TEMP-AIR, Inc., a specialist in temporary climate control rental services, was named #76 on Rental Equipment Register’s list of top 100 rental companies from 2011 (RER 100).Editor, Michael Roth, wrote about TEMP-AIR, “a 14.8-percent rental volume increase for HVAC rental specialist.  Experienced growth in 2011 by adding equipment to the rental fleet and hiring additional sales, service, and manufacturing staff.  More than 80 heaters rented to heat the NFL Experience and ESPN broadcast tents at Super Bowl.”The accompanying article,  RER 100: Back in Black, discussed how an encouraging trend is emerging as the rental industry is finally showing signs of imrpovement.  After three years of decline, the RER 100 as a whole increased 17.6 percent, making this the best year for the rental industry since 2008.The RER 100 is a listing of the top 100 rental companies in North America ranked according to rental volume (not including equipment sales).  The RER 100 has been released every year since 1984 byRental Equipment Register magazine, a Penton Media Publication.
		Read the full article here.

The redesigned Model TZ-60B is part of the Topaz® line of portable air conditioners. The 6-ton portable air conditioner offers 76,500 Btuh of cooling and can also provide heat with a built-in electric heat coil. Other new features on the TZ-60B include a digital programmable thermostat; easy service access; and a built-in condensate pump. Designed for portability and durability, the portable a/c unit is constructed of powder-coated steel, and its rugged design rolls easily from shop floor to indoor office areas. Various accessories are available, including a ceiling discharge kit, to adapt the unit to a user’s application.Temp-Air Inc. 800-836-7432 www.gotopaz.com   View this article online at www.achrnews.com

		WATERTOWN – Even without the Packers, Wisconsin will play a crucial role at the Super Bowl.  Although the Green and Gold won’t be warming up to play in the big game, one Watertown company will be keeping Super Bowl fans away from the cold.Lanny Borck, Regional Sales Manager for Temp-Air, tells TODAY’S TMJ4′s Jesse Ritka he’s excited to be a part of the Super Bowl, “Even though the Packers aren’t in, it’s still the NFL.” While it’s not quite the Frozen Tundra, Super Bowl tented events need to be heated, and that’s where Temp-Air comes in.  Mike Bacchi is headed to Indianapolis to work for Temp-Air during the game, “We’ll be heating a lot of the NFL Experience tents, the ESPN tents, roughly 4 or 5 football fields underneath tents.” Thousands of football fans will pass through heated Super Bowl-size tents, also made by a Wisconsin company, “Karls Party Rental in Oak Creek, they called us in on it and we got involved,” explains Bacchi.
A Wisconsin crew has been out in Indianapolis since January 10th, setting up more than 80 giant heaters and conducting trial runs.  They want to make sure the tents and heaters are ready for any type of weather, which is a big test says Borck, “We had to heat the tents for the snow loads a few weeks ago, they wanted to make sure it would melt as it accumulated on the roofs.”But their crew and the machines are prepared for anything.  “It’s Indianapolis; it’s not Green Bay,” says Borck even though he wishes it was.  At least the Temp-Air crew can focus on the job Borck contends, “They can’t worry about the game, they have other things to take care of.  A couple of them would be MIA if the Packers were there.” But they can still say Wisconsin was a hot part of the big day.  Bacchi knows it’ll be one to remember, “I know they’re a lot of work and we take a lot of pride in what we do, but in the end, we can always say ‘I heated the Super Bowl’.” No matter the outcome of the game, Temp-Air says it’s still a big win for their Wisconsin company.

Business is brisk for Temp-Air, roofers

December’s record snowfall and cold weather in general are a pain to most contractors, but some specialty businesses don’t mind the wrath of winter.

In fact, for companies like Burnsville-based Temp-Air, the snow and cold are good for business.

Contractors hate winter, but “we love it,” said Tom Danley, vice president with Burnsville-based Temp-Air, which provides temporary heating for construction sites and other services. “It’s kind of that necessary evil thing. You prefer not to go to the dentist, but sometimes you have to.”

Founded in 1965, Temp-Air has worked for builders such as Mortenson Construction, Kraus-Anderson, Ryan Cos. and Adolfson & Peterson and has 12 offices throughout the United States.

