Spottlight on Engineering | Our work touches everyday life.
Founded by NSPE in 1951, Engineers Week is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. This week is a time for everyone to celebrate and recognize the people who create today’s awe-inspiring wonders like cloud-busting skyscrapers and human travel to Mars. And a great opportunity to reflect on how very different our lives would be without daily marvels like clean drinking water, computers and cars.
Engineers Week | February 18-24
Celebrate the Difference Engineers Make in Our World
Founded by NSPE in 1951, Engineers Week is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. This week is a time for everyone to celebrate and recognize the people who create today’s awe-inspiring wonders like cloud-busting skyscrapers and human travel to Mars. And a great opportunity to reflect on how very different our lives would be without daily marvels like clean drinking water, computers and cars.
Spottlight on a New Year
Staff News
JoSH JAMES, EIT
KEVIN HOFFMAN, SIT
SSM welcomes Joshua James, EIT as a Graduate Engineer in the Water and Wastewater Engineering Department. Josh is a 2016 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Environmental Systems Engineering.
We congratulate Kevin Hoffman, SIT on earning his Surveyor-In-Training Certification. Kevin is a 2016 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology with an A.A.S. in Surveying Technologies. He is responsible for conducting field topographical and property surveys, engineering surveys, records research, preparing plots, calculations and legal descriptions for properties; establishing field control; construction stakeout; and monumentation. He is trained in using Trimble GPS equipment, Trimble robotic instruments, Leica ScanStation, AutoCAD and Cyclone.
Spottlight on SSM
Reflecting on our History . . . from 1932 when it all began to 2017 as we reach new heights . . .
Reflecting on our History
. . . from 1932 when it all began to 2017 as we reach new heights . . .
Kevin Hoffman earns Surveyor In Technology Certification
Mr. Hoffman is a 2016 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology with an A.A.S. in Surveying Technologies. He is responsible for conducting field topographical and property surveys, engineering surveys, records research, preparing plots, calculations and legal descriptions for properties; establishing field control; construction stakeout; and monumentation. He is trained in using Trimble GPS equipment, Trimble robotic instruments, Leica ScanStation, AutoCAD and Cyclone.
Why did he choose SSM?
After the experiences I had at SSM as a summer intern, I decided to return for full time employment after graduation. The combination of a diverse work experience, up to date technology and the people I work with all were key factors in my decision. The fact that almost every day I get to be in a different environment is incredible, not to mention getting to use the latest technologies in my line of work to their full potential to produce high quality data efficiently and accurately.
Agustin Conesa, PE, BCEE Joins SSM as Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
We welcome Agustin Conesa, PE, BCEE as a Senior Water and Wastewater Engineer. Mr. Conesa will be a key component in the firm’s water, wastewater and industrial process engineering and design efforts and will provide quality control/quality assurance oversight on all project initiatives. He has more than 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and water/wastewater consulting engineering market.
Agustin Conesa, PE, BCEE
SSM celebrates another member of our Boomerang Club as we welcome Agustin Conesa, PE, BCEE as a Senior Water and Wastewater Engineer. Mr. Conesa will be a key component in the firm’s water, wastewater and industrial process engineering and design efforts and will provide quality control/quality assurance oversight on all project initiatives. He has more than 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and water/wastewater consulting engineering market.
His experience includes project management, process and project design of the following:
- Biological and enhanced nutrient removal (BNR/ENR) systems
- Pump stations
- Raw influent wastewater screening and de-gritting systems
- Aeration systems
- Disinfection and chemical feed systems
- Modeling of activated sludge processes
- Solid waste stabilization processes including biosolids dewatering and drying systems
- Energy cogeneration systems
- Process and instrumentation control systems
Based on the most recognizable type of boomerang, the Returning Boomerang; a special kind, that when thrown correctly, travels in a curved path and returns to its point of origin, the club was created as a means of celebrating those employees that had traveled their career path and returned to their point of origin, SSM.
Our company’s spirit, professional opportunities and working environment are certainly part of the power that draws our Boomerangers back.
Spottlight on Winter Preparations
Every day brings a heightened sense that there is a crispness in the air reminding us that another messy, wet, and sometimes brutal winter is just around the corner. Without much warning, temperatures, wind and heavy snow can bring about catastrophic damage in the form of collapsed roofs, ruptured pipes and even flooding.
Are you Ready for Snow?
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac . . .winter will be warmer than normal, with above-normal precipitation and below-normal snowfall. The snowiest periods will be in mid- to late November, early and mid- to late January, and mid-March.
Every day brings a heightened sense that there is a crispness in the air reminding us that another messy, wet, and sometimes brutal winter is just around the corner. Without much warning, temperatures, wind and heavy snow can bring about catastrophic damage in the form of collapsed roofs, ruptured pipes and even flooding.
