The Gasaway Company Glossary of Terms

Outdoor Environmental Management Glossary of Terms

A

Agglomerating Chemicals

Chemicals which bind to together forming larger particles.

Aggregate Particles

Aggregate Particles are the small pieces of crushed stone that normally fall between the larger pieces of material. When dry it turns to dust particles found on job sites.

Asphalt

Asphalt is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It may be found in natural deposits or may be a refined product. The primary use of asphalt is in road construction, where it is used as the binder mixed with aggregate particles to create an asphalt paved surface. When asphalt is used for paving it is a strong pliable material that holds up well under heavy traffic.It is also known as bituminous asphalt concrete or flexible pavement.

B

Beet Juice

Beet Juice is a byproduct produced when processing beets at the manufacturing facilities. This highly concentrated liquid extract is hygroscopic so it will absorb dust particles and soak up water. It has a near neutral ph level (which means it is non-corrosive) and it doesn’t freeze – even at minus-16 degree Fahrenheit. This is an excellent product to blend with calcium chloride and salt brine to keep your roads ice free in the wintertime.

Bladder

Our totes use a plastic bladder with is a large plastic container designed to hold liquids. The bladder is surrounded by a metal shell that can easily be moved.

C

Carcinogenic Compounds

Carcinogenic compounds is any substance or matter than may have the potential to cause cancer through airborne or liquid delivery methods. Visit the CDC’s website to see a list of carcinogens.

Catch Basin

A catch basin is a reservoir or cistern that is designed to catch surface drainage or runoff water. Usually made from precast concrete they are part of the drainage system installed under an asphalt or concrete parking lot to keep the base layer dry and strong.

Chlorides

A  salt of hydrochloric acid  consisting of two elements, one of them being chlorine.

Calcium Chloride – A substance which occurs naturally. It is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts moisture from its surrounding surface. It penetrates the surface and binds fine soil particles, the dust, together by absorbing moisture from the air. The binding causes the surface to compact and offers stabilizing, as well as, dust control.

Magnesium Chloride – Naturally occurring in the great salt lake. It is hygroscopic (attracts moisture), penetrates deeply, and creates smooth compact road surfaces. It is also a great deicer for sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots, because it is less corrosive and gentle on concrete and vegetation. Its pet-safe characteristics make it ideal for home ice melting use.

Coal Tar Emulsion

Coal tar emulsion is used as a sealant to form a temporary barrier that protects and extends the life of asphalt. Properly and regularly applied sealcoating will prolong the serviceable life of asphalt.

Concrete

Concrete is a a heavy, rough building material made from a mixture of crushed stone or gravel, sand, cement, and water, that can be spread or poured into molds and that forms a stone like mass on hardening. Concrete is a very durable material used for pedestrian walks, curbs, dolly pads,and  parking lot aprons.

Concrete Chipping

Small pieces of concrete break or flake off occasionally when exposed  to extreme outdoor elements (sun, wind, rain), heavy usage, and overuse.

Concrete Superstructure

A concrete superstructure is any precast form (single piece) placed in the ground as a foundation that allows the rest of the drainage system to work properly.

D

Demolition

Demolition means preparation of and the tearing down of a structure or edifice. The most common form of demolition is residential.

Double Conical Tanker

A Double Conical tanker is the reference to the shape of the trailer. A straight trailer looks like a towel roll and discharges from the rear. A double conical tanker is designed to discharge from the center, as it is sloped from the front and back to the center. This allows for 100% of the product to be offloaded every time. You can see one of our double conical tankers in our photo gallery.

Drain Outlets

A drain outlet is a grill usually attached to a drainage system in a parking lot/garage/street that allows for storm water and excess rain to be channeled away from the area.

Dust Control

System or process to capture, settle, or inert dusts produced on-site during manufacturing, construction or demolition. Fugitive dust is monitored and regulated by the EPA. Limiting airborne dust is considered important for human safety and health. Read more about the benefits of dust control. 

E

Eco-friendly / Environmentally Friendly / Planet Friendly

A broad term used for products and materials which reduce the negative effects on the environment. Also reducing the use of non-renewable resources in sourcing, manufacture, packaging, use and disposal. This term applies to activities and services.

F

Fugitive Dust

Fugitive dust is particulate matter (also referred to as particle pollution) that becomes airborne from activities such as demolition, construction, and soil and wind erosion. The airborne particles leave the site where they are created and drift to neighboring properties. Fugitive dust is regulated by the EPA. Elevated levels of fugitive dust can cause health problems for the aged, very young, and those with heart conditions. Learn more about fugitive dust from the EPA.

