MPdesign

Just for fun - old/problematic equipment in use! I figured you guys would want to see this. I have never seen some of it before. Click to Enlarge 19.25 KB Click to Enlarge 37.59 KB Click to Enlarge 45.18 KB Click to Enlarge 31.31 KB Click to Enlarge 42.28 KB Click to Enlarge 49.49 KB Click to Enlarge 53.33 KB Click to Enlarge 50.05 KB Please give me some insight into this one!!! I was told that it was an oil filled electrical switch and that it is in use. Click to Enlarge 46.69 KB Click to Enlarge 37.1 KB Click to Enlarge 45.04 KB Click to Enlarge 91.86 KB Click to Enlarge 41.96 KB Click to Enlarge 50.64 KB Click to Enlarge 37.72 KB Click to Enlarge 30.16 KB Click to Enlarge 22.46 KB Click to Enlarge 37.37 KB Click to Enlarge 28.74 KB

Can a 5-1/4" wide beam be supported by a 4x4 with column cap?

Thank you again for your insight and recommendations.

I believe it has.

I have some compressors with a lot of surface rust. These are only 8 years old. Should I correct this or should I not worry about it. This is about 30 miles from the ocean. These are copeland scroll 25 ton compressors. This is just the bottom of the compressor and it is the worst area. Click to Enlarge 51.88 KB Click to Enlarge 49.08 KB

Gentlemen, Another large apartment building built mid 1980s with polybutylene piping throughout. All the fittings were replaced with metal fittings over 8 years ago. Not a single leak in the pipe or fittings since the fittings were replaced. I already know the answer, but I am looking to see if there is any new information. What would you recommend?

Ah, that makes perfect sense. in your experience, does this normally happen to the verticals as well as the horizontals? I ask because the hot/cold should be more focused to a single area in the horizontals.

The answer lies in the city. You have to get your googles out... You have to search the net and see if that city has replaced all of their lead lines. Most (like San Fran) have, many (like Chicago) have not. If the city has replaced their service lines so that they are no longer lead, then for safety of those living in the house in the future, you should definitely recommend the same. This is a very well known hazard. If the city still has lead underground lines serving the building, anything you recommend would be a waste of funds. I would still mention it, but would not add costs.

On a 1989 large apartment building with a basement, many horizontal sections in the basement are split along the length. The property, and the properties regular plumbing vendor were unaware of the problem because there is actually only a small amount of leaks from the cracks. I see cast iron all the time and it usually lasts forever, any idea what may be causing the failure? On an aside, I am calling for replacement of all accessible cast iron, camera inspections, etc. Thank you!

I saw this just 2 days ago and was very worried. It was an outdoor boiler. The flame was just behind the metal in the photo and the flex was attached on the right side right behind the conduit strap shown. I was extremely worried that the connection could deform as easily as the sheet metal - or that the flex sidewall would not have the strength of the surrounding area. It is just by chance that I am reading this a few days later. Click to Enlarge 48.18 KB

Just for fun - 1973 electrical permit for 27 story high rise office building. Guess how much for the permit? . . . . . . . $100 Click to Enlarge 58.11 KB

Good morning! What is the difference between 2 cooling towers butted up against each other, and a 2-cell cooling tower? Assuming that they serve the same condensing water loop.

I am inspecting the building not the practices of the building. So, yes - this is really out of our realm. I originally asked this topic because I had seen it called out on another inspector's report as being required by code. It appears this was not really needed because he had no other explanation other than "complete arc flash study as required by code". I hope that this post helps others who may hear about this subject and need more info to clear it up.

It basically tells you how far you probably have to be away from it to not get majorly hurt if it shorted right in front of you. Click to Enlarge 77.72 KB

I thought that I should pass this along in case anyone was interested. This is what my research has shown: In an existing building, the labeling (therefore triggering a study) must be completed if the equipment is going to be worked on hot. So if you are in a commercial facility and you pass people working on the hot panels while you are there, and it is not labeled, then you should mention it in the report. This may be true in residential as well - I am not sure. Will this happen? Probably not, but it is a requirement of NFPA 70E for those circumstances.

Concerning existing buildings and homes - When is an arc flash study required and when is it not required? Thank you for your insight and Merry Christmas.

Yes that is right. It is a condesing unit - it even says so.... hehehe Mitsubishi Mr. Slim Click to Enlarge 45.84 KB

Does anyone know of a place - or series of pictures - or video showing a series of cooling tower fill pictures and telling at what point it should be replaced? Thank you for your insight!

Good point.

This was in Wisconsin. I am not sure of the Code there.

1993, but if they replaced the piping, would they have gone back with galvanized (assuming that you are implying that it has been replaced)?

Check to make sure it isn't the aerators.

Gentlemen, I know that this is old thread, but I have a circa 1970 Hampton inn sized hotel with galvanized cold, hot, and drain piping throughout (the drains to go to cast iron sanitary drain risers). I reviewed sections of the piping from the maintenance shop and they looked pretty clear and pretty thick walled. History of pipe leaks over the past 3 years: Hot water loop: 0 in 3 years cold water suppy: 0 in 3 years Drain piping: 2 total in the past 3 years The area reportedly has hard water issues. They have water treatment but I really doubt if it has been used since 1970. They do have issues with crud from the piping causing the aerators to need replacement approximately once every 3 yrs. What would you recommend?

I thought that you may enjoy seeing the poster child for pinhole leaks. Click to Enlarge 1541.92 KB Of course, they saw no reason for me to call out for replacement of any sections of this that are underground. [:-bigeyes

This is great. Thank you!