Spottlight on Fire and Water
Fire protection systems are essential to the safety of your employees and protection of your property. But more than that, these systems are essential in helping you to manage the risks associated with business continuity. Imagine the impact on your business or organization if a key production line were to go off-line for an extended period of time, if the runoff from a fire event were to cause an environmental impact, or if the assets in your building (from equipment to historical artefacts) were to be destroyed.
SSM Welcomes Survey Crew Chief, Matt Smith
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to welcome Matthew Smith as a Survey Crew Chief.
MATT SMITH
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to welcome Matthew Smith as a Survey Crew Chief.
Smith, a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology, Associate of Applied Science and Forest Technology, brings over 15 years of surveying and data capture experience to the firm. Matt will be a huge asset to our field crews as we serve the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Easement program as well as being a strong addition to our HDS scanning team. His solid work history will strongly support the Field-to-Finish work plan at SSM.
Chemical Safety in Water/Wastewater Treatment Facilities
SE AWWA - Chemical Safety session provides participants with recommendations on conducting Safety Planning and Hazard Communication activities.
SE AWWA Fall Conference
Darryl Jenkins, PE | Vice President Civil and Environmental Engineering presents 'Chemical Safety in Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities' providing participants with recommendations on conducting Safety Planning and Hazard Communication activities.
Steve Smith named Director, Surveying and Data Capture
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to announce that Steve Smith has been promoted to Director, Surveying and Data Capture; Sam Zook, PLS, Senior Survey Crew Chief has earned his license as a Professional Land Surveyor; and Thomas Rowe, PLS has been named Chief Surveyor.
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to announce that Steve Smith has been promoted to Director, Surveying and Data Capture. Mr. Smith will direct all aspects of the firm’s surveying and data capture services including traditional land surveying, high-definition scanning, and drone technology. Smith, a FAA Certified Remote Pilot, has more than 30 years of experience in the surveying industry. He is a 1981 graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute with an AS in Mechanical Drafting and Design.
Sam Zook, PLS, Senior Survey Crew Chief has earned his license as a Professional Land Surveyor. Zook, a FAA Certified Remote Pilot, is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology with an AAS in Surveying Technology and AAS in Civil Engineering Technology.
Thomas Rowe, PLS has been named Chief Surveyor and will be responsible for QA/QC role on all surveying projects. Mr. Rowe has more than 30 years of continuous experience performing a variety of surveying services. He is a1981 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with an AS Surveying Technology and a licensed Surveyor in Pennsylvania since 1992.
Spottlight on School Days
Even if you’re not heading back into the classroom this month, the back-to-school season is a great time to refresh and get back to the fundamentals.
Even if you’re not heading back into the classroom this month, the back-to-school season is a great time to refresh and get back to the fundamentals.
It takes a lot to make and market a product. It also takes a lot to assure regulatory compliance as well as address needs such as increased capacity, routine maintenance and facility expansion. That's why developers, educators, healthcare providers and manufacturers of everything from chocolate to steel turn to SSM when it comes time to secure prime locations, plan more efficient warehouses and distribution centers, conduct feasibility studies, upgrade utilities and building systems, improve traffic flow and expand operations. By taking the lead on the engineering side, we let you focus on your core business.
In this Issue
Spottlight on Water Quality
We use water everyday in a variety of ways: drinking, washing, swimming, fishing, eating from it, and traveling.
Clean and sustainable drinking water is an essential element of the quality of life for any community.
National Water Quality Month reminds us to take a long, hard look at what our household and community are doing to protect sources of fresh water. We use water everyday in a variety of ways: drinking, washing, swimming, fishing, eating from it, and traveling. Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water. Water quality standards have been established to protect human health and aquatic life. The standards form a legal basis for controlling pollution entering the waters of the United States from a variety of sources (e.g., industrial facilities, wastewater treatment plants, and storm sewers) and describe the condition of a waterbody or level of protection necessary.
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Chemical Handling
Recommendations on conducting Safety Planning and Hazard Communication activities.
Berks County Water and Sewer Association Annual Conference
Darryl Jenkins, PE | Vice President Civil and Environmental Engineering presents 'Chemical Safety in Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities' providing participants with recommendations on conducting Safety Planning and Hazard Communication activities.
Spottlight on Parks and Recreation
Parks and recreation spaces have traditionally provided visitors with an opportunity for relaxation and recharge. They are a great spot for walking your dog, tossing the Frisbee, or enjoying a picnic with friends. Today’s spaces are equipped with walking trails, seating areas, fitness stations, privacy nooks, WIFI access and power blocks, and programming.
