Bringing Life Back to the Dayton Business District

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

Since 1902, the Dayton Arcade has been a special and historic staple in the Dayton community. TP is very proud to be a part of the building’s revitalization and its impact on improving the Dayton Business District. The renovated arcade will feature space for retail, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, 20 floors of residential space and more including a section known as The Hub, which is a joint venture between the University of Dayton and The Entrepreneurs Center. The Hub itself will total over 100,000 sf of retail space, featuring classrooms, offices and coworking space. The newly renovated Arcade will begin to open early this year.

Our team is performing a large amount of the plumbing and HVAC work, as well as installing new fire protection systems throughout the seven-building complex.

Due to the historic nature of the Arcade, certain steps have been taken to preserve the history, architecture and art that decorate the structure of this once alluring building. This includes leaving the ornamental sculptures that adorn the walls of the five-story rotunda and saving glass pieces and floors that were untouched during renovations. Our team, along with the other contractors, have worked around these relics (instead of removing and replacing) to preserve the elegance and beauty of the complex.

TP’s project manager, Mike Neri, is proud of everything being done to make the new vision a reality. When the project team entered the building for the first time, it was vacant and run-down. For Mike, it has been fascinating to see the transformation, making any challenges well worth it. “I am really impressed with my team and I’ve seen them step-up to the plate on this project. They have pushed as hard as they can and have done so well,” said Mike.

More About the Original Building

The Arcade was originally built in 1902 as a marketplace that existed into the mid 1900’s. Many people remember it as the place to go. It was beautiful, elegant and had everything you could think of all-in-one place. In the 1980’s, the Arcade began to see a decrease in retail activity which ultimately led to its closure in 1990. For almost 30-years, the space has been sitting vacant. Now renovations and restorations are underway to bring this historical building back to life and we cannot wait to see the finished product!

Other Team Members:

Cross Street Partners, Developer

Model Group, General Contractor

TP Field Management Team:

Mike Neri, Project Manager

Bridget Ellis, HVAC/Plumbing Project Manager

Mitchell Hockenberry, Fire Protection Superintendent

Brian Darding, Fire Protection Superintendent

Michael Hirschbach, HVAC/Plumbing Superintendent

TP Implements New Fabrication Method – Fully Prefabricated Mechanical Rooms

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

In today’s ever-changing construction environment, TP Mechanical continues to adapt and innovate. We know the challenges of large-scale construction projects, and for over thirty years we’ve answered them with our market-leading, quality-driven fabrication division. As a leader in the fabrication industry, TP continues to push the envelope with new technology and capabilities. We are proud and excited to announce we are now building and pre-assembling entire mechanical rooms in our fabrication facilities.

There are many benefits to pre-assembling a mechanical room offsite. TP’s Distribution Center is an extremely safe and controlled environment where production continues even when there is inclement weather. With a portion of the project’s manpower shifting from the jobsite to our distribution center, onsite assembly requires less time while still achieving a seamless installation process. This strategy also ensures we have eliminated any and all issues before the field installation occurs. This high-level prefabrication allows for us to avoid jobsite delays and meet strict deadlines, which is a continued priority for all our projects.

TP Mechanical was thrilled to utilize this strategy for a new central energy plant at Big Walnut Schools with general contractor, Gilbane Building Company. This energy plant is equipped to provide a total of 1500 tons cooling capacity, twenty-four million BTU’s of heating, which supports the over 350,000 square feet for the new Big Walnut High School and Prairie Run Elementary.

To ensure the installation of piping and equipment went as effortlessly and fast as possible, TP built the entire mechanical room in our 100,000 square foot distribution center. This energy plant consists of (4) six million BTU boilers, (3) 500-ton chillers, hydronic pumps, (2) air separators, (2) expansion tanks, a chemical feeder, (3) 1500-gallon cooling towers, a makeup water system and more.

The mechanical room was completely pre-assembled while the energy plant structure was simultaneously being built.  Once the building was dried-in, the pre-assembled portion of the mechanical room was broken down into segments, then shipped to the jobsite to allow for an efficient and expedited installation. From disassembly to reassembly on-site, the process was performed in a period of four days.

To learn more about TP’s fabrication division, visit https://www.tpmechanical.com/fabrication/. Discover how our team offers unparalleled skill with sophisticated software to generate innovative, customized solutions for your primary challenges.

TP Mechanical: Committed to Federal Work and GSA Approved

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

After an extensive application process, TP Mechanical is excited to announce we have been approved to provide federal work through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). GSA Schedules (also referred to as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and Federal Supply Schedules) are long-term governmentwide contracts with commercial firms providing federal, state, and local government buyers access to more than 11 million commercial supplies (products) and services at volume discount pricing. For buyers, Schedules saves your agency time and money. For industry, Schedules are your direct link to the government contracting community.

