RE: A little Cool This Morning! - Update
Alan Dorman
Occupants: Whitted
Super short version:
The parts delivered today will not work, so more parts have been ordered and will be installed on Monday or Tuesday. In the meantime, we have changed how the HVAC system functions to get the air in the building to be more temperate until the new parts can be installed. AMS will monitor the temperatures throughout the offices to ensure that no office is extremely hot or cold.
Longer Version: For those who wish to consider jumping into the Facilities Maintenance profession
The lines that supply hot water to the HVAC system for the entire Whitted Complex run into a ground vault(a hole in the ground encased in plastic with a plastic cover to allow easy access). Inside the ground vault are four valves that allow AMS to shut off the hot water to each of the air handlers that service the Whitted Complex. We installed the valves several years ago when we replaced the entire set of lines for the boiler. The valves were installed so that we could shut off the hot water to one air handler without having to shut down the entire system.
All 4 of those valves have failed, so the contractor order four replacements. When the new valves arrived, it because apparent that we had another problem. The replacement valves are three times larger than the original valves (think the difference between a grapefruit and a basketball). These new valves won’t fit in the ground vault. In fact, since the two pipes run parallel to each other and are about a foot apart, the new valves wouldn’t fit, even if the ground vault was significantly larger.
So, what will you do….
Permanently remove the vales. So instead of replacing the valves, we are going to put solid pipe back in place. Of course, this is a special pipe meant for boilers, so it has to be ordered. Once the new pipe is delivered on Monday or Tuesday, the boiler will have to be drained and then the new pipe installed.
But I thought you said the valves were a good thing and you are going to remove them?
Well, yes. This is the quickest and cheapest way to ensure the entire system comes back online. We will consider adding the valves back later if funds become available.
Have a great weekend.
From: Alan Dorman
Sent: Friday, June 4, 2021 12:23 PM
To: Building_Whitted_Office_Complex <Building_Whitte...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: ALL_AMS_MANAGEMENT <ALL_AMS_M...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: RE: A little Cool This Morning! _ Update
Occupants: Whitted
All,
The contractor will be at Whitted his afternoon to begin the final repair of the boiler lines. To complete the repairs to the lines, the contractors will have to take the boiler down completely, which will result in the temperatures continuing to fluctuate this afternoon. The contractors will work through the weekend to complete the repair, so the system will be fully functional by Monday morning.
From: Alan Dorman
Sent: Thursday, June 3, 2021 3:25 PM
To: Building_Whitted_Office_Complex <Building_Whitte...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: ALL_AMS_MANAGEMENT <ALL_AMS_M...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: RE: A little Cool This Morning!
Occupants: Whitted Building
All,
The Whitted Building apparently wants us all to work from home - low water pressure and it is still cool!
Temperature Issue:
While the boiler was returned to service today, the lines are still having issues. Unfortunately, this means that parts will need to be ordered, and they won’t be in until Friday. We are working with contractors to arrange the final repair over the weekend or on Monday. I will update everybody we have the final schedule. For Friday, the ground floor should remain relatively warm, but there will continue to be some offices that remain cool on the upper floors.
Water Issue:
Two weeks ago, when we had the last water pressure issue, the Town of Hillsborough had experienced a significant leak in another part of town. We are checking with the Town of Hillsborough now to see what has caused this pressure drop.
From: Alan Dorman
Sent: Thursday, June 3, 2021 9:08 AM
To: Building_Whitted_Office_Complex <Building_Whitte...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: ALL_AMS_MANAGEMENT <ALL_AMS_M...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: A little Cool This Morning!
Occupants: Whitted Office Building
Big Picture:
Expect temperatures to fluctuate in the offices until this afternoon, as the HVAC system returns to normal after a repair.
More Details, If you care to Know:
There were some minor leaks dedicated yesterday in the boiler lines that serve Whitted. A contractor was on-site yesterday to repair the lines, which required the boilers to be drained. The boilers have been returned to service, but we expect offices around Whitted to have increased temperature fluctuations until this afternoon.
Thanks,
Alan Dorman
Assistant Director, Asset Management Services
Orange County
Mobile: 919-619-8859
Alan Dorman
Occupants: Whitted
Just a friendly reminder that office temperatures will continue to vary as we manually manipulate the HVAC system to get the offices as comfortable as possible.
Alan Dorman
Occupants: Whitted
The contractor is on-site now working on the repair, which is now estimated to be complete and the HVAC system fully operational by Thursday morning, June 10th. Please be patient as we continue to monitor the temperature levels through-out the building.