News Page
PROJECT UPDATE – UW KINCAID HALL RENOVATION
Check out this time-lapse from last month’s mechanical installation at the UW Kincaid Hall Renovation!
#WhenPerformanceCounts
DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PURE WATER DIVISION?
It’s true – and it’s not common. In fact, we’re the only mechanical contractor in the region that has in-house pure water capabilities. We have been providing the Puget Sound region with pure water services for over a decade. We specialize in providing solutions for many institutions, including the pharmaceutical and life sciences, government, industrial, food and beverage, and microelectronics industries. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our products and capabilities at:
auburnmechanical.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Pure-Water-Division-Auburn-Mechanical-2.pdf
AUTUMN SAFETY REMINDERS FROM SAFETY DIRECTOR DARREL
Our safety director routinely sends non-work-related safety guides to our employees because being safe is a 24/7 job. Below are some Autumn reminders he provided for our employees.
CLEANING YOUR GUTTERS
— Alert your family or a neighbor that you’ll be cleaning the gutters.
— Practice ladder safety. Inspect the ladder for defects, tighten loose parts, maintain three points of contact, never overreach, place the ladder only on a stable and level surface, and enlist help to hold the ladder base.
— Wear safety glasses, gloves, and long sleeves.
— Consider hiring a professional.
TRIMMING BRANCHES
Storms and wind can snap dead branches, which can injure people or damage items in their path.
— Choose tools that are made for trimming trees and make sure your tool is sharp.
— Follow proper trimming procedure according to the size of the limb.
— Wear safety glasses, gloves, and long sleeves.
— If using a ladder, follow the guidelines for ladder safety listed above.
— Consider hiring a professional.
HOME SAFETY CHECK
— Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work.
— Ensure fire extinguishers are functional.
— Check that first aid kits are well-stocked.
AUBURN PERFORMS SAFETY DEMONSTRATION
AT UW KINCAID HALL
As part of National Fall Prevention Awareness Week and Auburn Mechanical’s commitment to continuous safety training and awareness, we performed a safety demonstration on fall hazards and the gear associated with working at heights. Second-year steamfitter apprentice Robert volunteered to demonstrate the equipment.
#Safety
Auburn Mechanical is interested in the lives of our employees outside of work. It’s the individuals who make the team great. Meet Phil Sutlovich, one of our startup and commissioning technicians. We are grateful to have been able to steal Phil away from his professional baseball career…
FUN FACTS
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: We have a bit of a mini-farm: 3 dogs, 2 barn cats, 6 goats, 10 ducks, 4 turkeys, and about 30 chickens.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I enjoy camping, riding quads and motorcycles, fishing, hanging around my fire pit and we are season ticket holders for the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Q: What is your work background?
A: I started in the trade in 2000, participated in the service apprenticeship for five years, worked in service construction (installation), and held a position as service manager and service foreman. In the past, I’ve traveled all over the US to perform site surveys and air balancing and commissioning. I’m thankful to be able to come home every day now!
Q: What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A: I really wanted to be a professional baseball player, but I’m not very good... so here I am!
PROJECT IN PROGRESS – UW KINCAID HALL RENOVATION
The mechanical and plumbing, progressive design-build project is scheduled to be complete in the Spring of 2021. The renovation includes the demolition and abatement of existing building systems and rebuilding the interior into office and clinical spaces for the psychology and biology departments. Unique challenges for this existing space include the buildout of an MRI exam room to be used for research, installation of a school bus sized air handling unit and other mechanical equipment in an underground mechanical room with no elevator access, and installing acoustical treatments on terminal units to meet strict noise requirements from the owner.
#WhenPerformanceCounts
#WhenPerformanceCountsLast week Brother George Johnson was at a Federal way public schools site getting in some Trimble layout in the mist for Auburn Mechanical on our one cloudy day of the week! Nice work Brother! #UAProud #Local32
The Washington State Convention Center Addition project was featured by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America on their website. Check out the full article to read about our LEAN approach, focus on sustainability, unique methodologies, and safety protocols.
#WhenPerformanceCounts
Some words of advice from our safety director for National Safety Month!
#NationalSafetyMonth
Check out Lease Crutcher Lewis's drone video from the Washington State Convention Center. We're proud to be on the project! #WhenPerformanceCounts
Everyone knows that Auburn employees love to have a great time, especially during the warm summer months. Because of social distancing, we hosted our first virtual happy hour, that of course, included drinks and contests. Thank you to everyone who participated!
#happyhourathome #socialdistancing2020
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Washington recently awarded Auburn Washington Industry Safety Elite (W.I.S.E.) status for our team’s approach to safety.
#SafetyFirst #WhenPerformanceCounts
All over the Puget Sound region, our field teams are providing safe and masterful building services to our clients.
Pictured are Aaron and Petr setting the pipe sleeves in a wall at the Washington State Convention Center Addition and Renovation.
Thank you, Kevin, for sending in your photos!
Thank you to our hard-working field crews for keeping construction projects running. We appreciate your dedication and focus on safety!
It is Nurse Appreciation Day. Make sure to thank a nurse today—their expertise, compassion, and bravery are vital to our community. Thank you!
#ThankYouNurses
Know a super strong special projects manager interested in taking the next step in their career? Check out Auburn's open position for an SPG Business Unit Leader here: auburnmechanical.com/connect/#auburnCareers
Auburn Mechanical’s experts can assess your building systems and recommend the right procedures to reduce contamination and protect customers and employees.
Schedule your building or project assessment today: service@auburnmechanical.com or (253) 838-9780
We're looking to hire a project executive. Follow the link to the application!
bit.ly/3cbw3q6
In support of essential projects, operating facilities, and the greater community, Auburn Mechanical is fabricating portable handwashing stations. These stations come in multiple sizes and quantities to meet any need.
