Ps. As the furnace condensation line and the furnace itself will now actually function, CCL should conduct a quick check of (pour maybe 5 gal of water down?) the floor drain in the small NW room where the condensation line terminates, and verify the function of the sump pump if it is still there (and connected to power?), in order to ensure this drain has not possibly become blocked during its recent tenure of disuse. If it has become blocked, CCL should contact Albion plumbing or some equivalent outfit specializing in drain clearing. I would prefer if CCL undertook this diagnostic work when it can (given the rainy season is also approaching) and report back the results if possible?

Merci,
David 

On Mon, Oct 18, 2021 at 22:48 David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

As of today, mechanical maintenance on the furnace and space heater in CCL / Sudo has completed. 

The remaining task relating to the furnace specifically is more thoroughly assessing (and potentially improving) the structural integrity of the furnace’s platform — potential impacts / schedule of which is TBD. 

The following tasks completed: 

A. Furnace in CCL/Sudo (serving disco Rm): 

- replacement of blower motor & fuse, 

- installation of unit-adjacent service receptacles, 

- installation & test of water pump for condensation line, 

- replacement of existing air filter with a finer MERV-13-style (equivalent HD-branded version) filter. Note this filter will need to be periodically replaced on a going basis, interval of which is unknown but is dependent on the frequency of use of this heater and is not anticipated to be overly frequent. 

- successful test activation of furnace / thermostat. We confirmed the thermostat allows the fan to kick on without the heat if that is desired (to just filter air). 

B. Space heater in CCL/Sudo (serving same): 

- Successful test / activation,

- Moving its on/off switch from high up in CCL’s BSL over to an accessible height in common area near north entry to CCL / Sudo, 

- Replacement of on/off switch with a 1-hr timer switch (thanks to jake for supplying this fixture)

Note: the feasibility of potentially macgyver’ing a MERV-13 air filter onto the space heater (which has no built-in facility for an air filter) was assessed, but determined to be too much of an unknown safety-wise and there is no plan to do this at this time. 

C. For both heaters

- Basic Installation of off-the-shelf smoke/CO and natural gas/CO alarms in a reachable area above and roughly between the furnace and space heater. Ideally these would be placed on the ceiling, but it was determined that the ceiling was not safe to reach without a taller ladder or scaffolding. (If CCL or Sudo desires this, let me know.) 

These alarm units should not be considered sufficient for today’s code standards for a commercial space. They are in effect ad-hoc and are intended mainly as being much better than nothing, as was previously the case. By comparison, a ‘one-go, all-go’ monitored, interconnected wireless alarm system (with far more modules) would be the preferred install for this room and the building. 

The present alarm install should be seen as a stopgap until community funds are provided to achieve a more standard and expansive commercial detection and notification system in this room and throughout omni. 

There will be three distinct alarm patterns for smoke, CO, or natural gas. Please read / redistribute / make an meeting agenda item for identifying the below patterns: 

Gas/CO detector - Natural Gas detected
1/2-second beep, 1/2-second silence, repeating. On A/C power this repeats indefinitely. 

During a power outage (on battery power), it it repeats for the first four minutes then changed to every 60 seconds to conserve battery. 

Gas/CO detector - CO (carbon monoxide) detected
4 quick beeps followed by 5 seconds of silence, repeating. 

During a power outage, (on battery power), it it repeats for the first four minutes then changed to every 60 seconds to conserve battery. 

Gas/CO detector: - Both Natural gas & CO detected: Alarm priority in this unit is for CO. If both are detected, it will only alarm for CO. 

Smoke/CO detector - Smoke detected
Should be 3 long beeps, repeating.

Smoke/CO detector - CO detected
Should be 4 quick beeps, then a pause, repeating.

Note the gas/co detector is fed by A/C but has a 9V battery backup in event of power outage — If an extended power outage occurs or eventually the 9V will die and the unit will chirp annoyingly until the 9V is replaced. Whereas the smoke/co detector is not wired to A/C, and has an integrated 10-year lithium ion battery, so it is not impacted by power outages and should take a decade to start the ‘replace me’ chirp. 

To hush either of these alarms in the event a false positive, unfortunately requires physical proximity, ie a ladder up to the furnace platform. 

Thank you to community members Dave A., Theresa H., Patrik, Michael and Sarah for assisting this process. 

Best,
David 

On Sun, Oct 17, 2021 at 22:46 David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi again,

Receptacles were successfully increased today to the furnace area in CCL / Sudo, along the upper area of the north wall.

Tomorrow Monday 10/18 in the AM, the hvac tech is scheduled replace the furnace blower motor. We will also endeavor to install smoke, CO, and natural gas detectors on the wall surface above both the furnace and the space heater. 