Although the volume of work is down because of the overall slump in construction, the chill in the air is creating opportunities, Danley said.

The company recently set up dozens of heaters at TCF Bank Stadium to help prepare it for the Dec. 20 Minnesota Vikings-Chicago Bears game, which was relocated from the snow-damaged Metrodome.

The company cranked up four THP-2000 heaters at the frost-bitten, open-air stadium to blow hot air through ductwork and under a tarp, according to the company’s website (www.temp-air.com).

Each of the heaters provides 2 million BTUs per hour of heat, the company noted. Fifty smaller heaters were set up at concession stands.

Granted, it’s not every day a company will get a chance to defrost a football stadium. But one thing that is consistently driving business is the increasing need to complete projects quickly, which may include toughing it out in December and January.

Temporary heat is important because “so many things are water-based, from the concrete to the glues to the caulk to paint,” Danley said.

Temp-Air isn’t the only building-related business staying busy in the winter.

St. Cloud-based Horizon Roofing, for example, just finished a roofing project for the University of Iowa and is gearing up to do some work for Target Corp. in the Hawkeye state.

The commercial roofing contractor also has a service group that removes snow from buildings and fixes roof leaks, according to company president Kurt Scepaniak.

“Service guys are like the U.S. Postal Service,” Scepaniak said. “Wind, sleet or snow, if someone gets a roof leak, they have to repair it. The service guys have not slowed down at all.”

Overall, snowy winters are a blessing to landscape businesses, many of which stay busy in the winter by plowing and removing snow. But for some landscape companies, the record snowfall can be a curse.

“Everybody assumes that landscapers in a winter like this make a ton of money because of the snow,” said Patrick McGuiness, co-owner of One Call Property Care in St. Paul. “It depends on how their contracts are set up.”

McGuiness explained that some snow removal contracts involve a flat fee that stays the same whether there are two inches of snow in a month or two feet of snow. Others are paid on an hourly or per-snowfall basis.

Obviously, the snow removers prefer the latter arrangement during heavy snow seasons, but McGuiness, who does a mix of contract and per-job work, says it tends to even out over time. In other words, this year’s December is making up for last March, when there was little snow.

Hourly add-ons for things like snow removal (hauling it out with a dump truck instead of just blowing the snow) create additional revenue streams, as do extra charges for putting down salt and sand, he said.

But the equipment has to be maintained, and that can be a particular challenge when the snow is deep and wide.

“I don’t know anyone that didn’t have some equipment break down during the big blizzard,” said McGuiness, whose business is primarily with condo buildings and townhome associations. “We had a plow break. I had a friend who lost a transmission on a truck.”

Still, the show must go on.

One of Temp-Air’s most noteworthy winter projects came in 2007 and 2008, when it worked on the new Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis. With Temp-Air’s help, the project team, led by Colorado-base Flatiron, earned a bonus for finishing early.

“They don’t normally build bridges in Minnesota in the winter,” Danley noted. “We were very instrumental in working on that particular project and the very unique requirements of the project. We were facing temperatures well below zero, and that project went on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They never stopped.”

The 35W bridge wasn’t the only project with an expedited schedule.

“Contractors today are pushing more than ever to get buildings done faster, faster, faster,” Danley said. “We really help the contractor stay on schedule and continue building, even in the most adverse conditions. And we don’t care how cold or warm it is.”

GRAND RAPIDS — It hasn’t been much of a winter so far in the greater Grand Rapids area, as the 30,000 people expected for Friday night’s Hot-FM (105.3) New Year’s Eve Party will be reminded.

The Citadel Broadcasting-presented outdoor event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Rosa Parks Circle amid very atypical “winter” weather. In fact, it might feel more like spring.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids said temperatures will remain in the rather balmy mid-40s throughout the evening. Highs during the day will reach into the upper 40s.

”We might have a really big turnout thanks to the warmer weather,” said Todd Tofferi, the city’s special events coordinator. “You gotta love Michigan weather.”

But along with the warmer temperatures, there also is some rain in the forecast. Of course, Michiganians are trained to handle unpredictable weather and come prepared. And the event itself will include a large 30-by-60-foot heated tent for attendees where hot chocolate and hardwarmers will be sold.

