Style first! Er-wait... I mean safety!
Hip new safety shades for outdoor and roof work. Comfy, compliant,...and won't stick to your mascara! Thanks, MCR Safety and Galeton
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Great job, FL!
Now— lets get together on proper execution. Life safety depends on a correct loss of power test for these systems. Don’t just gen test and then make the papers when you still don’t have AC or power when utility outages occur... Owner Tracey Jumper, CCP sitting as one of 15 representatives meeting in Chicago from across the world. Making decisions on technology transfer for ASHRAE, an international organization of over 56,000 members in 132 nations.
...and having a little fun, too! Back in college, we were taught in Construction classes that
Value Engineering is either... 1) providing a better solution for the same price OR, 2) providing the same solution for a better price. Anything else is COST CUTTING (and short cutting,probably also ...short-sighted). BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. I know, I know. Idealistic if you've worked in our industry for a second. It's naive to think projects won't include cost-cutting, that there aren't ulterior motives in play, or at best, that first-cost isn't the main priority all the time. However...are we accepting cost-cutting, first-cost defeat immediately, or are we giving the true VALUE engineering definition a go? (BLAHs retracted!) I extend a challenge, especially to my commissioning engineering and construction peers: Cx providers (CxPs) get invited to the VE table all the time. CMs: Use CxP as experts for their up front systems insight. They can prioritize what's important based on owner's goals, operations experience --- what's a good trade-off, what will cause heartburn, what not to skimp on (i.e., what will cost more, even in the short). CxPs: Don't sit there and think anyone else around that table can see creative ways to save money...and preserve the design intent. You've been in the trenches with the designers, and with the owner team. Speak up. Worst case you're wrong. If you've got a credible thought process, identifying an opportunity won't ruin your credibility. Best case, you can save money (the intent of the VE meeting) and reduce costs in ways that doesn't compromise the systems, performance, or long term operation. Mission Possible: Value Engineering, Recommending Manufacturers, and Staying Product Neutral. As commissioning providers, we maintain an unbiased, product-neutral approach to systems. It's to a point though. For us, all products are equal until proven unequal by performance, by operations (esp. in the long term), needs matching, and cost over time. The good thing for neutrality's sake is that products change all the time. So do owner preferences and capabilities. Throw into the mix that different systems, configurations and certain products match different owners..differently. Product neutrality is marked by the fact that products change all the time, and that no matter what, we'll always recommend the best product that is best for the building and team as we've charted out in owner-intent meetings. So how does this really play out for VE? There's one example from a few years ago where I had a project where the design and construction teams had selected premium dehumidification units based on reliability, premium construction, and well-known reputation. The equipment was good; we, as commissioning providers, couldn't argue. It was pricey however. But, since the units supported the main building function, they weren't even considered on the value engineering list. Sitting at the VE table, though, our experienced Cx teamers had seen less expensive equipment in use for a good stint 5-10 years at the time. Our crew brought up that they had a reputable manufacturer, just not mainly known for their dehumidication units. Based on the Cx team's experience and recommendations we had from other owners and maintenance teams, we were confident to recommend the different brand that didn't have the same reputation, but whose equipment had proven to be just as maintainable and premium by performance. The swap provided the same performance at a 30% discount. True value engineering--possible. We can't preserve the true definition of value engineering all the time. But, we always should start there. Also -- please tap the experience of the commissioning provider when prioritizing value and places where pricing compromises will impact systems the least ...or add value the most! ![]() This is not just a CxP complaining. I have this conversation on pretty much EVERY existing site I'm on with rooftop equipment. Ladders on a comfy, sunny day are no picnic. Most of our days aren't warm and sunny, though. Think about it more: rooftops require more attention when the weather's extreme. The equipment works harder, breaks more, and is needed even more then. PLus, the conversations I have mostly include maintenance folks who never were asked about their ladder climbing abilities. When the equipment performance, life, and comfort all depend on ladder skills and weather conditions (and ladder skills in extreme conditions)...well... Yikes. It's a problem affecting our building systems, and no one talks about it. The answer isn't to find more acrobatic maintenance people. So, this is a silly bit written as plea for building planners and architects to seek out slightly better access solutions. A little can go a long way (Plus, eh hem... there are solutions that make climbing with tools and equipment easier without taking up rent-able SF) I’m starting a new business selling step-style ladders to architects. Call me!! 📱 !! I haven’t thought this through all the way ...yet, but I think the first part of the sale might have to involve kidnapping the architect and hoodwinking them and air lifting them to an icy roof tied to a compressor and a box of filters. Then they have to figure out how to get down. After that I show them the bag of money 💰 they will save their clients, we take a photo and they can use that... in their marketing materials. Then they purchase step-style ladders (footprint of a ladder, functionality of stairs) from me. -TxJ P.S. Large roof hatches aren't safer. A BxLOG for next time. This is why you don't test chiller plant systems at 3pm on a Friday. We're not (this is an old pic #FBF ha!) ...BUT it still illustrates why it's important to consider risks and timing/staffing when coordinating schedules for functional testing.
