NEW YORK—Carrier Enterprise, a leading provider of temperature and energy control technologies for commercial, hospitality and residential properties, previewed E-TAC II technology from Gree at the 2014 International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show. During the show, Carrier exhibited Founten’s Intelligent Wireless HVAC Energy Management Solution and the PTAC Air Knight air purification system.Attendees of IHMRS got a sneak preview of the redesigned E-TAC II by Gree and Carrier Enterprise. Scheduled for full release in early 2015, E-TAC II is significantly quieter and more energy efficient than the previous version. Hotel guests will enjoy increased comfort from humidity controls, greater...

In the last few years, we have seen a growing trend towards minimal decoration and a “less is more” focus, particularly during the recession. This was clearly based on a belief that money spent on office plants is wasted. The long standing lean philosophy, where it is argued that clean work surfaces create a better working environment, is dispelled unambiguously in a new paper published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, and authored by leading academics from the Universities of Exeter (U.K.), Cardiff (U.K.), Queensland (Australia) and Groningen (Netherlands). The study, which looks at both short...

NEW ORLEANS—The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) launched the WELL Building Standard Version 1.0 at the inaugural WELL Building Symposium in New Orleans. The WELL Building Standard is the world’s first building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and wellbeing through the built environment. Following a two-year pilot program and a formal Peer Review process, the WELL Building Standard is now publicly available at www.WELLcertified.com.“The public release of the WELL Building Standard v1.0 marks a momentous step forward in our efforts to bring health and wellness into the indoor environments where we spend more than 90 percent of...

BREA, CALIF.—The Embassy Suites Brea (Calif.), North Orange County’s only full-service, all-suite hotel, has added 10 new allergy-friendly guestrooms. The hypoallergenic rooms will be provided by PURE Rooms, an allergy travel company with nearly 300 affiliated hotels nationwide.PURE Rooms are treated according to a patented seven-step process that eliminates and protects against 98 to 100 percent of viruses, bacteria and other irritants that are harmful to people with asthma and allergies. This allergy travel technology creates an environment that is more comfortable for allergy-sufferers and provides a more restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep for all hotel guests.General Manager of...

LAS VEGAS—A recent survey of casino employees revealed a significant concern that secondhand smoke inhalation is causing serious illness and disease. Smoke-Free Gaming of America and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 721, a union comprised of table games dealers, collaborated in reaching out to 55 Las Vegas casino employees to find out if breathing secondhand smoke was a health concern.   According to the survey results: •    94 percent indicated the air is unhealthy for them to breathe;•    89 percent want their casino to be totally smoke free;•    80 percent do not smoke;•    79 percent have worked more than 10...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Travelers looking for allergy-friendly options need look no further than PURE Solutions’ new booking engine. PURE Solutions, a pioneer in the allergy travel movement, has launched a new booking engine that will allow visitors to search exclusively hypoallergenic hotels and to reserve a guestroom online through the company’s website.PURE Solutions designs and installs PURE Rooms, which are treated according to a patented seven-step process that eliminates and protects against 98 to 100 percent of viruses, bacteria and other irritants that are harmful to people with asthma and allergies. PURE Rooms are available at nearly 300 hotels nationwide.Previously, PURE’s...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Florida-based Liberty Building Forensics Group, a leading building forensics firm that has solved complex building moisture and mold problems, has a warning for hotel design and construction teams. Rigid adherence to brand standards in new hotel construction without factoring in specific regional and climatic conditions can result in significant mold and moisture issues.Design standards are developed on a global basis, not taking into consideration specific limitations of regional climates. Regional violations in design standards have been shown repeatedly to result in extensive and costly mold and moisture problems in hotels.Brands claim their standards are only guidelines, and that...

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL.—The Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA International) recently announced that air curtains are an approved alternative to vestibules. Following tests with air curtains in accordance with ANSI/AMCA standards and manufacturers’ instructions, the 2015 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will contain this new provision.Specifying air curtains as an energy-saving, low-cost alternative to vestibules in new construction has already become a growing trend among engineers and architects. Air curtains work by creating an invisible sheet of air that bends and resists thermal exchange over an opening using the building’s internal pressure. Vestibules, on...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A webinar on carbon monoxide safety will be held for AH&LA members on Thursday, August 21, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (EST). The moderator will be Tony Mendez, corporate safety/security services, resort management, Bluegreen Corp. Speakers will include: Byron Briese, Rolf Jenson Associates; Tom Daly, The Hospitality Security Consulting Group; and Stacy Welch, PE, Senior Director, Fire Protection and Life Safety, Marriott International, Inc.Although incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning are rare, regular maintenance and equipment checks can help hoteliers protect both guests and employees. As with smoke alarms, there are no federal mandates or regulations governing...

NATIONAL REPORT—Prior to one of her recent trips, Judy Smith* called the motel where she was going to be staying and requested that no chemicals, air fresheners or room deodorizers be used in her room. Unfortunately, housekeeping only got the message about not using cleaning chemicals and not the part about not using air fresheners or room deodorizers. Upon entering her $110 room, Judy said a flowery fragrance of artificially scented products hit her immediately and her throat began to close. “I became hoarse and had to leave the room, sit outside for an hour or longer while my...