Parks and recreation spaces have traditionally provided visitors with an opportunity for relaxation and recharge. They are a great spot for walking your dog, tossing the Frisbee, or enjoying a picnic with friends. Today’s spaces are equipped with walking trails, seating areas, fitness stations, privacy nooks, WIFI access and power blocks, and programming. From yoga classes and farmers markets to concerts and movie nights, today’s parks and recreation spaces improve the quality of life in their community, connect people, and provide a break from everyday life. And the recreation space is not limited to community parks; managed properties, office parks, and campuses are recognizing the benefits of creating functional outdoor space for their tenants, employees, and patrons.
Spottlight on Health and Safety
At SSM we provide a variety of industrial hygiene and indoor air quality services that will identify and allow corrective efforts for industrial air quality problems to assure the highest level of air quality in your working environment.
At SSM we provide a variety of industrial hygiene and indoor air quality services that will identify and allow corrective efforts for industrial air quality problems to assure the highest level of air quality in your working environment.
- Heat Stress Evaluations
- Particulate Sampling - Personal and Area
- Mold Investigations
- HVAC System Reviews and Analysis
- Noise Monitoring - Personal and Area
- Direct Read Instrument Analysis - VOCs, Carbon Monoxide, Relative Humidity, Ozone, Formaldehyde, and many others
- Various Chemical Analysis - dependent on the work environment
- Project-specific Health and Safety Plans
SSM has performed these services at a variety of local facilities including power plants, factories, foundries, shipyards, food processing facilities, vocational schools and many others.
We’re here to help you protect your workers’ health and safety.
Protecting Your Workers
Workers exposed to hot indoor environments and/or hot and humid conditions outdoors are at risk of heat- related illness and injuries. Individuals performing heavy work tasks and/or using bulky or non-breathable protective clothing and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are at greatest risk to heat exposure.
Quality Air is Fundamental
Maintaining the highest levels of air quality is most important in healthcare facilities where occupants are most susceptible to irritants in the air. It is vital to maintain a sterile environment in health care facilities to prevent the spread of infection as well as the threat of exacerbating pre-existing conditions. Burn patients and patients with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk for infection and demand the most stringent infection control measures combined with high indoor air quality.
It’s not too Early to Begin Preparing Your Buildings for the Fall
Now is the time to plan ahead to avoid typical last-minute problems like mold and legionella. Although the students are vacationing and the classrooms are empty, school buildings and grounds continue to be a busy place during the summer months. In addition to finalizing budgets and overseeing summer construction and renovations, it’s important to take proactive steps to avoid problems in the fall.
Indoor Environmental Management Programs
At SSM, we consider all environmental factors in our IAQ/IEQ management programs to include building structure, materials, construction activities, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as the building occupants activities, the cleaning and maintenance of the building and sources originating outside the building that have the potential to impact indoor air quality. Our program is designed to recognize how systems work together within the built environment to improve indoor air quality and create a Satisfactory Work and Learning Environment (better than Satisfactory is our goal!).
More than the Air You Breathe
It has become apparent over the years, that more problems negatively affect building occupants than just poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). These additional problems can include but are not limited to structural issues, design and layout issues, mechanical issues, noise issues and even lighting issues. The inclusion of these additional factors in building occupant satisfaction has led to the use of the term Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), which can either simply include IAQ issues or be referred to in addition to IAQ issues.
NFPA 70E Arc Flash Risk Assessment
Although the duty to provide electrical safety in the workplace can be traced to the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, updates and continual revisions to OSHA, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and the 2015 Edition of the National Fire Protection Institute (NFPA) 70E represent the basis for requirement for Arc Flash Risk Assessment (formerly a Hazard Analysis) and protective clothing and equipment. Updated Incident Energy Levels should be determined based on any system revisions and 2015 NFPA 70E requirements.
2017 PennTec Conference
Real-world water/wastewater system examples that use online GIS applications to transform infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system.
Online GIS Applications and Asset Management
This presentation provides real-world water/wastewater system examples that use online GIS applications to transform their infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system. This low-cost approach captures vital data within a secure geo-spatial database. By creating customized mobile web applications, field-critical data (material description, installation date, inspection reports and service history) is available when needed most and accessible to operators in the office or in the field.
Spottlight on Facility Management
Integrating place, people, systems, technology and process is no small task.
Integrating place, people, systems, technology and process is no small task.
