Get to know your IPF crews: Steam, Distribution and Outside Weld

Red water…black water…root balls…no, it’s not some kind of freaky energy drink; it’s just another day in the life of a Steam, Distribution and Outside Weld crew member. 

The Steam Crew, comprised of Mike Anderson, Kevin Doyle, Brent Gross, Tony Huntoon, Matt Leonard, Tyler McPherson, Chris Rovig, Dan Smith, Brian Swan, Richard Tucker and student staff member Cole Theis, is responsible for maintaining the steam heating and cooling systems within buildings as well as installing systems in new construction. 

The Outside Weld Crew, Jason Pohl and Ryan Pung, takes care of various welding needs across campus. They also represent IPF at the annual Hydrant Hysteria contest held at the Michigan Water Environment Association Expo.

And the Distribution Crew (affectionately known as “dirt workers”) is made up of Dean Fischer, Alan Haas, Mitch Haney, Nick Walton, Chris Wise and student staff member Landon Hrabal. They are responsible for the lines that bring steam from the Power Plant to individual facilities, the pipes that bring water from the reservoir to individual structures, and the lines that transport sewage away from buildings. 

All crew members work first shift, except for one third-shift worker who handles routine distribution maintenance duties, such as turning valves and flushing hydrants, which is best done at night while campus is idle. 

A typical day starts out with a brief meeting in the IPF Lunchroom to discuss current projects and needs. From there, workers return to the location of their projects, with those manning the two trouble trucks handling calls that came in overnight as well as other urgent needs. Their work takes them everywhere on campus, and they often find themselves collaborating with PIAs, engineers, facilities managers and other skilled trades such as HVAC. 

However, the word “typical” is used loosely. Beside the day-to-day “business as usual” tasks, these guys tackle a huge range of unanticipated urgencies. However, the overwhelming sentiment from crew members is that they really enjoy the variety of work they do, and the challenges it offers.

“About five years ago, there was a steam shutdown over Thanksgiving break to upgrade the system from the Regional Chilled Water Plant to the medical buildings on south campus,” Fischer said. “There was a lot that had to be done, with a really tight deadline.” He continued, “Everyone came in the night of Thanksgiving, worked through the entire weekend, and we got it done before everyone was back that Monday.” 

I guess when you have that kind of combined experience, you know your stuff. 

“These guys all get along, and when there’s a big job to do or if someone is in trouble, everyone drops what they’re doing to help,” Fortino adds. 

But even these seasoned die-hards sometimes find themselves knee deep in the unexpected. 

“One day, Tyler and I are on a job, and he gets called over to Wells Hall,” Tucker explains. “After some time passes, I get a call from him saying ‘you gotta get over here now!’. I walk into the building and there’s Tyler, dripping from head to toe in black water. All I could see were the whites of his eyes and his teeth!” Tucker continues, “He had been breaking up a hot water heating line that had no pressure, when a clog in the line suddenly dislodged spraying sediment-filled water everywhere. It was on the walls, in the lights, running down the stairs and of course, all over Tyler!”  

This “band of brothers” not only work hard, they play hard. 

When asked what sets his team above the rest, Fortino proudly explained, “These guys really have the ability to switch it into “third gear” at the drop of a hat in order to get things done; they don’t miss deadlines.” 

He added, “They’re also some of the best hunters here at IPF!”