Piper Electric to the rescue at Fitchburg industrial building

By Tom Tamalavitch   

In late May and early June, Piper Electric embarked on a complex project that required careful coordination and expertise. Our client, new to Massachusetts, purchased a two-story industrial building in Fitchburg. They aimed to install multiple split units for heating and manage their own electrical work. However, things took a turn when the city inspector intervened, resulting in the building being de-energized due to code violations.

Navigating the Hurdles

With multiple city officials and departments, including the fire department, involved, it was clear that a structured plan was essential. After numerous meetings and phone calls, we devised a comprehensive action plan consisting of several key phases.

  1. Fire Alarm System Installation: Our first step was to design and install a complete fire-alarm system, which would be tested in collaboration with city officials. This was crucial for securing a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for our client.
  2. Emergency Lighting Upgrade: Next, we tackled the installation of new emergency lights throughout the building. This included the installation of new conduit and wiring to ensure safety and compliance.
  3. Exterior Service Improvements: While we advanced with the interior projects, we also focused on bringing the exterior service up to code. This involved adding a 400-amp disconnect before the metering to facilitate cold sequencing for the local utility company.

Once power was restored, we conducted thorough testing of the fire alarm system and ensured that the Radio Box communication with fire alarm dispatch was functioning correctly. This allowed us to complete the emergency lighting installations, moving us closer to full compliance.

  1. Final Code Violations Repair: The last phase involved addressing various code violations throughout the facility, ensuring that the building met all local safety standards.

A Team Effort

While the project may not sound monumental at first glance, it involved intricate planning, coordination, and execution. We faced numerous challenges, but the dedication and teamwork of our crew made it all possible. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the team members who contributed to this project: Doug Martin, Jeff Caron, John Wilkinson, Tyler DesBouvier, Jeff Schrecke, Jeremy Brown, Andy Welch, Kyle Therrien, Isaiah Goguen, and Tyler Comelo. Your hard work and commitment were instrumental in bringing this project to a successful conclusion.

At Piper Electric, we pride ourselves on our ability to tackle complex projects, ensuring safety and compliance while providing exceptional service. This Fitchburg project exemplifies our commitment to our clients and the communities we serve. We look forward to taking on more challenges and continuing to deliver high-quality solutions.