As I go about working on these heaters, I am struck by the great variety of competency shown by the various tradesmen. Some clearly knew their stuff; others, it seems, had never worked with stranded wire before. Bending pipe? Clearly some of these guy's first time as well- and without any clue about fastening to structural iron!
I've learned that this CUSStomer actually had multiple contractors doing these installs. They have no kind words about any of them - while this same grumpy customer does all it can to interfere with my doing my work.
Example: I'll be working on a heater at the east end of the complex, when someone will get upset about a heater running in the south 40- so they'll have me drop everything to immediately answer the complaint.
Technically, I'm not there to clean up the pipe; I'm there to add timers to the circuit. These folks would have me hang another box in free air!
A few of the heaters need to be relocated. I'm having trouble persuading these folks to get a REAL plumber to move the gas lines- they seem to think 'anyone' can thread pipe.
I've been marking the pipe, right at the timer, with the circuit that powers the unit. That's been a real furball of its' own.
Imagine: 20 years in operation, and no one has seen any merit in identifying circuits. I think I've started something
My use of a toner is scoffed at, though I've challenged anyone to show me a better way. Hot gloves? They proudly showed me a new pair they keep locked away, 'just in case' OSHA ever asks; forget about actually using them!
I can't understate the seriousness of the mess I'm dealing with. Several folks have lost their jobs - one at the middle management level - partly because of their campaign against me and my work.
For example: a heater I had reported as 'completed and working' failed to light the other day, when a cold snap came in. The cause? About 50 ft. of 3/4" black iron gas pipe supplying it had vanished. Gone. Professionally removed - this, in a plant rife with abandoned lines and mysterious wires.
Little things like that - and the plain neatness / competence of my work (when compared to the previous efforts) are winning folks over. Not that I'm bragging - my work is nothing exceptional - but the previous stuff was so bad.