What is this (commercial)

[Vernon Mincey]

I need to know wht these item's are and what they do in order to complete a site visit.

Thanks

[Joe Farsetta]

For a facility of this size and complexity, you should have performed a walk-through first, and whatever you did not know, should have prompted you to bring a subject matter expert with you.

[bdoles2]

Originally Posted by Vernon Mincey

I need to know wht these item's are and what they do in order to complete a site visit.

Thanks

Picture 1 looks to be plumbing with automatic valves inline for a fire suppression system.

Picture 2 looks to be a setup of 2 inline pumps, possibly water booster pumps

Picture 3 is the outside of a building

Just guesing though, theres no way to tell unless you trace the lines, or they are marked somewhere.

That stuff brings back some bad memories. I worked in a chemical plant for 15 years.

[Vernon Mincey]

hey, thanks alot I appreciate the response.

[Joe Farsetta]

If the lines are for fire supression, you should look for a service tag indicating who sold, serviced, or installed/tested it. The municipal fire inspector should have information for you.

Did you follow ASTM 2018-01 when performing this inspection?

[Brian E. Kelly]

Picture 1 : I do not like the all thread stands/supports, can't they build a proper pipe/valve rack? Is this plumbing finished, it should be labeled as to the system or fluid at least.

Picture 2 : Pumps, one missing a motor going into stainless piping, should be labeled.

Picture 3 : Duct looks like FRP from here but could be other material. Should be labeled somewhere. Would like to see the equipment on the roof, air handler? scrubber?

What kind of facility is it?

[phinsperger]

Originally Posted by bdoles2

That stuff brings back some bad memories. I worked in a chemical plant for 15 years.

Brian,

After working 15 years in a chemical plant you are probably lucky that it breings back any memories

[Marcel R. Cyr]

What I see in the first photo from Right to left is an expansion joint assemble, then a coupling fitting with a plug for either a pressure Gage or t-stat installation while, before or after install.
Then I see an in-line pump moving liquid with two brass fittings designed for balancing of the water flow or liquid, another coupling with plug for a pressure or temperature well and than what looks like a commercial circuit setter setting valve for balancing the system.

In picture 2, I see two standard circulating pumps and one without a motor or electrical hook-up. In most of these circulating pump bases, it is usually filled with concrete after the steel frames are anchored to the floor and this provides vibration control from going or resounding in the system.

I then see stainless vibration isolator couples and Wye strainers on the supply lines. Typically one of these set-ups would be backup or alternate in use depending on their control sequence.
Could be water or other liquid unknown without looking at all the system as a whole.

I would have to agree with Joe F. here and say, this is not a job for a HI, without a plan of attack, for which one would go in as a team of experts.

These Commercial systems could be quite intimidating to some.
Either Master Mechanical experts or engineer and electrical engineer or Master Electrician in the Heavy Commercial should be employed for this type of work.

Hope this helps.

Marcel
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[bdoles2]

Originally Posted by phinsperger

Brian,

After working 15 years in a chemical plant you are probably lucky that it breings back any memories

LOL, very true.

They always told us there wasn't anything out there that could hurt us. Except for the fact we manufactured about 10 different chemicals that were later found to be carcinigens. I handled cyanide on a daily basis, nope nothing out there that could hurt us.

I've never been healthier since leaving there.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by bdoles2

LOL, very true.

They always told us there wasn't anything out there that could hurt us. Except for the fact we manufactured about 10 different chemicals that were later found to be carcinigens. I handled cyanide on a daily basis, nope nothing out there that could hurt us.

I've never been healthier since leaving there.

Good move on your part Brian.

Live free and be prosper.

Marcel

[Joe Farsetta]

Marcel,

YOU GET IT! SOMEONE GETS IT!

It is not what to describe, as any one of us can say that the pipe supports seem lite, or that a circulator is missing.

To properly INSPECT and provide any MEANING to the description, one would need to understand the intended FUNCTION, and have something to reference as to working CONDITION.

That's where the SME comes in.

Why did you think I asked if 2018 was followed?

[Vernon Mincey]

Hey guys thanks alot for the input, I'm a new HI but have been doing commercial site visits for the past 7 years, we are not required to take photos of things like that but since becoming a HI I thought it would be a good idea to start learning about these things. (intro into commercial) just by your comments I can tell this is very intimidating. Would a commercial course such as the CDW help me to understand these types of systems ? Or is that something that would require more than 3 days to learn ?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

Marcel,

YOU GET IT! SOMEONE GETS IT!

It is not what to describe, as any one of us can say that the pipe supports seem lite, or that a circulator is missing.

To properly INSPECT and provide any MEANING to the description, one would need to understand the intended FUNCTION, and have something to reference as to working CONDITION.

That's where the SME comes in.

Why did you think I asked if 2018 was followed?

I agree Joe;

I was looking at a picture, assummed that recognition would come first, intended function,and purpose comes second, and does it work for what it was intended to be, or condition, would be next.

Marcel

[Joe Farsetta]

Vernon,

ASTM 2018-01 recommends that photographs be taken. The odd thing regarding your posts is that you took the time to photograph things, but apparently not completely enough to conv3ey what things are.

As to any classes, we offer a class on 2018 and many aspects of the commercial insection standard. We have consolidated it into a single, long day.

If you believe that ANY course is going to teach you HOW to inspect a commercial property, you are barking up the wrong tree. Comercial inspections encompass lots of stuff. Here is ASTM's description of commercial property:

Improved real property, except a dwelling or property with four or less dwelling units exclusively for residential use. This term includes, but is not
limited to, improved real property used for industrial, retail, office, hospitality, agriculture, other commercial, medical, or educational purposes; property used for residential purposes that has more than four residential dwelling units, and property with four or less dwelling units for residential use when it has a commercial function, as in the operation of such dwellings
for profit.

The form and function may be different, but the process remains the same. it is not ntimidating if you know the standard (really understand it), know the verbiage, take a deep breath, and follow the process.

[Brian E. Kelly]

ASTM and pictures is not the answer, you are better off with ASME B codes for the first two pictures and SMACNA for the ducts in the last picture.