AIR TIME

TUNE IN WITH FMG ENGINEERING

 

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Want to ask a question? Feel free to leave a comment below and we'll get back to you. 

Image via Digital Trends

EXTREME WEATHER AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR HOME - PART II

This time we look at what you should do if mould is present in your home. Stay with us for the solutions and tricks to manage and eliminate mould.

What should you do if you detect mould?

The first step should be to identify and eliminate the source of moisture. In cases of flood it is important to ensure that drying out of the area is carried out as soon as possible as stated earlier, if not undertaken successfully within 48 hours it is likely that the onset mould growth has occurred.

In the event of a water leak, mould growth will be advanced but again, the first step is to eliminate the source of moisture. Prior to drying, great care should be taken to avoid moisture being left behind after the operation and it is strongly recommended that a de-humidifier is used constantly to draw out all trapped moisture.

Care should be taken during clean-up of the mould (face masks, protective gloves, ventilation) as mould in its “dead” state will continue to release spores into the atmosphere.

For small areas of mould growth on non-porous surfaces, it is recommended to use a non-ammonia soap or detergent on the entire area affected by mould.

To prevent the re-occurrence of mould, the surfaces should be disinfected with a solution of water and bleach and allow to dry naturally after application.

In the extensive cases of mould growth it is strongly recommended that a specialist contractor is contacted for further advice.

An extreme case of mould in a residential property

How do you prevent mould?

It is impossible to eliminate airborne mould. Scientists warn that living in an environment free from mould would be detrimental to our immunology systems as we need to be exposed to the mould to build immunity.

Following the prevention measures below will help to reduce airborne mould from your home.

·           Prevent humidity by opening windows for an hour daily

·           Prevent or eliminate leaks and treat water damage within 24-48 hours

·           Regularly clean places that accumulate humidity such as showers, taps and pipes and the associated floor areas

·           Limit carpets and plants in your home

·           Use air purifiers to reduce humidity

·          Porous materials such as wood, fabric, mattresses and carpets are likely to be contaminated in extreme events and are very difficult to clean. In the event that objects of this kind become contaminated, it is advised to dispose of them.

If you have a question on mould in your residential or commercial property, leave us a comment and we'll get back to you.
(Image via news.domain)

EXTREME WEATHER AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR HOME

Following recent unseasonal and extreme weather events in South Australia, FMG Engineering has experienced a significant increase in enquiries regarding dampness and mould in residential properties.

This year, February 13 and 14 produced rainfall totals not experienced since 1969 and have been recorded as the sixth wettest 24 hours since weather recording began in Adelaide in 1839.

As a result of the heavy rainfall many residential properties in the state experienced flooding and with flooding comes dampness and the potential for mould.

 

What is Mould?

Mould is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp decaying organic matter. There are many species of mould, some toxic and varying in colour and texture.

Mould needs three things to grow;

·     A source of moisture (flooding, leaking, pipes, showers or roofs, dampness from groundwater in cellars).

·     A source of food (organic matter such as paper, leaves, wood or dirt).

·     Moderate (warm) temperatures.

Most building surfaces can provide adequate nutrients to support the growth of mould. Moulds are small air borne organisms that can form and multiply quickly in ideal conditions within 24 hours. When mould is growing in a home large numbers of spores can be released into the air, be easily inhaled by the residents and may lead to health issues such as asthma.

How do you know if you have a mould problem?

Mould in many cases will be visible; however it is not always detected. In some cases, mould may be growing out of view behind walls or under floors. The following are indicators that may help to determine if mould is present.

·     Damp earthy or musty odours

·     Unusual clusters of spots on surfaces. Mould comes in many colours and can be white, black, grey-brown or green-grey.

·     Water stains or discolouration to walls, floors or ceilings may indicate mould growing behind or within a material.

·     Surface abnormalities such as peeling, cracking or bubbling of paint or wallpaper.

·     Surfaces of walls, ceilings and floors feeling damp.

Stay tuned for part 2 of dealing with mould in your home

(Adelaide Images via abc.net)

A CAREER IN ENGINEERING

FMG Engineering was invited to participate at this year’s University of South Australia’s careers fair, held at the Convention Centre in Adelaide.

Over 70 companies were represented on the day and it is always a great opportunity for FMG Engineering to network with similar businesses and operators.

Almost 1,000 students from various vocations attended on the day with the FMG Engineering booth kept busy fielding all manner of questions.  Apart from myself, James Cibich and Anthony Hogg helped run the FMG Engineering booth and answered any questions.  Both James and Anthony completed their work experience with FMG Engineering and then went on to be offered full time employment, so their “real life” experience of what to expect as a graduate engineer and their experience at FMG was invaluable feedback to budding engineers on the day.   

Apart from giving the students an opportunity to ask specific questions about FMG Engineering or anything else industry related, we also provided students with work experience information, applications for graduate work experience and the most appreciated gift of all, an FMG Engineering stubby holder.

Operations Manager - Housing Division, Sean Gibbs
FMG Engineering

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Keeping and attracting the very best talent in the industry is always a tough ask for any employer. With so many competitors in the engineering industry, what makes one firm stand out from another?

"It’s all about creating that point of difference and providing a supportive and attractive work environment."

 

FMG Engineering has been operating for over 40 years and during this time there has been a series of changes including a change of name, the appointment of our new General Manager and the merger with Victorian based engineering firm Burns Hamilton and Partners.

Change can sometimes cause disruption in the workplace but with a few team building exercises and skills training, we have been able to create a workplace that not only invites talent, but also nurtures it.

During the middle of last year, FMG Engineering implemented the Professional Development Program, a voluntary program for our staff members to take part in.

This program is an initiative run through the national body Engineers Australia that assists to support employees in the industry with further career development and the ability to undertake the chartered engineering process.

The program is something that we approached Engineers Australia about adopting into the FMG workplace in order to provide our staff across our South Australian and Melbourne offices with the most up to date skills training. It’s part of our commitment to upholding the highest standards of practice within the workplace.

Employees are able to complete the 16 module course training in their own time with the support of both online and offline references with study groups, mentors and work assistance. We ensure that the projects we undertake as a firm are able to support the criteria involved in the course so engineers continue to work while they finish the additional training. It’s all about challenging and applying themselves to improve their abilities, which can only strengthen the engineering industry as a whole.

Some of our employees have been with FMG since the beginning of the company and have just seen us through our 40^th Anniversary celebration which is an incredible achievement in this day and age. As employees tend to move around more regularly in the current market, FMG values each staff member and their skills and knowledge that they bring to the team. Through further education for our staff, we continue to provide experience, passionate staff and the best services and expertise to our clients.

So, the question is – are you getting the most out of your employer?

Chief Operating Officer, Matthew Loftes
FMG Engineering