Hurry Can Hurt: 14 of the most common excuses made in safety, and how to address them.
Cooling Tower Depot is very proud to have reached another milestone in our safety expectations, 5 years with no lost time. As we continue to improve, challenge and succeed with our safety goals and expectations, we would like to help impact your goals as well.

In the same way that race cars are marked with racing stripes, people who race on the job are marked with cuts, bruises and bandages. Racing through a job at one time or another, no matter how big or small,  home or on the job, this is something that we have 100% control over.

~“Right is right even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it.” ~ by William Penn

Every day, CTD employees are encouraged to “do the right thing” by taking ownership over their own actions, and being accountable for leading and encouraging others safety habits.
Here are 14 of the most common hurry up acts within our industry. Have you practiced any of these lately?

• didn't wear safety glasses because the job would only take a few minutes
• used the wrong ladder because the proper one was too far away
• didn't use the proper lockout procedures because no one was around and it
  was easy to fix alone
• took a short cut between machinery and stockpiles of materials
• used a wrench instead of a hammer because the hammer was in the tool
  box on the other side of the room
• climbed a ladder with a pocket full of tools because the tool belt had been
  forgotten
• cut the grounding prong of a three-way ground wire plug because there
  wasn't an adapter,
  
• removed a guard to repair the machine or prepare it for a special run and didn't
  get around to putting it back yet
• reached just a little bit further on the ladder because there wasn't time or
  energy to get down and move it
• didn't unplug a power tool before making adjustments because it would only have to be plugged in again anyway
• used a dull saw blade for just one more cut
• gave a forklift truck just a little more pedal so one more load would be done before lunch
• laid a board full of nails down with the intention of bending the nails
  over in a minute
• climbed up the side of a bin instead of getting a ladder
• didn't slow down at a blind corner this time because no one has been there before.

Did you answer yes to any of the above, or have you seen others attempt these acts? Even if nothing bad has ever happened and you have done this a thousand times before, safety is a huge deal.  You may have gotten away with a "near miss" experience; However, eventually a serious injury will happen because it is only a matter of time. Each one of us must have personal accountability for our actions. As leaders and experts in our fields, we can pass along our good behavior to encourage and motivate those we teach. Are hurry up acts worth risking our eyes, our limbs or our life or someone else's to save a few minutes on the job? When we hurry up on the job we are often not only speeding up our work but also speeding up our chances of having an accident.

Slow Down and be Safe!
Let's review some safe working practices:

• use personal protective equipment when necessary
• take the extra steps needed to do the job properly
• always use the correct tool for the job
• check to make sure safety guards are in place
• follow lockout/tagout procedures as if a life depends on it-it does
• keep the worksite tidy
• return tools to their proper place
• use proper lifting techniques
• be alert to ways in which the workplace can be safer.
  
  

  Remember, practice safety -- don’t learn it by accident

  "We have an amazing company that is full of some of the most talented people in our industry that work hard every day to ensure that our crews have what they need to be safe and perform the work that needs to get done." ~Sean Villard, Former EH&S Director~

  
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By: Dan Nichols - CTD cooling tower sales director

In today's business world it seems that in many cases the bottom line takes precedence over everything else. Owners issue requests for pricing and send them out to as many as a dozen or more bidders. Or, in many cases they invite several companies to inspect their cooling tower and have each one develop a scope of work and provide pricing to execute it. Prices and scope tend to vary considerably in the latter case making a decision more difficult.

More and more often the low bidder is not licensed to perform the work. Most states require by law that construction industry contractors hold a valid license and be registered to do business in their state. In most cases performing repairs or erecting a new cooling tower without a license is punishable by a fine. Often the fine is in the tens of thousands of dollars depending on the magnitude of the project and applies to both the Owner of the cooling tower and the cooling tower contractor.

Some states require that a contractor's license number be written on the outside of the sealed bid envelope. In those states it is illegal to even offer a bid without being properly licensed. Those contractors that are licensed believe this should be the case in all states that require a license. This procedure costs the Owner nothing. The benefits to the Owner include having the knowledge that the bidders are all technically capable of performing according to the specifications and local codes but also that the bidders are financially responsible. Some contractors have lost their licenses in the past due to poor financial history or unacceptable work practices. The major benefit to the Contractors is that being licensed levels the playing field. None of us are afraid of competition. We all believe the benefits greatly outweigh the perceived cost savings that may be seen by awarding projects to unlicensed contractors.

In recent conversations with state inspectors I have learned that the states are very serious about investigating claims of unlicensed activity. When a claim is made the state's investigator follows up as soon as they receive the file. They take the investigation seriously and ask questions in order to gain as much insight as they can. They welcome any input on specific claims and they encourage us to make those claims when they are warranted.

If you would like to learn more about the rules, regulations, and to find out if a certain contractor you are working with is licensed, please visit:
http://www.contractor-license.org/
http://www.nascla.org/

Or you can contact my office with Cooling Tower Depot: (352) 503-9407

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COLD WEATHER INTRODUCTION

Cold weather is on its way, and with that comes damaging wind and ice. Cooling Tower DEPOT, Inc. cooling towers are designed to reduce icing problems during cold weather operation. The only exposed area on a cooling tower is the air-inlet or louver area, if installed. All other components are inside of the tower and will be protected as long as the tower is supplied with substantial operating heat load. If no heat load is available, the circulating water should be bypassed directly to the cold water basin. If your tower is not equipped with bypass, shut down your tower completely.

Water flow rates to the tower must be maintained at the highest operating level. This will ensure a full warm water wash of the internal components.

COLD WEATHER STARTUP

With initial startup of the entire tower or individual cells, general procedures as outlined earlier should be followed. In addition, the procedure should include:

1. Check the hot water distribution system for all nozzles at full flow.

2. Visually inspect the fan and drive shaft for any ice buildup. Startup with ice on the fan blades or drive shaft can cause an imbalance and damage.

3. Start water flow prior to any other startup. Should there be any ice buildup on the mechanical equipment, the warm air vapor must be allowed to melt the ice prior to any other equipment startup (typically 30 minutes).

COLD WEATHER OPERATION

The cold water temperature should be maintained at 55°F or greater. The temperature should be monitored every four to six hours during critical dry bulb periods.

When the water temperature falls below 55°F, the following steps should be taken:

1. Fans should be shut down, one at a time.

2. Should cold water temperatures fall below 55°F with one fan off, shut off both fans.
NOTE: With fans off, splash-out may occur.

3. In climates where cold water temperatures will fall below 55°F with all fans off, the tower should be equipped with closure tarpaulins. These are to be installed at the air inlet opening on the windward side of the tower. With the tarpaulins in place, the same reduced speed and shutdown fan procedure, just described, should be followed.

4. The same inspection method should be followed as under your pre-starting procedures. In addition, visual inspection of the air inlet area should be made during the coldest hours of the day.

5. Any ice buildup on the perimeter columns or the bottom of the fill should be noted and frequently monitored. If ice buildup becomes excessive, begin shutdown procedure. Do not in any case try to physically remove or strip the framework of ice. Melting will leave components in good condition. Physical removal of ice will generally cause more damage.

6. The mechanical assemblies supplied with this tower may be capable of reverse operation, see documentation supplied by the motor starter and controls vendor for further information. Reversing motor rotating direction will reverse fan direction and push air down through the tower components from the fan stack through the sir inlet. This will push warm air to the air inlet opening for melting any ice accumulation.

Reversing procedure (if applicable) should be performed only as a last resort. The reversing mode of operation should be monitored continuously. Reverse operation should be used only on those cells with severe ice buildup and systems capable of reverse operation.