H

Hydraulic Pumps

When a hydraulic pump operates, it creates a vacuum at the pump inlet which forces liquid from the reservoir through the inlet line to the pump. This mechanical action delivers the liquid to the pump outlet and forces it into the hydraulic system, which then discharges at the hose end. A hydraulic pump on a truck is operated by the fluids in the truck and not dependent on a gas motor of an electric cord.

Hygroscopic

Hygroscopic is the means by which a product is able to absorb moisture from the air.

L

Lignins

• Water Soluble
• Resilient, Durable

A natural complex polymer substance related to cellulose that helps cement the woody cell walls of plants. Lignin is derived from an abundant and renewable resource: trees, plants, and agricultural crops. Lignin is non-toxic .Lignin is a very effective and economical adhesive, acting as a binding agent or “glue”. Lignin used on unpaved roads reduces environmental concerns from airborne dust particles and stabilizes the road surface.

N

Natural

A product or material which does not come from man-made origins. For example: timber, leather, beeswax, etc.

Non-Point Source

Usually used in conjunction with pollution. Non-point pollution leaves the location where it is created and affects other locations. It is also called run-off pollution. Environmentally, non-point source pollution causes harm to waterways, airways, and soil very far from where it initially occurs.

Non-Renewable Resource

A resource such as a raw material which cannot be regenerated, replaced or restored in a human life-time. One example of this is fossil fuels.

O

Organics

Relating to or derived from living organisms. Occurring or developing gradually and naturally, without being forced or contrived.

P

Particulate Matter

A substance that consists of separate particles, especially airborne pollution. The components of dust.

Particulate matter (dust and air pollution) represents a broad class of chemically and physically diverse substances. Particles can be described by size, formation mechanism, origin, chemical composition, atmospheric behavior and method of measurement. The concentration of particles in the air varies across space and time, and is related to the source of the particles and the transformations that occur in the atmosphere.

Particulate matter can be principally characterized as discrete particles spanning several orders of magnitude in size, with particles able to be inhaled falling into the following general size fractions:

PM10 (generally defined as all particles equal to and less than 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter; particles larger than this are not generally deposited in the lung);

PM2.5, also known as fine fraction particles (generally defined as those particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less)

PM10-2.5, also known as coarse fraction particles (generally defined as those particles with an aerodynamic diameter greater than 2.5 microns, but equal to or less than a nominal 10 microns); and Ultra-fine particles generally defined as those less than 0.1 microns.

Polymers

A polymer grabs dust particles and weighs them down so they stay grouped together. They are compounds consisting essentially of repeating structural units.

Potholes

Potholes are a depression or hollow in a road surface caused by wear or erosion.

S

Seal Coating

Asphalt Seal Coat is designed to protect asphalt pavements from the damaging effects of the environment, including moisture, pollutants, and oxidation.

Seal Coating also minimizes raveling (the loss of aggregate) and fills minor voids in the surface. Other benefits include creating a uniform color and appearance for all paved asphalt surfaces. Seal Coats make a smooth and attractive surface that resists aging and protects the pavement. Normal curing time is 24 hours for moderate temperature and humidity conditions.

Spalling

Spalling is a common and occurs at the surface of a rock when there are large shear stresses under the surface. This form of mechanical weathering can be caused by freezing and thawing, unloading, thermal expansion and contraction, or salt deposition and is much more common in colder climates.

Freezing causes the water in the capillaries of the concrete to expand, creating pressure and cause cracks to spall off the outer surface. As this cycle repeats the outer surface repeatedly undergoes spalling, resulting in weathering.

Straight Tanker

A straight tanker is the reference to the shape of the trailer. A straight trailer looks like a towel roll and discharges from the rear and not 100% of the product is offloaded as some is inadvertently left in the tank.

Striping

This is the application of new traffic paint when used to define traffic patters, designated parking areas, etc. on freshly laid asphalt and/or concrete. Striping can also include curb painting to define specific spot usage and/or applying word stencils directly to curb surface.

Sustainable

Maintaining the ecological balance. Meeting the needs of the present without damaging the ability of the future generations to meet their needs. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs. Conservation is a major aspect of sustainability. Learn more about ecological sustainability from the EPA.

T

Totes

A Tote is a small storage container that is designed with a plastic inner bladder and a hard metal outer shell to store liquids that can then be pumped out. These containers can be moved very easily and are also easy to fill and use.

Triglycerides

Ester obtained from glycerol.

TSP

Total suspended particulates (dust). TSP is a measurement used to quantify air pollution. The higher the number the more pollution in the air.

Dust palliatives are generally used on roads, parking lots and work areas.

W

Well Water

Well water is water that is pulled from a well, which is basically a hole in the ground, held open by a pipe (or casing) that extends to an aquifer. A pump draws water from the aquifer for distribution through the plumbing system. The presence of minerals such as Iron makes its presence known as a rusty or amber-brownish stains or even as a green – amber – rusty-brown colored pool water.