An RFP For All
There’s a lot going on at F&S, and there’s just as much with all the vendors who F&S contracts to do construction and maintenance work. An important request for proposals (RFP) is open now, and for a short time more, for businesses to partner with F&S construction services. And core to the mission of the university, and at F&S, is attracting vendors owned by underrepresented … Continue reading An RFP For All
Students at Work with F&S
F&S employs more than 1,000 highly-skilled and dedicated workers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A small portion of that workforce comes from students working in a field close to what they study academically. The week of April 8-12 was declared National Student Employment Week by the National Student Employment Association (NSEA). See below for tremendous success stories from four 2024 student employees, and how … Continue reading Students at Work with F&S
Abbott Power Plant Welcomes Girl Scouts: 2024 Edition!
Abbott Power Plant generates steam, electricity, and for some local girl scouts, memories from their tour of the one-of-a-kind facility. Associate professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) in the Grainger College of Engineering, Ashlynn Stillwell welcomed dozens to Abbott on a Saturday morning, and introduced the basic science behind the functions of Abbott, and the importance of safety on premises. Stillwell has led the … Continue reading Abbott Power Plant Welcomes Girl Scouts: 2024 Edition!
Shop Spotlight: Tool Room
How does the F&S Tool Room operate? Andy Harpst, Tool Room supervisor: In the Tool Room, I recommend, determine, and procure tools, technical equipment and safety/personal protective equipment needed to satisfy the job requirements of journeymen in all crafts and trades within F&S. I also recommend modifications to equipment and tools. These decisions on tools and equipment are procurement-based on intensive research and knowledge involving the … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Tool Room
Crushing It
Used automobile oil filters have no chance now. The F&S Garage services all F&S Car Pool vehicles, as well as F&S shop trucks, electric cars, garbage trucks, Zamboni machines, and almost anything else with an engine. Inherent to servicing is the oil filter, an item that is regularly replaced. Once a filter has fulfilled its life cycle, these metal cylinders, sometimes about 12 inches long, … Continue reading Crushing It
Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: ‘Above the Line Behaviors’
Russ Reynolds sees the value of the individual as part of a team and recognizes how each person, and the choices they make, turn personal culture into organizational effectiveness. To Reynolds, chief engineer at Abbott Power Plant, each moment while on the job is another opportunity to be ‘above the line.’ These positive and proactive work and interpersonal behaviors are generally those that include owning … Continue reading Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: ‘Above the Line Behaviors’
Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: All-Gender Restrooms and Illinois Code
Katie Sperl, associate director of campus code compliance & fire safety, gave a talk to the Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference considering new codes for restrooms, and the future of more ‘all-gender’ restrooms. “At the University of Illinois, this is a very important topic for our students and something we’re looking at in all of our buildings,” Sperl said. All-gender restrooms, in a school … Continue reading Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: All-Gender Restrooms and Illinois Code
Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: Retrocommissioning
Buildings need tune-ups, and F&S’ cross-disciplinary retrocommissioning (RCx) teams do important work to make sure utilities and systems are doing what they should and working correctly… including at the right times. RCx teams at F&S are made up of eight people: two electricians, two temperature control mechanics, two sheet metal workers, one engineer, and one programmer. Andy Robinson, energy services administration engineer, gave a talk … Continue reading Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: Retrocommissioning
Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: Overview
Of the crowd of 60 attendees at the Chief Engineers and Facility Managers Conference, most were from either the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or another Illinois university or community college. And despite the size and location of the institution, all who came to Champaign for the conference were looking for advice and ready to share a success, particularly with the general concept: how do we … Continue reading Chief Engineers & Facility Managers Conference: Overview
Shop Spotlight: Insulators
When it’s cold out, we all need a blanket to stay warm. Mechanical systems are just as receptive to that extra layer, and in fact, insulation accomplishes many things that make campus more sustainable. The F&S Building Heat & Frost Insulators, called shop 52 at F&S, provide insulation fabrication for systems in buildings all across campus – often in tight spaces, basements, and attics alike. … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Insulators