If the furnace repair is successful, there are two more pending tasks relating to this furnace. One is to install a small water pump on the west side of the furnace platform, to ensure the condensation line does not back up into the heater as before. The second is to assess the structural design and integrity of the platform (with input from an S.E.), and make any improvements that may be warranted to the platform, such as relating to apparent prior water damage, etc. The ETA for both these tasks is still TBD. 

As a reminder, electrical maintenance will be conducted beginning tomorrow AM in Sudo Room portion of the space. Internet access may be affected during this time. 

Best,
David 

On Sat, Oct 16, 2021 at 19:53 David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
All,

1. Planned: Tomorrow Sunday 10/17, an electrician may install a new receptacle up at the furnace height. This will involve the placement of tall ladder against the north wall adjacent to the heater, which may in turn block access to storage below the heater. 

This work is to facilitate a subsequent installation of: 

- a small self-contained water pump to be situated near the heater, in order to actively push condensation down the furnace drip line - which had previously backed up to damage the furnace (precipitating it’s repair) and the wood platform it sits upon

- an off-the-shelf natural gas and CO monitor to be installed somewhat above the furnace and space heater, as this monitor will require continuous power. This is to assist notification in the event a pilot becomes unlit or a natural gas leak, whose odor may not otherwise be as rapidly detected given the double-height ceilings in this room. 

2. Completed: The CCL/Sudo space heater’s on/off switch has been successfully moved out of CCL’s small BSL, over to the door jamb at the north entry to the room  — and, the on/off has been replaced with a 1-hour timer dial. It should be safe to once again engage this heater. 

As always feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. 

Best,
David // 415-430-8362 

On Thu, Oct 14, 2021 at 20:24 David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all,

- HVAC work on the furnace in CCL / Sudo is now scheduled for this Monday 10/18 in the AM. 

- A reminder than the Electrician moving the space heater switch will be on-site tomorrow Friday 10/15 in AM. The space heater will not be available for use until this work is complete. I will send a message on this thread when the work is completed and it is once more safe for use. Note the new space heater switch will be a timer switch. 

Best,
David 

On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 16:47 David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
* this Friday, 10/15.

On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 4:44 PM David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all, 

1. The HVAC servicing of the disco room furnace (mounted up on CCL/Sudo's north wall) has been bumped from this week to next week, exact day/time TBD - I will let CCL know when that is as soon as I find out. Also, for those inquiring after it, click here to view the HVAC contractor's Certificate of Insurance (COI). 

2. Electrical maintenance will be conducted this Friday 9/15 at ~9am to relocate CCL/Sudo's large space heater switch to a more accessible and common location, as previously described. This will involve the electrician entering CCL's BSL. If anyone has any further questions or comments about this work, please let me know prior to Friday. Thanks!

Best,
David 

On Sun, Oct 10, 2021 at 12:59 PM Patrik D'haeseleer <patrikd@gmail.com> wrote:
Sounds good - thanks,  David!

Patrik


On Sun, Oct 10, 2021, 12:01 PM David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi CCL & Sudo, 

1. On Monday 10/11, CCL Lab Manager Dave A. is scheduled to carefully clean the furnace mounted overhead on CCL’s north wall, in order to reduce the potential future disturbance of excessive dust during planned furnace maintenance. Please contact David A. (cc’d) for more info or to assist.

2. Following Dave’s work on 10/11, two maintenance tasks are projected to be undertaken sometime this week. 

The exact day and time for each task is not yet known, and it is unlikely we will get more than one day’s advance notice, which will be promptly passed on to CCL / Sudo as soon as received. 

- Electrical: Relocating the space heater’s on/off switch from highish up in the BSL, to a more accessible height near the north doorway into CCL/Sudo room, where it will be replaced with a timer switch. This work is not anticipated to precipitate an excessive disturbance of dust, and should not impact electrical service to this room. However, the electrician will be working in this area, likely on a ladder, which may temporarily block access to some of the freezers et al in CCL’s NE area, for approximately <2h (barring unforeseen circumstances). 

- Furnace: 
The blower (and air filter) for the furnace in this room is due to be replaced by an HVAC professional. With the area cleaned in advance per item 1 above, it is not anticipated to involve the disturbance of excessive dust. It is not anticipated that this work will impact electrical service to CCL. The work will involve the placement of a large ladder below / adjacent to this furnace, impacting access to cabinets & storage below the furnace. 

To reduce Omni’s labor costs, I would ask CCL/Sudo members to please allow these technicians the elbow room needed to safely complete their work with a minimum of conversation, barring of course any safety concerns. Rather, if anyone has any questions about the above planned work, as always please feel free to contact me directly at any time. 

Many thanks everyone,
David // 415-430-8362
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