The reverse mode should be activated for a maximum of 30 minutes. Because the sir flow is reversed there will be splash out through the sir inlet / louver area (if supplied) of the tower.

NOTE: Louvers with heavy ice will split and break. Broken louvers will cause splash-out as well.

Flow water for fifteen minutes with the fans shut off to prevent ice buildup in the plenum area.

Prior to restarting fans in either normal or reverse directions, fan blades must be visually rechecked to ensure there has been no ice buildup.

• Please allow at least two minutes between forward and reverse operation.
• It is acceptable to begin reverse direction when the fan is wind-milling in the forward direction. The nearly zero-speed torque applied to the mechanical equipment is not excessive.

You can download this article here!    

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By Brandon, Rees

Regional Sales Director

Cooling Tower DEPOT, Inc.

When it comes to cooling tower mechanicals we can be assured of one thing... Your gear drive can make or break the overall tower performance. Spend just a little time in the field and you will realize that the gear drive can present issues, that depending who you ask, can have various solutions. Let’s take a moment to review some of the most common issues and ways to prevent them from starting in the first place.

Common gear drive operations
The operation of your gear drive on the surface would seem to be pretty straight forward. However, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure longevity out of your gear drive. A drive can be operated in three different ways

• With a single speed motor


• With a two speed motor


• With a Variable Frequency Drive

When it comes to single speed motor operation one of the main things that we should be concerned with is damage to the gear teeth. The main cause of damage to the gear teeth is through large torque spikes. As energy is transferred from the motor through the driveshaft to the gear drive torque is displaced and absorbed, mainly by the internals of the gear drive. To prevent large torque spikes remember the following. Always use a NEMA Design B motor to limit starting torque. Never use a “Y Delta” starter, as these can produce large torque spikes. Always make sure that the fan is not “wind milling” in reverse direction prior to motor start up. If icing is not an issue in your area you may want to consider a non-reverse option to be added to your gear drive. For just a little more cost, take the worry out of the equation.

Two speed motor operation can also present gear teeth damage issues. Remember to make sure that the gear drive has an adequate torque rating at both motor speeds. Always use a time delay when changing from the low speed to the high speed. Also don’t forget about the pesky “wind milling” effect. (Just go ahead and get the non-reverse adder)
Now Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) need to be looked at a little more closely. Yes they can save money in power consumption over time. They also prolong the life of the gear drive by mitigating some of the harsh wear and tear of single or two speed motors, but if not set up correctly from the beginning, VFD’s, can have the opposite effect. So please remember to lockout speeds that excite the systems natural frequencies (+or - 5 Hz). Both critical speed and blade pass frequencies should be taken into account. If you don’t know what these speeds are for your tower call Cooling Tower Depot Inc. and we can help. Keep in mind that the deceleration rate of the gear drive should be greater than the natural coast-down time. Do not operate above the gear drive nameplate speed. Lastly, do not operate below the minimum speed allowed by the gear manufacture. For example, Amarillo Gear Company’s minimum speed is 450 RPM. If you are using a single reduction gear drive, you may want to consider the low speed option. This ensures that the vertical upper bearing is properly lubricated at all times alleviating the need for mechanical or electrical oil pumps.

Common gear drive maintenance practices
Lubrication seems to be the largest issue related to gear drive failures. What can we do to ensure that our gear drives are properly lubricated at all times? Well, we can start by using some best practices for maintenance and inspections.
Monthly Inspections would suggest that we drain water off the bottom of the oil sump or filter oil through a water/ particulate filter.
Quarterly Inspections would suggest that we take an oil sample and have it analyzed. Collect vibration data, check function of cutout switches, and check the non-reverse device.

Semi Annual Inspections: according the operating and maintenance manual provided by Amarillo Gear Company; it is recommended that all oil be changed at 2,500 hours or every 6 months regardless if mineral or synthetic. Don’t have an O&M manual for your gear drive?
Don’t worry just head to the Depot Digital Library and pick up your O&M Manual for your gear drive!

Here are some tips to remember as you analyze your gear drive oil

• Selecting and reading your oil sample analysis can be an art in and of itself. Make sure to request the Karl Fisher analysis for accurate water content. This helps to paint the picture you’re looking for. Water content should be below .01%. Every analysis should include viscosity and a total acid number (TAN). An increase in both the viscosity and TAN indicates oxidation and oil should be changed immediately. If you see a high particulate count this is indicative that damage has already occurred to the internals of the gear drive. If this happens please contact Cooling Tower Depot, and we can make sure that your drive is repaired properly and is back in service in no time.


• When it comes to selecting the right oil for your drive there are several brands out there that say they are the best. If you have one that is working for you, then keep using it! Just make sure that it follows these manufacturer recommended guidelines. Extreme Pressure or “EP” additives are not recommended. They have be proven to cause damage to the internal lining of the gear case over time as well as bearing life reduction at high operating temperatures. Use 220 viscosity oil (either mineral or synthetic). If using a mineral oil please note that the minimum operating temperature is 20°F and the maximum operating temperature is 180°F. For synthetic oils the minimum operating temperature is also at 20°F and the maximum should be at 220°F. Synthetic oils generally last longer and handle higher temperatures better. For a little more in oil cost you can help extend the overall life of your drive. Next time you order a new drive ask us to ship it with Mobile SHC630 synthetic oil! If you are in a colder climate and oil temperatures fall below 20°F, ask us about adding an oil heater to your next gear drive order.


• If your tower runs in cycles you are more prone to have water in the gear drive oil than those that run continually. For example power plants vs. refining applications. As the gear drive runs a small amount of pressure can build up inside the drive (around 5-10 PSI). When the drive cools it tends to pull in air, and water along with that air, back into the unit. Keeping with the above best maintenance practices will keep your gear driving running problem free for years to come.

Be sure that your drive keeps operating the way you want it to
Check the Seals: Now that you have selected the right motor operation, and the right oil how can we keep the drive operating the way we want it to? One way is to check the seals. The standard Nitrle Rubber seals on the input shaft of your gear drive will generally last 3-5 years (under continuous operation). They can easily be changed in the field, and will help ensure proper oil levels at all times. Ask us how to upgrade your seals to Viton, and get the most life out of your seals!
Vibration Monitoring: Another way to ensure a long lasting gear drive is vibration monitoring. Vibration switches work well in preventing a catastrophic failure. We recommend a vibration switch that is mounted outside the fan stack to avoid corrosion of the internal mechanism. The plenum area is a harsh and corrosive environment, and locating switches outside the stack make it much easier to access for resetting and maintenance... You won’t have to get a confined space permit! For the best in vibration monitoring consider using a vibration transducer. The transducer gives a much more accurate reading and can help with diagnostics and the prevention of a catastrophic failure. Ask us to have your next gear drive drilled and tapped for a vibration transducer!

Experience and quality come together
When it comes to gear drives, Cooling Tower Depot Inc. understands that our customers want quality and affordability, which is why we have partnered with Amarillo Gear Company. AGC has been in business since 1917 and has been the premiere cooling tower gear drive manufacturer since 1964. In 2007 Cooling Tower Depot Inc. invested close to $1,000,000 in our in-stock Amarillo Gear Drive units. If you should ever have a failure and need an emergency replacement we have an option for you. We stock the world’s largest supply of Amarillo Gear Drives, including the most common models and ratios. We are constantly replenishing our inventory, and with more than half of the cooling tower installations in the US using AGC gear drives rest assured that Cooling Tower Depot has you covered!
If you have a new tower project that has a short lead time we can use one of our in-stock units to help lower the overall lead time as well. Make sure to get a quote from your Cooling Tower Depot Inc. sales professional ahead of time and know that CTD will be there when you need us.
Have a Marley Gear drive? No problem! Cooling Tower Depot Inc. also stocks refurbished Marley units as well as the Amarillo Gear Company “A” Series (drop in replacement for Marley Gear Drives).

