While this evening and tomorrow promise a brief break in the rainy weather Michigan has enjoyed of late, this morning provided yet another wonderful opportunity for a perfectly soggy commute. In anticipation of the cold and wet walk to work, even just from the car to the front door, most will arm themselves with raincoats, galoshes and perhaps an umbrella. All of this impeccable and impermeable protection is graciously afforded by polyurethane molding, the invention of which oddly enough was sparked by the need to protect aircraft and military personnel during WWII. In the spirit of those times, this material has continued to be a force to reckon with, hard at work in both domestic and industrial settings around the country and around the world. [Continue Reading Article]

If you’ve wondered, “What the heck are those yellow and red bumps I see on curb ramps?” you’re not alone. Those “bumps” are referred to as “detectable warnings” or “truncated domes” and are regulated under the Americans with Disabilities Act. As of July 26, 2001, detectable warnings must be used on sidewalks per federal ADA guidelines. The law applies to new construction or renovations after July 2001. Detectable warnings were devised to provide a tactile cue to visually impaired pedestrians that they are entering a potentially hazardous area, such as the edge of a train platform or a busy street. Detectable warnings must comply with the ADA “4.29 Detectable Warnings” guideline that specifies dimensions, spacing and other requirements. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines has since drafted a more detailed proposal that eventually will replace the original specifications. Although these guidelines (“R304 Detectable Warning Surfaces”) are not “official,” they have been accepted as the preferred detectable-warning standard in the marketplace. [Continue Reading Article]