Meteorologist Brandon Hoving expects intermittent light-to-moderate rain showers during the big downtown event, which will feature performances by Good Charlotte, We the Kings, Runner Runner, Kaci Battaglia and Frankie Ballard, and a ball drop at midnight.

”The chance for showers will continue for that whole period actually,” he said.

Senior forecaster Bob Dukesherer said the evening could bring heavy rain with rumbles of thunder toward midnight.

”There could be pockets of heavier rain moving through, especially as we head toward midnight. I’m talking downpour-type stuff,” he said. “We’re not looking for widespread thunderstorms, but there could be a rumble or two of thunder in this stuff with embedded thunderstorms.”

Tofferi said the show will go on in the event of a heavy downpour. Performances will be temporarily suspended only if lightning poses a threat.

”A couple of rumbles of thunder isn’t going to stop it,” Tofferi said.

But mid-40s does not mean it’s time to break out your inner Gidget. The evening still will require winter — and water-repellent — attire, save for perhaps the five acts performing on stage thanks to TEMP-AIR.

The Burnsville, Minn.-based company, with 13 nationwide locations that include Detroit, will be working to keep the stage, backstage area and attendee warming tent in the Ellis parking lot toasty.

The company was responsible for thawing the football field at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium for the Dec. 20 rescheduled game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. The game was held there after a blizzard earlier this month caused extensive damage to the Metrodome, the home of the Vikings.

TEMP-AIR installed four THP-2000 heaters, or temporary direct-fired make-up air heaters. The heat was blown through ductwork underneath a protective tarp until just hours before kickoff. The company also provided heat for each concession stand in the facility, which are designed to handle mid-November temperatures.

Two to four white vinyl ductwork pieces from the heaters will be placed on stage at Rosa Parks Circle to help blow 60- to 65-degree air onto the musicians and their instruments to help keep everyone functioning and in tune.

”That’s very critical that (the backstage area is) kept at an even temperature and controlled humidity so the (instrument) strings don’t warp,” said Paul McCarthy, technical field representative at TEMP-AIR’s Michigan distribution warehouse and sales office in Detroit.

The company also has heated the X-Games, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and the Final Four and 2006’s Super Bowl XL in Detroit. The national company typically outfits old manufacturing facilities, hospitals and schools and is the largest supplier to the construction trade in North America.

They also will help heat tents at the Grand Haven Winterfest Jan. 27-30.

”We have enough equipment to heat a city the size of Port Huron,” McCarthy said.

“Heating the stage is more like “an effort in futility,” McCarthy added. “We’re just spot-heating it. So what we’re doing is trying to provide a safe environment for some fresh air to be blown at (the musicians).”

Of course, if it does rain, McCarthy can’t do much for the thousands of people gathered at the event. Not unless a bunch of tents spring up overnight.

”We heated about 12 blocks of downtown Detroit when we did the Super Bowl. If they put it all under a tent, we could protect everybody,” he said, laughing.

Marcus Bradman, Citadel’s director of promotions and events, will be behind the scenes making sure everything he can control goes off without a hitch.

”It’s chaotic and crazy, but I love it. I get an adrenaline rush,” said Bradman, who typically starts his day at 5 a.m. New Year’s Eve and takes a breath at 4 a.m. New Year’s Day.”It’s just the adrenaline rush of the people coming down and the excitement. And that’s what we live and work for. It’s a collaborative effort of all of us at Citadel.”

Part of the preparations for the day will be making sure the 6-foot-1-inch illuminated globe, engineered by Rockford Construction and lighted by Westmaas Electric, will be in place to count down the seconds to the New Year.

The globe is being sponsored by Consumers Energy.

Westmaas Project Manager Scott Westmaas said that no changes have been made to the globe since its creation in 2008. In fact, no bulbs had to be replaced this year even.

”Yeah, it’s real low maintenance, thank goodness,” Westmaas said, laughing. “We try to get it up by noon on Friday.”

The globe will once again flash its white lights intermittently as it’s lowered to the ground for the countdown.

Bradman said he’s happy that the event helps to put people in Rosa Parks Circle, as well as restaurants, hotels and bars in the downtown area.

”We want those filled,” he said. “That’s really what we’re trying to do — boost the level of economics downtown.”

