need opinions

[tunnel rat]

Howdy! no pics, sorry! Not sure if this is the right thread but here goes.

I work at a large Unversity in the Phoenix area and want/need some opinions on some things that are going on here at work.

We operate a central plant with 3000 tons of chiller capacity utilizing thermal storage/offpeak operations. The system is controlled with computer automation and for the most part runs well.

Now comes the meat of the matter: the actual buildings are under another shop which is part of the same department. The tech that is responsible for maintaining the air handlers/systems in the buildings has a habit of overtweaking the setpoints in the automation. Not just changing things, putting things in manual control without telling anyone about it. Case and point, one day two weeks ago the OA temp was 115 degrees and right before he left for the day, he raised the supply air discharge temerature to 58 from 55. Not a large change, but enough to cause hot calls two hours after he left. grrrrr.

Another little tidbit, the AUHs have pleated air filters ranging from 2" to 4"...some of them have been in place for, get this, 3 years. The same guy is responsible for this too. We brought this up to the director last year but apparently he somehow talked his way out having to do anything about it.

The man writes eight page reports about how to operate the buildings but can't/won't change the filters? Is it just me or does this sound wrong to anyone else?

[heatpumpjesus]

call payson

[lonestarheir]

Your concerns are not really what this section of the sight are for. Most of the threads in the wall of shame are exactly that shamefull pictures and stories sometimes.

In my opinion your problems with the other tech could be simply solved in one instance by simply taking out filters and replace them. If the director asks why show him the old filters after 3 years they should speak for themselves.

[hvacrteacher]

Take some pics of the 3 year old filters and post them, as well as submit them to your director. Other than that, you should not be answering calls to their buildings. Get out, get into the field. I know the bennies are great their, but worked at a 5 buiding campus for 4 years with a bunch of HVAC prima donnas that took pay cuts to work there so they could enter "semi-retirement". You will go insane trying to deal with the b.s. GET OUT!!!

[ricm]

I'm guessing that this tech, is 'ensured' a retirement with the University, and will likely be able to 'explain' his way out of most problems. Replace the filters, take the blanketed filthy filters in a big bag or box. Type write a not explaining it... sneak them into the maintenance Manager's office. If this guy is the manager... atleast he'll know he goofed up.

If they suspect it's you that did such a diabolical thing, THEN fire them all, find better job.

[air balancer]

I has been my experience that guys like these are creating problems so they can fix them later and look like the savior of the campus. If you complain it will sound like sour grapes to the higher ups because this guy can do no wrong. What you need is for a third party to start coming in and backing up what you say or feel is going on. Most times the higher ups will believe third party independants rather than their own people.

[ricm]

I was such a 'third party' in a building we were tying to get a grip on... in heating, cooling and ventilation.... They believed me... but not the 'in house guy'... but I did my best to tell them that their in house guy was top notch.... Atleast, now they take his words into account.

[PaysonHVAC]

Yikes.

I am curious which "large" campus this would be. My wife's Uncle works nights at one of them. It would be near 59th and T-Bird :p

I always assumed that his work was more laid back than what I do "in the field". But again, after 20 yrs of doing what I'm doing now, a laid back job may be nice.