Night or day, perfect weather or hurricane conditions, Cooling Tower Depot Inc. is equipped to handle any and all of your cooling tower needs. We are the DEPOT of all cooling towers!

Have any questions?

I have been working specifically with gear box operations for many years. Feel free to contact me at my office:
Brandon Rees
Regional Sales Director
Cooling Tower Depot Inc.
281-542-1234 ext. 3
brees@ctdinc.com

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The saying goes, “don’t forget where you came from.” Years later, we most certainly have not forgotten. Ten years ago, Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. started our own small business journey. Today, we have been lucky enough to grow outside of the classifications of a small business as defined by the SBA; however we haven’t forgotten where we came from. Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. still supports small businesses and we still believe in doing business at a local level. This why CTD strives to offer the support of a global company that provides local cooling tower services.  We serve your local area in three major ways:

• Cooling Tower Depot believes in supporting communities, we make every attempt possible to hire our craftsmen locally based on where the project is located.
• Cooling Tower Depot manufactures and distributes cooling tower parts from multiple locations within the US. We manufacture our parts in-house, providing the best pricing within our industry.
• Cooling Tower Depot’s sales managers are located regionally, throughout the U.S, to provide personalized and localized customer service. This way you receive cooling tower support that is specific to your needs. Get to know our Regional Sales Managers and Discover your local cooling tower expert!

As a supporter of small businesses, Cooling Tower Depot is spreading the word about Small Business Saturday. On Saturday Nov. 29th we hope that you will join us in supporting local communities! Spend your time and your money shopping for that perfect holiday gift at a local business. Discover a local business near you!
Lastly, with the holidays approaching, Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. would also like to say Thank You to all of our current and future customers whom have, and will continue to help shape the success of CTD. We are thankful for your business and look forward to providing the best year yet in customer service!

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Service in the Industrial Construction Environment: What's missing?

By: Matthew Paulin, PMP

Many companies perform construction activities at industrial sites. In many instances, the end result of the activities are the same regardless of company- whether it is an improvement in process, upgrade in structural components or increasing capacity to manufacture additional product. The standard metrics for measuring company performance are items such as safety, schedule and budget. What is typically overlooked is the service that accompanies the work.

"The most important factor in service is communication"

The service component can range from willingness to stand by one's work to ability to meet expectations, but the most important factor in service is communication. This encompasses numerous aspects and is the most critical function regarding client satisfaction- from setting the initial expectation regarding work scope and arrival timeframe to updates throughout the course of the project to performing a closeout meeting to ensure quality standards have been met.

"Open lines of communication have the customer feel that they know the contractor's project team and the corresponding organizational chart"

By fostering open lines of communication, customers take from this that they are an integral part of the team and the resulting project success. The open lines of communication have the customer feel that they know the contractor's project team and the corresponding organizational chart. This can expedite answers on the client's end and reduces lost time from the contractor's perspective. For example: if a customer has a specific question regarding an approach to safety, the customer knows who the contractor safety rep is and has a direct way to contact the individual. This saves time on both companies behalves in that, the client has a quicker answer to the question, and the incorrect contractor's group does not have to field a call in which they are not the subject matter expert. By continuing the open lines of communication, the client gains an understanding of what to expect from given contractors and encourages a long term relationship.

How Cooling Tower Depot Fosters Communication:

We at CTD are equipped with staff that understands the importance of communication and ensuring that this is being provided not only externally to customers but the information is relayed internally as well. Our internal communication benefits us by the project teams knowing our company policies and expectations which leads into the teamwork aspect of our company. With this teamwork philosophy, we have benefits that extend beyond our own walls. This includes partnering with clients to proceed along the lines of a team approach in which both client and contractor are working together and understanding that each is there to gain a benefit to the other. With this understanding, we have been able to form long term relationships with our customers.

We also have seen that our effective communication results in increased productivity. This can be recognized through the clear direction that our field crews receive to gain the understanding of not only what is in the job scope, but more specifically what is excluded from job scopes. This reduces customer resources when our field crews arrive on jobsites and do not need additional explanation to begin the project. By our internal training and communication, we are ensuring that our field crews are trained in job specifics and safety policies resulting in less need for customer oversight and resulting resources.

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-- Inspired by messages from Dr. Seuss and Professional Engineers --

Oh the things you can think! Dr. Seuss had great vision, ideas, and advice that we still look towards today. Engineers need to think left, think right, and think low, think high. However, with many engineers starting to retire, how will veteran engineers prepare the younger generation for their absence and how will young engineers prepare themselves? Young engineers have brains in their head, and feet in their shoes but how will they know what direction to choose? After reflecting on our engineering team, and asking other engineering professionals how they would prepare the next generation, we noticed the same advice: Mentorship/leadership, opportunity, and innovation.

Mentorship

Within your team of engineers, work on establishing a mentorship environment if none already exists. Be sure the mentor and mentored are paired together based on teaching and learning styles. A mentorship program will provide an interactive management style. This will provide a close relationship and a collaborative environment. Both the mentor and mentored will provide guidance and leadership that will allow both parties to focus on each other’s professional goals and provide an in-depth path of education and growth. This partnership will eventually lead to a process where the knowledge from both the experienced and new engineer will combine, allowing each party to learn and grow from each other. The new engineer will then go from being mentored and soaking up knowledge, to contributing their knowledge, and on their way to becoming a leader.

Expert tip: As a young engineer, you are filled with untapped potential but need experience that the veteran engineer has plenty of. Being an engineer is a give and take business. Earn your mentor’s trust and learn from them. After the relationship has solidified, offer them what knowledge you have that they might be missing.

Be Collaborative: “Something great can happen if the young and old outliers can collaborate and work together effectively.” Respecting both sides of the experienced and the young engineer, understanding that each have a unique set of skills and knowledge to contribute. Both parties need to be working towards a goal of collaborating their skills and knowledge.

Leadership

As an experienced engineer, being a leader is not something that you acquired one day when you woke up correct? Instead it is learned through years of experience because it takes one to lead one. The opportunity to impact a young professional is very important. Impacting your leadership skills on another person is simple; all you have to do is be a good example, have a passion for what you are teaching and do what you believe in. Great leaders don’t try too hard, but instead, follow what they truly have a passion for.
If you’re a young engineer, pay attention because a good leader is self-less. Good leaders tend to have attributes like these:

• They take responsibility for not only their actions but their teams actions as well, no matter what.
• They stay level headed
• They are aware of their team member’s strengths. They set an individual up for success and leverage their team’s specific talents and goals in parallel with the company goals.
• They help and support GROWTH.
• They are loyal, supportive, and consistently provide positive and constructive feedback.
• They put team members ahead of themselves
• They are confidant in their team’s process, growth, and individual career goals. Confidence is key.

Leadership is a cycle. Great leaders are made from the leaders before them and simply practice what they preach, do what they do well and are confident. A great leader always believes in themselves, and in their team.

Opportunities

Opportunities are endless, especially as an engineer within an industry that is always changing and innovating. As an experienced engineer, mentoring a young engineer is a special opportunity to make a big impact by leading, guiding, and collaborating with a young engineer to help them reach their full potential. A young engineer especially needs to be looking for the right opportunities to learn and gain experience.
Expert tip: If you are a mechanical engineer, you need real experience machining, welding and more. Without the supporting aspects, you won't be good at what you do. You must lace up your boots, put your hard hat on and learn by working in the field. Getting your hands dirty will allow you to learn more aggressively.
Expert tip: Understand that you are not expected to know everything, but you must be ready to dive into problems and become an expert on that particular engineering topic.

