Parasite with the One person excrement is infected PROPAGE.

In 2016, the CDC received the Ontario One Word 32 Related to vestibules òû at pools of camping water games in the United States, two comparatively only 16 years, earlier.

Ohio only, Nearly 2000 Sick People Became Crypto Last year. The States do not name any signall you Patients, the CDC does not type Totals them. Collection

He and one after 20 eu Slow down were Crypt breaks in 2011; Reported Were 16 vestibules Observe only in 2012 and 13 in 2013.

These include Aqueous Symptoms of Diarrhea, you stomach cramps them, you and the nausea vomiting, which may a dehydration workout agent.

"Children their parents to do not encourage MOR water to swallow bathing," a Hlavsa Declared, Same as adding a mere intake of water may cause contaminated Diseases. For this reason, parents, AVOID should buy swimming pool toys that could encourage ingenious water, like cups.

"Also, on the children bring the bathroom Pause at each hour, and the Divans check in a change area of ​​step Layer- next to and right from the pool," a Hlavsa declared. "We water In all Let's share we do WHO, we do not But share them Germs Want them all the poo Pipi".

'Crypto is difficult to Extremely kill'

Throughout the world, you cryptosporidium sources of Spilled Water and Water Treatment Systems, the World Organization according to health, note-which can agent also pathogenic foods davaNtage contaminate. The Contamines Foods, including raw milk and meat, you Apple Cider grown, fermented milk, Salads and raw vegetables from hatching provoked Ontario.

Crypto is a major factor of diarrheal infants disease and of African infants and pays September In Asia. In children, it may also be a poor nutrition Causer, which can be fatal. In the Mainly Developing Countries, It May Cause One In The Chronic People Diarrhea LIVING With Others and HIV Immunocompromised Patients.

Report according to experience, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium reported in gastroenteritis patients is 1% to 4% in Europe and North America and from 1% to 37% in Africa in Asia in Australia and South and Central America .

Crypto can be found In water springs, including Private Wells, Which were Contaminated with Human or Infected animal feces. Wastewater overflows, and stormwater polluted agricultural waters runoff also contaminate water MAY.

In a single intestinal movement, millions of parasites Cryptosporidium MAY be human when you release one of the infected animals, CDC SELON.

Crypto-Case from United States to States Somewhere in 2004 Somewhat Tripled SINCE, One Declared the CDC, It Is Not But But Clear One Increase Reason Numbers of Over Increase OR CASE Awareness and Best Detection Tools.

Arizona has identified 352 sick people with Crypto during the 2016 swim season, compared with more than 62 cases per year from 2011 to 2015. Although Ohio has seen more than 571 Crypto cases for the entire year 2012-2015, Was identified as 1,940 in 2016.

"Crypto is extremely difficult to kill with normal levels of chlorine, so it's important to keep out of Crypto pools first," wrote Hlavsa. "We can help you do it by not swimming or letting our kids swim if you suffer from diarrhea. "

Most people with a healthy immune system recover without Crypto treatment, "he says, even if diarrhea persists for more than three days, patients should contact their health care provider.

In general, he said, residential pools are less risky because there are fewer people swimming in them. However, even in water treated properly, the Crypto can survive for up to 10 days.

However, the CDC does not recommend increasing chlorine levels in a properly treated pool to try to avoid this problem. This could lead to something worse.

Beware of pool chemicals

Failure of equipment and human error can lead to the release of toxic chlorine in public swimming pools and water in places, as evidenced by an alarming episode in California in June to 2015.

About 50 people were in a public outdoor pool in Contra County when 34 began to vomit, cough or feel eye irritation, according to the new CDC report also released on Thursday. What happened? Chemical regulator Dysfunction allowed the sodium hypochlorite to react with hydrochloric acid, leading to the release of toxic chlorine gas.

Across the country, more than 4,800 people have visited emergency rooms for health-related health problems in 2012, according to the report.

The symptoms of chlorine poisoning depend on whether a person has contacted the chemical or gas, as well as the amount and duration of exposure, according to the CDC. Skin lesions in people who have exposure to toxic liquid chlorine include a burning sensation, redness and blisters.

Chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon during the Second World War. When you communicate with the eyes, throat and lungs, a harmful acid occurs.

Symptoms include blurred vision; A burning sensation in the nose, throat and eyes; Cough cough; Shortness of breath or shortness of breath; Liquid in the lungs; Nausea and vomiting; Lacrimation and wheezing.

Half of California bathers who got sick were treated on the premises. The others were transported to the local emergency room and were released that day or the next day.

