Despite having limited experience with installing snowmelt systems, crews at A&R Mechanical Contractors Inc. knew they could rely on Viega for a custom-designed system for their client in Champaign, IL. Viega also provided A&R with tips, tricks, and details about installation, and the system was in place in time for a snowy winter season.
A&R was brought on for construction of Carle at the Fields, a new development in Champaign that consolidated various Carle and Health Alliance administrative and support functions into one location serving patients and housing practitioners and administrative staff. The site offers 300,000 square feet of offices and facilities. There are three separate buildings within Carle at the Fields, and a snowmelt system was requested outside each building.
“You can really count on Viega to stand beside you. They went above and beyond on this project, making sure everybody was comfortable before the installation, and it went off without a hitch.”
—Jim Gardner, Senior Project Manager, A&R Mechanical Contractors Inc.
“It was approximately 9,000 square feet of snowmelt between the three buildings. It covered driveways and the main entrance areas of each,” explained Jim Gardner, senior project manager for A&R.
“They knew they wanted snowmelt, so we said, ‘Let’s see what’s out there.’ We knew Viega offered snowmelt, and in working closely with Viega reps, we put together the plan and got it approved.”
Gardner said that while his experience with snowmelt systems was limited, he was comfortable with the plan because of how well it was executed by the Viega design team. “I’ve used Viega products in the past—generally ProPress,” he noted.
To help Gardner understand the ins and outs of the snowmelt system, Viega provided lots of information about installation to help everything go smoothly. “You can really count on Viega to stand beside you,” said Gardner. “They went above and beyond on this project, making sure everybody was comfortable before the installation, and it went off without a hitch.”
The snowmelt products were installed before colder weather moved in last fall. The systems were certainly put to the test, as Illinois experienced a very snowy winter, and they worked well.
Editor’s note: Prior to publication, Jim Gardner passed away. He was a loyal member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 149 since 1970 and began as a project manager for A&R Mechanical in 1980. He served as the company’s senior project manager for the past 25 years. Jim was well known in the pipe trades industry, and his standard of excellence helped drive A&R to a high level of success.
For more information, visit www.viega.com.
MCAA thanks Viega for being a benefactor of MCAA2020 and sponsoring the student chapter activities.