"Dedicate yourself to one vocation, then become an instrument of its evolution.” ~CTD Team Member~
Cooling Tower Depot understands these special opportunities for a young engineer to learn. Our presentations to a customer are not only informative about our services, but take the time to educate our customer about all the elements that must be considered when planning for the construction of a new cooling tower. Because we take time to educate, any young engineer in the group will actually receive Professional Development Credit Hours at the end of our presentation.

“I love doing a lunch and learn presentation where my clients are young and eager, but have little knowledge of a cooling tower. Having the chance to introduce and properly educate them about the technicality of the design and construction of a new cooling tower is one of the highlights of my job." ~ Brandon Rees, Regional Sales Director of New Tower Construction.

Innovation & Creativity

As a young engineer learning how to be interactive, collaborative, and to follow experienced leadership, be sure to jump at every opportunity. Don’t forget to flex your brain and think outside of the box. You are a young engineer soaking up knowledge, but be sure to stay true to your innovative self and question everything. Being an engineer is about creativity and innovation. You get the chance to solve problems every day, be sure that you are ALWAYS asking the right questions and never accept an answer that simply states “well that’s just how it is done!” Remember you have the opportunity to create a new way, a better way of doing something. Remember what Dr. Seuss said, “Oh the things you can think up, only if you try!”

In conclusion

Preparing for the generation gap is important. The combination of utilizing Mentorship/leadership, opportunities and innovation will help close the generation gap, but still leave enough of a gap open for new problem solvers and new ways of thinking. This will allow engineers to continue to evolve. As Dr. Seuss said “Your off to great places, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.”

**Expert advice provided in this document, which was not already provided from current CTD team members, was received by outside reputable Engineering peers from a CTD LinkedIn Group discussion. Continue the discussion and receive more tips and advice here: LinkedIn ASME Group Discussion.

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By: Sara Henning
Marketing Coordinator

Vince Lombardi once said “Leaders are made, they are not born.” Which strikes up the question, how are leaders made? So many articles and discussions revolve around what makes a good leader, the traits they have, and what they do; but how did they get there? You cannot tell a story of success that starts from the middle or the end; a proper story starts at the beginning. This is where great leadership starts.

As a young professional, only a couple years into my career, I have not yet had the opportunity to fully lead anyone besides myself in a professional environment. However I have had the great opportunity to be led by someone else. This person has an exceptionally unique perspective on how to influence those he mentors. To answer my question, how are leaders made, I needed to dig deeper.

I must first figure out how great leaders have been influenced, before they were even recognized as great leaders. To uncover these influences, I needed to reflect on the impact his leaders made on him and the influence that my mentor has had on myself. Through this reflective journey I realized there are some lessons that are taught intentionally and then there are lessons that I have learned simply by just observing. My leader wasn’t always aware he was teaching me these lessons, but it is through these indirect lessons that a great leader came to be. Below are those lessons.

These are the lessons my mentor learned through his experiences:

• There is no situation that cannot be built upon. Finding value from every situation is something my leader did, that I do today. Staying level headed, and being able to “roll with the punches” is just something you have to do.
• The mentors that influenced myself always encouraged and promoted success. They would set me up for success, utilizing my specific talents towards what made sense for the business goals. Because they understood how to leverage the company strengths, they were always able to help me leverage my strengths with it.
• I graduated with an accounting degree, looking for jobs until a network connection took a chance on me. I was hired for a job I didn’t have much experience in. However my mentor saw this an opportunity, I was a “clean slate”. He could mold my goals and talents in with the company’s goals. As a “clean slate” he taught me all the right tactics right from the start.
• I always noticed how my leaders would always give credit to the team first. They stood in front and took full responsibility and never blamed others based on a bad outcome.
• Portray confidence.

These are the Lessons I observed from him:

• Take a step back, breath, stay level headed and go turn nothing into something.
• Leaders are not good leaders unless they help the ones they lead to succeed; not by their own definition of success but by the definition of the mentored and where they see their goals. Leaders set up their teams to be successful, and begin building their team with the end in mind. They lead their team in a way that will help them grow and reach success based on their own professional goals, AND the businesses goals.
• It’s ok to hire someone without experience, this just means that the leader is confident in themselves, and willing to challenge their leadership skills.
• Our business, our people, are successful because of a process. Success doesn’t happen in a day. It takes time to become a team, but stick with them, and they will reward you.
• "You don't throw your team in the fire, you throw yourself on the stake. That's a leader." This means that you believe in yourself and believe in your team. A good leader will take the responsibility of their mistakes, instead of blaming the team.
• Be certain in your actions, you know how to do your job, and you know how to do it well. Confidence is key.

Did you notice a pattern? My leader and I had similar experiences. Great leaders are made from the leaders before them. This is a cycle that is passed down from generation to generation. From a recent article I just read: “How To Rewire Your Brain To Become An Exceptional Leader,” this cycle is no accident. My indirect lessons that were unintentionally taught is something beyond just learning leadership, it is leadership science.

“Humans have what are called "mirror neurons" in nearly every part of the brain... Mirror neurons cause people to imitate the behaviors they see in others. Therefore, to create certainty in others you must first create certainty in yourself. This is why great leaders always seem so self-confident.”

In Conclusion: leaders are NOT born, but they ARE made; with some knowledge from your leader, confidence in yourself and in your team, and a little help from science, the leadership cycle will continue, naturally.

So this is what I believe:

Current Leaders don’t always have to sit down and teach something. Practice what you preach, do what you do well and be confident. Success will take some time. However, a great leader always believes in themselves, and in their team.

Future leaders must OBSERVE. If you found yourself under the wing of a good leader, just take note on how they deal with stress, struggles, success, and most importantly how do they view themselves, and how do they view you as a person? How do they support your goals? You will pick up on those attributes, based on your mirror neurons, and complete them every day. Then one day you will realize that you can be a great leader too, passing it down onto the next generation and reviving the cycle of great leadership.

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30 years.

I enjoy getting to meet and have daily interaction with a variety of new and different people.

Due to the changes in technology, the population in general and our customers specifically, have an expectation of instant gratification. Today, the typical customer expects a quotation returned much more quickly than in past years, and that expectation extends to the delivery and execution of the project as well.

Because of the expectations as described above, Technology advancements allow me to stay connected with my team most of the time, and allows me to provide support in the way of answers and/or direction in a very timely manner.

As our interaction relies more and more upon electronic forms of communication, the challenge we will face is how to maintain personal face to face contact with our customers.

Most people think “selling” is the same as “talking”. But as a salesperson, listening is the most important part of the job.

Be yourself, and be honest and direct. Establishing trust with your customers, alongside a good product or service, people will want to do business with you.

Want some fun facts about the our sales team?   Read our sales team stats

Brandon Rees

Regional Sales Director for Cooling Tower Depot

Board of Director, Program Chair and Secretary for CTI (Cooling Technology Institute)

Cooling Tower Depot (CTD) is proud to announce that Brandon Rees, one of our Regional Sales Directors, has just been elected to sit on the Board of Directors for the Cooling Technology Institute (CTI). This is a high honor for Brandon, and a proud moment for CTD as he is recognized by his peers as one of the top industry leaders. Get to know his side of the story, in this exclusive interview to better understand his history, his involvement, and how he plans to make an impact for the future of CTI, cooling technologies and for CTD.

What does the Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) do?

