A Day in the life in rachp

Let’s follow our intrepid service and maintenance engineer Ian on a typical day…

I'm on my way bright and early to start my work day at 8am. I work for a relatively small company that is constantly busy, so I don’t know what I'll be doing from one day to the next.

7:30am
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I'm on my way bright and early to start my work day at 8am. I work for a relatively small company that is constantly busy, so I don’t know what I'll be doing from one day to the next.

Wait a minute Ian, I thought fridge engineers drove white vans, that’s a nice car you have there?

I’m really committed to the environment so I drive a hybrid.

Wait a minute Ian, I thought fridge engineers drove white vans, that’s a nice car you have there?

I’m really committed to the environment so I drive a hybrid.

My first job today is to quote for repair and new air conditioning units to an office computer server room. Ive got to go on site and talk to the business owner about what he his needs are – not just now but also about the future – to make sure he gets the right equipment to last.

8am
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My first job today is to quote for repair and new air conditioning units to an office computer server room. Ive got to go on site and talk to the business owner about what he his needs are – not just now but also about the future – to make sure he gets the right equipment to last.

How did you get into this industry Ian?

I actually started before leaving school at the age of 15, when I helped to keep the air conditioners clean in crane cab coolers and steelworkers’ rest rooms. When I left school I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I signed up for a trainee scheme with a local employer and have been in constant employment in the industry ever since.

How did you get into this industry Ian?

I actually started before leaving school at the age of 15, when I helped to keep the air conditioners clean in crane cab coolers and steelworkers’ rest rooms. When I left school I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I signed up for a trainee scheme with a local employer and have been in constant employment in the industry ever since.

I’ve moved on to a different site now to supervise a massive crane lift today on a larger project. That’s one big thermal wheel. Safety is number one though, so planning is really important.

10am
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I’ve moved on to a different site now to supervise a massive crane lift today on a larger project. That’s one big thermal wheel. Safety is number one though, so planning is really important.

I expect you have to do a lot of extra training each year to keep up with health and safety and new technologies.

I expect you have to do a lot of extra training each year to keep up with health and safety and new technologies.

One of our big installations is just coming to the end, so I thought I would come over and check how the contracts team is getting on. We did all the mechanical work on this project that came in at just over £1m.

11am
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One of our big installations is just coming to the end, so I thought I would come over and check how the contracts team is getting on. We did all the mechanical work on this project that came in at just over £1m.

A £1m contract, that’s pretty impressive. I hear the company you work for has been growing very rapidly since it was formed 25 years ago. You can read more about Lisa, the MD of AirMaster, in our “Meet the Family” section.

A £1m contract, that’s pretty impressive. I hear the company you work for has been growing very rapidly since it was formed 25 years ago. You can read more about Lisa, the MD of AirMaster, in our “Meet the Family” section.

Time for one more call out before lunch? Problem solving now, high heat loads in small rooms always cause problems. A quick modification to the outside unit has seemed to stop it cycling on and off as much and made it react quicker and hover on inverters better. Happy customer. Sorted.

12pm
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Time for one more call out before lunch? Problem solving now, high heat loads in small rooms always cause problems. A quick modification to the outside unit has seemed to stop it cycling on and off as much and made it react quicker and hover on inverters better. Happy customer. Sorted.

Phew, you deserve a break for lunch now – or maybe time for a quick tweet from your @askenergian service engineer blog?

Phew, you deserve a break for lunch now – or maybe time for a quick tweet from your @askenergian service engineer blog?

In the UK buildings with more than 12KW cooling installed need to have an Energy Assessment carried out. I’m the qualified assessor for my company so I inspect systems and write a report on how to save energy.

2pm
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In the UK buildings with more than 12KW cooling installed need to have an Energy Assessment carried out. I’m the qualified assessor for my company so I inspect systems and write a report on how to save energy.

What qualifications do you have to have to do your work Ian?

I have to have a Category 1 F Gas Certificate to handle refrigerants, because of their environmental impact, so that is the law. My company also has registration with a company scheme called REFCOM. I am a CIBSE trained TM44 Energy Assessor, and a Member of the Institute of Refrigeration.

What qualifications do you have to have to do your work Ian?

I have to have a Category 1 F Gas Certificate to handle refrigerants, because of their environmental impact, so that is the law. My company also has registration with a company scheme called REFCOM. I am a CIBSE trained TM44 Energy Assessor, and a Member of the Institute of Refrigeration.

Is it time to knock off yet? No, I usually go on til 6pm at least. But tonight I'm going to a careers fair – I’m a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) Ambassador, so time to get changed and go set the exhibition up.

6pm
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Is it time to knock off yet? No, I usually go on til 6pm at least. But tonight I'm going to a careers fair – I’m a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) Ambassador, so time to get changed and go set the exhibition up.

What advice would you give someone thinking of working in the refrigeration industry Ian? It’s brilliant, you are always learning and there’s lots of opportunities to grow and learn new skills or take on new responsibilities. My son has just started his Refrigeration Air conditioning and Heat Pump Apprenticeship training and I hope one day he will work with me!

What advice would you give someone thinking of working in the refrigeration industry Ian? It’s brilliant, you are always learning and there’s lots of opportunities to grow and learn new skills or take on new responsibilities. My son has just started his Refrigeration Air conditioning and Heat Pump Apprenticeship training and I hope one day he will work with me!

Sometimes I’m on call so I have to be available to work on a Saturday or Sunday if there is a customer emergency. But not this weekend! I’m going off –roading. See you later!

11am
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Sometimes I’m on call so I have to be available to work on a Saturday or Sunday if there is a customer emergency. But not this weekend! I’m going off –roading. See you later!

Thanks for sharing your day with us. It’s the weekend! Time to relax?

Follow Ian’s continuing adventures on twitter @askenergyian

Thanks for sharing your day with us. It’s the weekend! Time to relax?

Follow Ian’s continuing adventures on twitter @askenergyian

 

 

 

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