Over the past two months, the Facilities Committee, with the cooperation of the Parish Council has been working diligently to replace the 50-year-old Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system in the church complex with a new and more efficient system. This important and necessary replacement, which will also include the conversion of the oil fuel boiler to a gas fuel boiler, has been in the planning stages for many years.

On Sunday, March 15, 2009, the 50-year-old boiler that provided hot water heating in the Sanctuary came to a complete stop after over-heating a day earlier, which resulted in damage beyond any repair according to our fuel oil company that maintains the boilers and other equipment in the church regularly. The useful life span of such a machine is about 25-30 years, according to specifications, and we knew that the replacement of the unit was long overdue at that point in time.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2009, the Facilities Committee held an emergency meeting to discuss and remedy the broken heating system with the best possible replacement at a minimum cost. The conclusion reached was recommended to the Parish Council for replacement of the entire system with a new and modern HVAC system, as well as replacement of the existing oil boiler with a new and more efficient gas boiler. In addition, a plan was made for a temporary heating system in the church Sanctuary as needed.

I would like to thank Mr. Ed Jamie Jr. who worked with the insurance company to provide a mobile heating system and with the adjuster to file a claim on behalf of the church. I also would like to thank all the Facilities Committee members who worked to finalize the bids and proposals on such important and urgent work.

On Tuesday, April 14, 2009, the Parish Council voted unanimously to select a vendor based on the lowest and most responsible bid. Metro Fuel Co. was awarded the contract as per the Parish Council recommendations. On Monday, April 20, 2009, the contract was signed and the work started immediately with demolition the day after, and with anticipation of completion in the middle of June 2009.

The following is a brief description of the scope of work according to the contract:

1-      Demolish existing boiler, air handling unit, cooling tower, compressor, fan coil units, and associated piping, wiring, electrical and controls.

2-      Replace the existing louvered window with new louvered window and paint the entire boiler room.

3-      Provide and install three new outdoor 10-ton condensing units on the roof with associated controls and electrical work.

4-      Provide and install three 120,000 BTUH indoor air furnaces with associated gas piping, controls, relays, and required gas flues.

5-      Provide and install new 350,000 BTUH gas boilers with associated control wiring, electrical work, integrated circuit board, and low water cut-offs.

6-      Provide and install the required back flow preventer and electronic safety control.

7-      Provide and install all necessary valves, fitting, and drip legs to accommodate new gas lines.

8-      Provide and install two new fan coil units in the church vestibule with required electrical work.

9-      Provide and install 2” new gas piping from gas meter room to the boiler room with associated accessories.

10-  Provide and install required thermostats and control wiring for each unit.

11-  Abandon the existing oil tank in place according to Fire Department and Department of Environmental Protection’s regulations.

12-  Provide all necessary plans and permits with approval from all city agencies having jurisdictions.

13-  The contractor will inspect the entire work and be responsible for same and obtain the equipment use permit from the Department of Buildings.

14-  The contractor will provide a one-year warranty from the date of completion and acceptance of work.

Thanks again to all members of the Facilities Committee for their dedication and hard work behind the scenes.

If you have any experience in construction, plumbing or electrical work, or know somebody with such experience willing to serve the church, please call the church office to inquire about joining the committee.