Previous Polls
May 13 - May 17, 2019
Recently, Tnemec acquired manufacturer company ProPolymer Coatings. Do you think these new products will be a profitable addition?
May 13 - May 17, 2019
In April, a stress corrosion crack was to blame for a gas pipeline explosion that occurred just north of Mexico, Missouri. Reports indicate that the pipeline was previously tested in 2015, involving a magnetic field test. However, when a hydrotest was taken of the pipe following the incident, the test failed four times prior to its success. Do you believe pipeline inspections should be using hydro-technology over magnetic methods?
May 6 - May 10, 2019
At the end of April, President Trump and Democratic congressional leaders announced the agreement of a $2 trillion infrastructure plan. However, no agreements were made on how the plan would be paid for. In anticipation of what ideas will be brought to the table in the next bipartisan meeting, how do you think Congress will decide to fund this proposal?
May 6 - May 10, 2019
Tragedy struck Paris last month when the Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire, which destroyed the spire and two-thirds of the wooden roof. Since the incident, an international competition has been launched in efforts to recreate the spire and damaged areas, slated to be built by 2024. Do you think it’s possible that a design can be chosen and completed in this short five-year time frame?
April 29 - May 3, 2019
Recent testing has revealed that a nanostructured chemical vapor deposition coating, which provides resistance to water droplet erosion and solid particle erosion, extends the life of steam turbine blades. With these new findings, do you expect more steam and gas turbine blades will have this type of coating?
April 29 - May 3, 2019
Late last month, Saudi Arabia firm Elite for Construction & Development Company purchased The Bod 2, a modular gantry-based 3D construction printer. With the ability to produce buildings 12-by-27-by-9 meters, as well as three-story structures of 300 square meters per floor, do you think other commercial-based companies could benefit from having a similar system?
April 8 - April 30, 2019
SSPC and NACE have announced that they will be discussing “synergistic opportunities” amongst one another. Do you think this is a good idea?
April 22 - April 26, 2019
U.S. Rep. Llyod Smucker, R-Pennsylvania, introduced two bills last month that would create a new immigration visa system for construction and other non-farm work, as well as potentially provide more money for career training and apprenticeships. Regarding the proposal, do you think this solution will prove more useful in the current worker shortage or cause more problems in decreasing wages?
April 22 - April 26, 2019
Late last month, North Dakota-based contractor claimed that his company could build 234 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border wall for $1.4 billion, a fraction of the funding requested by the president. Do you think that we will see other companies speaking up to compete for a cheaper solution?
April 15 - April 19, 2019
Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, recently brought forth a bill that would set a statewide standard for those working outdoors in relation to heat illness prevention. Currently, OSHA has guidelines and recommendations to avoid heat hazards, but there is no set standard for heat exposure. Should OSHA write its standards or should warmer states be pushing their own legislation?
April 15 - April 19, 2019
Last month, Elon Musk and The Boring Company announced its plans for an underground express tunnel in Las Vegas. With various tunnels already completed and others still in the making, none are officially up and running. How soon do you think passengers will be able to experience this hyperloop travel?
April 8 - April 12, 2019
In March, the EPA issued a final rule to prohibit the manufacture and importing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride in all paint removers for consumer use, but not for contractors and professionals. Based on the number of health risks, medical claims and even deaths, do you think this is fair to workers who will have to continue to work with the common chemical?
April 1 - April 5, 2019
Recently, an opening ceremony was held for the debut of New York City’s $25 billion Hudson Yards development, which includes a 150-foot-tall interactive centerpiece dubbed "the Vessel." Do you think other U.S. cities will be inspired to start building more innovative structures?
April 1 - April 5, 2019
Researchers from Michigan State University plan to add more data-tracking sensors to the Mackinac Bridge. With progression of the prototypes since 2016, do you think this kind of technology will make its way to assist the preservation/management of other bridge structures?
March 25 - March 29, 2019
UNStudio and Monopol Colors recently announced that they've developed a new "extremely reflective white paint" that has been given a Total Solar Reflectance rating of 80—about 5-10 points above other white paints, according to the companies. Do you think we'll start to see even higher TSR scores as research goes on?
March 25 - March 29, 2019
Border wall prototypes (worth $3 million) were recently demolished, after serving their purpose for the Trump administration. With an additional $20 million used to pay for prototypes and smaller mock-ups by the Dept. of Homeland Security in 2017, which have also since been dismantled, do you think the extensive testing period will pay for itself in the years after the final structure is complete?
March 18 - March 22, 2019
With China’s Crystal skybridge (also known as a "horizontal skyscraper," which connects several high rises) set to open later this year, do you think we will see other dense cities making use of connecting their existing structures in the sky for more commercial and residential space?
March 18 - March 22, 2019
ASTM International announced a new test method for detecting corrosion-inducing bacteria. Do you think that industry professionals will be persuaded to new techniques, or continue to practice conventional test methods?
March 13 - March 20, 2019
Aldermen in Evanston, Illinois, recently declined to paint a rail bridge that reportedly does not belong to the city; the bridge belongs to the Union Pacific railroad company. Do you think the company should be held accountable for the bridge's appearance?
March 11 - March 15, 2019
Swiss chemicals company Sika is interested in buying a portion of BASF’s $3 billion construction chemicals business, which will reportedly be up for sale this month. Do you think this is a good move?
March 11 - March 15, 2019
The Lake Shore Bridge, located in Chicago, recently underwent permanent repairs due to corrosion that was likely exacerbated by extreme weather. Do you think this will become more of a problem with infrastructure?