Vikings Countdown to Kickoff at TCF Bank Stadium : MyFoxTWINCITIES.com		Due to the roof collapse at the Metrodome, the MN Vikings’ home playing field, TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota had been chosen as the new site for the December 20, 2010 Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears. The field at the TCF Bank Stadium had already been winterized, and because of the huge snowstorm that caused the Metrodome’s roof to collapse, up to 20 inches of snow covered the ground in most areas.  Hundreds of workers were brought in to clear the snow from the playing field and throughout the seating areas. Just days before the big game, TEMP-AIR was challenged to gather, deliver, and install enough heating equipment to thaw the frozen field and provide heat for each concession stand in the facility. On the turf, TEMP-AIR installed four THP-2000 heaters, each providing 2 million BTU’s/hr of heat.  The hot air was blown through ductwork and underneath a protective tarp until just hours before kickoff time. (The video to the left shows TEMP-AIR equipment in action.)
Forecasts for game time weather predicted temperatures in the lower 20′s, while the concession areas at “The Bank” are only designed to handle mid-November temperatures.  Fifty TEMP-AIR THP-175 heaters, each delivering up to 175,000 BTU/hr., were installed and Plexiglass covers were placed around the concession stands to trap the heat inside. The weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the MN Vikings Franchise.  It was the Vikings’ first outdoor game since December 20, 1981.

Click Here to view the full article online at the HVACR Distribution Business website.

When an air-conditioning system goes on the fritz in an office building or in a home, it can quickly become a major inconvenience for all those affected. But when a misfiring system affects a service or application that requires a preset cool temperature — a computer server room or a specialized assembly line, for example — it becomes more than an inconvenience — the business is at stake.

That’s where a company like TEMP-AIR can save the day – and potentially save a business from losing lots of money.  The Burnsville, Minn., company is one of the leading providers of temporary heating, cooling, dehumidifying and air-filtration services, and it has solutions for every application.  For HVACR distributors, TEMP-AIR manufactures its TOPAZ line of portable air conditioners, which are designed for portability and convenience.  TEMP-AIR also has two other areas of business: its rental operation, run through its 12 locations in the United States, and its Thermal Remediation division for pest control.

TEMP-AIR was started in 1965 as Rupp Industries, and it remained a family-run operation until a group of investors purchased it. In September 2007, they changed its name to TEMP-AIR. “The primary things that attracted my interest in TEMP-AIR were the quality of the people, the quality of the products they manufacture and the exceptional service that TEMP-AIR provides,” said TEMP-AIR CEO Jim Korn at the time that the investors purchased the company. “It is my hope to build upon the tradition at TEMP-AIR of attracting quality people, manufacturing quality products and giving our customers outstanding service.”

TEMP-AIR’s TOPAZ air-cooled and water-cooled air portable air conditioners represent a product line that can help to set apart HVACR wholesalers from the pack. Building managers and contractors who have worked with commercial buildings have found it helpful to have a TEMP-AIR dealer that they can count on when they need portable air-conditioning equipment for a job.

Building on its success in the rental industry, TEMP-AIR started the Topaz product line in 1999. It was poised for success with TOPAZ because of TEMP-AIR’s roots in HVACR rental equipment. “We build our equipment around the rental industry,” notes Dan Grinols, TEMP-AIR’s vice president of engineering. “We have a strong background in dealing with the equipment on a temporary or portable basis. That’s one of the things that separates us from some of the other companies out there.” The company manufactures the equipment in the United States.

While other companies may retrofit HVACR equipment to be portable, TEMP-AIR actually designs its equipment for how technicians will use it in the field. “We build durability and toughness into it,” Grinols says. TEMP-AIR also makes the equipment easy on the ears. Unlike other portable air- conditioning models that are loud, the TOPAZ units cool quietly at the lowest decibel level for portable air conditioners while delivering full performance at a wide range of temperatures and altitudes with a thermostatic expansion valve. This valve automatically adjusts to the environment, functioning day after day, year after year, regardless of the conditions. The units can be set through a mechanical thermostat or through a seven-day, 24-hour programmable temperature control.