Hazmat personnel detected chlorine in the air when it made its control more than two hours after the initial 911 call. When water was examined, measurements were slightly higher than California regulations for free chlorine concentrations .

California records from 2008 to 2015 identified eight additional cases of toxic chlorine gas emissions in public water sites caused by equipment failure or human errors. A total of 156 people had been sick during this period.

To avoid these accidents, the CDC say that pool chemicals must be handled, stored and properly controlled. Pool operators and staff should be trained in the chemical safety pool, as well as the proper operation and maintenance of the equipment.

It is also important to follow the standard pools of policies, including the evacuation of bathers before re-starting the recirculation pump, as described in the Aquatic Code Model CDC.

State and local jurisdictions write, implement and enforce public water regulations, no federal agency overseeing the design, construction, operation or maintenance of facilities.

DCC has developed the Model Water Health Code, an ongoing collaboration between federal, state and local health authorities, as well as representatives of the aquatic sector and officials.

News source

Health tips from Blogger http://ift.tt/2qGiZEM via IFTTT

[tinydetectivestudent-posts]

Pool party poopers: CDC warns of parasitic infection, toxic gas

Pool party poopers: CDC warns of parasitic infection, toxic gas

Beware of contaminated pool water: You epidemics of a parasitic infection of June Related to diarrhea causing diarrhea and swimming pools of water Water in the United States United States Double 2014-2016, the report on Half-yearly And morbidity on Thursday by the published mortality Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Cryptosporidium is a May the Germs Sick Who Make People With a Period A Maximum Three Year Diarrhea Pendant" Michele Hlavsa at Observations L, Head of the CDC Healthy Swimming Program. Crypto Nicknamed, by contact this Parasite with the One person excrement is infected PROPAGE.

In 2016, the CDC received the Ontario One Word 32 Related to vestibules òû at pools of camping water games in the United States, two comparatively only 16 years, earlier.

Ohio only, Nearly 2000 Sick People Became Crypto Last year. The States do not name any signall you Patients, the CDC does not type Totals them. Collection

He and one after 20 eu Slow down were Crypt breaks in 2011; Reported Were 16 vestibules Observe only in 2012 and 13 in 2013.

These include Aqueous Symptoms of Diarrhea, you stomach cramps them, you and the nausea vomiting, which may a dehydration workout agent.

"Children their parents to do not encourage MOR water to swallow bathing," a Hlavsa Declared, Same as adding a mere intake of water may cause contaminated Diseases. For this reason, parents, AVOID should buy swimming pool toys that could encourage ingenious water, like cups.

"Also, on the children bring the bathroom Pause at each hour, and the Divans check in a change area of ​​step Layer- next to and right from the pool," a Hlavsa declared. "We water In all Let's share we do WHO, we do not But share them Germs Want them all the poo Pipi".

'Crypto is difficult to Extremely kill'

Throughout the world, you cryptosporidium sources of Spilled Water and Water Treatment Systems, the World Organization according to health, note-which can agent also pathogenic foods davaNtage contaminate. The Contamines Foods, including raw milk and meat, you Apple Cider grown, fermented milk, Salads and raw vegetables from hatching provoked Ontario.

Crypto is a major factor of diarrheal infants disease and of African infants and pays September In Asia. In children, it may also be a poor nutrition Causer, which can be fatal. In the Mainly Developing Countries, It May Cause One In The Chronic People Diarrhea LIVING With Others and HIV Immunocompromised Patients.

Report according to experience, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium reported in gastroenteritis patients is 1% to 4% in Europe and North America and from 1% to 37% in Africa in Asia in Australia and South and Central America .

Crypto can be found In water springs, including Private Wells, Which were Contaminated with Human or Infected animal feces. Wastewater overflows, and stormwater polluted agricultural waters runoff also contaminate water MAY.

In a single intestinal movement, millions of parasites Cryptosporidium MAY be human when you release one of the infected animals, CDC SELON.

Crypto-Case from United States to States Somewhere in 2004 Somewhat Tripled SINCE, One Declared the CDC, It Is Not But But Clear One Increase Reason Numbers of Over Increase OR CASE Awareness and Best Detection Tools.

Arizona has identified 352 sick people with Crypto during the 2016 swim season, compared with more than 62 cases per year from 2011 to 2015. Although Ohio has seen more than 571 Crypto cases for the entire year 2012-2015, Was identified as 1,940 in 2016.

"Crypto is extremely difficult to kill with normal levels of chlorine, so it's important to keep out of Crypto pools first," wrote Hlavsa. "We can help you do it by not swimming or letting our kids swim if you suffer from diarrhea. "

Most people with a healthy immune system recover without Crypto treatment, "he says, even if diarrhea persists for more than three days, patients should contact their health care provider.