March 4 - March 8, 2019
Aldermen in Evanston, Illinois, recently declined to paint a rail bridge that reportedly does not belong to the city; the bridge belongs to the Union Pacific railroad company. Do you think the company should be held accountable for the bridge's appearance?
March 4 - March 8, 2019
Europe's discussion on whether or not titanium dioxide should be classified as a suspected cause of cancer via inhalation, is slowly coming to a head as the European Commission now waits for a March 7 meeting of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals Committee. Do you think TiO2 deserves this classification?
February 25 - March 1, 2019
Authorities for Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium are seeking $30 million from the state to make repairs to the facility, saying they’d like to get the structure in “preventative maintenance mode.” Do you think preventative maintenance on a structure like this is feasible?
February 25 - March 1, 2019
A judge recently ordered a block on preconstruction on the Keystone XL pipeline, which may delay the project even further. Do you think plans for the project will eventually be revised?
February 19 - February 25, 2019
What did you enjoy most about SSPC’s Coatings+ 2019?
February 19 - February 22, 2019
The company—which gets about $4 billion in incentives—behind a $10 billion Wisconsin project is now unsure what kind of facility they’re going to put on the property. Do you think large incentives are appropriate for construction projects like this one?
February 15 - February 22, 2019
A WY utility firm recently announced that it will be replacing its first wind farm, originally commissioned in 1998. Do you think we'll see green elements such as wind farms change as more and more need replaced?
February 11 - February 15, 2019
Research out of Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging has characterized the different odors of acrylic paints and identified the harmful odorous substances. Do you think such research is helpful to the industry?
February 11 - February 15, 2019
The city of Belton, South Carolina, recently proposed using orthophosphate, a phosphate-based additive, to help control the release of lead in service lines and household plumbing. Do you think this additive should be used as a safety precaution in areas with predominantly older piping?
February 4 - February 8, 2019
Earlier this month, more repairs were announced for a troubled SC bridge that it has cost the state DOT $6 million in repairs so far. Do you think there is a point where repairs are outweighed by the benefits of building a new structure?
February 4 - February 8, 2019
A recent update for the $1.8 billion Las Vegas Stadium project reports that the project is one-third complete and officials have exceeded their diversity performance goals. Do you think such success in these goals will become more common?
January 28 - February 1, 2019
Earlier this month, the world’s longest 3D-printed concrete pedestrian bridge was completed in Shanghai’s Wisdom Bay Industrial Park. Do you think this construction method will become more commonly used in building pedestrian bridges?
January 28 - February 1, 2019
According to a recent report, by percentage, New York City’s fatal falls more than doubled the national number. Throughout the United States, 17 percent of worker deaths were caused by fatal falls, whereas fall events were behind 36 percent of work deaths in NYC. Are you surprised by these numbers?
January 21 - January 25, 2019
According to a recent report, the border wall prototype selected for construction was damaged with readily available tools. Do you think the long-term maintenance cost of the U.S. border wall will eventually outweigh initial investment?
January 21 - January 25, 2019
Just before the government shutdown, the EPA sent proposals to the Office of Management and Budget that ban the retail use of methylene chloride, but not the commercial use. Do you think this is a good idea?
January 14 - January 18, 2019
The former site of a Massachusetts coal-and-oil plant was recently converted to a solar farm. Do you think this kind of conversion will become more commonplace as the demand for renewable energy continues to increase?
January 14 - January 18, 2019
A U.S. Appeals Court has confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can cite a general contractor—even if its employees are not affected—for subcontractor safety violations. Do you agree with this ruling?
January 7 - January 11, 2019
The U.S. Navy has been using 3D printing as an option to create ship parts as needed, as well as cutting down on lead times. Do you think this will technology will prove to be a long-term solution to these issues?
January 7 - January 11, 2019
PaintCare Inc. has launched a new grant competition with the goal to develop recycling options for latex paint. Do you think this will help solve the problem of leftover architectural paint?
January 9, 2019
What are you most looking forward to at SSPC Coatings+ 2019?
January 2 - January 4, 2019
Ontario recently unveiled plans for legislation that open up the restrictive bidding process for municipal and public projects, which can only hire from particular union groups or contractors. Do you think this is a positive move?
January 2 - January 4, 2019
2019 color trends for commercial projects have recently been released. Do you think commercial spaces need special considerations for their interior coating aesthetics?
December 24 - December 28, 2018
As bridge design continues to improve, do you think this will have an impact on the projected lifespan of these structures?
December 24, 2018
Last week, the DOT announced $1.5 billion in Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grants for infrastructure projects. Do you think the funding will increase as infrastructure demands also increase?
December 17 - December 21, 2018
Last week, the DOT announced $1.5 billion in Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grants for infrastructure projects. Do you think the funding will increase as infrastructure demands also increase?
December 17 - December 21, 2018
California officially approved the requirement for solar panels on new homes, which will now be added into the building code. Do you think the savings in energy costs justify the regulation?
December 20, 2018
Do you expect your company to seriously consider autonomous blasting equipment in the near future in order to cut down on the danger to blasting workers?
December 10 - December 14, 2018
Officials have proposed a new fix for San Francisco’s sinking Millennium Tower, that involves drilling piles into bedrock from the sidewalk on the building’s southwest corner, instead of the micro piles going into the bedrock through the concrete foundation. Do you think this is a better option?
December 10 - December 14, 2018
Over the past few weeks, a number of announcements regarding multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects have been made. Do you think such large-scale projects will become the norm in the future?
|
