One way to keep things like new is to clean the boilers every year to make sure they stay in great working order and to help maintain efficiency.Edward Harding, stationary engineer operator, cleans the boilers at Cobequid Hospital.
Photo essay - Maintenance and Plant Operations
-
Boiler maintenance
-
Something for the kids
Sometimes the fun projects are of a smaller scale. Maintenance staff built this colouring, drawing and play area for children who are waiting with their guardian at Blood Collection Services at Cobequid Hospital. This also makes it easier for the technicians who are drawing the blood because they have the guardians’ full attention, which makes the drawing of blood a lot quicker.
-
Backup power
When the power goes out, the transformer (right) recognizes that there is no power coming into the building and it will automatically flip over to battery operation (left) until the generators kick in. After 10 seconds the batteries have done their job and the hospital is now running on generator power at Cobequid Hospital.
-
Air quality
The Maintenance and Plant Operations department works very closely with the Infection Control department on every project. When any work is being done in the hospital where there could be particles getting into the air, white plastic and red tape is put up to make sure that the air quality is not compromised. Richard Crouse, stationary engineer operator, is making sure that the red tape is properly secured around all pipes within the ceiling at Cobequid Hospital.
-
Working at high heights
If you’re afraid of heights, then being an electrician fixing the fire alarm on the helipad may not be the best project to take on. Richard White and Victor Brine, electricians, won’t let a little height stop them from doing what they love; it’s just another day at work… with a great view.
-
Window repair
Another job that the men and women (there are two women in Maintenance and Plant Operations at Capital Health) do to make sure our facilities are running the way they should be is taking care of the little things before they become a larger issue. Rodney Swinemar, lead hand carpenter, fixes a window at the Halifax Infirmary, QEII Health Sciences Centre.
-
Stretcher servicing
When a stretcher is not working as it should be, one of the Maintenance and plant operations workers will diagnose the problem and do the repairs in-house. The only thing that will slow repair time down is if they need to order a part, so please be patient and understanding. Norman Hodder, general Maintenance worker, fixes a stretcher at Victoria Halifax Infirmary, QEII Health Sciences Centre.
-
Carpentry experts
The Maintenance and Plant Operations department have carpenters on staff who able to make many different types of fixtures and furnishings. John Stewart, carpenter, works in the shop at the Halifax Infirmary, QEII Health Sciences Centre.
-
Proactive solutions
Maintenance and Plant Operations department staff members try to be as proactive as they can. Generators are turned on at the beginning of every month to make sure everything is running as set by the manufacturer. Weekly checks are also done for acid levels. Sid Howard, electrician, checks the generators at Dartmouth General Hospital.
-
Quick turnaround
Is there a wheel chair that needs to be fixed? Or a stretcher? Maintenance and Plant Operations can fix it on site and get them back into use as quickly as possible for our patients, clients and residents. Jeff Denty, general Maintenance worker, fixes a wheelchair at Dartmouth General Hospital.