Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter (boiler) - 4/20/2001City of Oshkosh Division of Inspection Services 215 Church Avenue PO Box 1130 OlHKOIH Oshkosh WI 54902-1130 Office 920-236-5050 ON THE WATER Fax 920-236-5084 Hauke Real Estate Investments PO Box 3174 Oshkosh WI 54903-3174 Apri120, 2001 Re: Boiler at 840 John St Dear Mr. Hauke and Mr. Leich; After reviewing your letter and the history behind this issue I have found there is a significant safety issue with this boiler. I am not aware of any boiler manufacturer that would condone or design a boiler that would allow flames to roll out of the combustion chamber. Additionally, our inspection revealed a concern with an accumulation of carbon monoxide (CO.) We have two letters from Gartman Mechanical Services, the first stating the roll out is normal operation for this boiler and the second letter addressing the CO accumulation. Neither of these letters provides information from the manufacturer of the boiler stating the flame roll out is acceptable or part of the design of this boiler. To date we have received no information from the manufacturer stating this is acceptable. We have conversed with state building officials regarding the flame roll out and they too find it unacceptable from an ignition and safety standpoint. At this time I have given our inspector, Brian Noe, direction to allow you 2 more weeks to resolve this problem. If there is not a resolution in progress by Monday, May 7, 2001 this office will issue citations. Please keep Mr. Noe (236-5051) informed of the arrangements and progress you make in complying with the Correction Notice. If you have additional questions, please call me at 236-5045. Sincerely, Allyn off Directo f spection Services Hauke Real Estate Investments - PO Box 3174 Oshkosh, WI 54903 Phone: 920-428-7249 for Chris or 920-915-5363 for Kyle April 5, 2001 Dear Mr. Dannhoff: I'm writing you this letter in regards to a series of disturbing actions taken by the housing inspectors you apparently over see. Over the summer of 2000 my partner and I bought a property located at 840 John St. Over the summer we invested thousands of dollars in correcting all code violations that were placed on the home prior to us purchasing it. One of the code issues was that the boiler in the home had some carbon monoxide problems due to prior tenants vandalizing the property and tearing down some of the venting in the basement. That issue was taken care of and we had Tenth Street Station come over on August 30t~' 2000 to do test for carbon monoxide, and everything checked out fine. When the inspectors came back through in early September, all code violations were fixed, except he felt there was still a problem with the boiler. When the boiler fires up, the combustion chamber fills with gas, then ignites causing a puff of flames to roll up to and spit out no more than a'/4 inch from the fire shield. This he thought was a major problem even though the boiler has been there for the last 20-30 years with no problems. Therefore we sent out Gartman Mechanical which he recommended us to call and have them come give us a report on it. We did so again (spending even more money) and everything checked out fine per their opinion. After the letter from Gartman was sent to the inspector, he still did not believe this was sufficient. He then told Gartman that we had carbon monoxide problems with that boiler, so Gartman wrote us a letter back stating that now the boiler needs to be replaced! However, remember that we had a carbon monoxide test done, and it was well below acceptable levels. After ignoring this letter, because of the sudden reverse opinion of Gartman, the inspector then sent us a letter stating that he would fine us if we did not replace the boiler. To me this is unacceptable. We have valid proof that the boiler is working properly and that it is a normal function for the boiler to work the way it does. I am asking you to please rectify the opinion of the inspector that has worked on this issue. I don't mean to cause problems, I have better things to do with my time than write letters like this because of other peoples irrational opinions on my properties that I have done nothing but good things for. I'm not willing or able to invest $2000-$3000 on a boiler that does not need to be replaced. Please contact me on your thoughts to this situation. Attached are copies of all letters and service reports. Thank you for your time. Chris Leitch -Hauke Real Estate Investments Kyle Hauke ACC ~C~" Tenth Street Station, Inc. Heating & Cooling 924 Ohio Street Oshkosh, Wl 54902 Phone: (920) 236-8770 Fax: (920j2~y6-01>0 ~V1~'vV.il:IltliSU~~tE~itW~f~~ .Lt~ti~l rl"IV'OIC~ DATE ~ DUE DATE INVOICE # _ ~ _. ___- 8/30120011 8/30/2000 ]U649 ' 3iL~. ; ~ wORK DOhlt=. ;~,T Taukc° I:~al Estate ~ 840 Ja'tu~i St. P.(~. Liox. 3174 Oshkosh, WI `4901 Osl~osh, Wl _54903-3174 P.+). NO. -TERMS PROJECT i Due on receipt QUANTITY DESCRIPTION RATE AMOUNT 'Service Call• Service boiler and test chimney for 49.95 ', 149.SSr proper draft. Bciiler is operating safely Ott this time. ~. :Chimney and vent connector are both allowable ' sizes oared on National Fuel Gas C•,~de vent tables ~ '~ for capac.ites ul~:~naso,iry ehimay.~ vvitll single wall vent coiu7ectv3':>. 1 Service Call: 'T'est boiler for carbon monoxide 49.95 49.95T upon start-up and during burner cycle. -Found 2 ppm un start-up / l ppm during cycle. W~.ll below acceptable levels. Sales "hax 5.00% 9.99 r'Ic:~sc: l;aii siirz +` you liati•c any yucstio~;s• ~`C~~t~~ ~;~(~~9.79 .