Smaller equipment — one- to five-ton units — primarily make up the TOPAZ line. The equipment’s size makes it very user-friendly and easy to move units around a building or from one application to another. In fact, it can fit through doorways as small as 32 inches wide.

There are six different models in the Topaz product line. While some may consider that a small product line, the mix and range of models make it just right for dealers. “Although we have had some inquiries regarding additional unit sizes, the BTU/hr range that we offer meets the needs of most portable applications,” says Jessica Mulinix, TEMP-AIR marketing manager. In fact, most of the TOPAZ units actually provide more BTUs/hr than their ratings indicate — a selling point for distributors, she adds. “For example, a unit that is rated at three tons of cooling is actually capable of about 3½ tons of cooling,” Mulinix says.

The simplicity of these portable air-conditioning units is also one of their key selling features, Mulinix offers. Distributors and contractors easily understand how the system works. There’s very little installation necessary for a TOPAZ unit. It can be set up in minutes and rolled easily from one application in a building to another. “It’s a very user-friendly product,” she adds. “For the smaller units, you can plug them into a standard outlet, turn them on and go,” she says.

Knowing that a strong dealer network is the best way to reach customers, TEMP-AIR has worked diligently to build a list of distributors who are committed to HVACR and to the benefits of selling portable air-conditioning equipment. From the initial launch of the TOPAZ product line, TEMP-AIR has worked to build its distributor network. “Distributors are a critical part of our business,” says Scott Brainard, TEMP-AIR vice president of product development. “We depend on both our current distributors and locating new distributors for the current and future growth of our business.”

Because TEMP-AIR built its business on the rental side, it developed a strong foundation of customer service — a legacy that benefits its wholesaler distributors. “When somebody calls, we’re here to help them with whatever they need at that point in time,” Brainard says. “There’s a lot of resources that are available through TEMP-AIR for the distributor and the end-user. Distributors like working with us because our customer service to them reflects how important they are to our business.”

While dealers need very little technical training, TEMP-AIR does provide technical support as well as sales training. Technical training usually occurs at TEMP-AIR’s Minnesota headquarters. Brainard says they encourage distributors to visit their operations so they can develop firsthand knowledge of how TOPAZ units work, and they develop relationships with the TEMP-AIR service team.

TEMP-AIR will take sales training on the road, going directly to the distributors. “We provide a classroom-type training session with extensive information regarding the features and benefits of our product as well as information regarding the different markets and selling opportunities that our products offer,” Brainard says.

TEMP-AIR has well-established relationships with building managers, engineers and contractors across the country, and the company markets its TOPAZ product line directly to them as a way to drive traffic to the distributors. Advertising in industry publications and on the Web and having a strong presence at trade shows also help to build brand awareness for TEMP-AIR and the TOPAZ product line. In fact, TOPAZ air conditioners received a 2008 Reader’s Choice Award from Building Operating Management magazine, recognizing its products as among the most popular among readers.

TEMP-AIR also works with the distributors to help them market the products, providing them with product catalogs and reimbursing them for a certain amount of their annual marketing program. TEMP-AIR’s 12 regional offices are separate from its network of independent distributors. While they are two different markets, the offices complement the independent distributors. “That’s what makes the distributors so important,” says Grinols.

Brainard points out that when an end-user needs products, “time is of the essence.” Failing to get products to a customer can mean the loss of a sale. “Having distributors with product throughout the country is critical in increasing awareness and meeting customers’ needs,” he says. “Because of the nature of our business, we encourage our distributors to carry inventory. If the distributor does not have a specific product on hand, it may be available through one of TEMP-AIR’s 12 regional offices and shipped the same day, Brainard adds.

TEMP-AIR may be about products that provide temporary air-conditioning solutions, but the company says they establish permanent relationships with their distributors. The company understands the importance of the distributor who is on the ground and knows his market. “We recognize that we need those partnerships in order to grow our business and reach out to customers throughout the United States,” Brainard says. “We are always looking for new distributors and are willing to talk to anyone who is interested in supplying our product, regardless of how big or small a company they are.”

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Michael Maynard is a business writer based in Providence, R.I. He writes frequently on HVACR, construction and architecture issues. Contact him at michael.maynard@lycos.com

Best Practice

TEMP-AIR provides their customers with custom-engineered solutions for their unique air-management needs.