Making sure that buildings and their services are functioning at peak levels is the mission of the facility manager and staff, and their list of responsibilities is probably filled equally between reactive and proactive measures to make sure the surrounding environment is in a suitable condition to work and thrive. No matter the size of the organization though, engaging outside facility engineering and environmental professionals to become trusted partners will alleviate some of the burdens of critical events and fulfilling strategic initiatives. Whether it’s an imminent compliance issue, or long-term planning, having access to additional technical assistance and experience in projects that may be seldom-done in-house provides real value. In addition to successfully completing projects within time and budget, measuring the success of facility consultants to provide value should include regular discussion of metrics that improve communication and project outcomes.
2017 PA-AWWA Conference
Overview of the timeline, regulatory requirements, construction and operation of the the Water Treatment Plant.
From Concept to Operation: A 10-year review of the Birdsboro Municipal Authority Water Treatment Plant
In 2007 the Birdsboro Municipal Authority began evaluating the need for a new Water Treatment Plant as their existing 1.0 mgd traveling bridge filter plant was starting to show signs of potential failure. The Authority worked through a feasibility/conceptual study, prepared a pilot protocol, performed the pilot and submitted a pilot report. The Authority then moved into design, construction and operation of the membrane filtration plant. This presentation will review the timeline, regulatory requirements, construction and operation of the WTP. The presentation will provide an overview of the process by the engineer and membrane manufacturer
Presenters:
Christina Crawford, PE, MBA | Spotts, Stevens and McCoy | Ms. Crawford has over 16 years’ experience in environmental engineering. Her responsibilities include client management, client retention, water and wastewater design, design specifications, cost opinions, municipal rate evaluations and review of developer plans. Ms. Crawford also assists clients with identifying sources for project funding utilizing Pennvest and other loan/grant programs, and provides assistance to clients during construction for the disbursement of funds and for project close-out. Ms. Crawford has a Master’s Business Administration from Villanova University and BS Environmental Engineering from Old Dominion University. She is a member of the Water Environment Federation, Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) and the Young Professionals Chair and Board member for Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association (EPWPCOA).
Don Moore | Evoqua Water Technologies | Don has over 23 years’ experience with water and wastewater membrane systems. He manages the sales and business development process for capital equipment in the US and Canada for the Evoqua Memcor® Membrane Product line. Mr. Moore has a Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola University, MD and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a member of the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA).
David Morgan, RLA Confirmed ASLA Board
The PA Senate confirmed the nomination to continue serving on the State Board of Landscape Architects.
DAVID MORGAN, RLA
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is pleased to announce that David B. Morgan, RLA has been confirmed by the PA Senate as a member of the State Board of Landscape Architects.
Mr. Morgan was appointed by Governor Corbett as a member of the State Board of Landscape Architects in 2012.
David has over 24 years of land planning and landscape architecture experience. In his current role, he is responsible for managing all phases of landscape architecture and site design from conceptual design and master planning through production of construction documents and presentations to governmental agencies. His experience includes subdivision planning, storm water management, and land development planning; recreation facility planning; site design; grading; landscaping; soil erosion and sediment control; site construction inspections; NPDES/NOI permit preparation; review and commentary of engineering plans for local government agencies and municipalities; PENNDOT Highway Occupancy Permits; feasibility studies, cost estimates, and securing project approvals.
He has an A.S. Commercial Arts & Design, Antonelli Institute of Art & Design and is a Registered Landscape Architect in Pennsylvania (LA001388L) since 1996.
Public-Facing Maps: Using GIS as a Community Outreach Tool
Be it road closures, boil water advisories, or utility repairs, public notifications play a vital role in municipal government. Many municipalities have adopted web-based notifications as a way to broadcast information to its citizens.
PSATS 2017 Annual Conference
presented by: Alfred Guiseppe, PG | Director, Water Resources
Overview
Designed to provide attendees with examples of how municipalities across the nation use intuitive, interactive online maps to convey important public information to their community, this session will cover a range of public works topics including public notifications, traffic control, road maintenance, water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, source water protection, potential sources of contamination, stormwater best management practices, and asset management.
Be it road closures, boil water advisories, or utility repairs, public notifications play a vital role in municipal government. Many municipalities have adopted web-based notifications as a way to broadcast information to its citizens. The increased popularity of interactive online maps, like Google Maps, have paved the way for municipalities to employ public-facing maps as a means to push important information to the public. Interactive maps can also serve as a two-way information exchange.
Links to Resources
click on the live links below or Download the Resources Sheet
MUNICIPAL GIS EXAMPLES
PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS & OUTREACH
Chester Co. Water Resources Authority
Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority
Wyomissing Borough Refuse Collection
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Design the 480/277 Volt power distribution interconnection to an existing 2000 Amp Switchboard including 2 New 400AT/600AF Breakers for the Switchboard, Inverter Combiner Panels, PPL Disconnect Requirements Outside Near PPL Transformer, and overall coordination with PPL.