At TP Mechanical, safety’s not just a standard we have to uphold. It’s a way of life.
Simple Steps to Cyber Security
Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN
Recent Internet bugs and vulnerabilities have had a widespread impact, compromising the security of computers as well as personal information you may enter online.
Although you can’t stop criminals from attempting a cyber attack, you can take several steps to reduce your risk of having your personal information stolen, misused or deleted. Start by using strong passwords, avoiding malware and viruses, and protecting yourself against scams and security breaches.
Password security
- Do not use the same password for multiple accounts, especially important accounts such as online banking or an online store with your credit card on file.
- Passwords should not be a word found in the dictionary or a combination easily
- Guessed by a friend; be creative and mix up letters, numbers and symbols to make a strong password.
- Passwords should be periodically changed, especially in the wake of the Heart bleed bug that left much encrypted information vulnerable to exploitation.
Malware
- Don’t click on links or download attachments in unsolicited emails.
- Don’t download anything from sites you don’t trust.
- Don’t enter personal information on a website if you clicked on a link; instead, type the URL into the address bar to make sure you go to the site you want.
- Scan all external devices, such as USB flash drives, for viruses and malicious software (malware) before using.
- Install antivirus security software.
Scams and other security breaches
- Never email personal information on an unsecured Wi-Fi network; the network can be hacked and the information accessed by unauthorized users.
- Don’t disclose private information unless necessary, and always verify the source if asked to input sensitive information into a website or email.
- Before entering credit card numbers or other payment information when shopping online, double-check that you’re on the website you think you are and check the URL for “https,” which is a general indication that the page is encrypted for your security. Some browsers also display a “lock” icon to indicate that a website is secure.
IT’S NOT JUST LINES AND CIRCLES… ANYMORE
Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by: Matt Houston
CAD drafting and preconstruction coordination has come a long way in the past five years. Typically, this was completed on-site, in the General Contractor’s trailer, overlaying plans on a light table to determine collisions and conflicts between trades. This was a very involved and timely process, with many hands drawing their own plans in two dimensions.
The evolution of the CAD department has moved into drawing all of its plans in three dimensions, allowing for true-to-form coordination and more timely and accurate prefabrication.
New tools we use during the typical coordination process:
1. Autodesk Fabrication – Formerly CAD-MEP+ from TSI Software, Autodesk Fabrication is the foundation of all of our drafting today. With the use of Design Line elements and the Attacher tool, it is possible to create real-life installation drawings, using actual fitting sizes and piping materials with each system.
2. Autodesk Navisworks – Purchased by Autodesk in 2007, Navisworks provides software for 3D coordination, collaboration and sequencing in design and construction. Interference management tools help design and construction professionals anticipate and avoid potential problems before construction begins, minimizing expensive delays and rework.
3. Autodesk Revit – Architects and Engineers are moving (or have moved to) Revit for their construction drafting. Revit provides a much simpler interface to create a complex construction model and the pertaining documentation. CAD technicians can use Revit to extract 3D models of the building and structure to allow for even more detailed coordination. It is also possible to receive correctly sized equipment for use in coordination and prefabrication.
4. Citrix Goto Meeting – Travelling to job sites is becoming a thing of the past. Using the software tools, we can have our meetings online, often making changes to our drawings on-the-fly, making the coordination process even more streamlined. Also, less driving saves costs to the project, trimming bids to increase work backlog and also trimming our carbon footprint.
5. Citrix Sharefile – File transmission can be unwieldy, especially if you must use an antiquated FTP system that is unreliable and unsecure. Enter Sharefile, which allows us to share specific files with specific individuals. It also allows customers to upload their files to us securely. It is now possible to make project files available to field personnel as well as other trades working on the project, while keeping the files secure.
Fat Myths
Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN
When it comes to fat consumption, it often seems like there’s a lot of noise and little agreement about how much (or how little) you should eat. This can be frustrating for people who are trying to be healthy and follow expert recommendations, and it’s tempting to try to eliminate fat intake altogether and let the experts fight it out.
But is the amount of fat you eat really the issue? According to the Harvard School of Public Health, it’s time to end the low-fat myth. Research has shown that the number of calories from fat that you eat, whether high or low isn’t really linked with disease. What really matters is the type of fat.
Unsaturated fats, which are found in nuts, avocadoes, fish and vegetable oils, are considered “good” fats. Some of these, like omega-3 fatty acids, are considered essential fats that must be eaten regularly because the body cannot produce them internally.
Saturated fats, which are found in cheese, butter, red meat and some oils, have long been seen as a key culprit of heart disease and high cholesterol.
The American Heart Association, along with the Harvard School of Public Health, recommends limiting saturated fat consumption, but cautions against doing so by choosing products that replace fat with sugars and other refined carbohydrates.
In fact, a 2009 review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that replacing saturated fats with carbs had no discernible benefits, while replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats reduced the risk of heart disease.
Finally, there are trans fats, found in heavily processed breads, baking mixes, shortening, snack foods and fried foods. For once, there is little disagreement—the overwhelming scientific consensus suggests that trans fats are dangerous. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration took the dramatic step of seeking to redefine artificial trans fats as “generally not recognized as safe.”
As for obesity, the trend is clear: Over the past 30 years in the United States, the percentage of calories from fat in people’s diets has gone down, but obesity rates have skyrocketed. This suggests that limiting fat intake is not a silver bullet for weight loss.
With the exception of trans fats, eliminating all fat to make your overall diet healthier is a bad idea. The key to a healthy diet, including fat intake, has always been balance.
Chemical Treatment Station – Proper Installation
Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by Pat Gallagher TP Mechanical Service Division Lead Installer
My approach to every project I do is to think about the end user. Are the strainers accessible? Are the shut-off valves accessible? Is there a clear path to the backflow preventer? There are many items such as these that the owner will have to deal with long after we leave the project. I have to be sure that once the installation is complete, the product can be modified easily if need be.