The Cooling Technology Institute was founded in 1950 and provides education, research, standard development and verification, government relations, and an exchange of industry wide technical information pertaining to Evaporative Heat Transfer Systems, Cooling Towers, and cooling technology.

How long have you been involved in CTI?

Since 2004

How long have you been involved within the cooling tower industry?

I have worked in the cooling tower industry for 12 years total, the last 8 years with Cooling Tower Depot, Inc.

What skill sets or knowledge that is gained from being on the board of directors, do you think will relate back to your full time job as Regional Sales Director?

There are a lot of experienced professionals that make up the BOD for CTI. From Owner/Operators, Chemical Water Treatment, Suppliers, and Manufacturers. I hope to learn from those who have been in the industry a while, and contribute to the advancement of the industry through my own personal experiences. CTI is about working together to share information so that we can all produce a better product. This translates well into my daily responsibilities with Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. The goal for us at CTD is to all pull together to best serve the customer.
How were you selected to become a Director on the Board?
I was elected by voting delegates to sit on the board which is comprised of 9 people. I was also selected, by board vote, as the Secretary of CTI.

What will your responsibilities be now as Secretary?

Based on the CTI By-Laws: The Secretary shall supervise the keeping of records of the Institute, as well as substitute for the President at meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President.

I had the pleasure of working on the Program Committee alongside my Father, Glenn Rees, who was very involved in CTI. He served as President, Board Member, and Program Chair over the 25 years he was involved with CTI. After his passing in 2011, I was asked by the sitting President and Virginia Manser, the CTI Administrator, to take over as Program Chair. Glenn was also recently recognized as an Honorary Lifetime Member at the 2015 CTI Winter Conference. This was very special for my family, and in honor of his years of hard work with CTI.

Are there any contributions towards CTI that you know you want to make as Program Chair?

Over the past 4 years as Program Chair, The Program Committee, and CTI office has worked to bring access to CTI conference information to the palm of the hand. By integrating a new smart phone application, we have allowed attendees to access up to date conference information, speaker bios, exhibitor info, as well as survey feedback. This in conjunction with relevant industry topics and presentations helps to drive attendance and ultimately participation to the organization. CTI is a volunteer organization, and we need participation from all who are involved in our industry. We look to continue this growth to bring in a new generation of Owner/ Operators, Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Water Treatment Professionals. Why do you feel that being involved as a board member is so important? CTI is the governing body for standards and guidelines used by the cooling tower industry. In an ever changing world it is important to have our hand on the pulse of the cooling tower world, so that we may best serve our client base.

What are you most excited about or looking forward to, now that you are on the Board of Directors?

Learning... There is a lot of information to be learned from others. Each Board member brings with them their own professional experiences, and work history. I think it’s exciting to be able to work beside and learn from others.

Finally, why do you like your job, and/or what is the reason you come to work every day?

There is a new challenge every day, and no two days are the same. There is always something new to work on with a client, and I really enjoy getting to know my client’s personally to help find a solution that fits their needs.

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20 steps to help you start-up your tower after a winter shutdown

The snow is starting to melt... finally. With the melting snow comes spring, and that means it’s time to start up your cooling tower again for the summer and fall months. If you are one of many of our customers who did not run their tower this winter, and completely shut down any or all your towers, please review the following checklist which also provides need to know, professional advice:

1, Complete your preliminary checks. Our Advice: check your gearbox oil level, check for freedom of rotation, look at the water level in the basin, check that no extraneous material is present in your cells, and finally, check that the vibration switch in energized.  

2. Turn your water on.

3. Fill the Cold water basin and circulating water system slightly above the operating water level, allowing for drawdown When filling the water system, make sure to open all riser valves to prevent over-pressurizing on the hot water distribution system.  

4. Start-up the circulating water pumps. DO NOT allow water from the first start-up to be fed to the cells. This water is dirty, likely containing debris that will block the nozzles.

5. Clean the Circuit. The water must bypass the tower and MUST be pumped through the circuit for a minimum of one full cycle through the circulating water system to clean the circuit.  

6. Be sure to observe the water level in the basin to prevent overfilling just in case the sump screens were to clog with debris.

7. Once the initial flush is complete, stop the pumps and empty and clean the basin. Repeat steps 3-7 until all significant debris has been removed.  

8. Once debris has been removed, refilled the basin and start cooling tower operation. Be sure to check all mechanical equipment to ensure that no foreign material is obstructing the fans. If your supplied gear is reversing, be sure that the fan is NOT free spinning before start-up.

9. Start each fan separately. Monitor the fans for any excessive vibration. Excessive vibration will trip the vibration switch and shut down the fan motors.  

10. Check operation of vibration cutout switch. To do this, remove the red cover screw and manually adjust the vibration switch sensitivity setting until the switch trips. Reset the switch by returning the sensitivity setting to its original position and then depressing the reset button located on the top side of the unit.

11. If the Vibration Switch is not working properly, CONTACT COOLING TOWER DEPOT: 720.746.1234  

12. If there is excessive vibration, notate the cell number and notify our service department: 720.746.1234

13. Allow cooling tower to operate for at least 5 minutes.  

14 Then recheck the gear reducer oil levels.

15. If wet-bulb and heat load are near design conditions, you may check the fan brake horsepower.  

16. Allow for a total of 30 minutes of cooling tower operation to pass, then check motor wattage, or voltage and amperage, for calculation of brake horsepower.

17. Start-up the circulating water pumps. To avoid over-pressure in one cell, make sure that all valves to the tower are open.  

18. Check the equilibrium of water distribution between cells. By nature, this system is self-balancing and so all cells should receive approximately the same amount of water. Adjust the valves so that each cell distribution has about the same flow of water.

19. Finally, monitor the circulation water pump KW verses the pump curve to verify that the design flow is not exceeded.  

20. You’re Done! Your cooling tower should be fully operational.

We hope this check list proves helpful for you and your start-up procedures. I you have any questions or concerns at all, feel free to give us call: 720.746.1234.

Want to receive more industry tips? Become a CTD community member

Easy Solutions to Common Tower Troubles

Trouble

Cause

Remedy

Motor will not start

Power is not available at motor terminals

A: Check power at starter. Correct any connections between the control apparatus and the motor.

B: Check starter contact and control circuits. Reset overloads, close contacts, reset tripped switches, or replace failed control switches.

Wrong Connection

Check motor and control connections against wiring diagrams.

Low Voltage

Check nameplate voltage against power supply. Check voltage at motor terminals.

Open circuit in motor winding

Check starter windings for open circuits.

Motor or fan drive is stuck

Disconnect motor from load and check motor and gear reducer for cause of problem.

Rotor is defective

Look for broken bars or rings

Fan Stack

Due to high winds fan stack has become oblong interfering with fan blades rotation.

Unusual Motor Noise

Motor running single-phase

Stop motor and attempt to start it. Motor will not start if single-phased. Check wiring, controls, and motor.

Motor leads connected incorrectly

Check motor connections against wiring diagram on motor.

Ball bearings

Check lubrication. Replace bad bearings.

Electrical imbalance

Check voltages and currents of all three lines, correct if required.

Air gap not uniform

Check and correct bracket bearings

Rotor unbalanced

Rebalance

Fan hitting guard

Reinstall or replace fan

Motor runs hot

Motor overload, low voltage or unbalanced voltage

Check voltage and current of all three lines against nameplate values.

Incorrect fan blade pitch

See Fan Service Manual

Wrong motor rpm

Check nameplate against power supply. Check rpm of motor and gear ratio.

Bearings over greased

Remove grease reliefs. Run motor up to speed to purge excess grease.

Rotor rubs stator bore

If this is not due to poor machining, replace worn bearings.

