This story is part of the “Mission Critical” series, which highlights various, special groups that enable the mission of discovery of the nature of the Jefferson lab case.
NewsWise – Newport News, VA – “Spin Doctors” works in the National Accelerator facility of Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator of the US Energy Department. These are not only slic-talling pitch artists, nor are they members of that rock band with those 90s hits.
“Apart from cryogenics, we always say,” whatever happens usually falls on our lap, “said Mechanical Preventive Maintenance Coordinator Jason Joyce.
Above 4,000 machines, which spin the mechanical parts on the site, diagnose and treating each of them is the charge of the “spin doctors” of the Jefferson lab – heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals.
Simply put, it is their responsibility to keep the lab cool or warm. And keeping buildings comfortable is part of the job, these technicians are also required for the laboratory ability to conduct scientific experiments, processing versions of data of experiments that create theoretical calculations that push scientific boundaries .
The division between preventive and corrective maintenance functions, LAB’s HVAC teams are members of the Department of Facilitation Management and Logistics Division. And although they officially include separate units on the organizational chart, preventive maintenance (PM) and corrective maintenance (CM) groups work together so closely that their members consider themselves in the same team.
“We go there and maintain preventive maintenance on equipment and keep it as it is,” HVAC Technician II Randy Tarver said. “It is all a team. It is all a love. It is all a love. Mission. “
Joyce said that his corrective-ravages, Mike Sprouse, 40 years of HVAC experience and about 25 years of service in the laboratory, serve as a patron for technicians as they learn the nuances and complications of the work. . HVAC professionals collaborated with engineers of facilities led by Carroll Jones and other members of the convenience management and logistics division to carry out their roles.
These skilled technicians are also available to lend their expertise for projects out of the purview of their normal work, including 300 projects – each requires dozens of individual functions – within a month.
Relaxation beyond work
During the operation, the support system for the lab’s constant electron beam accelerator facility (CEBAF) generates heat as the electron beam required to check the properties of the accelerator. Quarks and GlunsThe primary component of visible case.
To reduce the effects of that heat, HVAC technicians must ensure that the service buildings of the sebaf remain cool for the optimal operation of their components. 45- A complex piping system rotating in 55-degree Fahrenheit water feeds several cold water units that keep those spaces cool.
The work plan and executing is easier to execute when the accelerator is closed during the scheduled maintenance period, the pressure intensifies when there is cold failure during the experimental run as the apple produces its electron beam.
“If we are in the middle of a run, and we get a phone call that a building is hot or water everywhere, it is definitely an all-hand-on-deck position,” said Joyce, a Long Lab HVAC Technician, who recently became the PM supervisor.
HVAC professionals have also played an important role in preventing the experimental data and high-performance computing of the laboratory. The array of the server and computer inside the Jefferson lab data center produces heat as they run, which requires adequate supply of air conditioning to prevent overheating machines.
“This is our crown jewel – all the time our number 1A,” Joyce said. “The lab passes through there completely. If he goes down, it has a domino effect. ,
The amount of on-site equipment requires that technicians roam through on-call schedule so that a person is available to address issues and repair around the clock when needed.
Amidst the demand for schedule, the team gives the top priority to safety through thoughtful and fully project plan.
“This really feels you think through the work from beginning to end,” Joyce said. “I try not to build the plan on the supervisory side, because I want technology to think of some task from beginning to end. Then I am there to review and confirm it, ‘Yes, you thought about it completely. It looks good; Let’s approve it and move forward. ,
Dial
Jefferson Lab offers an opportunity to work with equipment for HVAC professionals that they cannot withstand in residential or commercial areas. For example, chiller which cools Cebaf Seva buildings and data centers can be up to 200 times the cooling capacity of a residential air conditioning system.
Joyce said, “Trying to cut your teeth on this device while learning the site as a whole, was very frightening,” reflecting its early days in the lab in 2018. “Sprous) and Carroll (Jones), and they directed me and I got it through it. But don’t misunderstand me – still many times we still walk to a piece of equipment and we are scratching our heads. We are scratching our heads. We are we Can understand how it works, but it can be something that you have not seen before. “
The learning state to work on the systems of this scale is constant, resulting in a culture of accountability and faith that guides the group through unavoidable challenges.
“If there is an issue, then no one is ashamed to say this,” Hey, I got spoiled here. What can we do to fix it? “Joyce said.” We move forward, And we will help them complete it.
Tarwar agreed.
“I think we have very positive work relationships. Perhaps this is a blue-collar responsibility that we all have; It is engaged in our clothes. If you do this work, you are able to live, laugh and love each other. The honor is mutual, ”he said.
Both Joyce and Tarver say that serving the laboratory through their HVAC skills is a point of pride.
“This has been a great opportunity for me to improve my skills and become a top notch HVAC Pro,” said Tarver. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to see and work on which I have never worked before.”
Joyce said, “When someone asks, you proud, ‘Where do you work?” And you say, ‘Jefferson lab.’ I really enjoy this place. I never thought that I would end here, but I would not plan to leave. ,
-Ending-
The Jefferson Science Associates, LLC, the US Department of Energy of Science manages and operates and operates the National Excellent Facility or Jefferson Lab. JSA South -East Universities Research Association, Inc. (Sura) is a fully owned subsidiary of (Sura).
DOE,The office of science is the greatest supporter of basic research in physics in the United States and is working to solve some of our time’s most challenges. For more information, go https://nergy.gov/science
,