Here, the story was that pumps were scoped as minor equipment, and therefore only 50% of start-ups were required to be witnessed by the CxP (to ensure at the very least that the start-up procedures were being followed correctly). During a pump start-up, motor shaft rotation is checked in 1) hand/manual, 2) auto, and 3) vfd bypass modes (to make sure we're pushing water in the correct direction--real important, easy to check). When you bypass a VFD, that motor shaft gets 100% power immediately (no ramp up...and, well, actually maybe a little spurt more energy than 100% if ya wanna get into electrical details. But full on, right away, either way) So that's one that's important thing to check, but often it gets missed because the need for a bypass isn't always understood (or actually used), and...well, really, it's third on the checklist (less sarcastic, more realistic tone here). Anyway... one of the pump bypass checks was missed in startup. Water blasted the wrong way and out of the pipes and equipment through system path of least resistance (maybe even our through the fittings, I don't remember). I learned how to help out with squeegee clean up that day. Also, anymore, while it might mean trading off with something non-critical, I include all plant equipment 100% in that "witnessing start-ups" scope item, too! Building Commissioning Assoc. Classroom Training - Wash DC (Well...Fairfax VA) | Nov 6-9, 20179/19/2017 http://www.bcxa.org/bcxa-university/in-classroom-courses/ Well.. I had to share this training opportunity (again) from the BCA since it's the best-in-class, not-a-lecture training experience that is provided. Here's the low-down:
Registration (http://www.bcxa.org/bcxa-university/in-classroom-courses/)The registration website may seem a little confusing, but it's meant to be flexible for attending part or all of the class days. Here's the deal: You can attend for just 2 days for either New Construction or Existing Buildings. Just click on the "Register" buttons in each section (as shown above). OR.... to attend BOTH... CLICK the link in either section that says "Register Here for Both Courses - NOV 6-9".
It's for real. We'll see you there! Ha. Just saw this. We're rowdy, but only cuz we love and know our stuff. 🤜🤛Can't wait to trade the latest building QA/QC notes with this crew next month! National Conference Time, Building Pros!! http://www.bcxa.org/ncbc-2017/ First game in the NFL's newest Stadium #GBvsATL
In case you were wondering about the Design /Construction /Commissioning costs...here's one of the last project progress reports: https://www.gwcca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MBS-EBO-Executive-Summary-For-Report-15-02-13-17.pdf Nate is a real life Iron Man. Got to meet him and hang out when we was hosting and I was judging the Nat'l Future Cities finals in DC during Engineer's Week several years ago. Maybe I should contact him again now that ladder work has become the bane of my existence. I've also used his Alien-In-My-Pocket series videos for bottle rocket building and other Sci activities with the K-12 kiddos.
Check it all out. http://www.npr.org/2017/09/05/545481011/the-army-the-inventor-and-the-surprising-uses-of-a-batman-machine |
AuthorTracey Jumper, CCP Archives
March 2018
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