From: Dan Allen [mailto:
Sent: Thursday, June 2, 2016 12:40 PM
To: Cori Mackey
Subject: OPEN LETTER REGARDING MLK ELEMENTARY
June 2, 2016
Good morning Cori
1. I have reviewed the MLK elementary school boilers on 6/1/16.
2. My observations were visual and not performed using any instruments.
3. The 2 boilers in present use are not leaking. They have the necessary safety requirements such as relief valve, backflow preventer, and proper protection from the students.
4. The heating system was in operational condition at the end of the 2016 heating season.
5. The pumping system has nuisance leaks and is in need of service. However these components should be considered serviceable and not a reason to condemn.
6. The power flame burner on the operational boilers should be considered serviceable, modern, and safe for continued use. Power flame is still in business.
7. The State of Connecticut has issued boiler certificates good until heating season 2017. The state has been in this basement.
8. A quick BIN calculation reveals this building has a net heating load of 5.25 million BTU’s with leaky glass.
9. A compromised plan would be to install a module boiler system of (3) 2 million BTU boilers or (5) or (6) 1million BTU boilers in combination for the fraction of the cost.
10. The fact that the cover sheet on the report states that a minimum of 3 boilers need to be operating is ridiculous. Please find out who wrote the cover page, for they have no idea as to the ignorance of the statements. According to the statement someone wants to burn 3 boilers multiplied by 7 million BTU’s equals 21 million BTU’s in a building that on the coldest day needs 5.25 million BTU’s. 65% of all day in Connecticut temperature is above 40 degrees. This means that this building can operate nicely on 3-4 million BTU’s of boiler. This is an engineering calculation of degree day verses capacity.
11. Someone needs to take the time and do a proper assessment with calculations as to capacity, sizing, and requirements. Present calculations are based on coal not natural gas. The building has had various changes and improvements since original construction. We have to verify existing conditions. This is the time to stop guessing.
12. There is room in the basement to modernize the heating system.
13. Piping and pipe installation can be tested and not simply just thrown out. What the fan coils need is maintenance and cleaning.
Other thoughts:
If the reason for closing the school is unsafe boiler or unreliable boiler; that opinion seems to be thrown together. It appears to me that some well-meaning people have come forward citing safety concerns without understanding mechanical contracting. To the untrained eye, things that look old must need to be changed. However, with some imaginative thinking and care the heating system at MLK can be kept operational and safe for the children. Yes there are repairs to be made and perhaps a modern physical plant could be added. But they are throwing the baby out with the bath water. I am concerned the people who are making these decisions are getting their information from people with a destined interest in designing new buildings or closing schools to generate revenue.