Posts Tagged ‘Service’

What is the Purpose of an RPZ Valve?

Friday, April 19th, 2024

Sometimes, the smallest piece of equipment can make all the difference in the quality and safety of your facility. The water supply in commercial buildings is often protected by a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) valve, set up to prevent backflow of contaminated water into your clean, potable water. By installing an RPZ valve in your plumbing system, you can rest assured that you will have accessible clean water 24/7. 

ENSURING SAFE WATER SUPPLY

The primary purpose of an RPZ valve is to prevent the backflow of contaminated water into your potable water supply. Throughout plumbing and sewage systems, certain amounts of pressure are required to maintain proper flow of water. If pressure drops, non-potable water that contains various chemicals or other contaminants can potentially pass through back into clean water supplies. By creating a physical barrier between potable water and possible contaminants, you can keep your employees, guests, and your facility safe. 

IS YOUR PLUMBING SYSTEM IN COMPLIANCE?

RPZ valves and other safeguards  are becoming required more and more throughout cities, counties, and states, to help ensure the health and safety of anyone using water in your facility. Installation of RPZ valves is necessary, as is regular maintenance. 

Egan Company’s team of plumbing service professionals can visit your facility and install the right equipment and conduct regular annual maintenance on your RPZ valves. We can check that your backflow stoppage is working properly and your RPZ valves are well-maintained. In doing so, you’ll maintain compliance with the State of Minnesota, and you’ll find peace of mind that your potable water supply is safe. Remember, it is always better to schedule preventive maintenance rather than emergency service, but no matter which you need for your commercial and industrial plumbing, Egan Company can help. 

How Often Should Commercial Boilers Be Serviced?

Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Hospitals, schools, offices, retail buildings, and other industries rely on their commercial boilers to run smoothly so they can have heat and hot water year-round. Keeping commercial boilers maintained and running requires diligent service and regular checks throughout the year, especially during peak seasons. By checking your boiler with a trusted technician, you’ll find peace of mind that your equipment will be running properly and your guests, employees, and visitors will be comfortable in your buildings. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOUR COMMERCIAL BOILER BE SERVICED?

Commercial boilers are complex systems that are critical for the comfort as well as the health and safety of anyone who walks through your doors. Regular boiler maintenance helps identify and address potential issues before they escalate into major problems. Calling a trusted service contractor can help you establish a proper maintenance and service schedule, where they can catch concerns and tune up your equipment. 

The frequency of servicing commercial boilers can vary depending on several factors, such as the boiler type, age, usage, and manufacturer’s recommendations. However, as a general guideline, it is recommended to have commercial boilers serviced at least once a year. This annual servicing ensures that the system is thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and fine-tuned to maintain its efficiency and safety. Conducting annual maintenance inspections for your commercial boilers will help extend the lifespan of your equipment, and can give you peace of mind year-round. 

It is a good idea to have a service technician inspect your equipment before peak seasons, such as the winter months in Minnesota. Doing so can prevent extreme breakdowns and downtime. You can also schedule tune-ups throughout the year to ensure your boiler is running smoothly even in the summer months.

YOUR TRUSTED BOILER TECHNICIANS

Regular servicing is crucial for maintaining the performance, efficiency, and safety of commercial boilers. By scheduling annual maintenance with a trusted service contractor, you can ensure that your boiler operates at its best. Minimize downtime, reduce energy costs, and extend the lifespan of your equipment with the team at Egan. We’ll treat you and your equipment right to ensure everything is working properly and running smoothly for the comfort, health, and safety of you and everyone in your building all year round. Call our service team today to schedule your next boiler tune-up. 

Why Does Your Facility Need Drain Cleaning?

Thursday, January 25th, 2024

From preventative maintenance to emergency service, drain and pipe cleaning can make all the difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of sewer drains and pipes. Commercial sites and industrial drains need to be cleaned and maintained regularly to prevent damage and ensure proper flow. Without drain cleaning and maintenance, you may run into clogs that can turn costly quickly. 

In addition to cost and efficiency, regular drain cleaning services are necessary for commercial properties to ensure: 

PREVENTING CLOGS AND BLOCKAGES

Commercial spaces often have many people coming in and out, and facilities including restrooms, sinks, water fountains, and other systems are used frequently every day. Over time, this increased traffic can lead to debris, dirt, food, and other substances building up in drains, which can cause clogs and blockages. Regular maintenance and drain cleaning can flush the systems and prevent these issues before they become problematic. Drain cleaning and flushes keep the pipes and systems throughout your facility clean, and can prevent odors, clogs, and blockages.

Untreated  drains are hazardous and dangerous for any commercial setting. Clogged drains can become breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and other harmful pathogens. Hygiene is crucial for facilities, and neglecting drain cleaning can pose serious health risks to employees, customers, and visitors. By keeping drains clean and free from buildup, businesses can maintain a healthy environment and minimize the risk of illnesses and infections.

