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

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...

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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
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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







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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.

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:

• 32 or 16 AIA/CES learning units. <--Hey, fellow Certification holders and PEs!
• 2-days New Construction, 2-days Existing Bldg Cx, Or Both! (10% discount for both).
• Location: Just outside our nation's capital. Book an extra day and make it a trip!
• Who should attend? All building professionals, owners, engineers, GCs, CMs, facility managers, contractors, providers (train up, cross train with the best providers). Commissioning is a QA/QC process that everyone can use. This one's specific to building projects, and can be applied across all project delivery models.
• BUT, REALLY, --WHO?. All building professionals who want to properly target and preserve their design intent, are sick of call backs, who want results and like--real, usable operating tools for maintaining systems after a project is done, and anyone who needs better quality control in their own construction or renovation project. Any Cx Provider who's had trouble with an OPR or CFR, or PFCs, or paperwork. If it's drudgery and is only extra cost--then you might want to trade notes with provider-instructors who've made the Cx process convenient, essential and highly requested for new construction and existing building teams (Like when contractors who were extremely vocal about hating Cx at the beginning of a project ended up praising it at the end. True story.)
• Instructors aren't just lecturers... they've turned projects around^^. They've been called go-to "master fixers," master troubleshooters by their clients. This isn't just a class -- it's know-how, it's how-to-apply stories and job-specific scenarios you get along with the structured agenda.
• Structured, and customized. Stick to the agenda, but with the small classes, discussions/activities naturally allow for personalization, catering to the needs of attendees.
• Set up so you get your money's worth. Just like with Cx projects, class is set up for attendees to leave with personal goals accomplished. Class starts with attendees identifying why they're taking the course, and then those line items become an additional goals that will be accomplished or question(s) answered in the 2-days.

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!
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National Conference Time, Building Pros!! http://www.bcxa.org/ncbc-2017/

First game in the NFL's newest Stadium #GBvsATL
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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