Blog
What's Trendingat Ahern?
Ahern’s experts possess a wide range of knowledge that extends beyond system design, build, and maintenance. Our blog features a number of technical articles written by Ahern employees that range in topics from industry trends, maintenance tools and tips, to service information, and more.
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Private Fire Hydrant Inspections
What is a private fire hydrant? Any hydrant on private property rather than city owned property is considered a private hydrant. It is a valved connection to a water main to supply water to fire protection equipment, such as a fire hose, during a fire emergency. A fire hydrant on...
6 Must-Have Apps for Your Mobile "Safety Toolbox"
The smartphone and mobile app markets continue to provide users with more resources to keep Ahern's workforce informed while working on job sites. Here is are six of the "must-have" apps that Ahern's Safety Department recommends:
Sample Testing of Fire Sprinklers
Chapter 5 of NFPA 25 (Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems), 2011 edition contains requirements for sample testing or replacement of fire sprinklers. As all fire sprinklers are not the same, requirements for sample testing or...
7 Features of a Quality Prefabrication Shop
Contractors agree that prefabrication of pipe and sheet metal assemblies in a shop environment ultimately benefits a construction project. But how can you ensure that you’re utilizing the best prefabrication shop available? For best results, be sure your chosen facility offers these...
5 Keys to Successful Project Planning
Every construction project requires coordination and planning to achieve success. Whether a small, simple installation or a longer more complex project, every activity must fit into an overall plan that integrates with all other required activities. Communication is the critical...
History of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Written by a Pipe Fabrication Expert at Ahern The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) was founded in 1880 in response to boiler explosions that became common with the use of steam power. Between 1880 and 1890 there were over 2,000 boiler explosions in the United States.
Planned Maintenance Q&A
Q: How does performing regular, proactive planned maintenance affect an HVAC system’s operation? A: Planned maintenance will reduce a system’s energy consumption and extend its useful life. Well maintained equipment also improves indoor air quality and reduces tenant/employee comfort...
Combustible Dust – Digging Through the Confusion to Manage the Risks
Bringing Some Clarity to the Situation If you have dealt with a Combustible Dust hazard in your facility, you are aware of the many National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes involved in your attempt to find the proper resolution to Reducing Your Risks. Currently, when you dive...
Drain Jetters Send Clogs Flying
Clogged sewer pipes and backed-up drains will certainly cause a mess, but can also result in property damage, and are potentially dangerous to a facility’s employees and customers. Fortunately, there are powerful machines available called “jetters” that enable plumbing contractors to...
Project GRILL 2015 Unveiling
Again this year, Ahern took part in Project GRILL, a program started by the Fond du Lac Association of Commerce. Project GRILL pairs local manufacturers with area high school tech ed students in a yearlong project to design and build a working charcoal grill from scratch.
Your Facility's HVAC System: Go With the Flow
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) or Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) is a type of HVAC system that uses refrigerant as a means to transport heat between the outdoor condensing units to various indoor units throughout the building to condition the space.
What is MIC? – Common Questions Answered
What is microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)? Microbiologically influenced corrosion or MIC, is an electrochemical process which involves bacteria that can accelerate previously occurring corrosion in both wet- and dry-pipe fire sprinkler systems. MIC always involves bacteria...
Store Up Energy
Written by an Engineer at Ahern Thermal energy storage is a beneficial system that allows you to reduce your total electricity demand charges. In general, this is simply done by operating your cooling equipment during off-peak hours (weekends and nights) and storing the energy to be...
Is a Static Regain System Right for You?
Written by an Engineer at Ahern A static regain system is a design change that switches from the typical rectangular supply main to multiple spiral duct branches. Each branch has uniform static pressures and requires little to no balancing. There are many advantages of using this type...
Five Year Check Valve Inspections
Your building’s fire sprinkler system is a vital part of a life safety system. But just like all mechanical equipment, these systems must be maintained in order to provide maximum protection to structures and occupants.
Plumbing Preventive Maintenance: Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
Commercial building plumbing systems are often installed and promptly forgotten about -- until they start leaking or fail.
Fire Suppression and the “Internet of Things”
Where is the most important data space in your manufacturing facility? Most likely, it isn’t the front office anymore. Today, as the world of manufacturing has transitioned to a process environment where a reduced labor force can operate the facility, almost every piece of process and...
Cooling For (Nearly) Free?! It’s Possible with an Economizer
Free cooling in your facility sounds too good to be true, right? Well, economizing may not be free, but it is certainly less expensive than mechanical cooling. During what are referred to as the “shoulder months” for cooling, when energy demands are the lowest – March, April, May, Sep...
Is Your Building Out of Commission?
Written by an Energy Solutions Specialist at Ahern While we would like them to be, how building systems are designed is not always how they are installed and operated. For a new building, the process of confirming that a system is installed and operated according to design and project...
Exhausting Your Energy Savings
Written by an Energy Solutions Specialist at Ahern Code requirements for buildings typically mandate exhaust systems for certain applications to control indoor air quality (IAQ), odors, and pressurization. Exhausting air can translate to blowing conditioned air directly out of the...