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.

SORT THROUGHOUR BLOG

2018 Tax Reform Sprinkler System Incentives for your Business

Now is the time to invest in your fire protection systems or retrofit your building with lifesaving and property conserving protection. New tax reform policy changes will allow businesses and other establishments to better protect their employees and customers through money-saving...

Considering Changes in Occupancy, Use, Process, or Materials in Your Facility? Re-evaluate Your Fire Protection

Did you know that anytime you change the layout, occupancy, use or process of an area or storage in your facility you need to evaluate the fire protection system’s capacity? As a property owner or designated representative, it becomes your responsibility to evaluate the below factors...
3d Pipe Scanner

3D Laser Scanning Quickens Retrofit Projects

Faced with the task of renovating an existing pump area of a waste water treatment plant with limited on-site personnel available to verify existing conditions, Ahern turned to 3D laser scanning as an alternative method to quickly and accurately digitally document the existing...
Fire Protection System

Understanding Fire Sprinkler Systems and the Need for Maintenance

We have all read about fire deaths too many times during any given calendar year. Witnessing this unnecessary pain and suffering in person or through the news media is truly heartbreaking. Most often these fires originate in mobile or permanent homes causing a large number of deaths...
Ahern Project

Steam Traps Explained

Steam traps are a type of automatic valve that filter out condensate and non-condensable gases (such as air) without letting steam escape. They open, close or modulate automatically, discharging condensate as soon as it is formed in an energy efficient manner.
Fire Sprinkler Installation

CPVC Pipe and Chemical Compatibility

The use of CPVC pipe materials for sprinkler fire protection systems is often the material of choice for several building occupancy types when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s listings. Recently, Ahern Fire Protection invited a CPVC industry representatives inside our...
big city skyscrapers

IBC Egress in Stairwell Requirements

As cities grow and/or become more landlocked, the only place to go is up. That is why we are seeing more high-rise and multi-story buildings being constructed to account for the limited space. Larger buildings imply more occupants, so it is critical that residential and commercial...
Ahern Fire Sprinkler

Nitrogen Solutions for Corrosion

Corrosion in fire sprinkler systems has been an issue for as long as systems have been installed. When left unchecked, corrosion can lead to water damage, high repair costs, and reduced system lifespan. The by-products of corrosion can accumulate in the system over time, leading to...
Revit Model

Revit Model: A Case Study

Ahern recently completed a project for a large hospital that required an as-built Revit model. Learn how we did it and what we've learned for future Revit model projects.
Internet Of Things

How the Internet of Things Is Transforming the HVAC Industry

We are sure you all have heard how the Internet of Things (IoT) in HVAC is transforming your lives and homes daily. Smart appliances that can perform tasks from a SmartPhone, such as heating up or defrosting your dinner, drawing a warm bath before you get home from work, scheduling...
Controls Panel

Open Integrated Systems Create Smart Buildings

Ahern is a Distech System Integrator. Distech, based on Niagara framework provides the most "Open", web-based building control system currently available. This allows us to provide a seamless system for HVAC, lighting, cameras, and card access control.
teaching kids fire protection

Lending a Helping Hand

Adam Koenigs, a 5 th year plumbing apprentice here at Ahern, traveled to a school in Thangal Dahp, located in the mountains of Nepal on a Health Habitat project. The school was severely stricken by earthquakes in 2015 leaving major damage to the school and surrounding houses. The...
career fair

Spring 2017 Career Fairs

Throughout the year, Ahern representatives attend a number of college career fairs throughout the Midwest. Below is a list of schools scheduled for the Spring season.
Tank-R22 Refrigerant

Phase Out of R-22 Refrigerant

New production and import of most HCFCs (Hyrdochloroflurocarbons) will be phased out by 2020. The most common HCFC in use today is HCFC-22 or R-22, a refrigerant commonly found in air conditioning equipment. EPA regulations issued under Sections 601–607 of the Clean Air Act phase out...
Standpipe

IBC Temporary Standpipe Requirements

It is tough in today’s industry to properly monitor and keep up with municipality requirements as it relates to the fire prevention code. So, many businesses in the fire protection industry follow one or multiple standard influencers – the IFC, IBC, or NFPA.
child dressed up as a firefighter

Fire Protection for Kids

Kids are extremely vulnerable when it comes to fire. Their inquisitive nature puts them at risk of starting a fire and, depending on age, kids may struggle to get out of a property safely should a fire occur. The problem is that no matter how extensively we teach kids to respect fire...
Pre-Construction Meeting

The Way to Success Starts with Preconstruction

As a preconstruction adviser, Ahern’s knowledge and experience not only benefits the general contractors but the architects and building owners through early involvement in system selection that meets the end users’ goals and budget. Ahern offers several different preconstruction...
bigstock

Detecting Ignition Sources – Pile Storage & Conveyors

If you are in an industry where your processes involve creating piles of organic combustible materials such as coal or wood chips there is a good chance you will have a fire related to spontaneous combustion.
Ahern Employee

LISP Routines Explained

Often while working in CAD, designers are required to perform multiple tasks to complete a desired process. This is where LISP routines come in. LISP routines process large amounts of data and combines multiple functions and commands into a single process. Reducing the amount of...
Control Valves

Seven Steps to Healthy Plumbing Control Valves

Many control valves on plumbing systems go unnoticed until there is a need to stop water flow in all, or a section, of a plumbing system. Don’t wait for an emergency to ensure that your valves are in proper working order! These seven simple steps can save you time and money (and avoid...