Wrong lubricant in bearings

Change to proper lubricant. See motor manufacturer’s instruction.

One phase open

Stop motor and attempt to start it. Motor will not start if single-phased. Check motor wiring controls and motors.

Poor ventilation

Clean motor and check ventilation openings. Allow ample ventilation.

Winding fault

Check with ohmmeter

Bent motor shaft

Straighten or replace shaft

Insufficient grease

Remove plugs and re-grease bearings

Deterioration of grease or foreign material in grease

Flush bearings and re-lubricate

Bearings damaged

Replace bearings

Motor does not come up to speed

Voltage too low at motor terminals because of line drop

Check transformer and setting of taps. Use higher voltage on transformer terminals or reduce loads. Increase wire size or reduce inertia.

Broken rotor bars

Look for cracks near the rings. A new rotor may be required. Have motor service person check motor.

Wrong rotation (motor)

Wrong sequence phases

Change any two of the three motor leads.

Gear reducer noise

Gear reducer bearings

If new, see if noise disappears after one week of operation. Drain, flush, and refill gear reducer. See Gear Reducer Service manual. If still noisy, replace bearings.

Gears

Correct tooth engagement. Replace badly worn gears. Replace gears with imperfect tooth spacing or form.

Unusual fan drive vibration

Loose bolts and cap screws

Tighten all bolts and cap screws on all mechanical equipment and supports.

Unbalanced drive shaft or worn couplings

Make sure motor and gear reducer shafts are in proper alignment and “match marks” properly matched. Repair or replace worn couplings. Rebalance drive shaft by adding or removing weights from balancing cap screws. See Drive Shaft manual.

Fan

Be sure blades have proper pitch and track. Make certain all blades are as far from the center of the fan as safety devices permit. All blades must be pitched the same. See Fan Service manual. Clean off deposit build-up on blades.

Worn gear reducer

Check fan and pinion shaft bearings end play. Replace bearings as necessary.

Unbalanced motor

Disconnect load and operate motor. If motor still vibrates, rebalance rotor.

Bent shaft

Check fan and pinion shafts with dial indicator. Replace if necessary.

Fan noise

Loose fan hub cover

Tighten hub cover fasteners.

Blade rubbing inside of fan cylinder

Adjust cylinder to provide blade tip clearance.

Loose bolts in blade clamps

Check and tighten if necessary.

What is the DEPOT training trailer?

Our team of cooling tower experts wanted to share standardized cooling tower information and technologies. Thus, the idea for the DEPOT training trailer was born. Our trailer was built and designed to be easily accessible and an interactive and hands on educational environment that we can bring to our customers.

What topics will be discussed?

Key items that CTD discusses are: general cooling tower technology standards, mechanical components, preventative maintenance, custom solutions, safety, and efficiency. Our presentations can also be tailored to discuss specific needs in further detail.

Does it cost anything?

Absolutely not. We built our trailer to be a free, interactive, hands on educational experience that is easily accessible to your plant.

What advance notice does CTD need to reserve the trailer?

It depends on our schedule at the time. Mid-summer months tend to be the busiest training months. However if you want to reserve our trailer on short notice, we will accommodate our soonest available date for you. Please call Brandon Rees or Ethan Chesnut for available dates and times at 281-542-1234.

Where in the US does training in the DEPOT trailer take place?

The DEPOT training trailer’s home is in Houston, TX. This is the location of our Texas office headquarters. Currently, the trailer has the ability to travel anywhere in Texas and into Louisiana. Not located in Texas or Louisiana? If you still wish to reserve our training trailer, please contact us and let us know! With enough inquiry from our customers, our trailer may be able to take occasional long distance road trips.

If I am not located in Texas or Louisiana, can I still receive DEPOT training?

Yes! We may not be able to bring our trailer out to you, but we can bring our people! DEPOT still conducts what we call a Lunch and Learn. A Lunch and Learn consists of all the same great information from our leading experts, minus the interactive environment of the training trailer. Contact our corporate office to schedule a Lunch and Learn training.

Can the training trailer be customized to my specific needs?

Of course! Let us know what your needs are and we will develop a training around that specific topic.

If an employee or co-worker is unable to make the training, will DEPOT leave behind training information?

Yes. If unfortunately someone cannot make it, we will send an overview of the training. This way all employees will receive the same information.

How many people fit into the trailer?

A total of eight people can comfortably fit inside the training trailer. If you have more than eight people who will be attending, we will break the training up into morning and afternoon sessions so everyone is able to receive the training that same day.

How long does the training last?

Our training sessions usually run about an hour.

Texas gets HOT in the summer, does the trailer have air conditioning?

Yes! The DEPOT trailer is designed for a comfortable, educational experience and is equipped with air conditioning.

Why would I want to reserve the DEPOT training trailer?

The DEPOT training trailer is helpful in many ways:

• The ability to train new employees.
• The ability to standardize training across your team.
• Provide FREE continuing education within the cooling tower industry.
• Provide quality information for employees. This information will allow them to further understand which proper tools to utilize for providing better cooling tower efficiencies to their plant.
• Educate employees to equip them with the opportunity for career growth.
• Employees will learn how to combine their experience with the knowledge from our training, to directly affect their bottom line.
• Receive interactive, personalized, hands-on learning
• Receive the best industry tips and advice from DEPOT leading experts.

Have More Questions?

Contact Ethan Chesnut or Brandon Rees at 281-542-1234, send us a message or download our DEPOT training trailer flyer, below:

Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. was recently awarded the contract to install one of the largest cooling towers purchased for the United States recently. This Cooling Tower Installation is part of an $8.9 billion ethane cracker project located in Southwest Louisiana. This world scale ethane cracker will produce 1.5 million tons of ethylene annually, and will triple the existing plant’s chemical production capacity.
The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has estimated the cracker project would create 5,000 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs.
Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. is honored to supply and install such a large scale cooling tower system for this world scale ethane cracker.
Construction of the facility is underway, and the company expects that the facility will achieve beneficial operation in 2018

10 tips for your cooling tower shutdown

The summer heat is still here, and you might think it is too soon to start thinking about your Cooling tower shut down for those frigid months; however the fact is that those sweater sales are just around the corner. Take a peek at our quick tips for your cooling tower shutdown so that you are prepared when the snow starts to fly.

1. Prior to shutdown, all flow control valves should be left open as wide as possible. Our Advice: This will help reduce any excessive vacuum that would result from back siphoning effects.

2. During shutdown periods the tower may become dry if, constructed of lumber, causing the lumber to shrink causing bolts to loosen. All external bolts, including stairway, ladder, hand rail bolts, etc., should be checked periodically and tightened if loose.

3. In above 35°F weather, wood portions of the tower can be protected from fire by operation of the wet down system. Your tower may have this installed, however if not, run one circulating water pump during no load periods. It is advisable to operate the wet down system for wood towers to prevent the lumber from drying out, potentially causing cracking and splitting of wood as well as a fire hazard.

4. ** Do not wet down tower or circulate cold water over the tower during below freezing temperatures.

5. If the length of shutdown is over one month and conditions are humid, the oil in the speed reducer should be checked. If excessive water is present in the oil, the oil should be changed to avoid emulsion. Each cell, which is out of operation for periods in excess of one week, should be started and run each week for at least ten minutes to reduce the danger of rust forming on gear elements above the oil level. ** For more information about checking your gearbox oil and gearbox maintenance, check out our Gearbox Handbook.

6. For extended shutdown over one month, Shell VSI or other rust inhibitor should be installed in the gear. The gear box vent valve should be closed. This will keep a rust inhibiting vapor inside the box to prevent rust from forming above the oil line.

