Air Cond Equip Mechanic

Department of Veterans Affairs

This position serves as an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic in the ECC/Pipe Shop under the supervision of the ECC Pipe Shop Maintenance Supervisor, with second level direction provided by the Maintenance Control Manager.

• Duties include: Incumbents work involves installing, recognizing the cause of faulty equipment and making repairs on large systems that provide for a variety of air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, cleaning, filtering, and circulating. Installs and repairs are used to condition the air for different kinds of structures such as warehouses, ships, hangars, hospitals, submarines, and large office buildings. Incumbent works on a variety of commercial and industrial systems to locate and check elements such as those which control low side and high side pressure; the temperature of the cooling units; the temperatures of the liquid and suction lines; and the running time of the various mechanisms. Incumbent checks for the probability of leaks by visual and audible examination of equipment components; by applying prescribed test procedures and equipment; and by exploration of probable reasons for equipment failure. Incumbent uses principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration such as the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer Jaws, the use of refrigerant tables; how to calculate airflow, and the pressure-temperature characteristics for the different systems in order to troubleshoot, locate and repair faulty equipment swiftly and to reduce inoperative time to a minimum. The incumbent works on a variety of compressors such as gear, reciprocating, centrifugal, or rotary pump, and a variety of refrigerant controls such as those with low and high pressure side floats, automatic thermostatic expansion valves, capillary or choke types, and those based on volume or quantity changes. A variety of complicated motor controls are also used such as hennetically sealed motors and pressure controls, thermostatic motor controls (remote and double remote), full and semi-automatic defrosting controls, relays, and other controls to protect against overload or overheating. Various types of power sources are used with various combinations or pulleys, belts, horsepower capacity, and tensioners. Incumbents dismantle repairs and reassemble units such as pumps, impellers, compressors, chillers, receivers and evaporators. Incumbent installs and fits connecting rods, crank shafts, piston rings, bearings, and bushings; overhauling valves by adjusting or replacing gaskets, springs, floats, diaphragms, valve fittings, seals and couplings; and aligning motors and flywheel drives; plans test procedures. Incumbent installs and repairs systems for areas with special requirements. Installs and repairs are used to condition the air for buildings and complexes with areas that have special requirements such as communication centers, electronic data processing centers, operating rooms, laboratories, clean rooms, link training rooms, and other areas with sensitive equipment. The systems use a variety of methods of air conditioning such as mechanical compression, vapor compression, absorption, steam jet or air cycle. Incumbent installs special systems for areas with sensitive equipment; determines the size, shape, and the location of close-fitting ducts and installs or plans the installation of them so that the heat and exhaust is directed outside the test chamber or refrigeration unit without affecting the critical conditions. Incumbent recognizes the cause of faulty equipment, and repairs, modifies and relocates equipment on various special-purpose air conditioning units and systems that are frequently modified to provide specific and critical climatic conditions in laboratories and other experimental or test activities. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Air Cond Equip Mechanic/PD01343A Preferred Experience: Chiller and Walk-in freezer experience in a hospital setting. Physical Requirements: The work requires carrying equipment, tools and testing devices that seldom weigh over 50 pounds. Most of the equipment can be reached from the floor or from ladders. Occasionally, platforms and scaffolding are needed to reach parts of the systems such as fans, electrical and water lines and duct work. The incumbent is required to stoop, stretch, bend, kneel and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Working Conditions: Most of the work is usually performed inside, but the incumbent is frequently subject to sudden temperature changes when working on equipment such as walk-in freezer units. He/She is occasionally subjected to cuts, burns, electrical shocks, and respiratory ailments; and exposed to repeated, prolonged or concentrated amounts of refrigerant gases that may cause toxic effects on eyes, skin, and internal organs. There is an occasional requirement to work outside, on top of tall buildings, in drafty attic spaces, and in cramped areas with low overheads.

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