In general, he said, residential pools are less risky because there are fewer people swimming in them. However, even in water treated properly, the Crypto can survive for up to 10 days.

However, the CDC does not recommend increasing chlorine levels in a properly treated pool to try to avoid this problem. This could lead to something worse.

Beware of pool chemicals

Failure of equipment and human error can lead to the release of toxic chlorine in public swimming pools and water in places, as evidenced by an alarming episode in California in June to 2015.

About 50 people were in a public outdoor pool in Contra County when 34 began to vomit, cough or feel eye irritation, according to the new CDC report also released on Thursday. What happened? Chemical regulator Dysfunction allowed the sodium hypochlorite to react with hydrochloric acid, leading to the release of toxic chlorine gas.

Across the country, more than 4,800 people have visited emergency rooms for health-related health problems in 2012, according to the report.

The symptoms of chlorine poisoning depend on whether a person has contacted the chemical or gas, as well as the amount and duration of exposure, according to the CDC. Skin lesions in people who have exposure to toxic liquid chlorine include a burning sensation, redness and blisters.

Chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon during the Second World War. When you communicate with the eyes, throat and lungs, a harmful acid occurs.

Symptoms include blurred vision; A burning sensation in the nose, throat and eyes; Cough cough; Shortness of breath or shortness of breath; Liquid in the lungs; Nausea and vomiting; Lacrimation and wheezing.

Half of California bathers who got sick were treated on the premises. The others were transported to the local emergency room and were released that day or the next day.

Hazmat personnel detected chlorine in the air when it made its control more than two hours after the initial 911 call. When water was examined, measurements were slightly higher than California regulations for free chlorine concentrations .

California records from 2008 to 2015 identified eight additional cases of toxic chlorine gas emissions in public water sites caused by equipment failure or human errors. A total of 156 people had been sick during this period.

To avoid these accidents, the CDC say that pool chemicals must be handled, stored and properly controlled. Pool operators and staff should be trained in the chemical safety pool, as well as the proper operation and maintenance of the equipment.

It is also important to follow the standard pools of policies, including the evacuation of bathers before re-starting the recirculation pump, as described in the Aquatic Code Model CDC.

State and local jurisdictions write, implement and enforce public water regulations, no federal agency overseeing the design, construction, operation or maintenance of facilities.

DCC has developed the Model Water Health Code, an ongoing collaboration between federal, state and local health authorities, as well as representatives of the aquatic sector and officials.

News source

from Blogger http://ift.tt/2qGiZEM via IFTTT Health tips

[machineagenyc]

Incentive Auction Concludes. Machine Age Begins.

Well, here it is. The inaugural post of Machine Age.

I begin where I left off, with the U.S. broadcast band incentive auction.

I want to inform you, especially if you are a U.S. citizen, AKA U.S. consumer, that the incentive auction bombed.

Big time.

Or, it succesfully bombed by meeting the final stage rule and then some.

This statement does not make sense if you are new to the incentive auction hedgemaze. For those foiks, let’s briefly get up to speed, and the statement will make sense at some point in this article, I hope.

The auctions, plural, are over, but the incentive auction is not. At least the rules of the foregone auctions still require the arduous repacking of remaining broadcasters out of cleared spectrum, which is part of the “transition” for them and everyone else who uses spectrum above 614 MHz, and the collection and disbursement of funds from participants. The transition began April 13th of this month with the release of the Closing and Channel Reassignment Public Notice. The transition ends July 13, 2020, 39 months from now, and 12 months later on July 13, 2021 for LPTV stations. (If you need a refresher, check out this article I wrote last year, or the FCC’s incentive auction explainer.)

By measures of law and politics and technology, the incentive auctions are an astonishing success. The Commission and in particular the Incentive Auction Task Force used a cold fusion of legal agility, sophisticated software modeling to reckon financial states and future states and all that pesky electromagnetic stuff causing geospatial conflicts between coverage areas, and good old sweet talkin’ to execute Section 6403 in the Spectrum Act as found in The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 - a Congressional mandate to repurpose UHF broadcast spectrum for 21st century digital services with scant guidelines on how to get it done.

Some compared §6403 to a Rubik’s cube. I don’t think so. More like this:

§6403 unleashed the giant stone ball from Indiana Jones upon the FCC, amid slings and arrows and petitions and lawsuits from just about everyone with a stake in or to be had in 600 MHz. The FCC delivered the fine print and execution of the first incentive auction with, all things considered, groundbreaking originality of thought, at breakneck speed.