7. Rotate fan blades or operate the fan at full speed for a 20 minute (minimum) period once a month to lubricate the gearbox.

8. Ensure space heaters on motors are energized and operating (if supplied).

9. In winter months, to prevent possible basin frost heave, water in the cold water basin should be maintained at the normal operating level. Draining of the basin should be limited to 3 days or less. If there is danger of the water completely freezing, place small diameter logs or other suitable wood material along perimeter of the basin next to the curb walls.

10. Stop all pumps or close all valves to the hot water distribution system.

Cooling Tower Connections

Do you remember this grade school song, "The leg bone's connected to the knee bone, the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone...?" Even if you are not familiar, the value to take away is that everything in your body is connected and any type of break in those connections affect the efficiency of your body. Your cooling tower works the same way. The functionality of your cooling tower components affect each other. When one connection gets interrupted the efficiency of your cooling tower becomes impaired. So, give your tower a "leg-up" on performance and discover how your cooling tower components are all connected.

The Cooling Tower Skeleton

The "bones" of your cooling tower is your structure. Structure is important simply because it affects every component within your tower. Structural problems occur in both fiberglass and wood. When you know how to take care of your structure, it is easier to maximize the life of your cooling tower.

Fiberglass is not 100% maintenance free! A UV protection needs to be reapplied every 5-7 years to protect the fiberglass from heavy exposure to sunlight. If not reapplied, the UV damage to the fiberglass will cause fiber blooming. Fiber blooming is the deterioration of your fiberglass structure from UV rays. Just remember to reapply that coating about every 5-7 years, and there will be nothing to worry about!

If you have a wood structure... This requires considerable more maintenance because wood damages and deteriorates more quickly. The most common wood structure damage is wood rot. Wood rot is the main cause that deteriorates strength and thickness which is caused by both biological and chemical attacks that can be hard to see. The outside of the wood can look intact while the inside has severe structural loss. To prevent this deterioration treat the lumber with a safe and effective wood preservative, such as CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate)

Battling Mother Nature? Weather conditions are harsh to wood structures. Significant changes in temperature will cause the wood to expand and contract thus loosening bolts and affecting structural integrity. Wood structures can also be at high risk for fire hazards. If you are located in a hot, dry summer climate practicing a wet down system would be well advised. Doing this will protect your structure from drying out and becoming highly flammable.

Cooling tower gearboxes, fans, and motors have the biggest impact on cooling tower performance and efficiency. Cooling tower mechanicals are the powerhouse and the heart of your cooling tower.

Don't miss a beat from your gearbox! Every day you take care of your heart in some way. Maybe you do this by running or eating your cheerios for breakfast. Just remember your heart is to your body like your gearbox is to your cooling tower. If your own heart stops, unfortunately so do you. The same thing happens if your gearbox seizes. The sudden stop will damage and break many components of your tower.

When your gearbox fails... it will break your drive shaft, damage your fan, fan stack and even your structure and drift eliminators. Basically all the expensive parts of your cooling tower will now need to be replaced. If you wish to avoid this, the most important thing you can do is check your oil on a regular basis. Completing the proper preventative maintenance will help to protect the life of your cooling tower. Gearboxes seize more times than should, usually because of bad oil. So, please remember to check your oil.

Circulating air = life. If your gearbox is like your heart, then your fans are like your lungs. Fans allow proper air flow through your tower. The better the air flow, the better the performance. Your cooling tower, just like your body, must circulate oxygen to perform. Thus fan alignment needs to be accurate or you will encounter fan vibration issues.

Fan vibration has a huge effect on other mechanicals and cooling tower performance. Fan vibration will lead to loose hardware and damage your fan stacks. Most importantly fans can vibrate enough to miss align your drive shaft. A misaligned drive shaft will cause serious damage to your gearbox. Fortunately, the cooling tower industry has implemented vibration switches that alert you when your fan is vibrating too much. Vibration monitoring and prevention technology is advancing and a revolution in vibration monitoring is underway. Determining fan vibration with pin point accuracy will allow fans to run at higher speeds to produce more airflow and cool more efficiently.

Is your motor running? Then you better go catch it! The last part of your tower's powerhouse are your motors. A motors functionality is to operate your fans therefore, maintaining your motor according to your manufacturer guidelines is extremely important. Without a functioning motor, your fan cannot rotate and air cannot properly flow throughout the tower significantly interrupting cooling performance.

The Guts of Your Cooling Tower. Nozzles, fill and drift eliminators are the guts of your cooling tower. They are the pieces inside that allow proper "digestion." Your body must break up food to provide energy and your cooling tower must break up water droplets for optimal cooling efficiency. Each part is vital to the next stage of performance.

The key to nozzle performance. Nozzles are stage one in breaking up water droplets. The smaller and more evenly dispersed the water droplets are, the faster water cools thus leading to better performance. What happens when nozzles become clogged or broken? A clogged or broken nozzle can lead to serious structure damage.

When a nozzle is clogged or broken... it cannot disperse water as a mist. Water will flow through the nozzle as a hard stream which will act as a drill and drill a hole through your fill. Once the water has drilled through the fill, it will drill into your structure. Whether wood or fiberglass, the integrity of your structure is impaired. Even a little plastic nozzle can end up debilitating your tower's efficiency if not replaced as necessary. Nozzles can have a consequential effect on the performance of your fill and structure. They are, however easy to replace and extremely inexpensive. Be sure to replace any broken or clogged nozzles to avoid further or more expensive damages to your cooling tower.

Don't let your fill get fat. Ok, your fill doesn't actually get fat, but just as your body stores fat fill collects and stores calcium deposits. You may not realize that fill's lightweight honey comb design can impact structural integrity enough that your cooling tower can end up as a pile of rubble. Unfortunately this scenario does happen more often than you may think. The calcium from chemicals in the water will build up on your fill. Calcium build up is heavy, and will increase the weight of your fill five times over. It's just a matter of time before your fill collapses and takes your tower down with it. Replacing your fill as necessary will not only improve performance but also help extend the lifespan of your structure.

Drift eliminators, no skin off your neck? Think again... Your skin and your cooling tower's drift eliminators both help control temperature. Your skin controls body temperature by sweating. Drift eliminators (DE's) control air temperature by maintaining water and air flow inside of your tower. DE's have a large direct impact on the performance of your cooling tower. The better your tower is able to control air temperature, the better performance it has. When DE's are clogged from debris and calcium air cannot flow through. Hot air becomes trapped inside your tower, water cannot be cooled and tower performance and efficiency will decrease.

Internal Plumbing The flow of your body's internal plumbing is important. With no need to further discuss the functionality of your body's "plumbing", let's talk about how this relates to a cooling tower. The internal plumbing of a cooling tower is your water basin and the water cycle. Water from your basin is constantly recirculating through your tower in some fashion. Over time bacteria, algae and debris become a part of your water cycle and clog your nozzles and fill. This disrupts your water flow and efficiency. For this reason it is important to clean your basin to maintain a clean cooling tower. A clean water supply will provide you with optimized performance and water usage. To determine your current water usage, check out our Water Usage Calculator.

Download the Info Graphic!

1. You will want to complete a fall inspection if you have not completed a spring one. Cooling Tower Inspections should be a non-negotiable budget expense. Inspections are vital to your tower running efficiently and optimizing performance. Most importantly, they will save you countless headaches.

2. Your company is probably making their budgets for 2016. As they hack and slash your much needed projects and expenses, give yourself ground to stand on by having a professional cooling tower inspection and a highly reputable cooling tower service re-iterate and support you and your right to a piece of the budget for your much needed cooling tower costs.

