What has technology missed?

[Tractor Seabee]

I have a neighbor who is a mechanical engineer. He spends his days drawing models for mid-size construction projects, a $20 million building would be typical for him. He draws out the plumbing, electrical and HVAC. In his drawings he shows the exact routing of every pipe, wire and duct, and every fitting, fastener and hanger*. He provides the sub-contractors with detailed schematics, plus a parts and materials list that includes everything needed and exact numbers. What do the subs do? They take a quick glance at the schematic and then install it the way they want. They order 20% over what's on the list and throw away what they end up not needing, on these jobs the general contractor customarily pays for materials so they don't care**. Why don't they follow the schematic? Because the framers didn't frame the building the way the model showed? Why not? Because the concrete crew didn't pour the foundation the way the model showed. So they have a wonderful detailed model but the plumber ends up working pretty much the way his grandfather did 100 years ago.

Interesting notes:
* He actually just does a rough drawing and then sends it to a guy in India who draws in every fitting, fastener and hanger. Kind of like the way the electrician might run the wires and then let his helper put in all the staples and fasten all the wallplates.

** On the sites where he works the general contractor will typically sell the dumpsters to a salvage company. There is enough usable material in the dumpsters that people pay for the privilege of picking through it.

Obviously he does not design competitive bid contracts. Your are lucky to get drawings that show where "all" outlets are desired with no interconnecting infrastructure. Even some large projects, contractor shop drawings fill in the details and you are lucky if all that gets on the final record drawings, if even that is contractually required. Change orders are a way of life and bump final cost, sometimes way past budget. My church is a good example, construction drawings are just as stated above. It is a constant "Easter egg hunt" to find how MEP stuff runs through the structure and many construction process wall changes were never recorded. When Architect/Engineer rates reach $200-300/hr design details tend to get pretty slim.

Ron

 

[dougtrr2]

Why isn't there an affordable main water shutoff that recognizes water usage and shuts off before major water damage?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Why isn't there an affordable main water shutoff that recognizes water usage and shuts off before major water damage?

They make one called a excess flow shut off valve. Used a lot in industrial settings. They make them for both liquids and gasses. Their function is primarily to shut down upon a major break and increased flow resulting. I have one on my gas main. Some jurisdictions require them. Haven't priced one. Memory is under $200 for a 1" line. Google search should find.

Ron

 

[bunyip]

there is even one for portable gas stoves and sure there is a domestic water cutoff for single appliances such as dishwasher/washing machine.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

They make them: https://www.amazon.com/Water-Block-Excess-Shutoff-Valve/dp/B074V9LL19

Ron

 

[Diggin It]

How easy are they to reset or bypass? I can see it tripping if you try to fill a pool for example.

 

[Diggin It]

But along that line, I hate the fact that my gas stove can release gas through the burner orifices without ignition. The over has a glow coil to prevent that, so why don't the burners?

 

[bunyip]

Our blanco gas burners don't if tthe flame goes out, handy for a low flame when someone opens the door on a windy day
.
Didn't phrase that well, if the flames go out the gas flow stops.
I think it would be some simple bi metal device.

 

[bcp]

Everyone should have one of these, but no one does.

Bruce

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know how some seniors are supposed to open some packaging. It's beyond ridiculous.

I am just starting to use a Dell computer I bought more than a year ago. I assumed you get all the various stuff with it. Word, spreadsheets and so on. I got nothing. You can buy it, but worse, you have to pay for it every year! It's not worth it, I don't use it enough. Then, none of my scanners or printers will work as no one writes drivers for old boat anchors. I'm ready to pack this computer stuff in. Or refurbish my old PC with XP! It's all I need.