Since receiving the Schedule Title, Facilities Maintenance and Management, TP is poised for work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is one of the largest and most important bases in the U.S. Airforce. The base is headquarters for the Air Force’s worldwide logistics system, a state-of-the-art laboratory research function, and is the most prominent acquisition and development center in the U.S. Air Force.*

Stanley Garber, TP’s Government Contract Manager, leads TP’s efforts on the base for which he is uniquely suited.  With 24 years of experience at the base, he works on site in a self-contained office for TP Mechanical. Although TP was involved with work at the base in the past, our presence was limited.  Now, Stanley, who began working for TP at Wright-Patterson in November 2016, provides that presence. “I take the privilege to heart every day,” he says.

In the future, TP hopes to expand their GSA services beyond Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and develop business in other regions, including Fort Campbell and Fort Knox. For now, TP is looking forward to working on GSA projects as we head into the busy procurement season.

 *For more information about Wright-Pat Airforce Base visit their website at https://www.wpafb.af.mil/.

Project Spotlight: Norwood Middle School Renovation for Norwood City Schools

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

 

The original building of Norwood Middle School, which houses students in grades 6, 7 and 8, was built over 100 years ago, in 1914. Although the school was renovated in 1965 and again in the mid-1980s, the school began another major renovation to update facilities in early 2018.

Charles Douglas, who happens to be a Norwood alumnus (‘91), serves as the onsite superintendent for TP Mechanical. The TP team, including Douglas and project manager Michael Schneider, started with demolition of the existing mechanical systems followed by new duct work and the installation of a VRV system. This project is a significant upgrade as prior to this renovation, the 148,000 square foot school building used steam radiators for heat and was without central air conditioning.

The age of the building has revealed several unknowns and challenged the team to think creatively. SHP, the architect & engineer, and Monarch Construction continue to help provide imaginative and cost-effective solutions enabling the team to stay on schedule and minimize disruptions to the occupied facility.

Currently TP Mechanical is about 80% complete on this project, with full completion of the renovation in the west wing and nearing completion of the east wing in March. Part of the project involved completing the field house during phase two—just in time for basketball season.

This was TP’s first project with Norwood City Schools; we have built strong relationships and look forward to future projects within the district. Norwood City School District has been providing quality education in the Greater Cincinnati area for more than 100 years and includes three elementary schools, one preschool and one high school in addition to Norwood Middle School.

TP Mechanical Team:

  • Project Manager: Michael Schneider
  • Site Superintendent: Charles Douglas
  • Sheet Metal Foreman: Josh Schaffer
  • Sheet Metal Team: Jacob Stauffer, Robert Gilley
  • Refrigeration Lead: Greg Porter
  • Refrigeration Team: Matt Halusek

Project Partners:

Spotlight: From Apprentice to President and CEO

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

When Bill Riddle joined TP Mechanical 34 years ago, it was through an opening in the apprenticeship program. At just 19 years old, he started as TP Mechanical’s 38th apprentice.  

It’s uncommon for a company CEO to come from a field background, and as such, Bill flips traditional management on its head and leverages success from a “field-first” point of view. He understands and relays to the entire team that quality work in the field is the lifeblood of the company. Bill himself also takes daily calls from TP customers to personally address and help solve their needs. This innate ability to roll-up his sleeves, help and resolve issues for clients is a value instilled all those years ago in the apprenticeship program.

After completing his four-year apprenticeship, Bill became a project superintendent and later earned his plumbing license. He moved from the field into the office in 1996 following a performance review during which he mentioned his interest in becoming a project manager. Bill later became a VP Regional Manager for Cincinnati operations until 2011, when he was named company president.

His current role as president and CEO began in 2015. Much has changed since Bill was an apprentice, including the work capacity of TP Mechanical. What hasn’t changed is the priority to get the job done right; to stand behind the people; and set a high bar for quality work in the field.

About TP’s Apprentice Program

The apprentice program is an important feeder for TP’s workforce. It consists of a minimum of 8,000 on-the-job training hours and 576 hours of classroom learning over the course of four years. The best leaders and the best results come from the program – a direct result of TP’s investment in its employees and the future. The apprentice program is the key to recruiting and filling the field jobs; it enables TP Mechanical to educate their own employees and guarantees the highest quality employees for the future. Learn more about the program by visiting https://www.tpmechanical.com/apprenticeship-program-detail/

Three Tips to Prevent Heat Stress and Heat-induced Illnesses on a Jobsite

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

Safety First, Always First.