~ ,~ sc;rvice charge of 1.5~•~ per tnortth will ,accrue on ail p~cst ta7ae. tt.nirtuiis. .'~i! co~l5 i~t ci;ll~i:tion:, including~`~ attorneys f, es shat( be paid by the purr,-l~asr;r. Q *~i'~)1Z 4'OUR%'ONVEMENI~F;, WL ACt t~;P"1' VIS~~, MAS~I F;i~t=:A~, AND DISCOVER** 6ti Gartman Mechanical Services G1ViS INC. P.O. Box 2264 Oshkosh, WI 54903-2264 ', Bill To Hauke Real Estate Investments 15765 Grande Market Drive Suite A ~, Appleton, Wl 54915 j ~ I I I Invoice Ii Date I Invoice #~ 1 / 16/2001 ! 8899 -~ --- P.O. No. I Terms GMS, Inc. WO No. - I Net 30 7300 --- - -- ~ ~ Description ~ Amount ~ Service call January 9th at 840 John Street in Oshkosh to check flame roll out problem , '; on AO Smith boiler. Found that upon starting the flames fill the combustion chamber in normal fashion for this style boiler. Check chimney draft and heat exchanger and for proper operation. j Labor ` (~ ` / 1/ I i I ~ ~~ --_--- _ -__ 1 ~' ~ S u btota Please make check payable to Gartman Mechanical Services, Inc. and ~ Sales Tax ~5.~%~ mail to P.O. Box 2264, Oshkosh, WI 54903-2264. Please return one copy of the invoice with your payment. All past due accounts will be ~ Total charged an interest rate of 2% per month. Thank you. ~ Payments/Credits Balance Due 62.OOT I~I $62e00 $3.10 $65010 ----; $o.oo $65.10 GMS, INC. Gartman Mechanical Services Heating -Ventilating - Sheetmetal -Air Conditioning P.O. Box 2264 520 W. Southpark Avenue Oshkosh, WI 54903 Phone: (920) 231-5530 Fax: (920) 231-0486 January 10, 2001 Hauke Real Estate Investments 5765 Grande Market Drive Suite A Appleton, WI 54915 ATTN: Kyle Hauke RE: 840 John Street in Oshkosh Mr. Hauke, On January 9~', we inspected the AO Smith boiler at 840 John Street in Oshkosh for a flame roll out problem. Found that upon start up, flames fill the combustion chamber in a normal fashion for this style of a boiler. A step opening gas valve may solve the large cloud of gas at start up, but isn't recommended as to liability of manufacturers' design. If you have any further questions or concerns, please give us a call. Sincerely, _lf ~ F e 1 f Y r~~~ Mark Weber, service technician Gartman Mechanical Services MW/mjh GMS, INC. GARTMAN MECHANICAL SERVICES HEATING • VENTILATING • AIR CONDITIONING • SHEET METAL • CONTRACTORS P.O. BOX 2264 S20 WEST SOUTH PARK AVENUE, OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN 54903 (920) 231-SS30 FAX (920) 231-0486 hchnriry 2, 2001 Hauke Real Estate Investments 5765 Grande Market Dr. Suite A Appleton, WI 5491 S ATTN: Kyle Hauke RE: 840 John St. in Oshkosh Mr. Hauke, On January 10th GMS, Inc. sent you a letter in regards to the A.O. Smith heating boiler at 840 John Street. Since then, we have received a letter from Brian Noe the City of Oshkosh heating inspector. His letter stated that there are a number of concerns with this property, one of those concerns was the detection of CO. In the January 10th letter, GMS stated that the flame operation was normal and that a step opening valve could be installed to alleviate gas buildup during the startup of the system, however it was not recommended due to liability purposes. In continuation with that theme, GMS recommends that this boiler be removed and replaced with a new system to insure the safety of occupants in the future. The January 10th letter stated that the flame roll was normal for that type of system, however at that time we did not detect any CO. Since, CO has been detected it is recommended to replace the unit. Any situation with CO is unsafe. Thank you for the opportunity to make recommendations to you on your system. To reiterate what was stated above, tl~e boiler system at 840 John St. needs to be replaced. GMS, Inc. would be happy to offer a written quotation to you on the replacement costs of a new system and information. regarding the planned new system. Copy of this letter turned into the city of Oshkosh for record purposes. Sincerely, >~~ - ~~ Dale Weitz OlHKOIH ON THE WATER March 7, 2001 City of Oshkosh Division of Inspection Services 215 Church Avenue PO Box 1130 Oshkosh WI 54903-1130 Hauke Real Estate Investments 5765 Grand Market Dr Suite A Appleton, WI 54915 ATTN: Kyle Hauke RE: 840 John St. As you are aware, we have been working toward a resolution for addressing the flame roll out on the boiler located at this address. It has been our position, and the fire departments position that there is no way that a boiler could be considered safe if it has a flame roll out problem. While you did provide us a copy of a letter from GMS, Inc that stated "flames fill the combustion chamber in normal fashion for this style of boiler" it did not state this was a safe operating boiler. In fact when this letter was questioned, GMS would not state that the boiler was operating in a safe manner, and in fact sent a letter recommending replacement. As in the past, it is our position that the flame roll out condition is an unsafe situation and is required to be corrected, either by repair or replacement. We have been very patient in allowing you time to correct this matter, and must insist that this betaken care of in the next 30 days in order to avoid citations being issued. Please let me know when I can expect compliance with this matter. ,,~,,., If you have any further questions, please give me a ca11236-5051. Respect </ Brian Noe Building Systems Inspector. PC: Allyn Dannhoff - Director of Inspection William Griswold -Fire Inspector