Report to Chief July 20, 2010
Apparatus & Equipment Testing: The Pump service & testing has been performed on both Eng 8 & 18 and is done for another year.
In the Process of setting up a test date for the ladder testing.
Apparatus:
Eng 9 (Old) Taken to the scrap yard on June 24. Received $1096.60. (21,360 lbs. $102.68 Per ton.)
Eng 9 New: Received the truck back from the repairs on July 19th.
Eng-18. In addition to the pump being service & tested, the Jacobs’s engine brake does not work. I was awaiting the return of eng 9 and return to service before removing this truck from service and scheduling the repairs to the Jacob’s engine brake.
Eng-8 Ed Boughton (Pump guy) was able to fix the Jacobs eng brake when he serviced & tested the pumps. Prior to the repair, if the switch for the engine brake was on, and the pump was engaged, the brake would activate, and stall the truck. It was a wiring issue and that problem has been corrected.
Station Electrical issue: Sometime this past spring (don’t remember the exact date) there was a power outage in the area. 3 of the ballast resisters in the hall way lights burned out. These lights are constantly on. Nolan electric was contacted and they replaced the ballast resisters no charge. (covered under the 1 year station warrantee. )
On July 3, there was another power outage in the area. Again, another light ballast burned out. (Same area, hallway lights).
On July 5th there was a power issue in the area. First the lights flickered, then a brown out, then loss of power, and then lights back on. This entire episode only lasted approximately 1 minute. Again, another light ballast burned out. (Same area, hallway lights).
I contacted Jeff Nolan (Nolan Electric) regarding the lights. He stopped in and confirmed that there are ballast resisters out. He is going to attempt to get them replaced under warrantee. But also stated he would absorb the cost if he was unable to get the ballast resisters replaced free of charge.
I emailed Peter Dispigno (Electrical engineer on this building) and described the problems we were encountering. He seemed to think it could either be an issue with the Generator or a low voltage issue from National Grid. Email attached.
I also spoke with Jeff Nolan about this issue. There is testing equipment available to monitor, and record incoming power with day, date & time stamps. It is very expensive to rent. (4 units, 1 week, $2300) I am working on borrowing some testing equipment for a longer period of time at no cost.
My reasoning for bringing this subject up is this. At some point the warrantee will run out on the building. We will be responsible for the cost of any electrical items that burn out due to power issues. If there is an issue with the electrical system in the building let’s find & fix the problem before the warrantee expires.
If this problem continues there maybe surge protectors that we may want to look into and budget for in the future to avoid the problems of lights or computers burning out.
Below is the email I sent to Peter Dispigno, the electrical engineer for the station Project. The second paragraph is Peter’s reply back to me.
Hello Peter
You designed the electrical system at our new fire station here in Coventry.
We have a couple of issues and would like to ask some questions.
Let me explain the problem.
On July 3, early morning we lost power from National grid. The generator
kicked on as it should.
Somewhere in the process of losing power & the generator kicking on, the
ballast resister in one of the 2'x 2' florescent lights in the hall way
burned out.
Again on July 6th the same thing happened. Loss of power, generator kicked
on, loss of a ballast resister in another 2' x 2' florescent light. These
lights are wired to remain on all the time.
Also in the July 6th power loss we may have burned out a motor for one of
the blower units for the heat & A\C.
Can't say for sure as of yet, because SASA has not fixed the problem.
When I spoke with Jeff Nolan (Electrician who did the construction
electrical) he said the ballast resisters have circuit boards in them.
Questions:
What could be causing the ballast resisters to burn out?
Spikes in the electrical system from national Grid?
Could it be something on the generator side when the transfer switch changes
over?
Is there any way to test or check for spikes? Some sort of recording
meter?
Is there a way to check the generator for this problem?
If it is a spike from National Grid would a surge protector help with this
problem?
If it is something on the generator side, what would cause it and how do we
figure it out & fix it?
I realize a surge protector that would cover the entire building would be
expensive, but it may be worth it in the long run.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Bob Mann, Western Coventry FD. 397-7520
Bob,
I'm sorry that you are having difficulties.
My first impression is that there is a generator problem. I think that the
recording meter is your best first test. I would use a different
electrician, just in case Nolan did something wrong. JJ O'Rourke in Warwick
does a lot of testing, and good work. 401-785-9850. I would record the
voltage on the load side of the transfer switch with a machine that could
record fast enough to measure any spikes or dips. This could measure both
the grid and the generator, and the transition between them.
There are surge protectors that would cover the whole building, and only
cost a few hundred dollars. I suspect that your problem would be below the
surge protector's radar, and not really help. I am guessing that the problem
is more of a voltage sag problem than a voltage surge.
Peter
Peter DiSpigno, PE
Creative Environment Corp.
50 Office Parkway
East Providence, RI 02914
ph: 401.438.7733
fx: 401.438.7620
pdispigno@cec-engineering.com
Grants: Everyone is aware of the $49,000 DHS grant that was submitted. $40,000 for the cascade system & $9000 for the training.
Cascade system: The cascade system has been ordered and should be shipped (to WCFD) the week of July 19th. After it is shipped, it has to be put in place & vented by us. Wired by a licensed electrician. Then the service representative will be contacted to start up the unit and show us the proper operation.
Training: The initial grant request for training included $6000 for FFI & $3000 for FFII. Prior to receiving the DHS grant we obtained outside money to host the FFI class. In early February 2010 we received a 10 question survey from DHS, basically asking if we wanted the grant. (This is a normal process with the Feds.) In the questionnaire, with Board Member Novak, and Chief Pomfret reviewing and approving the responses, I replied back to DHS that we had chased other money and received it for the FFI class. I asked if we could use the monies to host other NFPA approved classes. (Driver Operator, & Fire Officer). The Questionnaire was approved (by DHS) and WCFD subsequently received the grant award allowing us to spend the money, or so I thought. In early July I received an email stating that the semi-annual performance report on the grant was due. I wrote and submitted the semi-annual performance report. Dave Parr from DHS contacted me asking for justification on how I received approval to spend the money on the driver operator, and fire officer class. I emailed him my documentation with my reasons for believing the money was approved. Dave Parr reviewed my paperwork and said he understood my thought process, but that I still needed to file a grant amendment request to DHS. This request asked for permission to spend the money on the driver operator & fire officer classes. Dave informed me that my addition request was basically a formality but it needed to be done. He also said that this request should be approved.
As of July 20, 2010 I have not heard back from DHS either approving or denying my request.
Regards
Robert S. Mann, Fire Captain