Roadmap and execution are two things. Outcome is another.

When I look at the outcome of this unprecedented event, I see no substantial benefit to the public and public good on the near and middle horizon. Governments, economists, and engineers may have learned a lot from the failure, but the failure was a heavy cost to society. It is much more difficult to say whether what was learned by the failure will compensate society in the long term. Technologists think that it will.

Please don’t confuse this statement with jabs at the Task Force and countless others who brought the concept to bear the fruit of a new kind auction, which as the technologists argue, may find legitimate use by governments and the private sector all over the world. Someday.

Rather, consider it possible that a brilliant idea is not necessarily a good idea.

The modern world is filled with these ideas.

Is the incentive auction of 2016-17 one of them?

My opinion is yes.

It may be unfair of me, who so recently commenced self-directed study of spectrum regulation and the spokes from which it is made, to lay this ‘yes’ down. Especially with the cheap advantage of hindsight. The incentive auction may be a brilliant idea, but once again, unprecedented. No government has ever executed a two-sided incentive auction. Even the wisest and most benevolent authority cannot eliminate ipso facto causality, unintended consequences or unexpected failure of intended benefits. They can only minimize the probability of negative outcomes using informed strategy.

For the United States, in 2017, the incentive auction was a brilliant idea, but known external costs combined with unknown uncertainty led to a disappointing outcome and disappointing benefits for the U.S. The failure may, may, bring benefits someday. But the blade of innovation could swing the other way, too. Incentive auctions might not end up being as useful after all, or something the first incentive auction kicked up may kick back unexpectedly years or decades down the road.

The concept behind the incentive auction is an innovative system of technologies built around a singular aim: re-zoning TV band spectrum to flexible mixed use mobile broadband spectrum - clearing up an old shantytown to make room for a shining city - without the old tenants, broadcasters, getting upset.

“Innovation” is a loaded and multifaceted word, but, if unintended consequences are confined to a laboratory or code repository, designers of innovation rarely be held accountable for good-faith efforts which go awry or fail to deliver expected results.

But when a government gambles (remember the word: “gambles”) the wealth of its taxpayers on an unproven auction technology for a commodity citizens rely on but do not have specialist knowledge of, with undeniable benefits to special interests, and an outcome that falls billions of dollars short of every calculated expectation and uncalculated promise?

That is something entirely different. Something that deserves a closer look so taxpayers who funded the experiment know what went wrong.

In current social and political environments, a closer look is unlikely to arrive. So let’s put expected results aside.

What were the results? And how do those results compare to those which were promised?

Forward Auction Results

As of last month, 50 bidders committed bids for 2,776 licenses for total gross proceeds of $19,632,506,746. These are legally binding commitments, not checks in the mail.

The auctions lasted approximately nine months, and took four attempts (stages) to succeed. The definition of success is when the FCC + Treasury gather enough bid revenue from forward stagers to cover auction expenses, participating broadcaster compensation checks, a $1.75 billion repack fund, a few public programs, and various expenses. The Task Force named this break-even point the “Final Stage Rule.” Here’s a picture of the timeline.

*Note: 1.17.2017 is the date the FSR was met. Bidding continued til February 10th.

Initially, 99 bidders qualified to participate. By stage four, only 62 bidders remained, and 12 of them abstained, including Verizon and Sprint.

Who were the bidders? In terms of dollars spent:

You may object to binning bids in dollars instead of quantity of licenses won, also that this is a stupid pie chart, but excel was freezing up on me, and I have another visualization of bidding share by license count coming up in a future post.

The point here is only four bidders spent more than 87% of gross proceeds, and walked away with a bit more of the total licenses up for bid.

$19,632,506,746 in proceeds is a lot of money, but it’s revenue without costs.

From the $19.6 billion collected, $10 billion is drawn down and used to pay participating broadcasters to... lavishly retire? Then there are the costs of putting FCC attorneys and engineers to work for years. Then, $1.75 billion given to broadcasters who elected to stay in business and remain on the air to ease the burden of the virtual and physical relocation of transmitter infrastructure. (Except for LPTV stations, who receive nothing.) Finally there are a few important programs to receive a few hundred million.

All told, net proceeds from the auction will deposit $6 billion in the Treasury. These billions are per the Spectrum Act to be used for the purpose of deficit reduction, which virtually all sane U.S. citizens can agree is a good thing.

Result vs. Promised

$6 billion of deficit reduction is better than $0 billion, I guess.

Incentive auction revenues place it on the podium as the second largest spectrum auction in 21 years of spectrum auctioneering.

But a number six with nine zeroes after it should not be permitted to write over public perception.