Definition and Example: Because TEMP-AIR specializes in temporary HVACR, each project brings its own set of unique challenges. From being the leading supplier of temporary heat for the U.S. construction industry to providing supplemental cooling for national TV broadcast suites at the 2008 Republican National Convention, to custom manufacturing equipment for overseas military applications, TEMP-AIR can provide a solution for any application.

Significance: With more than 40 years in business, TEMP-AIR uses their experience to design each project for maximum effectiveness. TEMP-AIR is flexible with a wide variety of equipment types and sizes, and multiple fuel options including natural gas, propane, electric, steam and hot water.

Benefits: When costs of equipment, fuel consumption and electrical usage are all taken into consideration, TEMP-AIR systems can provide their customers with the most efficient and economical results.

Procedure: For each application, TEMP-AIR supplies their customers with an accurate estimation of heat loss, humidity levels and fuel consumption to size the project. Certified service technicians provide equipment delivery, installation, routine site inspections, adjustments and preventive maintenance. Emergency service is available 24/7/365.

People involved: Sales, Engineering, Product Management, Production & Service.

Timing: 24/7/365

Cost: Dependent on the project.

Contact: Jessica Mulinix, Marketing Manager, Direct: 952/707-5166, Toll-Free: 800/836-7432, e-mail: jmulinix@TEMP-AIR.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEMP-AIR is Named #56 on Rental Equipment Register Top 100, Receives Recognition as a Leader in Construction Indoor Air Quality.

Burnsville, MN – May 29, 2009 – TEMP-AIR, Inc., a specialist in temporary HVAC rental services, is named #56 on Rental Equipment Register magazine’s list of top 100 rental companies in 2009 (RER 100).

While the accompanying article states that overall rental volume of the RER 100 fell 0.36 percent in 2009, TEMP-AIR climbed twenty-two spots from their ranking of #78 in 2008.  RER editor, Michael Roth, added in his editorial comments, “…43-percent rental volume hike one of this list’s best.”

In addition to diversifying their product line in 2008, TEMP-AIR management made it a company goal of increasing their involvement in green construction, as highlighted by Roth, “…TEMP-AIR equipment used on more than 15 LEED-certified projects, taking the lead on indoor air quality improvement in construction.”

The RER 100 is a listing of the top 100 rental companies in North America ranked according to rental volume. The RER 100 has been released every year since 1984 by Rental Equipment Register magazine, a Penton Media Publication.

About TEMP-AIR

Since 1965, TEMP-AIR has been America’s leading provider of temporary, portable heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and air filtration equipment and services to the U.S. construction industry.  TEMP-AIR is a privately held company headquartered in Burnsville, MN and has 11 regional offices nationwide.

Courtesy 2008 Republican National Convention & Reflections Photography.

The 2008 Republican National Convention, held September 1-4, 2008, was an event of epic proportions.  It took 40 days to transform 475,000 sq. ft. of space at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN from an NHL hockey arena and concert venue into a convention hall. More than 500 workers were brought in to remove 3,000 seats, build workspace for the staff and media, and prepare the site for the 45,000 participants.  Included was the installation of 12 miles of high-capacity fiber optic line; 25 miles of voice, data, and coaxial cable and 135 miles of copper wiring for the 500 commercial TV stations broadcasting from the Xcel Center

Freeman, an event logistics and decorating company based out of Dallas, was hired to oversee the convention operations. One of the tasks assigned to Ralph Tufaro, director of operations for Freeman, included reconfiguring 30 suites surrounding the main concourses into temporary media broadcast facilities for national news networks including Fox News Channel, ABC, NBC, and CBS.

Packing an entire television studio into these small spaces, some no larger than 800 sq ft created an interesting challenge. These rooms were tightly packed with lights, sound, video cameras, and other electronic equipment that would emit tremendous amounts of heat. A solution was needed that would mitigate the heat problem, take up very little space, and (since live broadcasts were going to be made from these rooms) would make the least amount of noise.

