Please Help With Some Questions

Greenhorn

I am a recent graduate from college and have obtained a job at a firm that specializes in medical renovations of hospitals. I have worked there for nearly 3 weeks. I have been working with alot of contractors and now my boss has gave me a sort of "test". Unfortunately these questions do not have answers that are easily found...I've been searching for hours and that lead me to this website. I would really appreciate any help. He gave me 25, but only have a few left.

-the difference in Spiral Duct, Regular Duct and Dual Wall Insulated...and what are the applications of each??

-I found from this website that ductboard can't be used in hospitals. But why??

-Two major air conditioner types and differences...he said the hint is ones internal and external. That kinda confuses me.

Celtic

If you are a "safety manager" why would care about what material is being installed?

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Teetorbilt

Good choice of jobs! My BIL specializes in medical building and hasn't been hit like most contractors.

I'm not an HVAC guy but the duct work in hospitals is cleaned on a regular basis, this would eliminate many types of commercial duct.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

D.Foster

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Do what you would do, as if i won't Do anything after you Did It!

RayGoerdt

check out

foremostduct.com

it may help

Greenhorn

As I said, I'm fresh out of school...just working with the safety manager now and training to become an assistant project manager. Thanks tho.

Greenhorn

Thanks man I really appreciate it.

Celtic

IMHO, the best PM is one that has come up "through the ranks".
No offense GH, but it takes more than book learnin' .

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Greenhorn

Yea I love the job...just alot to learn. The area you remodel is always next to a working wing so the regulations are very strict. Im really excited about my future.

Greenhorn

Definately understand that...and its something my boss does too. I begin working in the field for 12-18 months next week.

bwalley

Spiral duct is metal duct made ina spiral manor, not sure what he means by "Regular Duct", dual wall insulated duct is just as the name implies, dual wall and insulated, the insulation is between the inner and outer wall.

By regular duct, he may mean Fiberglass duct board, which isn't typically used in Hospitals.

Duct board is porous, not a good idea to be used in Hospitals.

You may want to get the SMACNA Manual, HVAC Duct Contstruction Standards, Metal and Flexible.

I am not sure what he means by internal and external air conditioner types, most hospitals and larger buildings use a Chiller, and water source heat pumps, some may use split systems and package units as well or a combination.

Are you working for a Mechanical Contractor or a GC?

What was your major in college?

Celtic

12 - 18 months?
To learn it all ??
From material runs....to install...to layout , etc ???

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dirt diggler

i give you a for your effort to be resourceful. Shows some initiative at least.


now, if you were my employee - here is how you would really impress me:


Find the gentleman in charge of the HVAC on your site(s). Don't just go up and start askin questions though (you'll likely just get a smart ass answer). Just start bullsh*ttin with him at first. Hell, talk about the Super Bowl, the weather - whatever.

Get to be buddies - but not like to the point that you have a beer with him after work. No - I mean, to the point where he at least knows your name and acknowledges you to some degree when you're onsite with him. Find the right time - during a smoke break, whatever - and just go over and talk to him about what he's doing. Don't start asking direct questions like you did above. Let him start telling you information - and listen. And make sure that he knows that you understand [now] what he's saying and that you appreciate it. But don't thank him out loud.


Now, you'll accomplish one huge thing that they don't teach you in college - and that's networking. It is a skill far more valuable than any diploma (btw I am not criticizing education here - that is important too). But the ability to network is invaluable.

In other words - it's not the gaining of information that would impress me. It would be your ability to network. I just cannot emphasize how great of a skill this is to have in life.

Especially at your age, because you're just kinda getting out there and seeing how the world works. Congratulations on graduating from school. Life isn't about answering a bunch of multiple choice questions, with cited sources. When and if you can realize that - you will find that life (and learning) is quite fun



btw - I've given this same type of test to guys before. It's not so much the "right answer" that I'm looking for ... it's a) that they had the initiative to search for it and b) how they searched for it - that's what I'm looking at.


Remember ... life isn't a multiple choice test. It's a shame that this is the way education is structured. But that's a whole different thread.

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Thanks in advance!!!

rustyjames

The spiral is easier to clean since it's round, and inherently stronger. There are other reasons as well, but I'm not going to do all your homework. Read up on chilled water systems too.

Bodger

Just as a follow-up to what Dirt said:
I learned a lot from older tradesmen on jobs by asking them to talk about themselves first.
Like "How long have you been doing this, how did you start in this business, are you originally from here," etc.

I've found that nothing gets people talking like asking them to talk about themselves first. It sets the tone for you to interject questions that can get you the info you're looking for.

Just my .02 on it.