The Commission, Treasury, and auction economists were all in consensus the incentive auction was sure to bring far and ludicrously north of $6 billion, especially after the legendary AWS-3 auction, and it was upon this consensus the auction was sold.

For its part, the Congressional Budget Office issued a formal response to request for clarification and risks raised by Nevada Congressman Dean Heller. The CBO letter claimed:

>“The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the net proceeds will probably be between $10 billion and $40 billion, with an expected value of $25 billion, the middle of that range.”

The CBO was not alone in its optimism.

Peter Cramton et al. penned this expert report, submitted to the Commission. He and his team at the University of Maryland reasoned:

>“The AWS-3 paired price of $2.72/MHzPop is a timely estimate of 600 MHz auction prices. This price implies forward auction revenues of $84.9 billion for the 126 MHz clearing target (10 blocks). There are good reasons to believe that revenues will be higher than $84.9 billion as a result of the better propagation characteristics of the 600 MHz band and the greater scarcity of low-band spectrum. The AWS-3 auction presents current market evidence that the 600 MHz auction will achieve revenues above $80 billion if 10 unimpaired blocks are auctioned.”

As I wrote in October of last year, after three clearing targets failed and the paired blocks + gap shrank to only 84 MHz to the fourth and final target, my quotation of Cramton here is not meant to skewer him personally, or his discipline. Cramton is a superb auction economist, perhaps among the best in the world, and he contributed meaningful insights intended to maximize the benefits of the auction to all stakeholders including the American People.

And like the CBO, he was not alone. 112 esteemed economists, including one Nobel Laureate, backed a letter to President Obama in support of the auction.

Even with these experts onboard, to sell the auction, the FCC went seersucker on broadcasters, who were understandably frumpy and confused about the idea. Mobile carriers needed assurance affordable contiguous license blocks would unlock. Non-contiguous blocks = no value for incumbent carriers. They also got the tech sector interested with database-controlled cognitive radios in unused “white space” TV channels. Google, Microsoft, Motorola, Qualcomm, and Broadcomm to name a few were interested, and submitted many comments and reconsiderations to ensure white spaces exist in all markets, and that WSDs operate in the guard bands and duplex gap.

Don’t get me started on wireless microphones.

Former Chairman Tom Wheeler was widely quoted as promising a “spectrum extravaganza” in sessions at CES 2016.

IDG’s NetworkWorld reports Wheeler said: “You're going to see lots of interest in selling the spectrum, and lots of interest in buying the spectrum."

>“Wheeler deflected questions about the financial implications of the auction, insisting that he's more interested in the transfer of spectrum it enables than the amount of money that changes hands,” continues NetworkWorld. “The best-case scenario for the auction is to see ‘lots of spectrum sold to lots of wireless carriers,’ Wheeler said. When asked what he sees as the worst-case scenario, Wheeler said it would be that ‘it all blows up and we're wrong.’ But he was quick to reiterate his confidence in the plan. ‘I'll go to the bookies here in Vegas and put my money down against that”

(psssst: gamble)

I hope I’ve made it clear $6 billion is underwater from even the most conservative predictions, by the most credible experts.

It caused the exchange of large sums of money for regional monopolies on the gridiron of wireless infrastructure - spectrum - between people and organizations numbering less than a few hundred - and the 600 MHz frequencies exchanged have a value to the many which is disproportionate to the value ascribed to it by the few who bought them. This has to do with physics, the impending dawn of 5G, and dynamics between the big four carriers who dominate mobile broadband in the United States.

Compare the promises to the results. They are not equivalent. Which makes this blog post from the Task Force after the conclusion a Rubik’s cube all its own:

>“Today marks the end of all clock phase bidding in the incentive auction. This is a noteworthy event for winning bidders and an appropriate moment to appreciate the auction’s success in using market forces to allocate spectrum to its highest and best use...With $19.6 billion in forward auction clock phase gross winning bids, the incentive auction will generate the second highest total proceeds of any Commission spectrum license auction in its 20-plus year history...The public stands to gain substantial economic benefits from mobile broadband utilizing the 84 megahertz of spectrum repurposed by this auction.”

I see the auction’s success in using “market forces to allocate spectrum to its highest and best use.” I do. That’s the brilliance.

But when the FCC via Task Force claims, “The public stands to gain substantial economic benefits from mobile broadband utilizing the 84 megahertz of spectrum repurposed by this auction,” this is loaded in many ways, and from my perspective, deeply untrue.

The FCC insulates itself by making this statement speculative, with the phrase “stands to gain.” The public may but will not necessarily gain. And so grammatically I cannot say it is untrue because no truth is asserted. Even so, I’m assuming this is a carefully worded and be-lawyered pat on the back for a job well done.

