Category: Maintenance

What To Know About Eddy Current Testing

Eddy current testing is a way for those who work with specialty metals to test for imperfections, such as cracks or gaps. These flaws are detected by electromagnetic induction. It can catch these flaws on the surface of the material, but also in the sub-surface. Not only that, but eddy current testing can also be used to measure the conductivity and thickness of a material. Here are some things that you might find interesting about eddy current testing.

Nondestructive Testing (NDT)

Eddy current testing is categorized as a nondestructive testing method. This means two things. For one, the system is reliable, safe, and cost-efficient. The other is that the testing is conducted without causing harm to the material or any parts connected to it. It will also do nothing to affect the use of them in the future. There are several NDT techniques, including simply using the eyeball test, and eddy current testing is one of the most important.

It is Vital in Everyday Life

It may surprise you to hear that eddy current testing is an important part of our lives, but it is absolutely true. Eddy current testing is used in many industries and for many of the products we interact with daily. As an example, eddy current testing is the preferred method to use for testing oil and gas pipelines, chemical manufacturing, nuclear reactors, and our local water systems. There is portable equipment for eddy current testing to perform inspections on site, such as on bridges. Public safety is greatly enhanced by using eddy current testing, which makes it important to us. Not only can it be used for those large components, but it can also be used for smaller parts that also have an impact on safety.

Different Probes Depending on the Mode

ECT uses test probes that come in several styles and sizes. They do not just have different shapes, but also have varying modes of operation. Take, for example, an absolute measurement probe. This probe creates eddy currents by using a coil. These currents then track any changes in the current field. Another probe has two coils, so that the operator can use comparisons to find flaws. If there is a coil lingering over an imperfection, and the other is over a good spot, then the operator gets a signal.

There are Several Factors That Can Affect Eddy Current Testing

Eddy current testing equipment generally comes with several settings. There is amplitude, frequency, and sensitivity, among others. These all need to be considered when performing ECT. That said, there are other factors in play as well. You must consider anything that might affect the flow of the currents, such as any properties of the material you are testing. If there are obstructions, then an adjustment to the settings may be required.

Magnetic permeability is one of those factors that can affect how easily the currents flow through a material. When measuring permeability, there can be interference created when using ferrous materials. That makes it hard to use eddy current testing for accurate results. To get over this, technicians can use magnetic saturation or different coil arrangements to get accurate readings.

When it comes to interference, even ambient room noise can cause problems for eddy current testing. The best option is to try to filter out any noise in the environment to get a good signal. There can also be issues if the part or material being tested has sharp or geometrical edges. Technicians can use a special scanning technique to overcome this.

The eddy current testing procedure is used on several materials, such as tungsten and molybdenum rods. It is an effective way to inspect materials for damage, cracking, fractures, and pitting.

If you want your HVAC system to run more efficiently, the experts at Corporate Mechanical can help. Reach out online or call 763-533-3070.

Common Problems With Commercial Air Conditioners

There are several reasons that a commercial air conditioner may not function properly. These could include a faulty thermostat. A bad thermostat could cause the air conditioner to come on or shut off more often than it should. It could mean that the air conditioner is not doing the job as well as it should be and that it is ultimately costing more money to run. This is typically a simple fix but could cause a great deal of problems for the proper use of the unit.

Another possible and common issue relating to an air conditioner is if the unit is not properly ventilated. If there is too much around the air conditioner and it isn’t getting enough air, it could malfunction or overheat. Making sure the area is clear of all items that could stop the air conditioner from working properly is important. This also includes the indoor ventilation system that runs to and from the air conditioner. Vents that are not properly set up, that are blocked by items or that have filters that are full of debris can cause the unit to work poorly.

An air conditioner that has a great deal of debris, has not been oiled and cared for and has not been tuned up can stop working as efficiently. This can be easily remedied by having a professional such as those at Corporate Mechanical come in regularly to service the unit. This also gives us a chance to see if there is any potential problems headed your way with the unit and address them or repair your air conditioner unit before it gets out of hand.

If an air conditioning unit is working too hard to heat and/or cool a space, it can cause it to be less effective. This could happen if the space it is trying to move air in is too big. Making sure that you are using an air conditioner that is appropriate for the commercial space it is in will help it to work better.

‘Green Ductwork’ Gaining Popularity As Industry Standards Improve

We live in an eco-friendly world. Politics, science, business, public safety. Evidently nothing has been left behind when it comes to going green. Hence a new trend that’s making waves in the HVAC industry. ‘Green ductwork’ is a new term that more and more HVAC professionals are becoming familiar with. While there is no finite definition to the new term, most everyone associates it with recycled materials related to ductwork and other HVAC materials. New standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program are continuing to drive improvements in green materials and improved awareness of public health and environmental concerns.