Based on a referral from the Xcel Energy Center, Tufaro called on Scott Bjorklund technical field representative for TEMP-AIR, Inc. (Burnsville, MN), a provider of temporary, portable heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and air filtration services. Using its line of TOPAZ Portable Air Conditioners, TEMP-AIR installed a system of supplemental cooling comprising 23 THPAC-5 portable air conditioners, each rated at 77,500 Btuh; two THPAC-3 portable air conditioners, each rated at 42,200 Btuh; 85 20 in. x 25 ft poly vinyl flexible duct; and 21 14 in. x 25 ft poly vinyl flexible duct.

Additional spaces 

In another part of the facility, using the repurposed Zamboni storage area underneath the arena’s main seating tier, temporary offices for House Republican leader John Boehner (R-OH) and senior Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) were constructed, as well as “cloakrooms,” or private lounges, for the House, Senate, and gubernatorial attendees The rooms were completed with walls and ceilings, but beacuse they were temporary facilities, these spaces did not have their own A/C controls.  Dan Lewakowski, project manager for Freeman, had these requirements for the storage area,

TOPAZ TZ-60A set up in the main concourse of the Xcel Center.

“We needed a 5-ton unit for each of the cloakrooms, and the footprint needed to be 3 ft x 4 ft on the plan. We also needed access to each unit, plus we needed to put in an air return register in two of the panels. For the two offices, we planned to use one 3-ton unit that would handle both.”

Because each room was shaped differently, and each news studio had their own requirements, each setting needed its own unique solution. Some requested construction of temporary closets to house the A/C units for easy access inside the room. Some asked that the A/C be ducted through the ceiling into the middle of the space.

The Xcel Energy Center asked that TEMP-AIR duct out the condenser heat using the facility’s existing permanent ductwork. In one instance, flexible ductwork was hung from the ceiling, across the main concourse hallway, and into one of the unused concession stands in order to access the building’s exhaust system.

Because the suites required a high level of sound control, some of the news stations asked for installation of temporary, insulated walls and acoustical ductwork. Additionally, the TOPAZ line of portable air conditioners was specifically chosen for this application because the 3- to 5-ton units can operate between 67 and 71 dB, the lowest decibel level for this size of industrial, portable air conditioner.

Tufaro summed up his thoughts on the service that TEMP-AIR provided, “My main contact, Scott Bjorklund, was always available and stayed with us throughout the event. As you can imagine, we had many obstacles to overcome — from getting the power in and the hot air out to keeping up with emptying the condensate tanks while security was at its peak. TEMP-AIR did not miss a beat.” ES

When the mercury starts dropping in the fall, general contractors and construction managers must maintain proper temperature, relative humidity and ventilation on their jobsites. Temporary heating and ventilating equipment and services are an important and necessary part of the solution to keep jobsites running smoothly throughout the winter months.During the construction process, thousands of gallons of water are used in the construction of most commercial buildings. Concrete mixtures, masonry, drywall compound, fireproofing, paint, floor coating and varnishes all begin using a water base. When the finishes dry, the moisture is given up into the interior spaces of the building. Knowing this, it is as important to keep the building ventilated and dry as it is to maintain comfortable temperatures.

There are advantages to choosing the correct temporary heating equipment for an application. For example, direct-fired make-up air heaters may be the best choice for providing a system of both heat and ventilation in an enclosed building. However, smaller propeller fan, tube-style heaters are best suited for work in temporary poly or canvas enclosures. The following is an overview of different types of heating equipment and their applications.

Direct-Fired Make-up Air Heaters

Fossil fuel burning equipment is categorized as either “direct fired” or “indirect fired.” Direct-fired heaters do not have a heat exchanger for the exhaust gases, and all products of combustion go into the space being heated. Direct-fired heaters can be very fuel-efficient since no energy goes up a chimney. Nationally recognized testing laboratories approve this type of equipment for multiple applications since it is very clean burning.

Make-up air heaters should be installed to draw 100-percent outside air for proper heat distribution and ventilation of the construction processes. High-cubic feet per minute (CFM), low-temperature discharge units typically feature a centrifugal-style blower wheel and an electronic modulating gas control system for maximum fuel efficiency and inside temperature and humidity control. The lower discharge temperatures of these units will mix better with internal air and reduce heat stratification. To provide reasonable heat retention, these units are best used when the walls and roof are in place, and windows and doors are either installed or covered with a double poly system.

