The Electrical Blog

When it comes to completing projects with efficiency and excellence, Berwick Electric Co. is always looking for ways to improve. One cutting-edge industry trend, prefabrication (prefab), aims to improve efficiency and quality on the jobsite by constructing selected building components offsite, ahead of time. We recently spoke with Project Manager Mark Norman about Berwick Electric’s take on prefab, as well as the company’s experience with the trend. Keep reading to learn more.

Prefabrication helps increase efficiency on projects with multiple, repetitive parts.

Berwick Electric (BE): What is prefab?
Mark Norman (MN): In our line of work, prefab is anything that can be pre-planned and preassembled in a controlled warehouse environment in order to increase efficiency. Prefab usually involves repetitive tasks that can be a small component of an installation, or in some cases, multi-trade, (various subcontractors working together) full room efforts.

BE: Why is prefab so beneficial?
MN: In many cases, the construction schedule is very tight. Anything we can prefabricate and preplan to be installed in a more efficient manner helps us as electrical contractors to get our job done and then get out of the way for other trades to perform their work. This helps us maintain the project schedule flow.

BE: Can you describe some of Berwick’s experience with prefab?
MN: We kicked off our prefab operations on the Rolling Pin Barracks project several years ago at Fort Carson; we completed 14 barracks building renovations in 15 months. It was very successful. We are currently looking to integrate prefab into upcoming projects in order to support our projects more efficiently.

BE: Can you tell me a little more about the Rolling Pin Barracks project?
MN: Sure. The Rolling Pin Barracks project had several, identical cookie cutter rooms that were very similar in each building. Because of the “cookie cutter” nature of these rooms, this was a perfect project for the prefabrication concept.

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Berwick Electric Co. enjoys sinking its teeth into a variety of projects, including industrial, military, medical, data communications, and more. To learn more about the company’s areas of expertise, click here.

With August in full swing, thunder and lightning storms are common-place here in Colorado Springs. Although lightning storms can be a sight to behold, they can also cause electrical damage to your home or business. In fact, the insurance industry estimates that around 6.5% of all property and casualty claims are related to lightning strikes. If lightning strikes near your home or business, here are a couple of common scenarios to look out for.

If lighting strikes your home or business, look out for the scenarious mentioned below.

Prevent Power Surges

When lightning strikes near a power line, it can increase the amount of electrical current flowing to a wall outlet. This extra burst of electricity is often too much for a surge protector to handle, which can lead to computer and appliance damage. In his article “How Surge Protectors Work,” Tom Harris explains that the best way to protect your computer and other appliances during a lightning storm is to simply turn them off. Businesses may need to take extra measures of precaution to protect data communications systems from a power surge. Depending on the needs of your business, you may want to look into surge protection devices or grounding systems. You can learn more about these options by clicking here.

“About 50 percent of the damage that I see in homes hit by lightning is from an electrical surge that comes in on the communication lines,” Berwick Project Manager Terry Schnieder explained. “I would recommend that people install surge protection devices on phone lines, satellite antennae, and phone lines. Our data communications department regularly installs all of these items.”

Beware of Fire

In his article “Encore: When Lightning Strikes,” Marty Kelly describes how lightning can cause fire because it generates large amounts of heat. Because lightning may start a fire that is not always visible in your home (such as inside of a wall) it is wise to leave your home and call the fire department in the event that lightning strikes your home. It’s always safest to have the fire department assess the situation to make sure there is not fire.

Inspect Breakers

If lightning does strike your home or business, it’s important to inspect the breakers to make sure that they are functioning properly. This article from Energy Experts recommends checking the building’s wiring with a resistance tester, called a megger, to determine the extent of the damage. You can also call Berwick Electric Co. to assess any possible lightning damage.     

Lightning strikes can cause a wide range of damage, from serious to minimal. Should lightning strike near your home or business, we hope that these simple tips will help you approach the situation with common sense.                                            

In 1921, Colorado Springs resident J. Douglas Berwick did something “revolutionary”; he converted the lighting system in his home from gas to electricity. After helping his neighbors do the same, J. Douglas applied for and received electric contractor License Number 11 from the state of Colorado.

With roots that extend back to the '20s, Berwick Electric is an integral part of the local community.

