| Some Thoughts On: "Customer Service" |
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Rich Pongratz |
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Providing "customer service" is what keeps us in business.
Being responsive, providing pertinent information in a timely manner, following up on customer requests … they are all hallmarks of customer service … and we do that! But that doesn't pay the bills.
The customer service that does … and the customer service that is most important … is the delivery of a quality product that fits the needs of our customers, whether the product is a new design/build facility, a renovation of an existing facility, an engineering package, or a feasibility study.
By getting to know our customers and their operations, we can jointly come up with customized solutions to best meet their current and future needs.
Delivering a quality product on time and on budget … that is customer service.
Speaking of "delivery," this is our second monthly e-newsletter, and we sure are trying hard to deliver a product that is interesting and informative. How are we doing?
Richard K. Pongratz, Sales Manager
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The Impact Of Permits On Your Project
Send your question to our team of experts. |
I'm not quite sure what permits my project may require and what their impact might be. How can I anticipate what I could be facing?
– H.M.H. |
Here are some of the general permits that may be necessary for your project with the ones that take the longest to acquire listed first.
Obtaining them is the responsibility of the owner or the general contractor. It is strongly recommended that they be considered as early in the cycle as possible to avoid their impacting the project schedule and/or the project's cost. (Incurred fines or additional fees can not only increase the cost of the project but delay its completion.)
- Air Permit For Emissions/Air Quality. This permit, which requires a state review, must be obtained most times before construction but certainly before any process equipment that creates or abates an emission is installed and operated. The permit is usually obtained through the environmental engineer preparing the application for permit. Allow at least 180 days to complete the technical data and application, and to acquire the permit.
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. This permitting program covers construction and industrial activities and is usually obtained by the civil engineering company doing the site design. It must be obtained before any site work can be performed.
Depending on the piece of property you're building on, you may need the services of a registered surveyor and a professional civil engineer to do a land survey and to design a drainage plan to determine whether wetlands or streams will be negatively impacted by water quality issues. (It's best to avoid building on wetlands to avoid costly mitigation fees and project delays.) The application can usually be downloaded online but must be submitted in person. Allow at least 120 days to complete site survey and design, and to acquire the permit.
- Zoning Compliance. Depends on local zoning laws. May require a hearing before the local zoning board if a variance is necessary.
- Building Permit. This permit may require a local review of the structural, electrical, and mechanical (HVAC and plumbing) aspects of the project and must be obtained prior to construction. It is recommended to request making partial submittals (if allowed) to permit placement of the foundations and structures first, then electrical work, then mechanical work, in that order. The application can usually be downloaded online but must be submitted in person. Allow 2-3 weeks for each partial submittal.
- Sanitary Sewer Tap or On-Site Septic System Permit. Local jurisdictions often require the tap done by the installing contractor. The on-site system permit is usually obtained by the system designer. The tap permit can be acquired in one day. However, allow at least 60 days to complete design and to acquire the on-site system permit.
- FAA Permit. This notice of proposed construction or alteration is only required if the structure being built is within a defined distance from an airport or exceeds a height criteria based on geographic elevation. The rule of thumb for the height restriction is 200 feet. Obstruction marking and lighting may be required atop the structure to warn pilots. The one-page form can be submitted online and the permit must be obtained prior to installation of the highest point of the project; verification must be provided within five days following installation. Allow 30 days to acquire the permit.
- Department Of Transportation (DOT) Permit. The state or local jurisdiction may require this permit if the entrance to your project or facility generates an increased volume of traffic, particularly trucks, and especially if you are near a main highway or residential area. Traffic signals or turning lanes may need to be installed.
The main point to consider is that you ought to start planning for these permits way ahead of when they're needed so as not to get caught scrambling at the last minute. The penalties for not doing so are incurring costs you never anticipated and missing that project completion deadline!
Will Kisner is a Project Manager at WL Port-Land Systems, Inc. |
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| Considering A Renovation? |
Like most businesses, you may not need to construct a new facility but are seeking solutions to make your business run better. You may be considering a renovation to improve utilization of existing assets, lower manufacturing costs, implement a process change, increase capacity, or find an efficient way to adapt to new quality improvement standards.
No matter the reason, a renovation is a big undertaking and nobody can assist you like WL-Port-Land Systems with its collaborative approach to your project.
With our expertise spanning the engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance areas, WL Port-Land Systems rises above the competition. We can help you weather the shutdown and minimize the interruption to your operation through methodical project execution. Rooted in engineering since 1975, WL Port-Land Systems offers a diverse expertise to provide solutions for your design/build engineering and renovation projects.
E-mail or call us -- at 412-344-1408 -- to set up an appointment to meet with you to evaluate your renovation needs.
What do you have to lose?
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… that a commutator-type, direct-current electric motor made with the intention of commercial use was first built by the American Thomas Davenport and patented in 1837. His motors ran at up to 600 revolutions per minute and powered machine tools and a printing press. But, due to the high cost of the zinc electrodes required by primary battery power, the motors were commercially unsuccessful and Davenport went bankrupt.
It wasn't until 1873 that the modern DC motor was invented by accident when Zenobe Gramme connected the dynamo he had invented to a second similar unit, driving it as a motor.
Then, in 1888, Nikola Tesla invented the first practicable AC motor and, with it, the polyphase power transmission system. Tesla continued his work on the AC motor in the years to follow at the Westinghouse company. |
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Crowder Construction
WL Port-Land Systems, Inc. has been awarded the design/build contract for two fly ash silos and one bed ash silo in Virginia City, VA.
These slip form silos -- two 55 ft. by 139 ft. and one 55 ft. by 150 ft. -- are part of a new power plant being constructed by The Shaw Group in southwest Virginia.
Bundy Rogers and Matt Davidson, both from Crowder Construction, have helped us significantly through the early stages of this project along with Randy Shepler and P.J. Patel from Power Engineering. |
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WL Port-Land will participate in all of these industry events. Click to set up an appointment with a rep.
November 5-7, 2009
AFIA Equipment Manufacturers Conference
Sanibel Harbour Resort
Fort Myers, Florida
December 8-10, 2009
The Power-Gen Show
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
January 27-29, 2010
The International Poultry Expo
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia
February 20-23, 2010
GEAPS Exchange Expo
Performing Arts & Convention Center
Wichita, Kansas
May 4-6, 2010
PTXi Powder Bulk Show
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, Illinois (next to O'Hare Airport) |
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