All Residents, Communal Services, Other

Noise From The Boiler Room (March 2013)

Boiler Noise The residents from the flats that are located above the boiler room are frequently disturbed from the pulsating noise that is coming from the equipment in that room. For the last 13 years we have sent many emails and made hundreds of phone calls. Every time the root of the problem is a bad maintained machine. Please read the latest updates below and the previous stories at the end of this entry.


TIMELINE OF EVENTS AND UPDATES



On 25-02-2013 at 19:37, a resident sent the following e-mail:


To: John.Wheatman@camden.gov.uk
Cc: richard.michael@camden.gov.uk , john.stow@camden.gov.uk , roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: Pumps’ Noise is Back

Dear Mr Wheatman,

Could you please check the boiler pumps (pump 2 and primary pumps) inside the boiler room of the Curnock Estate because one of them is producing a pulsating noise again. The noise started yesterday and it gets worse.

Yours sincerely


On 27-02-2013 at 06:40am, a resident sent the following e-mail:


To: John.Wheatman@camden.gov.uk
Cc: richard.michael@camden.gov.uk , john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Noise is Back (3 day)

Dear Mr Wheatman,

Could you please provide me with an update regarding the pumps noise that I have reported?

This noise is probably either coming from pump 2 or the currently active primary pump. Could you please confirm which primary pump is active at the moment and the action that you will take to repair them?

Yours sincerely


On 27-02-2013 at 09:20am, we received the following e-mail:


From: John.Wheatman@camden.gov.uk
Cc: richard.michael@camden.gov.uk , john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Subject: Re: Pumps’ Noise is Back (3 day)

Dear Resident,

I will arrange for a response to be sent to you by Mr Stow.

Could you kindly refrain from emailing Richard Michael, he is no longer involved in this department.

Regards

John
John Wheatman

Interim Team Leader M&E Repairs and Improvements

Telephone:

020 7974 8639


On 27-02-2013 at 15:35, we received the following e-mail:


From: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Wheatman, John
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Noise is Back (3 day)

Dear Resident,

Thank you for bring this matter to my attention, which I will have a member of my team investigate with Apollo.

Whilst I was examining if this has been reported through the usual channels, I was unable to find any current order on the Camden’s Northgate ordering system. This maybe down to me however I would appreciate if you can advise. If not the case, then I will have an order raised and pass on the number to you.

For simplicity with identifying the noise, can you please let me know when you are available to give access to your property so that we can have a Camden rep in the flat and engineer in the boiler switching on and off pumps. I know this sounds rather primitive, but possibly the best way or making certain we capture what the noise is from.

Kind regards
John Stow
Mechanical services manager

Telephone: 020 7974 2046


On 27-02-2013 at 21:48, a resident sent the following e-mail:


To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: John.Wheatman@camden.gov.uk , roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: Re: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (5 day)

Dear Mr Stow,

The noise was not present today until aprox. 21:00 due to the failure of the whole heating system on the boiler room. As soon as the engineers arrived the noise came back. I will evaluate the situation tomorrow after the repairs and I will update you so we can book an appointment for the test.

Could you please let me know when was the last switch between the active and passive primary pumps? Which primary pump is active at the moment?

Yours sincerely


On 01-03-2013 at 01:08am, a resident sent the following e-mail:


To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: John.Wheatman@camden.gov.uk , roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: Re: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (5 day)

Dear Mr Stow,

It is 01:05am in the morning and the noise is now much worse than before the heating failure. The noise is pulsating and audible throughout the night. It is impossible to sleep.

Could you please arrange for someone to come here early in the morning 06:00am so we can run the test?

In the past 10 years the problem with that kind of noise was always from pump 2. Would it be possible this pump to be deactivated tomorrow until our meeting for the test?

Looking forward for your quick reply.

Yours sincerely


On 01-03-2013 at 11:23, a resident sent the following e-mail:


To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: John.Wheatman@camden.gov.uk , roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: Re: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (5 day)

Dear Mr Stow,

When would be the earliest time to run the test with the pumps?

I am asking because the noise is high and obviously we cannot sleep.
Please let me know if a late appointment today is any good for your engineers.

Yours sincerely


On 01-03-2013 at 11:38, we received the following e-mail:


From: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (5 day)

Dear Resident,

I can have engineers / managers come to you this afternoon between 1 and 4pm.

Please can you send me your property number and contact details.

Lastly please note Mr Wheatman is no longer working for LBC.

Thank you

John Stow
Mechanical services manager

Telephone: 020 7974 2046


On 01-03-2013 at 11:45, we sent the following e-mail:


To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (5 day)

Dear Mr Stow,

I cannot be home earlier than 17:30. Is there any change for the engineers to come later this afternoon or if possible to disable pump 2?

Yours sincerely


On 01-03-2013 at 16:23, we received the following e-mail:


From: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (5 day)

Dear Resident,

Regrettably my colleagues are unable to attend at the times that you have given, however they can attend between 9am and 3pm on Monday.

However engineers have been to site this afternoon and confirmed to me that the pump that is currently on was pump 1 and that pump 2 is awaiting a minor repair to the control panel which will be carried out next week once necessary parts have been made available.

Regards

John Stow
Mechanical services manager

Telephone: 020 7974 2046


On 01-03-2013 at 19:35, we received the following e-mail:


To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: roger.robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: Re: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

Dear Mr Stow, Cllr Robinson,

The noise at the moment is approximately 50 to 60dB which is extremely high and above Camden council’s guidelines. Could you please take some action urgently?

We cannot even listen the TV properly!!!!