Let me be more precise in defining elements of discontent.

The brilliance of the incentive auction design and the magnificence of its execution is overshadowed by:

The sacrifice of the concept and actual decrease in/of public spectrum

Gross and disproportionate handouts to a small number of broadcast licensees who pocketed what is as close to free money as it comes, versus the disappointing sum deposited in the Treasury.

The limited utility for the mobile ecosystem of adding 70 MHz of 600 MHz spectrum to the portfolios of only two mobile carriers, with T-Mobile taking 45% of licenses nationwide

The sacrifice of the concept and actual decrease in/of public spectrum

What I mean by public spectrum is radio spectrum which is neither unlicensed nor owned or leased as property to private entities. It’s not held by the federal government under eminent domain or for military or other government use.

Public spectrum is set aside by a government for non-commercial or commercial-with-an-asterisk use to benefit everyone. The contents of its use are available and free to all citizens, and barriers to access are low or non-existent.

The contents’ purpose is education, entertainment, and/or emergency communications. The cost to consumers is free, free, and free. Even if my use of the term “public spectrum” isn’t exactly right, the VHF/UHF TV and radio broadcast bands are examples of this type of allocation whatever the terminology, and may be the last of them, which stretch back before the FCC was a thing, to the Radio Act of 1927, even as far back as Taft’s Radio Act of 1914. It is from the TV bands the incentive auctions took 40% of remaining public UHF spectrum, and auctioned it off as property to a pool of 50 bidders.

True, carriers are required to incorporate public safety messaging over their networks, under the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) initiative. The length and content of the message is limited both in size and type of information - text, photos and URLs, usually pure text - versus an uninterrupted stream of audiovisual information. You also need to own a cellular telephone and subscribe to service to get them. Not everyone owns a TV or radio, but those devices require no paid subscription for content, and are arguably easier to share than a cell phone.

Carriers are given grey lines on how to adhere to WEAs, but I can’t be sure about that, since the website for WEAs is vanished.

2) Gross and disproportionate handouts to a small number of broadcast licensees who pocketed what is as close to free money as it comes, versus the disappointing sum deposited in the Treasury.

Of the $19.6 billion raised, $10 billion is paid to participating broadcasters. This is a staggering ratio when you consider the Treasury - the bank for America’s 320 million citizens - is getting $4 billion less than 175 broadcasters. Many of the biggest payouts were swept off to holding companies or conglomerates like Sinclair Broadcasting, Pearl, NBC, FOX, etc.

Small commercial (and some public and educational) broadcasters participated too, but in all cases the check goes to the licensee(s). It is not distributed among the station’s employees, but to whomever or whatever legally holds the broadcast license. These licenses were originally awarded or assigned on a merit or lottery basis decades ago, free of charge.

Given only 175 stations were bought during the reverse auction at a much reduced clearing target, that $10 billion will be enjoyed by a privileged few.

When I first began wrapping my head around the incentive auction (it continues), four years ago, in order to explain their ramifications to the community of UHF wireless audio device users I used to blog for, I read an illuminating editorial by Harold Feld of Public Knowledge. Illuminating because of the clarity of his description of the auction, and the uniqueness of his position - that the incentive auction design as revealed was not a good thing.

I went through stages of alignment with Feld’s position over the years. Though I still don’t agree with all his ideas, I am indebted to Feld, who stands in the margins of telecommunications analysts, and against the grain.

3) The limited utility for the mobile ecosystem of adding 70 MHz of 600 MHz spectrum to the portfolios of only two mobile carriers, with T-Mobile taking 45% of licenses nationwide

All mobile carriers require spectrum to deliver service to customers.

Since radio spectrum of long, moderate, short, and very short wavelengths (inversely proportional to frequency) exhibit different physical behaviors, in order to remain competitive mobile carriers must hold strategically diversified “spectrum portfolios.” Different wavelengths are more or less useful for different applications, end-users, and operating environments, and the value of one wavelength or another changes over time according to handset and antenna technology, market forces, and whimsical beliefs.

In 2017, spectrum between 600-699 MHz is considered “low-band.” In the cellular/mobile industry it doesn’t get much lower than 600. Any lower, and the noise floor goes up, there are these crazies called HAMs whispering conspiracy theories on obsolete radios, and handsets get ridiculously large with clownish antennas. The wavelength of 650 MHz is about 18 inches.

Although someone got to calling UHF spectrum “beachfront spectrum,” by today’s standards and tomorrow’s predictions, 600 MHz is pretty lousy stuff for the cutting edge.