By the end of the '30s, Berwick Electric helped remodel many of the properties downtown, wired many of the houses in the Broadmoor area, and worked on a home for the Penrose Hospital nurses. In the early '40s, Berwick Electric performed the electrical work on the Fort Carson hospital.  And when the ration years of WWII hit, Berwick Electric survived with a steady variety of small jobs repairing old electric systems. During the '50s and '60s, rapid growth in the Colorado Springs area fed the company’s expansion, with projects like the Broadmoor’s Colorado Conference Center, Atmel, Honeywell, and Hewlett-Packard.

Today, Berwick Electric is well-known for its wide range of services, including complete design/rebuild capabilities. In addition to residential and commercial customers, Berwick Electric also offers power quality, construction, and data communication services.  

Power Quality Services

Berwick’s Power Quality Division serves the needs of customers ranging from the area’s largest and most sophisticated corporations to individual personal computer use. This division specializes in analyzing a building’s power system to ensure proper grounding and an uninterrupted power supply. “Every customer’s needs are different,” Power Quality Manager Tim Prime explained. “My job is to find a creative, effective solution to fit any budget.”

Construction Services

In addition to excellence in Power Quality, Berwick Electric also collaborates with owners and general contractors on construction projects to design and install high-quality, cost effective electrical systems.  Berwick Electric’s power quality division has extensive experience with design-build and design-assist projects, as well as sustainability and leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED). To help bring sustainability to the Colorado Springs area, Berwick Electric had the opportunity to partner with Colorado Springs Utilities on the Environmental Services Laboratory, which was the first laboratory building in Colorado to obtain LEED Silver certification.

Data Communications Services

This trend of excellence also extends to Berwick’s data communications department, which helps power professional and personal connectivity. Berwick Electric specializes in design, installation, and service of integrated security, safety, voice, and fiber optic cabling systems to provide creative connectivity solutions.

Social Responsibility

Berwick Electric also prioritizes community involvement by setting a positive example of corporate and social responsibility. To help make Colorado Springs a better place to live and visit, Berwick Electric regularly supports various non-profits and local causes and was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Corporate Philanthropic Program Award by Partners in Philanthropy.

With a customer base that includes many of the region’s largest businesses, Berwick Electric is an integral part of the Colorado Springs community. With a strong heritage of innovation and excellence, Berwick Electric’s employees are proud of their work, and they seek to strengthen and maintain their reputation for quality service.

Berwick Electric’s service team recently had the opportunity to lend a helping hand to the local community’s restoration efforts after the destruction caused by the Black Forest  Fire. First reported in the early afternoon on Tuesday, June 11, the Black Forest Fire quickly grew into the most destructive wildfire  in  Colorado history. 486 structures were destroyed, and the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association estimates  that  damages caused by the fire total nearly $292.8 million.

Smoke from the Black Forest Fire forms a cloud over the sun on 6/11/2013.

As a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Berwick was able to participate in an initiative to help the community during this time. To help homeowners get a jumpstart on rebuilding and repairing the  damages sustained during the fire, Berwick Electric offered  complimentary initial electrical inspections.

“We (Berwick’s service team) are happy to be able to help people through a rough time,” Project Manager Terry Schneider said. “It’s the very least we can do to help people get power back to their homes.”

Mountain     View    Electric   Association (MVEA), the utility of which many homeowners in the Black Forest area are members, had the following feedback for our service department:

“On behalf  of Mountain View Electric Association, Inc., I would like to thank you for your hard work and contribution to MVEA and our members during the aftermath of the Black Forest Fire. Many members have lost their homes or have substantial damage to their homes. Thanks to your assistance, they are one step closer to completing a difficult process during such an emotional time.”

Berwick is very pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in NECA’s initiative to help those affected by the Black Forest Fire.

Although the Black Forest Fire has been 100% contained, volunteers are still needed in the clean-up and recovery process. To learn more about how you can help, visit http://bit.ly/18FIlolor http://www.bffire.org/. Disaster unemployment assistance is also now available for individuals affected by the wildfire. To file a claim, visit www.coloradoui.gov.

From the vantage point of an electrical worker, the new Veterans Affairs clinic under construction in Colorado Springs is quite the venture. State-of-the-art medical, electrical, and other systems will combine to help provide excellent health care for veterans and active-duty troops in the Pikes Peak region. And with nearly 72,000 veterans and 50,000 active duty troops in El Paso County (2009 Census Bureau estimate), the need for a local clinic is growing. With Berwick at the helm of the new clinic’s electrical work, we caught up with Project Manager Mark Norman to learn more about the project.

The new VA Clinic, under construction at the top of Fillmore hill.