3. The hot months of summer, combined with the moisture from your cooling tower means that your tower has been a breeding ground for algae and debris within your water system. Cleaning your water before winter is a generally a good idea to help prevent debris from clogging your water distribution system.

4. As winter approaches, inspect all distribution headers, laterals, and nozzles to make sure all are clean and in proper working condition. If they are not, water cannot flow at the highest possible rate in all areas, leading to localized ice buildup in the winter months.

5. Check your gearbox oil levels before winter comes. Be sure to use a synthetic oil during winter operations. Synthetic oils will help keep your gears lubricated throughout winter. Another option is to install the GSU Filtration System. This system will help filter your oil through winter, so you don't have to change it. To learn more about gearbox maintenance procedures, check out our Gearbox Handbook.

6. It is important to find and replace any compromised structure, hardware, louvers, or fill with significant calcium build up before the added weight of snow and ice come along. When winter approaches, help keep the ice build up to a minimum with the proper winter operating procedures.

7. Last but not least, a fall inspection will help keep your team safe while operating and maintaining cooling towers in icy months. Please be sure to have someone inspect and replace any worn or torn non-skid surfaces on stairways and that all railways are in line with safety standards. This is extremely important in the geographical locations were white outs, black ice, and feet of snow are a weekly battle in your maintenance routine.

Stay safe this winter with the help of a fall inspection! To further understand what's all included in a standard Cooling Tower Inspection check out our counterflow and crossflow inspection guide that goes over what happens during an inspection and what you should expect once one has been completed.

Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. is proud to announce that Bill Howard our Senior VP and Engineer has recently been elected to be the next President of CTI (The Cooling Technology Institute). We are honored to have Bill on our cooling tower team. His experience, insight and leadership within the cooling tower industry certainly has left an imprint. Bill started his career here in Colorado by obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Engineering in 1982.

Since then, Bill has been involved with and held leadership positions within multiple organizations such as:

• Member of NSPE (national society of professional engineers)
• South Carolina Contractors License since 2010
• Member and active participant in CTI since 1990
• Past Board of Director for CTI 2003-2005
• Past Vice President for CTI 2004-2005
• Current ES&M (Engineering and Standards) Committee Chair for CTI 2012-2016
• Chair of numerous standards and codes and guidelines for CTI over the past 25 years.
• All around great guy!

Join us in congratulating Bill Howard on receiving such an honored achievement, one that takes a lifetime of dedication to the cooling tower industry to accomplish!

Choose a Quality Cooling Tower Vendor the First Time

To master a skill takes knowledge, dedication, training, and proper leadership to encourage teamwork and trust. Today, consumers require businesses to earn their respect and trust. Similarly to hunting, especially when hunting with a dog, one cannot be successful without knowledge, training, leadership and trust. Businesses should work the same way in that their actions should speak louder than their words. As businesses compete for your attention, how do know which ones to listen to? Here are a few important guidelines to keep in mind when "hunting" around for a cooling tower vendor:

The first step in choosing a cooling tower vendor is to familiarize yourself with the company. Be sure that this company could be a good fit for your needs and ask yourself the following questions:

a) Who are they? How does this company's values and goals align with what I'm looking for?

b) What products or services does this company provide? Will these items meet the needs of someone in my position?

c) What additional resources and support can this company provide about their area of expertise? For example, customer service availability, localized service, quality and efficiency of a mobilized labor force, project management experience, flexibility, customized services, educational books or digital documents to help support you, or any other additional resources that help address your cooling tower needs, issues or questions.

Next, do your research. This may seem like a daunting task, but it truly is not. Your prospective cooling tower vendor should be able to clearly answer and easily explain the following:

d) Organization and implementation of safety programs to ALL employees (including craft workers): First ask about loss time and worker reported injuries. This will tell you how much management encourages, mentors, and follows the rules of their own safety programs. Discuss how management works to ensure that their employees are correctly following the safety programs. Be sure the company's safety programs are up to date with OSHA and industry standards. See what the cost of injuries mean to you and your business.

e) Communication between companies: The contractor and the host company must properly communicate each of their safety program requirements and address any loop holes that there might be before starting a project. Taking action to maintain a safe work environment for all employees should include: ensuring that basic training, hazard communications and record keeping requirements are followed.

f) Is this company licensed in your state? Many US states require by law that contractors are properly licensed to complete work within that state.

g) How Much Training Does The Company Have? Experience doesn't necessarily mean training. Know what proper training your contractor's employees have and be sure they provide proof of that training. Proper training is proceeded by a detailed quality of work that is truly a craft in completing. Be sure to work with trained personnel.

Lastly, discover what levels of quality and experience that they offer:

h) Quality and Experience: What standards of workman ship do you wish to be completed by your contractor? Be sure to educate yourself about the project that is to be completed and how much experience your contractor has in that particular subject. How many times has your contractor completed the same task and how well of a job did they do?

i) Who is overseeing your project? What experience, training and references does the project manager have as an individual? Know who your project manager is and find out through his/her personal references how well he/she manages people & issues. Also be sure your project manager is someone that you can work with. You will want to see eye to eye on the task at hand before beginning the project. This will ensure a great professional relationship with proper communication, and quick resolutions to any issues that may arise.

j) Customized experience: A company with the right experience and knowledge will work with you to create a customized project plan that meets your specific needs, requirements, and goals.

k) References: Ask for references, and speak to those references. References will provide an un-biased perspective.

l) Accuracy in bid quotes: A low bid does not mean much if multiple things were not quoted for properly; in which case you end up spending way more money than what you expected! Take time to understand the provided bid and what the materials and costs are. If you have any questions, be sure to ask. A good contractor will make sure you understand the bid quote. Furthermore, ensuring your contractor has an experienced estimating team will help in being provided a proper and accurate bid.

m) The final price quote: The Company that meets the above factors may end up providing a higher bid; however you will have a lot less surprises when the project starts. This is the company that understands how to properly plan and manage a project and to prepare for some of the "unknowns." Be sure to look beyond the price and truly weigh your options.

Don't get lost in the sea of messages. Keep these guidelines in mind to quickly determine the right candidate to complete work at your jobsite. Happy Hunting!

• Those attributable to the quality of water
• Those attributable to deposits and water overloads (i.e. ice)
• Those attributable to high water concentrations (broken pipes or nozzles) resulting from a problem with the water distribution system

• Proper height, at least 42" is recommended.
• Deterioration: TIP: Old or damaged handrails can cause splitters if a person is using them.

• Look for and tighten any and all loose hardware that may be deemed unsafe for use.
• Replace any stripped or galvanized hardware immediately.

• Examining all stairway and ladder tie backs to the tower both internally and externally. Tie backs should be tight and of adequate consistency to prevent movement.
• Look for missing or loose hardware.
• Inspect all stairway treads and stringers for cracks.
• Make sure your escape ladder has a safety chain or door to prevent someone from failing.

• rot
• delamination
• Loose Nails

Cooling Tower Depot® was at the Cooling Technology Institute's Winter Conference 2017, in New Orleans Louisiana. While we were there, we had the chance to get some great live interviews with our friends and vendors as well as listen in on one of the best CTI conferences yet

We took our phones and went live on Facebook. For those of you that missed it. Please check out the videos! Also if you get the chance, follow us on Facebook We'll be bringing you more live videos for training, interviews or just to meet some of the people here at Depot!
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Cooling Tower Depot® was at the Cooling Technology Institute's Winter Conference 2017, in New Orleans Louisiana. While we were there, Jim Willa gave an amazing speech about cooling tower performance loss and proper distribution requirements. We caught it live on facebook. Here is the recorded video.
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