First, carriers cannot use 600 for the industry’s number one, two, and three priority today through 2020: small cell densification. Even at low powers, it’s hard to densify a network with small cells on low-band spectrum without multipath and intersymbol interference.

Second, the transitional bandplan for 600 MHz offers a 35 MHz uplink and downlink block for a total duplex pair bandwidth of 70 MHz. There is an unbreakable upper ceiling and correlation between the amount of available bandwidth and the amount of capacity - or information density - a network can modulate onto radio waves. For comparison, the 2.4 GHz ISM band, which is unlicensed and free-with-another-asterisk to use, has about 86 MHz of bandwidth depending on region and channelization.

So why did T-Mobile shell out $8 billion for 70 MHz of 600 again?

The simple answer is competition. The complicated answer is coverage (vs. capacity). Which is really about competition, too.

Prior to the auction, T-Mobile’s spectrum portfolio lacked low-band spectrum.

Low-band spectrum is not useless, not at all, it’s just not very useful for the “flexible mixed-use mobile broadband” and “5G forward” use-cases of the next generation of mobile connectivity in modern cities and suburbs the FCC brands it as. Unless you don’t have any low-band.

Large wavelength/low frequency spectrum is great for covering large areas of heterogenous terrain. It penetrates walls and windows with ease. This makes it valuable for both rural coverage, and urban coverage, but largely at the macro-cell scale. 600 and 700 MHz is able to cover more geographic area with the same amount of energy, using fewer base-stations. It’s more cost-effective in some situations, especially if the capacity demand on the network is low. If you don’t have low-band spectrum you cannot profitably reach rural customers, and you cannot easily handoff or maintain transmissions to/from a handset if the user goes indoors. If you are a mobile carrier and you don’t have any low-band spectrum, you can still provide spectacular quality of service to users, but in today’s monopolistic marketplace, where there are four and only four carriers, if any one of those carriers does not have a full spectrum portfolio including low-band they are at a disadvantage.

T-Mobile did not have much low-band, so they placed intelligent bets on 600. Every credible source I’ve heard from believes their investment will pay off.

T-Mobi - oh I’m sorry, why do I keep saying T-Mobile?

I should offer a more accurate portrait. I mean T-Mobile US, Inc, of which German behemoth Deutsche Telekom is controlling shareholder.

That’s right. All of those sexy models kicking and punching at nothing in the air while bold pink serif typeface flashes gigabyte offers across the screen?

German.

T-Mobile US, Inc. is its own entity, but it was Deutsche Telekom behind the incentive auction paddle, and it is Deutsche Telekom that enjoys a 9% discount on the Euro exchange rate when they shovel $7.993 billion into the FCC holding tank.

There are plenty of analysts out there who say “T-Mobile needs it [low-band] to survive.” There are others who see T-mobile-DT’s $8 billion exchange as a strategic bet to make T-Mobile US, Inc, a more desirable candidate for a mega-merger.

Of late, mega-mergers have stormed back into vogue.

Calculated strategy with the aim of mega-mergers may explain the opaque and expensive bids of Dish Networks, which bought almost as much 600 as T-Mobile-DT, for no obvious reason.

Tara Lachapelle of Bloomberg wrote an excellent article which asks the question “What in the world is Charlie Ergen thinking?” Lachapelle’s answer, to Ergen, CEO of Dish Networks:

>“Dish's stock took a beating earlier in the week amid investors' bewilderment. Some interpret the auction results as a sign that Dish may not be able to sell or lease the spectrum at a premium later on… But careful about betting against Ergen... I don't think Dish wants to build a wireless network so that it can go it alone, despite the company's interest in the possibilities of the "internet of things" (as detailed in a March filing). Let's be real, Ergen is building Dish for a major transaction. It's why he's hoarding valuable spectrum.”

Lachapelle also mentions the mobile carriers are setting their sights on 5G.

Yes, they are.

What Verizon and Sprint (and ATT in fact) did not pay for spectrum in the incentive auction, they doubled down on next generation R&D and infrastructure.

