The effects of the shutdown are being felt all across this great nation, but especially here in Washington DC. Not only are federal workers on furlough and federal buildings closed, but government contract renewals are also on hold, affecting numerous privately-owned businesses. But perhaps the most interesting effect of the government shutdown is on building and equipment maintenance. When there is no government funding or government employees working in these buildings, what happens when an issue arises with the mechanical equipment?
The Effect of the Government Shutdown on Building & HVAC Equipment Maintenance
Here is a case in point. While a major government agency headquarters building in DC is closed because of the government shutdown, a contractor is working in the building, remodeling one of the floors. One night he noticed an issue in one of the rooms, a temperature-controlled walk-in box, where historical photos are archived. The thermostat reading for the room was creeping up to an unacceptable temperature. If this trend continued, the photographs could deteriorate. The contractor called us that evening to see if a service technician could come out the same evening to diagnose the problem. Because of the government shutdown, we are not currently funded to perform service and repairs. However, knowing the importance of the photo archives, our service tech, Joey Donithan, offered to help, even though he was not on call that night.
Joey agreed that the temperature for the photo storage room was outside of the acceptable range based on this application, at 48 degrees. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity affect photographs, so it’s critical that they are stored in just the right conditions.
Joey ran some diagnostics and observed bubbles in the sight glass, indicating the Copeland Scroll split system was low on charge. To quickly solve the problem, he added three pounds of R-22 refrigerant to get the superheat to 10 degrees. This brought the temperature back to within the desired reading at 36 degrees, ensuring that the photographs will be preserved.
Both the subcontractor and the government agency were appreciative of our quick response and going above and beyond what was expected to help them solve their problem.
Crockett Facilities Services’ experienced service technicians use all their senses to accurately diagnose and solve issues. Call 202.600.2787, email sales@crockett-facilities.com or complete our online form for a service quote. CFSI provides 24/7 commercial HVAC and mechanical services throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, targeting property managers, building owners, and facility/IT managers responsible for data centers and computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units.