Berwick Electric (BE): The new Veterans Affairs Clinic will be a great asset to the community. Can you describe what sorts of services will be offered here?

Mark Norman (MN): Sure. The new clinic will offer a large variety of services, including CT scans, lab work, and more. I’ve also learned that it (the clinic) will offer needed mental health care to those who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, or who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

BE: How was Berwick awarded the VA Clinic project, and what is Berwick’s role in the construction of the clinic?

MN: After a very lengthy interview process with Jacobsen Construction of Salt Lake City, UT, Berwick was chosen as the electrical subcontractor for the VA Clinic. In a nutshell, we will be installing the building’s power and lighting system, as well as the data communications, fire alarm, and security systems.

BE: Have you run into any challenges during the project?

MN: The clinic will have a three-story, open glass atrium that faces Pikes Peak, and the atrium requires a complex smoke evacuation system. Careful coordination of the building’s electrical, life safety, security, and mechanical systems is essential in order for the smoke evacuation system to function properly. It’s been a great challenge!

BE: Is there anything else that you want to share about the project?

MN: Yes; I would like to comment on what an outstanding, hard-working, committed crew that we have on site!  Berwick’s General Foreman John Travers is working with Foremen Eric Norman and Dale Butterfield to ensure the success of the project. The clinic is slated to open in late spring or early summer of 2014.

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The new Veterans Affairs clinic is only a small token of the gratitude that those who have so diligently served our country deserve. Berwick Electric Co. is pleased to contribute to such a worthwhile project. 

One of Berwick Electric Co.'s top priorities is to provide the local community with quality electrical service in an efficient, trustworthy manner. As part of Berwick’s continual improvement process in this area, Data Communications Manager Shane Gebbink spearheaded a project to improve internal communications. More advanced internal communication technology will enable the Berwick team to get needed electrical service to the community more efficiently. We recently interviewed Shane to learn more about this exciting undertaking.

Take a peek inside of Berwick Electric Co.'s new telecommunications room!

Berwick Electric (BE): Describe what data communications means for those that may not be familiar with the term.
Shane Gebbink (SG): Essentially, data communications systems transmit data to and from computers and components of computer systems. Data communication is transmitted via mediums like wires, coaxial cables, fiber optics, or radiated electromagnetic waves such as broadcast radio, infrared light, microwaves, and satellites. It’s really the “nuts and bolts” of how we communicate in this day and age. Here at Berwick, we install, test, and maintain these connectivity systems.

BE: What does Berwick’s data communications system upgrade project entail?
SG: We are updating our building’s cabling system and network devices from the old Cat5 cabling to new Cat6 and Cat6A cabling. This update will provide an increase in bandwidth capability, and it will be noticeable in both speed and reliability.    

Along with the wiring changes, Berwick has increased our Century Link service from 3Mb to 10Mb. This will alleviate a lot of errors in packet dropping and collisions on our systems. The “power users,” a.k.a project managers, computer automated drawings, etc., who transfer large drawings, videos, or cad files will now be cabled with CAT6A to have a higher capability (1GB) at the desk at all times. In addition to these “power users,” regular users (everyday computer operations, such as email and internet) will see an increase in bandwidth with more consistent reliability.

BE: How are you facilitating this upgrade?
SG: In conjunction with the work on our service and cabling, Berwick has also built a “true telecommunications” room to house brand new switches that are capable of handling our increased bandwidth. There is also a new wireless system in place to accommodate the smartphones, laptops and iPads. This system is tied to our network and is hot transferrable, so there will be no login or dropping from one radio to the next. In other words, a device on the network can be located anywhere in the building and have total access to the network with no VPN login.

BE: Is there anything else that you would like to share about the upgrade?
SG: Berwick has also made a switch in network maintenance providers to Amnet. We genuinely appreciated all the years of service from our previous provider, but the timing with our data communications upgrade was right for a change.  We look forward to working with Amnet.  If there is an individual or a company out there that is thinking about a data communications system upgrade, please feel free to stop by and look at Berwick’s new telecommunications room to get an idea of how we might be able to help you upgrade. We are really looking forward to years of continued, reliable, efficient service.
_______________________________________________________________________________________ If you are in need of faster, more reliable data communications, we encourage you to contact Data Communications Manager Shane Gebbink at 719-492-8333 or sgebbink@berwickelectric.com. In the meantime, we invite you to stop by Berwick Electric Co.'s office located at 3450 N. Nevada Ave #100 in Colorado Springs to take a peek at the latest in data communications technology.

