Jamaica HS
With the experience of troubleshooting analysis on several Firebox steam boilers for numerous NYC SCA schools, Jamaica High School posed a unique challenge for Non-destructive testing of High Pressure steam – Water Tube Boilers. With a unique design, the age of the high pressure steam plant had little existing design or installation information.
Jamaica High School (Q470); a landmark four (4)-story 243, 000 sq ft building built in 1925, had a heating plant built in 1924 with four boilers at a rated capacity of 320 hp each and a deteriorating steam driven boiler feed pumps and vacuum return sets. Testing & Troubleshooting team of experts from Shenoy Engineering proceeded with background research on a once Industrial Standard ‘Heine’ Boiler Design. Consulting various archived engineering design and data books, Shenoy Engineering reconstructed sketches for actual construction of this 90 year of built-in place boiler design. Our team went on to develop Testing methods and approach using Ultrasound Non-destructive testing methods for various components of the system. Following these guidelines, a specially testing contractor provided a thorough test results. Shenoy Engineering provided engineering analysis and evaluation for this test data and provided further recommendations.
A successful testing analysis and evaluation helped in progressing to Design & construction phase as part of capital improvement for the school’s aging steam heating plant. The oil fired system was replaced with energy efficient firm gas fired boilers. A dedicated gas meter room was installed to reduce gas street pressure. Energy conservation measures included the replacement of all (12) original heating and ventilating control valves and controls. All (180) terminal heating cast iron radiators were outfitted with electronic thermostat controls
To determine the condition of the School’s existing pneumatic control system and its capability for additional devices, a complete system backbone test was required. Shenoy Engineering developed the testing requirements and guidelines in line with SCA Design Standards and Specifications. Shenoy Engineering requested cost proposals from a number SCA qualified testing contractors and evaluated the final proposals for appropriateness and complete services.
Similar Boiler NDT and Pneumatic Control System Testing & Troubleshooting Tasks were completed for the following additional schools. These projects were done as part of the Mayor’s PLANYC program to control Air Quality Standards in neighborhoods of these schools by reducing No. 6 Oil Emissions. The Testing effort resulted in huge cost savings in terms of Retrofitting these boilers with reduced emissions, No. 2 Oil.
