City of Detroit-Appeals Board Hearing-BSEEJanuary 22, 2015OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 324

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Introduction Local 324: Here because Local 324 represents the Boiler Operators.

◦ Mr. Douglas W. Stockwell, Business Manager, Local 324◦ Mr. Tom Scott, Recording-Corresponding Secretary and Business

Representative-Stationary Division◦ Mr. James Arini, Treasurer and Business Representative-Stationary

Division, 35 Year City of Detroit Licensed Boiler Operator◦ Mr. Andrew Nickelhoff, Legal Counsel-Local 324◦ Mr. Brian Kemp, OE Local 324-Former (15 year) Licensed First Class

Steam Engineer

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Legal Framework-Existing POD Ordinance

Andrew Nickelhoff:

Ordinance No. 706-G Chapter 11-A Stationary Engineer, Boiler Operator and Refrigeration Operator Licensing Ordinance:

“Purpose: The purpose of this Ordinance is provide safety for life, limb and property. Where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship or involve practical difficulties, the Board of Rules shall have the power upon appeal in specific cases to authorize such variation, or modification of the terms of this Ordinance as will not be contrary to the public interest and so that the spirit of this Ordinance shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done.”

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DPS Boiler System-Safety Importance

• Safety is of utmost importance • There is no justification to compromise safety for our students

and building personnel • There is no substitute for having Licensed Operating Engineers

on duty at each DPS facility covered by the Ordinance

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DPS Boiler System: Three Major Danger Points

◦Low Water Cut-Off◦High Pressure/High Temperature Control Issue◦Fire Eye Issue

Mr. Jim Arini, Business Representative, and City of Detroit Licensed Boiler Operator (35 years).

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School Boiler-Explosion: American Society of Power Engineers

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Star Elementary School-Spencer, OK. 1-19-82

“An explosion tore through the kitchen of an elementary school today, raining bricks, glass and metal on children eating lunch in the cafeteria. The police said that five children and one teacher were killed and 35 children were injured.” - AP

The state boiler inspector listedfour main causes:

- Lack of proper controls and safety devices- Lack of proper maintenance- Improperly trained maintenance personnel- Failure to inspect on a regular basis

An 80 gallon water heater was to blame

Bates Middle SchoolAnnapolis MD. 6/2/2013

“The boiler exploded a little before 9 a.m. The two adults suffered respiratory and surface burns and were taken to Bayview Burn Center in Baltimore.” - ABC

The State of MD requires boiler operators to be licensed but does not require constant attendance.

Valley High SchoolSanta Ana, CA6/11/2013• “An explosion Tuesday in the boiler room of a high school gymnasium was so powerful it lifted the building's roof and caused heavy

damage inside.” AP• Santa Ana, CA does not require Boiler Operators to be licensed

ABMS Will Not Protect Safety!

◦ The ABMS is an “alarm” system; it neither can nor will shut down or control dangerous situations!

◦ If the ABMS “alarm” is triggered “response time”? Will the response time be longer than the current POD provides? Will the response time be too long?

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ABMS: Safety Protected?

◦ Licensed OE members constantly monitor equipment and make adjustments; ABMS will not make “manual” adjustments.

◦ As with any “internet-based” system-the ABMS would be subject to cyber-crime (hacking the Boiler system-shutting down a unit-leading to an intentional dangerous episode!)

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DPS-Smart Building Technology DPS claims to be an experienced user and sponsor of “Smart Building Technology”. OE 324 would like the Appeals Board to consider the following before accepting DPS’s claim:

◦ Example: Beckham School: This DPS school had a modern control system installed (BAS-Building Automated System). However, the BAS has been disabled (see photo). Consequently, OE 324 Member (POD) is required to manually adjust boiler water operating temperature throughout the heating season. (See photo on Slide 12)

Jim Arini

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Beckham School-BAS Control Panel Photo-Note no Hard Drive Inside Panel

Peers-Cities who have continuous monitoring written into the municipal codes: Dearborn Washington DC New York City Buffalo Denver Chicago

Note: This was a boiler room →Eriemphis

Seattle Erie New Orleans Pittsburgh

Conclusion We thank the Appeals Board for the opportunity today.

Board must consider the following:◦ Safety, not cost savings◦ ABMS will not in fact enhance safety; in fact safety will in fact be compromised if ABMS

replaces the current POD. ◦ City Department-the experts-recommended denial and no special considerations have been

presented.◦ The Appeals Board has a solemn responsibility to Parents, Students and Community.

Thank you.

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