InTENTional action: fumigation completed (Activity Report)

MORE THAN 7 HOURS were needed for a 6-man crew to erect and seal up the tent that enveloped Mishkon’s premises on Monday, December 29. 

Four years ago, we had been told that it was not even possible to tent our facility unless our neighbor’s attached building were tented, as well. Yet after the fumigation company’s rep made several site visits and gave much thought to the matter, he came up with a plan to wrap Mishkon’s buildings while minimally involving our neighbor’s. This year, both our board and our neighbor assented to the plan.

Below the jump, you can enjoy 8 varied views of the enormous completed tent.…

FAQ: Tenting & fumigation at end of December (Background Report)

WE ARE ALMOST READY for the tenting and fumigation of our premises at the very end of this month. 

Although this was discussed and previously approved by the board in 2022, it turned out not to be feasible at the time. Many interlocking pieces needed to fall into place, but a few of them did not do so then. Same thing in 2024. However, this time around, it just might work—given the cooperation of our neighbors, the promised participation of many volunteers, and the preparations by our staff that I have already seen.

Below the jump, this post offers an FAQ about what is happening.…

Rain drip guard installed above door (Activity Report)

WE HAVE FOUR DOORWAYS that have been unprotected from above. During rainfall, water runs down the upper wall to the doorway, where it enters between the frame and the top of the door. There, it has caused damage to doors or to the materials below doorways. 

How to keep rainwater out of the building and/or from damaging the (top of the) doors? Putting our heads together, Andrew Roth (a new member of this committee), Fleming, and I figured out a relatively simple, cost-effective, and hopefully long-lasting solution: install an overhead rain drip guard. Andrew tested out this approach a week ago on one of the doors. 

Below the jump, this post documents the need and describes our preventive maintenance approach.…

What do engineering consultants do? A banner example (Activity Report)

UNDER OUR ARCHITECT’S direction, our mechanical engineering consultant has specified the ventilation equipment for our expanded main-floor restrooms. This will allow the City to verify that our plans will meet the state building code, and it will enable the contractor to procure the proper materials and install them correctly. 

Because this kind of work is more visual and tangible than some other engineering tasks, it can serve as a good illustration of what our consultants have been doing for us. Below the jump, this post lets the images do the talking. It features the mechanical engineer’s set of 12 general notes, plus three of his diagrams.…