|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 6, 2020 12:40:12 GMT -5
I wanted to take today off. I have all of my vacation time still remaining and it seemed after the 4th, and a graduation party yesterday, it would be a good day. But I didn’t.
So naturally this morning we had an electrical fire in the building, in the AC unit in the basement where my office is. Entire basement filled with smoke. Shut the power to the unit, it stopped.
AC guy says the blower motor went bad and that was the problem.
On the one hand, it would’ve been a good day to stay home. On the other, it wouldn’t have been noticed until much later if I had.
So now there’s no AC in my office until they can locate the ancient parts needed to repair the ancient “package unit” (yes I laughed every time the guy said that).
So I’m working remotely from the conference room on the main floor until then.
|
|
|
|
Post by Larry Madsen on Jul 6, 2020 12:43:32 GMT -5
Sometimes things just work out for the better.
Never under-estimate pure instinct.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 6, 2020 12:58:11 GMT -5
Sometimes things just work out for the better. Never under-estimate pure instinct. I charged into the smoke filled basement without knowing what I would encounter. So I’m not sure I trust my instincts lol. |
|
|
|
Post by Larry Madsen on Jul 6, 2020 13:43:46 GMT -5
I charged into the smoke filled basement without knowing what I would encounter. So I’m not sure I trust my instincts lol. Well, I suppose I was making reference to all that might have been prior to you leaving the house. At some point those with integrity will simply do the right thing in the face of the unknown.  |
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 6, 2020 13:45:06 GMT -5
Well, in fairness to myself, it wasn’t bad and I didn’t die, so maybe my instincts were right.
Or I’m just lucky.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jul 6, 2020 13:56:23 GMT -5
I charged into the smoke filled basement without knowing what I would encounter. So I’m not sure I trust my instincts lol. Nothing is achieved without action. You took action. We know from most post-event analysis there's a very fine line between heroism and stupidity. You discovered the problem early, you didn't make things worse, the problem was solved, and [Bonus Points] you didn't get hurt in the process. That makes you a hero. |
|
Buster
Wholenote
Posts: 213
Formerly Known As: Buster Strings
|
Post by Buster on Jul 6, 2020 14:04:51 GMT -5
Maybe you should have told your boss how traumatized you were by the fire and it would probably be best for you to take the rest of the day off.
Win-win. Day off and it wouldn't count against your vacation time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 6, 2020 14:20:56 GMT -5
Upon reflection, the most troubling thing is that we have smoke detectors that are wired into our alarm system. This event should’ve triggered the alarm locally, and reported the incident to Central Station, which should’ve deployed the fire department.
In retrospect, I’m glad that didn’t happen because it would’ve been a colossal waste of time, but it would be nice if that equipment was functioning.
I ordered a new Kidde battery operated unit (smoke and CO2), which I’ll install in the control room where the AC is located. I also called our alarm tech to ask “what the fudge”.
|
|
|
|
Post by Taildragger on Jul 6, 2020 16:00:24 GMT -5
Have avoided being killed more than once in my life by trusting my instincts.
I figure we sometimes pick up signs on an unconscious level, with primitive parts of our brain, that warn us of impending disaster. It's the old "hair stands up on the back of your neck" deal. And sometimes there simply isn't time to evaluate alternatives via a deliberate, rational process.
That's when you "go with your gut".
I've learned to trust mine, and figure I'm still here on account of it.
|
|
|
|
Post by De ville on Jul 6, 2020 20:37:02 GMT -5
I had to let myself into a strangers house once to get their attention because their barn was on fire. I was beating on this ladies door, but she wouldn't answer. I could hear her inside vacuuming. I walked in and got her attention by yelling.
"YOUR BARN IS ON FIRE!"
She says "WHAT?"
"YOUR BARN IS ON FIRE CALL 911!"
She had a 3' diameter fire about 20' from the small barn. An ember floated up, and caught the shake roof on fire. By the time they got it out, it was a total loss, and they tore it down.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jul 6, 2020 21:08:44 GMT -5
Awwww that is terrible.
Hope she lost no critters except rats.
|
|
|
|
Post by gato on Jul 7, 2020 6:27:04 GMT -5
Have avoided being killed more than once in my life by trusting my instincts. I figure we sometimes pick up signs on an unconscious level, with primitive parts of our brain, that warn us of impending disaster. It's the old "hair stands up on the back of your neck" deal. And sometimes there simply isn't time to evaluate alternatives via a deliberate, rational process. That's when you "go with your gut". I've learned to trust mine, and figure I'm still here on account of it. "I've got a bad feeling about this." Mary Lincoln, April 15, 1865. |
|
|
|
Post by NoSoapRadio on Jul 7, 2020 12:40:34 GMT -5
Mike, you're a hero and a credit to giraffe owners everywhere. Luckily, you were probably sporting your N95 mask.
|
|
|
|
Post by modbus on Jul 7, 2020 12:57:34 GMT -5
Hopefully they'll have the right tool to work on the package unit.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 7, 2020 15:52:26 GMT -5
Mike, you're a hero and a credit to giraffe owners everywhere. Luckily, you were probably sporting your N95 mask. Well, you can bet I grabbed it and put it on while wading through the smoke!! In actuality, it was just a cloth mask. I think I have 2 N95's left in my "bag o' supplies" that I keep in the car (also has gloves, wipes, hand sanitizer, etc). |
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 7, 2020 15:54:37 GMT -5
Hopefully they'll have the right tool to work on the package unit. Maybe they have the right tool, but they also have the wrong parts. New motor will take 3 days to get, and then they have to take apart the package unit to insert it. Thanks to great design planning, the hot water heater blocks the access to the AC unit, and that will also have to be shut off and removed before the work can be done. So, at a minimum, I am in the conference room until Monday. |
|
|
|
Post by HenryJ on Jul 8, 2020 6:50:43 GMT -5
So, at a minimum, I am in the conference room until Monday. I used to work for an office that had cubicles and a conference room. Because we worked out in the field 99% of the time, there were more employees of the office than there were cubicles. On certain rare occasions, nearly everybody was working in the office, causing some of us to have to work in the conference room. I thought it was more comfortable working in the conference room. There was more elbow room or something. Or maybe I'm claustrophobic and didn't know it. |
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 8, 2020 8:50:12 GMT -5
So, at a minimum, I am in the conference room until Monday. I used to work for an office that had cubicles and a conference room. Because we worked out in the field 99% of the time, there were more employees of the office than there were cubicles. On certain rare occasions, nearly everybody was working in the office, causing some of us to have to work in the conference room. I thought it was more comfortable working in the conference room. There was more elbow room or something. Or maybe I'm claustrophobic and didn't know it. I've got a decent size office, and I have been in it for 17 years now. All my "stuff" is there. My chair is better. I am contemplating bringing my chair up but also don't want to look like I am a primadonna. There's also nowhere to hang my Zoom shirt and tie, which I have to employ shortly. I have a pen, a pad, and my Notary stamp. There's a phone, and outlets with a wireless charging pad built into the tabletop. For now, that's what I've got. |
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 15, 2020 15:23:43 GMT -5
Postscript:
The part finally came in on Monday, and today they did the install. I have returned to my Fortress of Solitude. And not a moment too soon.
I used to worry that working on a different floor than my co-workers I was missing things. Turns out I was, but it was the exact kind of things that you want to miss.
|
|