EXTENDING THE LIFESPAN OF PLUMBING SYSTEMS

Blocked drains can put excessive strain on plumbing systems, leading to premature wear and tear. Preventative maintenance can help reduce costly repairs and replacements of underground plumbing. Establishing a regular drain cleaning schedule with a local commercial plumbing contractor can help keep your drains and pipes operating in full and can limit potential damage. This proactive approach saves money in the long run and ensures uninterrupted operations.

Many commercial industries, such as restaurants and healthcare facilities, are subject to strict regulations regarding hygiene and wastewater management. Regular drain cleaning helps businesses comply with these regulations, avoiding potential fines and penalties. Plus, clogged drains can quickly become the source of unpleasant odors, which can turn off visitors. It is best for everyone to get ahead of it and keep your drains and piping clear! 

HOW WE CAN HELP

Keeping drain pipes clear requires key equipment and the right team leading the way. Egan Company’s plumbing and drain cleaning technicians utilize a variety of tools and equipment, including cameras that can help inspect hundreds of feet of piping to find any problems or blockages that may exist. The team then  uses high-pressure jetting, grease traps, augers, and pumping equipment to clear the drains and ensure everything is clear. Preventative measures can also help in the long-term durability and functionality of the piping. Egan’s plumbing and drain cleaning team have a large set of tools and techniques they can use in order to help your systems run smoothly. 

Looking for drain cleaning and commercial plumbing services in the Twin Cities? Egan Company’s 24/7 service can help with preventative maintenance and emergency repairs for your commercial and industrial drains, piping, and plumbing. Learn more about our service or give us a call today. 

End of the Road for Analog Communications

Monday, August 15th, 2016

It’s often said that change is the only constant – this is never truer than with technology.  By January 2017, it’ll be the end of the road for 2G service for communications systems, and the phase-out of analog in favor of digital platforms is currently underway. Continuing to use “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS) for systems could result in connectivity losses and intermittent communication fails.

Change however, is not without reward.  Some of the advantages to upgrading to IP, cellular or radio are:

  • Immediate return on investment – no monthly line costs for systems
  • Accurate monitoring and diagnostics – connection checks frequently throughout
    the day, rather than once every 24 hours
  • Little time commitment – The upgrade can be completed in one day

As the digital phase-in grows, it may be beneficial to plan your analog exit sooner rather than later to avoid interruptions.

Emergency Response Helps to Avoid Costly Property Damage

Thursday, March 12th, 2015

Egan History Image 2Since the 1960s, Egan Company has provided operational support for buildings and their internal systems. Egan’s in-house 24/7/365 call center dispatches qualified trades personnel to service building infrastructures and controls.

Our emergency response is a service many of our customers find valuable. The League of Catholic Women, a local nonprofit organization, found this service useful this past New Year’s Eve when the boiler in their unoccupied Minneapolis building was not running, causing the temperature to rapidly drop to the mid-30s.

“We were two weeks from closing on the sale of the building in Downtown Minneapolis, and the waterline ruptured,” said Fran Rusciano Murnane, Co-President of the League of Catholic Women. “Chaos would have ensued were it not for the commitment, perseverance, and ingenuity of [Egan’s] Nick Millette, Dale Bocan, and Tony Lawrence.”

The City of Minneapolis had shut off the water two days prior because of the break in the main water line. As a result, the boiler ran out of water and stopped running.

Rusciano Murnane received a recommendation to install 30 space heaters throughout the building. However, the cost to deliver 30 heaters on New Year’s Eve would have been incredibly cost prohibitive, let alone the likelihood of finding a bulk quantity of electric heaters on a holiday.

van00srevisedPromises Made

Egan determined that the best solution was to try to get the boiler running. A tool was created that extracted water from the water heater into the boiler. The boiler ran for the next three to five days so water could continue to be forced into it.

Once a sufficient amount of water was fed into the boiler, it was safely turned on and the building began heating again. However, it was soon determined that another city waterline had ruptured that hadn’t yet been discovered. As a result, the waterlines inside the building were not draining, so the potential for additional burst pipes throughout the 20,000 square foot facility was very probable, resulting in extensive property damage.

Egan drained the water from the building fixtures and waterlines, but soon encountered a new problem: these two ruptured waterlines had caused water to leak through the exterior wall into the electrical room near the electrical panel.

As a result, the electrical components needed repair, but the situation was deemed unsafe with water still over the electrical panel.
Once the City shut off the waterline and the environment was safe, all damaged electrical components were repaired within five days of the initial service request.

Promises Kept

The League of Catholic Women was able to successfully close on the sale of their newly purchased building and avoid any costly property damage.

“I am in awe of the professionalism, skill, intelligence, and kindness of Nick, Tony, and Dale. Each of these gentlemen demonstrated the utmost concern in dealing with a dire situation on New Year’s Eve,” Rusciano Murnane said. “In an era of decreasing concern for the customer, these three concerned individuals exhibited the best training and outcomes that anyone could hope or expect.”

(The Egan team mentioned here includes: Nick Millette, HVAC Service Pipefitter; Dale Bocan, Plumber; Tony Lawrence, Electrician.)