Insights, News, Press Releases • November 2, 2018
Just an Old-School Engineer, Doing His Job
Technology continues to drive big changes in every industry, and facility maintenance is no exception. With increasing focus on Building Management Systems (BMS) and Building Automated Systems (BAS) programs and sensors, smart technology and the emergence of cloud-based solutions, it can be hard to tell where engineers and operators – the people who actually make buildings work – fit in.
This is a huge problem. BMS and BAS Are Not a Standalone Solution
According to Furion Analytics Research and Consulting LLP, the facility management market is forecasted to surpass $56 billion annually by 2021, driven largely by an increase in asset and inventory management programs and energy efficiency initiatives. While technology certainly has an important role, any attempt to improve facility maintenance that ignores the boots on the ground will surely fail. Visual inspections are things that most BMS systems can’t identify but experienced humans can. These can include: small puddles due to leaks that spring up in non-traditional areas, biofouling that may be occurring in your cooling towers, items obstructing dampers or vents, etc.
Many companies tend to undervalue the “old-school” engineer. Milhouse IS NOT one of those companies. These are the people who get their hands dirty and have the experience to spot an issue in their facility based on a sound, sight, or smell. Engineers are a building’s best monitoring tool, and they’re incredibly important.
Technology cannot replace the old-school engineer. Sensors and BMS systems are still no match for the senses of a seasoned engineer. Instead of over relying on computers and sensors, technology needs to provide tools to elevate and empower the facilities professionals who ultimately make the decisions and get the work done.
A prime example of this has been recently illustrated by our own Nick Malik, Senior Mechanical Engineer, who was recognized by two major clients on the same day for doing an exceptional job!
Nick’s day started by honoring a personal request from a high-ranking official to put together and present a highly technical presentation regarding the plant control systems at O’Hare International Airport to an audience of maintenance and plant operations personnel. Nick played a major role in the design of the controls, and used his unique talent for simplifying complicated concepts to engage and teach a tough audience, much to the delight of the official requesting the presentation.
Leaving O’Hare, Nick drove straight to UIC, where he is the lead designer for a nanotechnology clean room project, housed in the engineering research lab of the university (shown below.) Nick’s exceptional hands-on knowledge of MEP systems and design were called upon to conduct a thorough technical analysis of a preliminary design submitted by another firm. Nick was able to recommend a more appropriate and highly cost-effective design, which will save the university a lot of expense and aggravation, to the great appreciation of the client.
Did You Know?
Nick graduated from the American University of Beirut, then recruited by Princeton University, where he received two Masters degrees. He was an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage, where he taught HVAC systems, and to date, has spent more than 45 years in a career that he lives and breathes. When asked what he thought about the accolades of our customers, Nick’s reply says it all – “I’m just an old-school engineer, doing his job.”
Thank you, Nick, for doing a remarkable job!