Green Ductwork

Eco-Friendly Materials

According to LEED’s page on the U.S. Green Building Council’s website, “LEED-certified buildings are resource efficient. They use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” As a result, new HVAC equipment is being developed from recycled materials that have a lesser impact on the environment. Polyester, for example, is being used to make fabric ductwork. Fabric ductwork is lighter than traditional metal. It requires less roof or tether support and uses linear dispersion to eliminate hot and cold spots. These advances make more efficient HVAC systems that are also simpler to install and create less solid waste.

Cleaner Air

A major component of green ductwork is its ability to remove contaminants from the air. One of the biggest pushes for more eco-friendly building materials is public health. Consumers are more aware of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in various products. Most HVAC systems are lined with insulation for noise reduction. Consequently insulation in building ductwork puts contaminants and other particles into the airways and makes people sick.

Increased Efficiency

Increasing HVAC efficiency is another major part of ‘green ductwork’. Leakage in ductwork forces the system to use more energy. Consequently you end up with higher energy expenses and decreased efficiency. HVAC contractors are currently looking for the most cost-effective way to improve ductwork efficiency. Some apply gasket fittings while others go back in and seal the system with a commercial-grade sealant. Sealants effectively limit energy use and minimize emissions. Consequently you spend less and do more for the environment.

Industry standards are cracking down on faulty HVAC equipment. Consumers continue to look for more eco-friendly products to use in their commercial space. Don’t be left behind. Contact the professionals at Corporate Mechanical today. We are up-to-speed on all the current industry trends. Our representatives are ready to answer your questions and offer you real solutions. Call us today to schedule a consultation and go green with ‘green ductwork’.

This article is based on a news article appearing on archrnews.com. You can read the full article here.

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The Benefits Of Hiring a Commercial HVAC Maintenance Company

If you own a business, you will certainly understand the importance of keeping it well maintained. Many businesses overlook their HVAC systems and this leads to problems later down the line. For example, you may not realize that your air conditioning isn’t working until a heat wave strikes the area. Your employees will overheat and they won’t work to their maximum ability. This can all have an impact on your business so it really helps to have an HVAC maintenance company on-hand if you want to keep your business operation at a high level of efficiency.

The Benefits of Hiring a Commercial HVAC Maintenance Company

What an HVAC Maintenance Company Can Do For You

An HVAC maintenance company can work with you to make sure that your air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems are in full working order. They can also help you to fix any problems as soon as they arise, and this can help you to save money at a later date. You will also find that by hiring an HVAC professional you can make your systems last much longer and this is a great way to cut back on cost at the end of the year.

An HVAC company will also be able to tell you how energy efficient your systems are. For example, if your systems are not very energy efficient then you could be wasting money from the start of your business day to the moment it closes up for the night. Over the year, this can really add up but it is something that you might not even be aware of. An HVAC professional will be able to help you with all this as well as advising you accordingly so there are certainly many benefits when you hire one for your business.

Dehumidifier Types and Guidelines

Dehumidifiers are a great way of keeping moisture levels down around your office, especially since high moisture will often become a cause for mold and that would mean harder house cleaning in the end. There are more than a few types of dehumidifiers you can use for that purpose, but not all of them will have the same performance. With a good dehumidifier you will have a much easier time dealing with carpet cleaning and floor cleaning as well. There are a few types you can make use of, such as the following:
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8 Tips to Save Energy at the Office

It seem energy bills keep getting higher and higher in both the residential world and the commercial world. By switching to more energy-efficient practices, not only will your wallet benefit but also the environment. Take a look at some of these 8 tips to save energy at the office. Some of them are quick fix, change of habit take the tips, as others are going to take some research finding new energy efficient technologies.

8 Tips to Save Energy at the Office


Use Energy Efficient Appliances. Look for appliances that have the Energy Star label on them. This is a movement from the federal government that specially marks high-rated energy efficient appliances.

Do Not Use ‘Standby’ Technology. When leaving the office for the day, be sure that everything is turned completely off and not left on standby mode. Standby keeps the energy flowing into the equipment even when it’s not being used.

Install Window Coverings. The use of blinds or shutters on the windows will help minimize the heat of the sun directly beaming in during the summer. Allowing your AC unit to not have to work harder to keep the air cool. On the flip side, open the shades in the winter to allow the heat and the sunlight in.

Install Motion Sensor Lights. Using a motion sensor type of lighting system in the office can help eliminate energy use from people leaving lights on. This is most practical in break rooms, bathroom and anywhere that would be easy for a turned on light to go unnoticed.

Install Water-Saving Fixtures. Saving water is also another way to conserve energy. Installing water saving faucets can help improve the amount of water used. Also, the use of low-flush or even dual-flush toilets can help keep the water use to a minimum.

