Sunroom Tour and HVAC Drama

A Tour of Today's Sunroom

The Bar

The Fireplace with French Doors on Either Side

The Casement Windows

It was chilly this morning, but sunny. High for today, and the remainder of the week, is forecast to be 35F. T is starting her journey to Texas today. No one showed up to do any outside work. When "Our" Mike left yesterday evening, he said he might be back later today. Did not make it.

Last week, Mike told me that Frank's (HVAC) crew (John and Tim) might be back to resume work on the new boiler for the radiant floor heating. I told Mike that was great, but that we still had the Stop Work Order posted on the front door. Mike assured me that the permits have now been obtained. I told him that, while I was confident that is true, we still had the Stop Work Order posted on the front door. He seemed unconcerned.

Yesterday, on his way out for the day, Mike said that Frank's crew would be here this morning to resume work. I told Mike that was great, but that we still had the Stop Work Order posted on the front door. Mike assured me that the permits have now been obtained. I told him that, while I was confident that is true, we still had the Stop Work Order posted on the front door. He seemed unconcerned.

This morning, John (and later Tim) arrived to resume work on the boiler system while I was helping T pack the car. After her departure, I went down to the basement and mentioned to John and Tim that their resumption of work was great, but, for the record, I wanted to remind them that we still have the Stop Work Order posted on the front door. John said he would call their office and make sure they were aware of this fact.

While eating my breakfast, John came up and asked me to call Frank. After finishing breakfast, I called. The points made by Frank were: 1) he requested confirmation that I was asking them to stop work; 2) the issue with the City permit was my fault for being truthful with the City Mechanical Inspector and permitting him access when he showed up to conduct an inspection on October 23; 3) Frank (who was still recovering from surgery at the time) had to go down to the City offices to complete "one more form", to obtain the required permit. I was copied on the email acknowledging the approval of this permit; 4) it was my responsibility to contact the City Inspector to inform them that the required permits had finally been obtained and the Inspector should remove the notice on our front door; 5) I should have informed Frank before the crew arrived today that I was not going to allow them to work due to the notice on our front door.

After all of this, I suggested to Frank that we were perhaps working with the wrong HVAC company. I won't go into all the rebuttals for, what I considered to be, the amazing list of absurd points he raised. The bottom line was that I did not accept any responsibility for the development of this issue and assured him that if another Inspector comes to the door, I will again respond with the truth to all their questions. Since Frank said he had never seen a Stop Work Order, I went down to the front door and read the notice to him. It lists his company, and named him individually, as the "Responsible Person...subject to immediate arrest" for violation of the Stop Work Order. At this point, Frank reemphasized that the permit has been obtained, but he could not remove the notice. I agreed and told him that I had no authority to remove the notice either. My assumption was that, once he had straightened the permit issue out with the City, the City would remove the notice.

At this point, we both took a deep breath. I emphasized to Frank that I brought this issue up (several times now) to ensure the situation is correctly handled and so that neither of us would encounter any other difficulties with the City. Frank said he would call the City and find out what needs to be done. A short time later, I received a call from David Bott. He identified himself as the City Mechanical Division Inspection Supervisor. He confirmed that the permits are now in place and work can continue. He also said that the original Inspector (M. Smith) should have come out and removed the Stop Work Order on October 27, the day the permit was approved. If I so requested, he would have someone come out and remove the notice. I told him that would be fine, or if he authorized me to do so, I would take the notice down. All I required was his name and title for future reference. He subsequently authorized me to remove the notice. I let John and Tim know that I had received a call from the City and taken down the notice.

This drama just doesn't want to go away. This afternoon, M. Smith (City Mechanical Inspector who originally issued the Stop Work Order) dropped by to remove the Stop Work Order from the front door. I informed him that his supervisor (Bott) told me to go ahead and remove the notice. I took the opportunity to ask M. Smith about the letter I received from the City condemning our lawless behavior and threatening legal prosecution. M. Smith seemed to not remember the letter (signed by himself) that was sent to us or what it said. I suggested to him that it would be great if the City would send me another letter acknowledging that the issue has been satisfactory resolved. M. Smith said he didn't know how to respond to my question, but he would ask about it. Otherwise, in his professional opinion, we would just ignore the letter. Duh, why didn't I think of that?

One thing I have learned (the hard way) from this drama regards the apparent relationship existing between the various contractors and the City Inspectors. While interesting, I hope this drama is over.

In the mean time, John and Tim worked diligently on the boiler system in the basement. Tim primarily was concerned with the air intake and exhaust lines. John was starting on the plumbing on the boiler. Despite the permit drama, I have enjoyed working with Frank's crew. John will be back tomorrow to continue his work.

Radiant Heat Boiler

Air Intake and Exhaust Vents