Looking forward for your reply.

Yours sincerely


On 01-03-2013 at 19:58, we received the following e-mail:


From: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk
Cc: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

I WILL CONTACT REPAIRS BUT IT WOULD BE BETETR TO EMAIL VALDRIN REXHA WHO WILL READ HIS EMAILS OVER THE WEEKEND.

I WILL DO MY BEST

Roger Robinson Cllr


On 01-03-2013 at 20:01, we received the following e-mail:


From: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk
To: Valdrin.Rexha@Camden.gov.uk
Subject: FW: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

URGENT- WORK NEED AT THIS WEEKEND.

Dear Valdrin

The pump adjacent to Goldthorpe block on the Curnock estate is very noisy indeed- see email below…….can this be sorted out immediately today or tomorrow?

Please advise me – it is causing great stress……

Regards

Roger Robinson Cllr


On 01-03-2013 at 20:21, we received the following e-mail:


From: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk
Subject: Re: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

Dear Resident

I have called the apollo out of hours engineers who will be on site within the next 2 hours to see what the noise is come from.

I’m hope this will be something simple and can be resolved immediately.

Regards

John


On 01-03-2013 at 20:32, we received the following e-mail:


From: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk
To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

Please let me know too,

I have emailed Valdrin Rexha to get this repaired…..

Roger Robinson Cllr


On 02-03-2013 at 00:38am, a resident sent the following e-mail:


To: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk , john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Valdrin.Rexha@Camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

Dear Mr Stow & Cllr Robinson,

I was waiting for the Apollo engineers but nobody came here. The pulsating noise is still very loud and all of us awake.

While I understand that mechanical things tend to fail, I cannot understand how it is possible after 13 years of complaints and repairs to have the same problem. Most of the pumps were refurbished last year after my complaints about the noise and the anxiety attacks which I had to treat with medication. Now the same pumps keeps us awake and give us plenty of unnecessary stress.

I hope the Apollo engineers come at some point soon and do something (i.e. switch off the pump until a solution is found).

Looking forward for your replies.

Yours sincerely


On 02-03-2013 at 08:26am, we received the following e-mail:


From: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk
To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk , Stuart.Dilley@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Valdrin.Rexha@Camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

SATURDAY MORNING

MR STOW

Can we please get someone along to day to sort this out…Apollo have let us down……this can’t go on all weekend. I will be taking this up very strongly with Mr Dilley as we can’t let this continue.

Please advise me today when Apollo are coming to day.

My mobile number is xxxxx.

I want my constituents to have proper peaceful nights.

Roger Robinson Cllr


On 02-03-2013 at 09:07am, we received the following e-mail:


From: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
To: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk , Stuart.Dilley@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Valdrin.Rexha@Camden.gov.uk
Subject: Re: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (6 day)

Dear Cllr,
Thank you for your email which I have again requested Apollo to attend.

Regards
John Stow


On 02-03-2013 at 11:48am, we sent the following e-mail:


To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk , Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk , Stuart.Dilley@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Valdrin.Rexha@Camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (7 day)

Dear Mr Stow,

Thanks for asking the Apollo engineers to visit the site but nobody has arrived yet. If they want to have access to my property they can ring my mobile and I will be able to be back home within 10 mins. In the meantime I will have to be in a neighbours flat in order to reduce my anxiety attacks.

My mobile is xxxx xxxxx

Yours sincerely


On 02-03-2013 at 17:34, we received the following e-mail:


From: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk
To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk , Stuart.Dilley@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Valdrin.Rexha@Camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (7 day)

SATURDAY 5.30 PM

Dear Stuart

WHY NO VISIT FROM APOLLO? It is very bad and I will be taking this further.

Please can someone advise if Apollo will be attending today to stop this noise from pumps?

Roger Robinson Cllr


On 02-03-2013 at 18:20, we received the following e-mail:


To: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
Cc: Valdrin.Rexha@Camden.gov.uk , Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk , Stuart.Dilley@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Pulsating Noise is Back (7 day)

Dear Mr Stow,

The Apollo engineers came to my property earlier today and after some tests we concluded the following:

1) The noise was slightly reduced after last night’s “changes”.
2) The current noise is generated from the “intake fans for the boilers”. When those fans were stopped the flat was absolutely silent.

Barry and Paul from Apollo will report the above information as well as more information on Monday. I would appreciate if you could provide me with an update as soon as you know the timescale for repairing those fans.

Yours sincerely


On 05-03-2013 at 16:27, we received the following e-mail:


From: john.stow@camden.gov.uk
To: Resident
Cc: Roger.Robinson@camden.gov.uk , Stuart.Dilley@camden.gov.uk
Subject: RE: FW: FW: Pumps’ Pulsating Noise is Back (7 day)

Dear Resident,

Following my previous email and update on fans

Re Pumps
The issue with the main primary pumps was a wiring connection fault which has now been resolved today.

The ventilation fresh fan system which supplies air to the three burners has been looked at today by Apollo, who as previously noted the outside fan unit nearest the grilles was making a grinding noise. This they believe to be a bearing which is needing to be replaced. Apollo have arranged for this unit to be removed and repaired on today leaving the standby unit running with no down time to plant needed, while repairs are performed.

Lastly the main trunk of the air unit is supported from the ceiling by hangers bolted into concrete which is acting as an amplifier for noise and vibration. A solution is being looked into at the best way for reducing the noise. These works I hopeful will be carried out in the near future.

Kind regards

John Stow
Mechanical services manager

Telephone: 020 7974 2046


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