HomeMy WebLinkAbout4315 JOHN F KENNEDY PKWY - CORRESPONDENCE - 2/7/1997To all that is involved:
Friday, February 07, 1997
From: OLD TIME SHEET METAL
910 W. VINE DR.
FORT COLLINS, CO. 80521
970-493-3796
This letter is in regards to the project at ]FK parkway TRAC homes:
—This letter is to update and iof6mi'ill that if involved with the problems that have occured.
One, is that the gas presure to the furnaces in all of the units are unsatisfactory to the specifications of
the furnace manufacture "Goodman manufacturing Co." These specs are to be no less than 5" 1-12o
water column and no more than 7"H2o water column. The pressure was tested by Dan Graham of Old
Time Sheet Metal in the presence of john and Mark Meleski of Trac Homes and Norman Graham of
Old Time Sheet Metal. The initial reading was 16" H2o water column. After adjusting the regulator
the 7" reading was abtained but upon fire up of the furnace the presure dropped to 4" the presure is
not within the factory specs of the heating equipment. After many extensive discussions the factory rep
for the gas piping system was contacted. His testament to the situation was that the design of the piping
was that the systems piping chart allowed the system to run at 8" 1-12o water column and to have a 3"
drop, thus not able to meet the specs of the furnace manufactor or to meet any heating manufactures
specs. At that time, the City of Fort Collins Building Inspection Department was contacted. A
meeting was set up with all field inspectors and Mike Gebo (Chief Field Inspector) and Felix Lee (Chief
Building Inspector) along with myself (Dan Graham) and the gas pipe rep. At this meeting many
questions were brought up like the difference In specification of the two manufatures there were no
resolution to the problem only more problems.
Point number two, at this meeting, was this piping an approved product. The interesting answer was
that uniform mechanical code has a listing for it, but it is NOT an approved product. Since the City
of Fort Collins is currently observing this code book as law and if it makes any exceptions -it must have a
written addendum, which I could not find. We must assume this product is not to code. Also at this
meeting many safety issues were discussed: 1- nail plates to drop 5" below top plates to prevent
penetrating the pipe since it is easily puncutured. 2- kinks in the pipe not to be less than a 3" radius. 3-
wall penetrations to be secured. All three of these Items were in violation in the 8 plex and should be
re-examend for the safety of the occupants. This is no light issue since we are talking about natural gas.
Another issue was addressed wich is a technical issue 1 will try to explain. This gas line system is a two
stage system meaning that 2 pounds of gas is brought into the building and a pressure regulator is
installed in this case next to the furnace. The problem there is the regulator that is used is a non lock
down reg . This means that the reg can fail in the open position supplying 2 pounds of gas to the
furnace. When this happens there is the possibility that the gas valve in the furnace can rupture , if this
happens while the furnace is under fire it can potentialy be dangerous. All of these topics were
discussed at the meeting with the City, it seems there were no acknowledgment of urgency. I am of
the opinion that no one understood this problem or there would have been action to discontinue the
use of this hazard.
Since there has been no action this letter is to inform everyone involved that OLD TIME SHEET
METAL has informed all parties and from this time forward takes no responsibility for property or life in
this situation. We also withdraw any warranty labor or material since this is against any manufacturing
specifaction pertaining gas pressure to Goodman Manufacturing Co. We would like to extend our
companys experience to resolve this problem, but we will have to insist on prompt response, and we will
also have to approve any ideas before Old Time Sheet Metal will re -instate any warrantees. I would be
happy to talk to anyone involved, please call at 970-493.3796.
Sincerely, -Dan Graham
• cc Trac: Larry Dunn 424 Pine #203 Fort Collins, CO. 80521
• City Attorney: 300 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, CO. 80521
• City of Fort Collins biding and zonining Dept.: 281 North College Avenue Fort Collins, CO.
80524
• Mark Meleski: 728 Duke Square Fort Collins, Co. 80525
• John Meleski: 2619 Featherstar Way Fort Collins, CO. 80526
• Poudre Fire Authority: 102 Remmington Fort Collins, CO. 80524
HVAC supply, Inc.: 1155 West Evans Avenue Denver, CO. 80223
• Goodman Mfg Co.: 1501 Seamist Houston, Texas 77008
12 Parkway Townhomes Res.: )FK Parkway Fort Collins, CO. 80526