Mechanical Systems

The Maintenance Services Mechanical Group supports the Maintenance Regions with installing, upgrading, repairing, and servicing facility mechanical systems – piping and plumbing projects, major HVAC chiller operations, and various services to support stormwater and sewer maintenance.

Plumbing Systems

The Plumbing Systems team provides a range of services:

• Provide supplemental labor support to support maintenance and repair activities provided by the Maintenance Regions.
• Perform large scale planned maintenance projects, and some deferred maintenance projects.
• Supplement the Regions by performing maintenance activities on steam, heating water, and other piping systems across campus.
• Provide plumbing services to Utilities on domestic water mains, storm, sewer, and other utility systems.  Provide exercising of main valves.
• Provide sanitary and storm water maintenance services with a team of Sanitary and Storm Water Technicians, who operate a vacuum truck to provide inspection, maintenance and repair services.
• Provide support for drain cleaning on problematic issues beyond the capability of Region maintenance.
• Coordinate steam trap testing – shop steamfitters use ultrasonic steam trap testing devices to determine proper steam trap operation.
• Project Coordination – a dedicated shop project coordinator handles larger Maintenance Services projects by bringing together a job plan as well as all Trades needed to complete the more complex Maintenance Services planned jobs.

Chiller Water System Support

View the chiller status page.

• Provide support to the Maintenance Regions, who start-up, operate, repair, and maintain building chillers and associated systems (cooling towers, valves, pumps, and controls).
• Coordinate Eddy Current testing when needed.
• Coordinate water sampling and analysis.
• Coordinate vibration analysis – a contract is maintained with a vendor to provide equipment vibration testing and analysis with follow-on corrective repair recommendations.

Disposal of Refrigerant Containing Appliances

If the equipment is not moveable (that is, it’s attached to/part of the building, like a walk-in environmental chamber), create a Work Order by calling Facilities Service Center (FSC) at 734.647.2059. If the equipment is moveable (refrigerator, freezer, cooler) here is how to be rid of it and comply with EPA and U-M rules.

Four Steps to Disposal

1. Prepare Forms and Documents
   Prepare a Declaration of Surplus Form

   Prepare an EHS Laboratory Equipment Decontamination Form

   IF THE RCA HAS HAD RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL IN IT, EHS Radiation Safety Services must be contacted to conduct a survey. Otherwise, as appropriate, certify on the form that the equipment has been properly decontaminated. If you have any questions about this process, contact EHS (Main Number: 647-1143, or listed on the decontamination form 763-6973) for assistance.

2. Having Completed the Forms, Fax or Email them to Property Disposition
   Fax 763-2006

   Property disposition will review them and send you an “Authorization to Scrap” form and a six-digit number (shortcode) to use if the equipment is in a General Fund building.

3. Write on the Equipment and Tape Some Documents to it.

   Write the six digit number which Property Disposition will give to you on the unit, preferably in indelible marker.

   Tape the “Authorization to Scrap” form to the unit.

   Tape a copy of the EHS Decontamination Form to the unit.

4. Procure Moving and Trucking to Pick up Your Appliance

   Call the Facilities Service Center (647-2059) or go to the Moving and Trucking website and initiate a work order to have Moving and Trucking pick up the equipment and have it delivered to the UM Refrigerant Reclaim facility for proper disposition.