Take me out to the ball game…

This past Sunday, Berwick Electric employees enjoyed each other’s company while watching the Colorado Springs Sky Sox take on the Salt Lake Bees. Warm summer air, delicious food, and “America’s favorite past time” helped to create a memorable afternoon.

One of Berwick Electric Co.’s distinguishing characteristics is its family-oriented atmosphere; the company’s staff genuinely enjoys working together. This cohesive teamwork is part of the foundation that enables Berwick to consistently provide excellent electrical service to the Pikes Peak region. We invite you to “share in” the fun that Berwick Electric employees had this past weekend by enjoying the photos and quotes below.

Happy Thursday! With the weekend just around the corner, here are some positive quotes to brighten the rest of the work week. In addition to lifting your mood, research suggests that thinking positively may actually help improve your health. With that in mind, we hope you take a moment to enjoy the following quotes!

“Laughter is the best medicine.”
-Anonymous

“Accomplishment of purpose is better than making a profit.”
-Nigerien Proverb

“A man of courage is also full of faith.”
 –Cicero

“Good is the enemy of great”
-Voltaire

“One of the things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.”
-Dick Gregory

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
-Albert Einstein

“Better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.”
-Chinese Proverb

“Adventure is worthwhile.”
-Amelia Earhart

“The storm also beats on the house that is built on the rock.”
-Anonymous

“Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.”
-Oscar Wilde

“Be curious, not judgmental.”
-Walt Whitman

“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.”
-Raymond Lindquist

We hope that these quotes lifted your spirits and put a smile on your face. Have wonderful weekend!

Picture this: lightning strikes near your home, and the electrical wiring is damaged. Or, on a less dramatic note, something with your breaker box doesn’t seem to be working right and you’re not sure how to fix it. Whatever the scenario, when it comes to electrical safety, “an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.”

Even if you know little about electricity, applying common sense to simple tips for home electrical safety is important. Today we have the opportunity to chat with Bill Tuten, safety manager for Berwick Electric Co. For nearly 12 years, Bill has helped to keep Berwick employees and customers safe, leading safety trainings, working to ensure that strict safety requirements are kept, and more. Keep reading below to learn some simple electrical safety tips for the home.

1. NEVER work on an energized system. Although it may seem obvious, it is never safe to work on an energized system. This means that you shouldn’t attempt to fix something that currently has electricity running to it. “Even if something as simple as a light switch isn’t working, do not attempt to fix it while that switch is still energized,” Bill said.  “If you’re working on a home project, such as remodeling a bedroom, utility room, or even a barn or a shop, always de-energize it,” he added. “If you’re not sure how to do so, call a qualified electrician. Take a humble approach.”

2. Cover unused outlets. “For families with small children, it is especially important to cover any electrical outlets that aren’t currently in use,” Bill said. “This helps prevent curious children from getting shocked or electrocuted if they play with the outlet.”

3. Use the correct light bulbs. Most of us have been there – a light bulb burns out and you don’t have the correct replacement bulb on hand. Although it may be tempting to replace the bulb with whatever is on hand, never use a light bulb that exceeds the recommended wattage per the fixture manufacturer’s recommendation.

4. Test ground fault circuit interrupters. In the same way that you routinely test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, you should also test your ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). “Simply put, a GCFI responds to a problem by shutting off the power to that circuit,” Bill explained. “This helps protect you from shock,” he continued. “There is generally a test mechanism on a GCFI. You simply push the ‘test’ and ‘reset’ buttons to do so. I try to test mine at least quarterly.”

5. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. “Although this isn’t necessarily a home electrical safety tip, it does bear repeating: test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” Bill emphasized. “Whether your detectors are hard-wired into your home’s electrical system or battery-operated, they need to be tested at least twice per year,” he added. “It’s recommended to have one in each bedroom of your house, each hallway, and one on every floor. We have a total of eight smoke detectors, as well as a carbon monoxide detector on each level of our house.”

We hope that you find these simple home electrical tips helpful! If you have any questions or would like additional home electrical safety tips, please send an email to mail@berwickelectric.com.

Today is a day to soak up some sun, jump in a pool, or enjoy something hot off the grill! It is a day to simply savor and relax.

Today, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on and appreciate the many sacrifices made in order to enjoy freedom. Whatever your plans are today, we hope that you have a very enjoyable and memorable Fourth of July!