With summer upon us and temperatures rising, it is important to understand the risk factors of heat stress and take precautions to avoid it and other heat-induced illnesses.

Heat stress generally occurs when spending long periods of time outside in excessive heat, and symptoms typically include physical exhaustion, cramping, rashes and dehydration. In the most severe cases, heat stroke may occur, which can result in confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness and even death.

“Heat stress is certainly something we take seriously,” says Jamie Absher, Safety Specialist at TP Mechanical. “Our employees are outside on jobsites daily during the warmer months, and their health and safety is our foremost priority.”

There are a variety of factors that put anyone at a higher risk of experiencing heat stress, including:

  • High temperatures and humidity
  • Direct sun exposure
  • Not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
  • Physical exertion
  • Limited air movement
  • Bulky or heavy personal protective equipment or clothing
  • Radiant heat sources (vehicle and equipment engines, hot manufacturing processes, etc.)
  • Certain medications (e.g., diuretics, antihypertensives and anticholinergics)
  • Physical conditioning and health conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, influenza, etc.)
  • Lack of recent heat exposure (not acclimatized)
  • Age of 65 or higher

To mitigate the above risk factors and prevent heat stress, here are three strategies to employ on your jobsite:

  1. Implement a heat safety plan. It is important to train workers on the risk factors, symptoms and health effects of heat stress, as well has how to respond to a heat illness incident. Establishing someone as a heat safety leader on the jobsite to manage the heat safety plan and monitor workers is another way to be proactive. When possible, it is also beneficial to utilize modified work schedules to schedule more physically demanding and non-essential outdoor work during cooler times of the day.
  2. Stay hydrated. NIOSH recommends that for moderate activity in moderate conditions, each worker should drink one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes. Keep fluids – especially water – readily available to workers on the jobsite. Employers should also consider providing urine color charts near toilet facilities so workers can monitor their hydration level throughout the day.
  3. Keep cool. Our bodies naturally produce heat, even during rest, so being sure to cool off during physical exertion is key to avoiding heat stress. Regular breaks should be taken in air conditioned or shaded, breezy areas. Avoiding non-essential bulky or heavy clothing and equipment can also reduce the risk for heat stress, and employers should consider providing cold packs or cooling vests to workers on particularly hot days.

To learn more about our commitment to workplace health and safety, visit http://www.tpmechanical.com/about-tp/safety/.

Join Our Team: Apply for the TP Mechanical Apprenticeship Program!

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

We will be accepting applications for our next class of apprentices Monday, June 4 through Friday, June 15 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

We will be accepting applications for the following programs at these locations:

  • Plumbing | Pipefitting – Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Lexington
  • Fire protection – Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton
  • Sheet metal – Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton

We invite you to stop by the appropriate office location for the trade program you are interested in to complete the application process and schedule your interview. Bring a copy of your high school diploma, GED or a letter from school with an anticipated graduation date, and you will take a math test during the application process.

All our apprenticeship programs are free and consist of a minimum of 8,000 on-the-job training hours and 576 hours of classroom learning over the course of four years. We also offer a wide variety of classes outside the core required apprenticeship classes to help you broaden your skills and challenge yourself.

Additionally, all of our apprentices earn 20 to 25 credit hours towards an associate degree at Columbus State over the course of the four-year program. To earn your associate degree, you will need to take an additional 10 general education classes at Columbus State, or have your credits transferred to a school closer to you to complete your degree program.

“Over the years I have had the pleasure of not only watching the apprenticeship program evolve, but have been lucky enough to have been involved in the program as an instructor,” said Tony Marple, Plumbing Services Manager in Columbus.

Quality instructors, on-the-job training and teamwork – that’s the difference between our industry-leading apprenticeship program and other options. When you become a part of the TP Mechanical family, we invest in your future.

Our goal is that you will be a vital asset to the company at the end of the four-year program. We want you to continue down a path of learning and experience to become a leader at TP Mechanical.

To learn more about our apprenticeship program, visit http://www.tpmechanical.com/apprenticeship-program-detail/, or contact Jen Madden at 513-851-8881.

People Behind TP Mechanical Introduces Dan Holland

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

Dan began his career with TP Mechanical in June of 1998 as a laborer and then enrolled in the apprenticeship program. He then moved on to a lead plumber on multiple job sites before becoming a superintendent in 2002. He showed an interest in the growing demand for fabrication and moved into that department, and in 2009, he became Fabrication Leader.

Dan is responsible for overseeing the workload and employees in our fabrication facility. He coordinates product ordering and scheduling logistics between our fabrication facility, distribution centers and project jobsites.