Set the Thermostat. Setting the hours and temperatures on your thermostat will help monitor the temperature in your office. While you are present, have the temperature set for what you desire but when you are absent, turn the thermostat down. This will help keep your electric bills down from your heater or AC unit.

Hire a Green Energy Company. There are many utility companies that generate electricity from wind and other green alternative sources. By switching to one of these companies your electric bill may decrease and you will also be helping the environment.

Use Laptops. Your average laptop versus a desktop computer will use less energy and can be more efficient. The idea is to buy the quality computer laptop over and less expensive one.

Taking note of your energy use in the office will help you to better assess the areas in which you can improve. By slowly changing some equipment and habits, you can start to lower the costs of your office energy bills month by month.

More Ways to Prepare a Building for Winter Weather

People are usually well-versed in ways to winterize their homes, but can sometime neglect to apply the same treatment to their commercial buildings. Understanding the precautions necessary to winterize your commercial property is important to maintaining the operations of your business.

Maintenance for the Building

  • Make sure that gutters have been cleared of any objects, including leafs or other organic material. This ensures proper draining during the cold months.
  • Make sure that nothing is blocking your drains. If moisture is not draining properly in the winter, it could cause significant damage. Inspect and roof flashing penetrations or building envelopes as well, and seal them to prevent water from flowing into the building.
  • Inspect gutters to make sure they are properly attached to the building
  • Make sure any accumulated debris is removed from basement and foundation drains, especially the storm drains in the parking lot.
  • Trim any nearby trees or large shrubs to reduce the amount of leaves or branches that could enter the drains
  • Service your heating equipment early. This will ensure that nothing breaks down when it is being used constantly during the winter.
  • Test all carbon monoxide detectors
  • Discourage the use of space heaters, but in cases where they are permitted, make sure they have a UL label

Removing Ice and Snow

A representative for a Denver roofing company offers the following pieces of advice:

  • Make sure you already have the proper tools before winter. This includes shovels, salt and other material to melt the ice, and anything else necessary to facilitate the removal of snow in your area.
  • Review any contracts you have with the maintenance crew if you have hired one. This will reduce the amount of unanticipated bills later in the winter, and ensure you receive the service you desire.
  • Make sure your exterior lighting works. This makes it much easier to remove ice and snow during the evening when the building is closed for business.
  • Start any parking lot repair before winter begins, especially pot holes and curb damage.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

A spokesperson for Asbestos Abatement in Denver offers the following:

  • Make sure any irrigation system is turned off. This will keep water inside the pipes from freezing.
  • Make sure any wall or attic pipes are sealed to prevent airflow near the opening.
  • Consider a temperature alarm in any high risk areas, and add extra insulation near pipes in your attic or basement
  • If possible, let a sink drip if it happens to be in an extremely cold area (only if the water cannot be drained or turned off).
  • Make sure all your windows and doors have the proper sealant, especially if they are in an unheated area of your property.

7 Ways to Winterize a Building

An unpleasant fact of life is that a lot of the energy in your structure or commercial structure spent on heating is wasted due to failing insulation and lack thereof. If you address a lot of the issues you will have a chance to make that a thing of the past, so consider what you can do to make it happen. With the proper insulation, your structure and its HVAC system will be much easier to work with and they won’t waste as much energy trying to keep your building warm. The biggest consumers of energy happen to be large appliances such as freezers, water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines, but HVAC systems can also eat up a lot of energy when they are working with poor insulation. You can work on this before the winter season, allowing you to install all of these and to deal with house cleaning when the job is done. Be careful when working as you may need to perform upholstery cleaning and carpet cleaning if you work with foam. The following examples will explain how you can winterize your building properly to avoid any issues up ahead:
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These cases are perfectly simple

Blowzy red vixens fight for a quick jump. Joaquin Phoenix was gazed by MTV for luck. A wizard’s job is to vex chumps quickly in fog.

In the cable TV quiz show. Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes.

Alex Trebek’s fun TV quiz game. Woven silk pyjamas exchanged for blue quartz.

Brawny gods just flocked up to quiz and vex him. Adjusting quiver and bow, killed the fox. My faxed joke won a pager in the cable TV quiz show. Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes.

Blowzy red vixens fight for a quick jump. Joaquin Phoenix was gazed by MTV for luck. A wizard’s job is to vex chumps quickly in fog.

In the cable TV quiz show. Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes.

Alex Trebek’s fun TV quiz game. Woven silk pyjamas exchanged for blue quartz.

Brawny gods just flocked up to quiz and vex him. Adjusting quiver and bow, killed the fox. My faxed joke won a pager in the cable TV quiz show. Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes.