>Mechanical Matters®

Welcome to Mechanical Matters®, an 'E-ZINE' publication brought to you from Jimmy Veteto, Solutions Provider, S.M. Lawrence Company, Inc.  Please take a time to read this great article as it pertains to your building's most important investment, your mechanical systems.  We are building mechanical solutions that matter every time by design.  

"Leave the Mechanical Matters® to us."

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 S.M. Lawrence has a solution to help fight crime in the 'fifth' most dangerous city in the country, Memphis. 

Most of you reading this either work, live, shop, or play in Memphis.  Whether you live in Memphis or not, we were all disappointed in the latest poll where our town was listed as the fifth most dangerous city in the U.S.  We knew crime was at an all time high, but who wants to believe it when this is our home.  I, like you, bowed my head in shame along with Mayor Herrington when the top ten list hit the papers. 

Crime has been on the rise for a while now and yes, we need more police officers.  Rumors of additional tax increases turn my stomach.  Well, before I get political, I must get to the question you are asking yourself.  "How do rising crime rates relate to HVAC or Mechanical contracting?" 

Crime has attacked the heating and cooling industry.  The growing trend is contributing to increased profit loss for local businesses. Shown below are a few pictures of 'roof top' air conditioning equipment.  Notice something missing?  You are correct. All of the condenser coils have been stolen.  Condenser coils are constructed of copper tubing. This copper has a 'scrap' value, or what I like to call a 'street' value.  

 

Up close pictures of the Austin Peay Property.     Pictures shown of the Austin Peay property are just a few examples of the damage caused by 'Copper Thieves'.  In the spring of 2006, S.M. Lawrence was invited by the city of Memphis to participate in an open bid to repair units at Manassas High School.  Units that serve the school's gymnasium fell victim to the 'Copper Thieves'.  As in these pictures of what's left of the units, you will see how dedicated these crooks are:    Gymnasium Air Conditioning Units (what's left) at Manassas High School   Wayne Whaley, Service Manager of our Memphis office, was recently approached by Mike Underburg to help prevent coil theft on his new unit.  Mike is the owner of American Properties.  After installing a new ground-mounted condenser unit located behind one of Mike's buildings, he expressed concern of possible coil theft.  Neighboring properties had been attacked in recent months by the 'Copper Thieves', and Mike wanted peace of mind that his new investment would be protected.  That is when Wayne created a solution.    Mike's property has an alarm system administrated by ADT.  By installing a low pressure switch in the condenser, we were able to work with ADT, and connect our low pressure switch with their alarm system.  This solution works!  As a matter of fact, that very night we installed the new condenser, the 'Copper Thieves' came prowling.  The new condenser was in perfect shape and would bring good value at the scrap yard.  What the thieves didn't know was that at the precise moment they cut the refrigerant lines (the only way to remove the coils), the low pressure switch was energized.  The low pressure switch then set off a silent alarm with ADT, which in turn notified the authorities.  When Memphis' finest arrived on the premises, the thieves were caught red handed...or 'copper' handed.    This solution discovered by Wayne Whaley and S.M. Lawrence Company is one way we are doing our part to fight crime in our great city of Memphis.  Yes, it still is a great city, despite what the polls may say.  We are home of the blues and birthplace of Rock n Roll.  Memphis has the best Bar-B-Q on the planet.  We are home to some of the most successful businesses in the U.S. like Fed Ex, Auto Zone, Fred's, International Paper, and St. Jude to name a few.  We have the Redbirds, Tiger Basketball, and the Memphis Grizzlies.  Memphis is rich in history with a revitalized downtown, and let us not forget Elvis.    If you are interested in joining the fight on crime in Memphis and wish to protect your systems with similar methods like the one we implemented at American Properties, then please give us a call.  Our solution is just a small part in the fight on crime, but who knows, with your help, maybe we can help get Memphis' name off that dreadful list of the top ten most dangerous cities.  Don't forget to always leave the 'Mechanical Matters®' to us!   -Jimmy Veteto, 901.378.7655 jimmyv@smlawrence.com

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