Dan also serves as a liaison between the multiple departments at TP Mechanical, as fabrication plays a critical role in the vast majority of our work. He works closely with each department to offer innovative solutions for project schedules and scopes. Dan often works with the CAD department to offer knowledge and experience towards value engineering of mechanical installations.

Dan feels the work TP accomplishes in the fabrication facility affords the company the ability to fast track project schedules with the goal of saving the end users money.

“Being creative and using outside-the-box thinking turns into an enhanced schedule opportunity for our customers,” Dan stated. “Our primary goal is to make sure we understand the end users’ needs, looking at the best possible solutions to deliver innovative value engineering without adding extra cost.”

Dan believes this different mentality of approaching project schedules with the end user in mind, combined with a higher level of upfront planning, is what makes TP Mechanical stand apart from other mechanical contractors.

Learn more about our fabrication abilities by visiting our website tpmechanical.com/fabrication.

TP Mechanical Plumbing Services: One-Stop Solutions!

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

Our services don’t stop with HVAC. As a one-stop solution provider, our team is ready to meet your plumbing needs.

Since 1953, TP Mechanical has been a recognized leader in the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and fire protection industries. As a multi-faceted company, we utilize a team-based approach to establish long-term partnerships and provide our customers with peace of mind, and nothing exemplifies that more than our service division.

“Our customers can depend on us to provide quality, cost-effective solutions because we value their individual needs,” said Tony Marple, Plumbing Services Manager in Columbus. “We work closely with them, offering honest advice and educating the staff about their current system and potential future needs.”

As an end-to-end provider of comprehensive mechanical solutions, our plumbing services team offers:

  • New installations
  • Repairs and replacements
  • Remodels and renovations
  • Certifications and inspections
  • Domestic water systems
  • Sanitary water systems
  • Medical gas and vacuum systems
  • Natural gas systems
  • Laboratory gas systems
  • Plumbing fixtures
  • Water heaters, boilers, pumps, meters and backflow preventers

 

Our customers’ investment in facilities is one we don’t take lightly. We understand that a disruption in plumbing systems has the potential to disrupt operations. From a leaky backflow preventer to a malfunctioning water heater, our team has the experience to handle routine and emergency service needs. Our on-call service teams are available through one convenient number: 888-829-1989.

“These are systems our team knows inside and out,” said Tony. “We leverage the same expertise from designing and building plumbing systems to service them, which gives our customers a higher return on investment and minimizes their operational disruptions.”

Our depth of experience and flexible service options give you the confidence to know your plumbing needs are always met.

To learn more about how our services division, visit http://www.tpmechanical.com/tp-service-group/, or call 888-829-1989 to speak with your local service representative.

Design Build and Design Assist Bring Comprehensive Mechanical Solutions Full Circle

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

At TP Mechanical, we understand that mechanical systems can be the cause of costly ongoing building operation expenditures if they’re not well-planned and properly configured.

As a customer-driven, solutions-oriented organization, our experienced team of mechanical designers and engineers are committed to more than just fulfilling the specifications and requirements of your project. We provide comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for you, from pre-construction expertise through contracting and fabrication to the service and maintenance of your mechanical systems.

The Design Build and Design Assist difference

When you choose to use our Design Build approach, TP Mechanical handles the mechanical engineering – HVAC, fire protection and plumbing – from start to finish. We provide budgeting, cost-estimating and proposal services, system design and expert construction. Combined with our state-of-the-art fabrication process and efficient installation services, we ensure that your project will be cost-effective and on-time.

If you’re already working with outside engineering and architecture firms, you can still get the TP Mechanical advantage by utilizing our Design Assist program. We provide services in both system designs and constructability by applying our experience and expertise in construction. The result: A completed project with a reduced budget and streamlined timeline.

Using Design Build and Design Assist means:

  • Faster delivery to market
  • Reduced costs via system design and constructability
  • Enhanced coordination of integrated teams of experienced mechanical system experts
  • Minimized project risk
  • More efficient installs with state-of-the-art fabrication capabilities
  • Energy-efficient systems incorporated into designs

Innovation, expertise and excellence

Our Design Build and Design Assist teams are comprised of engineers skilled at applying speed-to-market and cost-effective mechanical engineering principles to create custom, innovative project plans that protect your interests, optimize your budget, streamline your timeline, and overcome your challenges and obstacles to meet your specific business needs. Our engineers can also apply Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles to improve the energy efficiency of the project.

“We deliver the whole package when we pair our Design Build and Design Assist services with state-of-the-art fabrication capabilities,” said Matt Anderson, business development leader for TP Mechanical. “The end result is that our clients have a building that delivers outstanding performance through the entire construction process and in day-to- day operations.”

To learn more about our Design Build and Design Assist Services visit:

http://www.tpmechanical.com/groups/designbuild/