Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

Hmmmmm, been a while since I’ve written one of these, anyone would think that a thesis, several reports, a day job and moose-dodging in the Alaskan wilderness might use up one’s blog-writing time…..!

For the serious stuff (if like me you read the funny stuff first, scroll down to the bottom):

I’ve now been working the Mechanical section of the USACE design office for a couple of months, and am enjoying the work greatly, the 3 hours each day wasted in the Baltimore commute not so much, thankfully though no car accidents yet.

The largest single piece of work I’ve been working on has been progressing the design of a renovation of some military accommodation in Boston. As handed to me, this was at a very early stage of development and so I have been able to take responsibility for the advancement of the mechanical design.  This has been considerably slower than I would have liked due to the necessity of learning several of USACE’s software programs that I am unfamiliar with (I long for HEVAComp!) It does seem that every individual step requires a new piece of software, so whilst I am broadening my horizons dramatically, I am getting a little frustrated with it all.

I am currently evaluating which technology to employ for the updated HVAC system, thus exploring many HVAC options, ruling out the truly ludicrous, and conducting an annual energy analysis of the most likely. The most feasible few, I have explored in more detail; 2-Pipe, 4-Pipe and Water Source Heat Pump in order to cost the initial retro-fit installation. I produced a whole-of-life costing for each option and this is leading me towards the WSHP. The next stage of this will be a more detailed design of the WSHP, although this depends on future funding approval (see below – sequestration). One other frustration is that I have had to work entirely from poor quality pdf As-Builts, given that the opportunity for a recce (jolly) to Boston is not on the cards. It certainly hammers home the importance of good quality As-Builts.

Other responsibilities within the section include inspection of completed drawings for adherence to fire regulations, which gets considerably easier once you understand the basics of US regulations and can anticipate common problems. It was slightly embarrassing to have to point out an error made by one of my mentoring co-workers in a drawing already released to the contractors, which seems to have now highlighted a serious and complex problem that I am now required to help him fix (whoop!). The problem was that he had implemented a system that would easily end up using the main through corridor as a duct, never a good idea! Clearly this is difficult to solve, but much better to have caught it early.

Problems at the SSP continue to roll on.

I am still maintaining a link with the construction work happening at the SSP and USAMRIID. The USAMRIID is moving into the fully fledged commissioning of all the diverse systems, and also getting closer to the point where the contractor ceases to be able to argue that his schedule is true to life. The communication within the SSP project appears good on the surface yet very little work is actually happening and almost inevitably it will move to litigation in due course. I am hoping to be able to observe this.

One of the problems that may critically affect the entire future use of the SSP is the poor concrete quality in the basement, which leaks ground water, not ideal for a bio-containment facility….. If this cannot be solved it may force extensive rework.

New projects on the burner.

I have a couple of new projects on the go, both of which are basically writing specification documents. One is for the plumbing of the renovation of a military building, and yep, you guessed it, it requires me to learn yet another piece of software (and liaise with the IT department for installation, which in itself is a mighty challenge!). The other is editing an Request For Proposal (RFP) for the fire suppression systems of some US Airforce installations in Abu Dabai. This is an interesting insight into the requirements of the fire suppression system and the USACE standardisation (or lack of) of specification documents.

Sequestration concerns.

I’m sure the media has adequately relayed that the US Government’s inner workings are about as cooperative as a box of coathangers, so they have rolled from one near financial miss to another, and the current solution appears to be implementing a four day week for Government workers. This is yet to be finalised within USACE as many people are employed as part of the project funding and thus making the situation more complicated. The lack of clarity is generating lots of rumour control, with people trying to work out what they will do with an extra day off a week (and 20% pay cut). This may affect project budgets but no one is sure yet.

In other news.

Close but no venison steaks for the Hancock family after a hunting season where something called a thesis was getting in the way of a good hunt! I’ve heard that there is to be a deer cull in the UK, hopefully I can help!!

We had a brilliant delayed honeymoon to Alaska, where oddly enough it was quite cold! We stayed in a wilderness hut at -30C on Valentines Day – I really know how to treat a wife on a special occasion…..  We did see the Northern Lights, learnt how to husky sled and snow shoed up a mountain until we almost caused an avalanche (we snow shoed down pretty quick!)

I also managed to convince a co-worker to go on sabbatical last month – which management was pleased about, not because she was bad at her job but rather that she had been planning to quit outright, this way they get to hang on to her for a while.

Sarah is looking forward to quitting her job – having recently had to fire a temp for sleeping on the job, mainly bad because he was the site nailgun operator  and was standing up with his finger on the trigger.

I hope that everyone is getting on well with their theseseses, it seems very close to hand in date and to us all getting back to the UK. Aaaaaaaah, proper Cadbury’s………