Direct-fired tube-style heaters

Tube-style, portable prop fan heaters, also known as salamanders or torpedoes, are typically used for heating masonry enclosures or under concrete deck pours where high temperatures and portability are necessary for these high-heat-loss temporary structures. These will typically have lower fan induction ratios and higher discharge temperatures, best suited for heating concrete pours where heat stratification is desired. They are also useful in other temporary enclosures because of their portability and lower voltage requirements.

Indirect-fired heaters

Indirect-fired construction heating equipment is similar to a system used in a house, but on a much larger scale. This equipment uses a heat exchanger in the air handler and a flue to exhaust the burned gas. Design of these units has improved significantly over the years, offering higher efficiencies. Compared to direct-fired equipment, however, these units will still burn more fuel on comparable inputs. Indirect-fired heaters are also much more expensive to build, making purchase costs and rental rates higher.

Most indirect-fired heating equipment will have higher CFM and lower discharge temperatures similar to make-up-air equipment. These units should also be equipped with remote inside temperature sensing for fuel management. There are many good units on the market, and they can be a good option for specific applications where this type of equipment is required or specified.

Electric heaters

Construction projects that have a lot of power available will occasionally look at using portable electric heaters. Under normal conditions, a construction site can be heated more economically with natural gas or propane, but with fossil fuel costs continually rising, more companies are giving electric heaters a second look. In the past, electrics were mostly used in non-construction areas such as power plants, manufacturing or assembly plants, utilities, government facilities and other industrial applications.

Portable electric heaters can range from 115V, 1,000 watt to 480V/600V, 150 kW and larger. Because there are no products of combustion, electric heaters are usually installed inside the heated space, and the inside air is re-circulated.

Steam and hot water heaters

Steam and hot water heaters can be used when a permanent steam or hot water plant is accessible. A temporary steam unit uses a coil and fan air handler component section to produce heat. The steam or hot water is piped into the coil while the air passing through the coils is heated and then introduced into the desired areas of the building through air handlers. The steam condenses to water and is sent back through return lines to the boiler to start the process over again. If hot water is used instead of steam, the water is pumped back in return lines and reheated by the boiler as necessary.

Steam and hot water units commonly re-circulate the air in the space they are heating. Using outside air to provide a system of controlled ventilation is possible, however, precautions would need to be taken to protect coils that could be exposed to freezing conditions in the event of a boiler failure. This is typical of permanent installations, but some advanced planning is needed to be successful.

GROUND THAWING

Ground thaw units are typically used during the early stages of construction when the ground needs to be thawed to dig for footings and foundations. Most systems are enclosed in a trailer and consist of a glycol-filled boiler operated on diesel, or natural or propane gas. Pumps and reels of heat transfer hose provide distribution in lengths of about 1,500 lineal feet per reel. The hose is laid out in a serpentine fashion over the ground with anywhere from 12 to 16 inches between the hoses. Concrete curing blankets are placed over the heat transfer hoses and the boiler and glycol circulating pumps are started. The heated glycol circulates through the hoses and the heat radiates into the frozen ground. Frost can be removed at a rate of up to 12 inches per day depending on soil and outside temperature conditions.

BEST PRACTICES

Advanced planning is key to the success of any temporary heating application, that’s why it is in the best interest of the contractor to contact his supplier early in the season. Qualified suppliers should carry a variety of different heating systems and can help by selecting the most effective and efficient system for the application. “One size fits all” will not be a successful approach.

Contractors should look for a supplier that has various systems available and can give logical estimates for heat requirements, rental and installation costs, and energy consumptions. Compare estimates to what the permanent system would be. A supplier recommending a fraction of the heat requirements of the permanent system of an enclosed building has obviously made a mistake in calculations.

Equipment rental will be the least expensive portion of any heating project. Energy and labor are the highest costs, so it is critical to have an understanding of those key parts. Contractors would be dollars ahead by having a consulting engineer analyze the estimates that are given to them, especially in this day and age of higher energy costs.

Product manager, Scott Brainard, and consultant, Larry Petrak, both of Temp-Air Inc., have a combined 58 years experience in the construction heating industry. Since 1965, Temp-Air has been a leading provider of temporary, heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and air filtration equipment and services to construction, industrial and special events sites. For more information, visit www.temp-air.com.