One area that I feel I specialize in is in the installation of the chemical treatment stations. Early in my career, I worked in a number of different buildings that had existing cooling towers and chemical treatment stations that were poorly installed. It was obvious that no thought was given to the people that monitor these systems and work around them on a regular basis.
I start by making sure the piping that serves the station is properly connected. This insures that the system has proper flow through the controller and including the blowdown. If the blowdown connection is placed on the bottom of the pipe, make sure you notify someone immediately. This is incorrect installation as it should be near the side or top of the pipe. By placing the pipe near the top, the blowdown strainer won’t clog as often.
After completing the initial inspection, I move on to the inspection of the station itself. I like to mount the treatment pumps on a shelf above the chemical drums. This will keep them from having to be moved every time the drum is changed out. I also like to keep the injection point close to the pumps so there is minimal plastic tubing stretched throughout the space. By taking the time to think ahead about these things, you make sure you have the right amount of space to deliver a professional looking installation.
These stations are points of contact that the owner and chemical treatment provider will continually need access to for the life of the system. If it is done right, it can be a constant reminder of the work we do and a reason to call us back.
Budget Tools: Make It Easy
Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN
If you don’t enjoy crunching numbers and sticking to budgets, there are a variety of budgeting tools available that can help make budgeting—and improving financial health—easy, and maybe even fun.
Apps – Easy and convenient, an app on your mobile device can help you track your budgeting and savings goals. Many different apps are available—for example, Mint (www.mint.com) tracks expenses according to category, and Check (https://check.me) helps you meet bills’ due dates.
Online calculators – Basic online budget calculators can help you see where your money goes. You can spend a few minutes entering numbers into budget categories to give yourself a good overview of your finances. Simply search online for “budget calculator” to find a calculator that works for you.
Automatic transfers – The easiest way to increase your savings is to make it automatic and painless. Simply set up an automatic deposit to a savings account and then check in from time to time to see how a little bit each month can add up to great savings.
What is a way that you experience teamwork in your department or on the job site?
Q&A Blog from Nick Davis | Project Manager
Q: What is a way that you experience teamwork in your department or on the job site?
A: At a recent monthly meeting, we took a full chain and separated the individual links. They were then handed out to every superintendent, project manager and estimator. This concept represents there is no “I” in ‘Team”. As cliché as that sounds, we don’t just talk about it at TP Mechanical, it is a part of our work culture. We realize every role is just as important as the next and it takes a “full chain” mentality with every link functioning at full strength, in order to experience success. Our team is very committed and excited about every opportunity we have to build trust with a client. It takes everyone on board though, executing project tasks on time and above expectations in order to strengthen those client relationships.
National Park Week
Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN
Are you bored with getting your exercise by strolling around the neighborhood or running at the local gym? The U.S. National Park Services has preserved vast pieces of American land that are the perfect places to get outside and be active, whether it’s the majestic Yellowstone National Park in the West or the lesser-known Big Bend National Park in Texas with its hundreds of bird species.
The opening weekend of National Park Week is April 19-20, and both days are get-in-free days. Visit www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm to find a park near you or to plan a trip. With great scenery and many options, you can choose a park where you can enjoy a quiet stroll, a vigorous hike, a bike ride, or a horse ride. You can also find spots to go rock climbing and swimming.
With more than 400 spots around the nation, the national parks are some of the best pieces of American nature and history. What better way to get your family outside and moving in the spring air than by visiting a national park?
What Comes to Mind When You Hear the Word Mindfulness?
Sandy Smith of EHS Today wrote a great piece 3 Tips for Practicing Mindfulness in a Multitasking Workplace. After reading this article one thing stood out being mindful of our time, energy, and focus at work can lead to increased productivity and less stress.
After reading this article tell us will you start to be mindful of your own time?
Just Talk To Me
By Tom Wilson, CFO TP Mechanical
Communication has become nothing more than a few typed words or symbols. Our culture has the lost art of speaking and holding an actual conversation. Everything is communicated by sending an email or text instead of actually utilizing the telephone for what it was intended for. Out the door are the face to face meetings, to actually talk to a customer, peer, or friend. We have become too busy.
Too many people rely on writing a quick text or email to start a discussion, begin a relationship, or argue with someone. Don’t get me wrong. Typing an email and texting are perfect for many situations such as, confirming an appointment, making sure information got to the right person, setting up a meeting, making a quick point, or just sending a kind word to a friend.
If you truly want to establish a relationship however, talking is the best way to go. Many “textoholics” would argue with me (usually via email) that this is not the case. They say, “I can make many more connections and be more productive using the electronic art of communication than any person can spending the time it takes to make a call or a face to face visit.” I contend it is more productive and satisfying to pick up a phone, ask questions, listen, and form a bond. By making that initial call, you can prevent the receiving party from misinterpreting what you were trying to say. In an email, things can be misinterpreted which leads to a second or third text or email explaining the first one. Productive… I think not.
I also strongly believe that emotions can be better delivered with words coming out of your mouth than from any keyboard. You can get more information and “feeling” from a short phone call than from any two-sentence message smattered with capital letters (for emotional effect) that any attorney would be proud of. I also think any customer, peer or friend would rather “hear” from you than “see” what you have to say. It might be a little more of an investment in time. In the long run though, this makes more of an impression.
I am don’t believe that I am not the only one who feels this way. I am absolutely sure most people today do not agree with me however. For those of you, who think I am just an old-fashioned Neanderthal that needs to get with the times, send me an email and let me know what you think. If you agree with what I believe… give me a call. I’d like to hear from you.