Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

On arriving at the Aberdeen I was given the chance to attend an Electrical Quality Verification Course.  Given the chance to get some CPD in I leaped at the chance.  The 2 hour commute to Fort Belvoir seemed a small price to pay for this course which is all about using the National Electrical Code to ensure that the work the contractor is carrying out is with in guidelines.  The first day started slowly with the biggest problem being translating the various terms being used delivered a thick Mississippi drawl.  A receptacle is a plug socket, a raceway is a conduit run, ground is earth, a bell end is HV cable gland, and wires come in standard sizes not cross sectional areas etc. but eventually it all started making sense.  We looked at all aspects of electrical installation from contractual, to motors to mass notification systems. Some aspects are different due to the use of 110v and 208v but this proved a very useful way to understand how the US system works.  There were even a few jokes (e.g. Completion Date – the point at which liquidated damages start being paid). I now have certificate saying I am qualified to inspect electrical work for the Corps!

Back in Aberdeen the tension is building. With 90% most of the work is complete but we are now coming up to commissioning.  However the Contractor is still over budget and desperate to save money.  Most RFI’s we are receiving basically ask if they really need to do a complex finishing procedure when a 80% solution is working. With furloughs well and truly in action the office is empty Monday and Friday so we effectively only work a 3 day week which is slowing down responses and frustrating the Contractor.  I have been getting stuck in to the RFIs to help clear the back log.  My first issue was a chilled water pump motor that trips the breaker every time it tries to start automatically.  The other 3 identical motors in the setup are not doing this so it is highly likely that the motor is damaged (probably in the factory) and should be replaced under warranty.  This was identified 2 years ago but the Sub Contractor says the problem is resolved because if you manually turn on the motor a couple of times it stays on!  This is the typical mind set of what we are dealing with.  I have been checking the specifications (deficiency notifications are nearly always challenged by the phrase “show me in the spec where it says that”) and the electrical code to justify why we want a working motor! The meetings this week have been quite passionate and there is now a definite “them against us” feeling.  More interesting times ahead as I get further involved.

In Harrisburg work is progressing.  We have nearly come to a compromise on the drainage expansion joint issue.  A guideline has been quoted from the PVC Pipe Design Guide stating that an expansion loop or an offset (a 90 degree Z type arrangement) is the answer.  Although this does not feature in the spec or any of the design guides used it seems the offset solution might be the one we all agree on! There are now 40 odd skylights installed but only 16 left to go in as the manufacturer is behind.  Only 1254 to go. The roof reinforcing may start soon and the roof drain outlets are being installed.  Some of the Big Ass fans are nearly ready except that there is an issue with some of the fans being too close to existing lights and diffusers.  Apparently this was missed by the designer but spotted by the contractor.  There may be something for me to inspect next week.

Road Kill Round Up

2x Racoons (anything on the interstate is obliterated in 5 minutes so it is too hard to identify much more)

And in other news:

With my parents over we have taken the opportunity to do some of the things we have not yet got round to such as a Baseball Game (Oriels beat the Red Sox 6-0 and you get a free cap for being in the military), a visit to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, eating soft shell crap (claws, legs and all) and a tea party for the neighbours to celebrate the birth of Prince George. Hurrah!