A few days after the results of the auction were released, Verizon announced a $1 billion supplier deal with Corning for 12 million miles of fiber optic cable annually for their “Fiber One Initiative,” which has been criticized. Around the same time, Verizon started a bidding war with ATT for Straight Path Communications which continues to rage. From Straightpath’s website:

>“Straight Path Communications is a forward thinking communications asset company. We specialize in maximizing the value of assets such as millimeter bandwidth licenses for 5G networks (Spectrum)”

The licenses of interest are contiguous 39 GHz millimeter wave licenses, which Straight Path may have bought in Auction 30 way back in the year 2000. Straight Path is not listed on the winning bidder summary. STPH may have bid under a pseudonym shell LLC (a common practice), or, hoovered up Winstar Communications which won most of the 39 GHz licenses, and went bankrupt in 2002. Even in 2002, think about it, 3G networks were all the rage, I was thirteen years old, the iPhone did not exist. In 2002, it was commercially impossible to create networks on frequencies that high, because no manufacturers made 39 GHz cellular hardware of any kind. Radio’s above 30 GHz were exceedingly rare, and non-commercial. They were found only in a handful of research laboratories, SATCOM, and the military complex. Even today, 39 GHz is very difficult to build cost-effective radios, processors, filters, and antennas for. Electrons become erratic and quantum electrodynamic-y when you push a waveform with a width of several millimeters into a radiating element to transform them into information carrying EM waves. Some of them disappear into another dimension, or whatever. Because of these physical hurdles, before 2016 39 GHz spectrum was had for a song - pennies on the dollar. Everyone knew mmWave could do something, for someone, someday, but it was only very recently that 1) engineers argued that mmWave spectrum is of commercial value, 2) the FCC proposed specific rules on mmWave to unlock commercial opportunity for 5G and other next generation wireless services.

Less than a year later, the two largest carriers are pushing Straight Path’s price up past a billion USD largely for mmWave spectrum that hasn’t been fully field tested for real, large networks.

T-Mobile has 39 GHz spectrum too. But they (DT I mean) just spent $8 billion on low-band to flesh out their portfolio. That’s $8 billion that won’t be going somewhere else, like 5G R&D, or rapid base-station roll-out on 600. T-Mobile isn’t stupid or slow, but their market-share and ~3 year battle to get ahold of low-band may mean they’re playing an increasingly hopeless game of catch-up in an industry that moves at slightly less than the speed of light in a vacuum.

ATT and Verizon together have 200 million customers in the U.S. The U.S. has a population north of 320 million people. Sprint and T-Mobile scrounge for the other ⅓. Both ATT and Verizon spent wads acquiring spectrum in the 700 MHz band almost ten years ago in 2008, and thus have had ten more years to play with low-band than T-Mobile.

The difference in propagation and capacity between 700 and 600 bands are insignificant. Antennas are a little bit shorter, maybe 700 travels less far through air and penetrates architectural material with less ease, but the difference is slight. We’re comparing apples to granny-smith apples. It’s UHF spectrum vs slightly lower UHF spectrum. There are no statistical destructive fading or intersymbol interference patterns in 600 that don’t exist in 700, or difficulty bouncing around inside the characteristic spatial distribution of foliated trees. There are no heavy spectral attenuation lines in either band. About the same quantity of spectrum and therefore available bandwidth exists in a 600 MHz sector as 700 MHz.

If Verizon and ATT want Straight Path so desperately for its portfolio of 39 GHz, we have at long last arrived at the final disgrace and mystery of the incentive auction outcome: mysterious bidders who showed up and disappeared with no intention of using the spectrum for tellecommunication whatsoever.

Who were they? What were they?

It’s very simple.

In the case of “Channel 51 License Co, LLC,” also known as “Channel 51, LLC,” the fifth largest spender at $858,704,549, their identity and ownership is explained by this chart:

Wait. Here we go:

There are two more scenarios in this deck, which I understand nothing about, except that “Channel 51, LLC” is an instrumental spore of the Australian Government Future Fund, a sovereign wealth fund managed by financial specialists placing investments for the benefit of the Australian people. http://www.futurefund.gov.au/investment To bid in the U.S. incentive auction the AFF pulled levers through Future Fund Investment Company No.5 Pty Ltd, formed to invest in US markets. The U.S. has sovereign wealth funds too, but there’s something offputting about a different country purchasing U.S. spectrum real estate it has no intention to use for telecommunications in the United States. I apologize to all of my Australian friends. Yes, your economy is gangbusters right now. This is still weird.

What about sixth place, Northwood Ventures? A private investment fund.

Northwood bid as “TSTAR 600,” and in a report on Northwood’s site they get to the point:

>“TSTAR 600, Jackson, MS, was formed to bid on and acquire radio frequency spectrum licenses in the 600 MHz band to be auctioned in the Forward Auction by the FCC in 2017.”

This is radical transparency compared to rampant smokescreens shielding identity and responsibility of the actors we see at last before us at the end of this long and complicated techno-econo-train.

If only everything - or even something - about the incentive auction was so transparently revealed, we might have stopped it from going off the rails, in the well-intentioned but ultimately drowned spirit of being the world’s “first.”