Contact us to discuss which design is right for your facility or project.
Auburn Mechanical Service: Service@auburnmechanical.com
Ongoing Essential Projects: justinpritchett@AuburnMechanical.com
#Seattle #Construction #Stopthespead #Socialdistancing #Covid-19 #EssentialWorkers #Inthistogether
Thank you to our crew at the Washington State Convention Center project for continuing your hard work and adjusting practices to stay safe amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep up the great work!
Auburn Mechanical is committed to keeping our employees and clients safe during this health crisis. While it is important to note that there is no “silver bullet” to protect against the virus, there are multiple processes and practices we can utilize together to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. As a result of that mindset, we have implemented a Safe Environments Plan, which is targeted at creating safe and healthy work environments for our employees and customers. Please see the attached PDF created by our engineering manager Randy Stabnow, PE for full details of the plan or call us at (253) 838-9780, and we would be happy to discuss any of your questions.
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During this extraordinary time, we want to remind our valued customers that we are an essential business, in compliance with the governor’s stay at home order.
- Our Service Division is ready to assist with building tune-ups to support enhanced air quality and filtration; essential and critical site services; HVAC, plumbing, and piping repairs, replacements, and modifications.
- Our Special Projects and Major Construction Divisions are continuing operations for projects with an essential business or project designation.
- Our Design Engineering, Service, and Construction Divisions are here to support our clients and our essential infrastructure at this challenging and straining time.
- Safety for our customers, the general public, and our employees is always our first priority. Our employees have been briefed on the current guidelines issued by state and federal agencies and will follow company safety-first protocols.
- From filter changes to lab conversions and temporary facilities—we are here to help.
The Washington State Convention Center Addition and Renovation is growing quickly!
PROJECT UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON STATE CONVENTION Petr, pictured, is on pour watch. The project team is pouring concrete for the Pine Street retail spaces. By proactively observing concrete pours, we prevent plumbing sleeve displacement. Plumbing sleeves are used to place passageways for risers to go through the floor. We put them in place to reduce time and cost coring through concrete. At the convention center, we have nearly 2,000 floor penetrations that we plan to sleeve, some of which are 18 inches in diameter.
Happy Women in Construction Week!
Local 32 highlighted Erin!
#womeninconstructionweek
Happy Women in Construction Week!
We're proud of all the women who work at Auburn Mechanical, including our skilled tradespeople such as Brandi. What a nice post by Local 32!It’s #womeninconstructionweek this week! Here is Sister Brandi Lee, 14 year Plumber and #local32 member. Sister Lee works in the Auburn Mechanical fab shop supporting multiple jobs! You make us #UAProud Sister Lee, keep up the great work! #wicweek2020 #womeninconstruction #unionsisters #local32 #plumbersofinstagram #womanplumber #unionproud #unitedassociation #uaskilledpipetrades #skilledtradesmatter #unionfamily #union #unionplumber #tradeswomen #seattletradeswomen #auburnmechanical #fabshop #unionfabshop #fabshoplife
Erik took some awesome photos at the Washington State Convention Center Addition and Renovation. It is one of the largest, complex, and fun projects that we have ever worked on!
#UAProud #Local32 nice shots Brother!
Happy Women in Construction Week! Auburn Mechanical, a nationally-certified Women Owned Business Enterprise, is proud of all the women who make our team great!
Twice a year, we hold a business development retreat at Meridian Valley Country Club. It’s an opportunity for our project managers, project engineers, service account managers, and leaders to meet and discuss exciting opportunities and strategies.
Last week, we held our annual company breakfast meeting. Our leadership team discussed what went well in 2019, what we’re going to improve on in 2020, and what the company aspires to accomplish over the next decade.
We're looking to hire a service account manager. Follow the link to the application!
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Project Update | Washington State Convention Center Additions
Auburn’s work is progressing at an impressive pace, which includes the installation of six miles of underground plumbing on the eight-acre job site. Our team has installed complex systems, including the fully heat traced and insulated Blucher grease waste system. Recently, our crews successfully landed and installed two 24,000-pound grease interceptors—a major accomplishment. Auburn’s Detailing Department has nearly completed the coordination of the 36 miles of plumbing pipe on the project—which includes unusually large systems typically not seen in the Seattle area—such as 18” storm mains and a rain harvest system that will serve restroom toilets.
Project Update | Skills Inc. Tank Line
Auburn's sheet metal, plumbing, insulation, pure water, and engineering groups are heavily involved in the full-mechanical project located at Skills’ main plant. The tank line project consists of transforming Skills’ unused existing warehouse space into housing for a new tank line.
Last week, we had our Annual Holiday Party. There were drinks, appetizers, dinner, and entertainment. Thank you to everyone who attended!
What a year 2019 turned out to be! We worked on terrific projects and made great friends along the way.
The elves were busy around Auburn’s main office campus, decorating and bringing cheer!
I have the most awesome team ever!
Can you find Arnie, the Auburn Mechanical snowman in this year’s holiday video card? You have 14 chances! Rate yourself!
0-7 Apprentice
8-10 Journeyman
11-13 Foreman
14 Superintendent
Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for all our great employees, and for the fact they aren’t only talented professionals, but very fun to be around. Last week, we hosted our annual turkey fry, and it was delicious! Thank you to everyone who attended.
We're looking to hire project managers, project engineers, and a project administrator. Follow the link to our careers page!
We're looking to hire a service coordinator/dispatcher for our Service Division. Follow the link to the application!
AUBURN COMPLETES WORK AT THE SOUTHPORT OFFICE CAMPUS!
The Southport Office Campus is located in Renton, and the class-A office project consisted of the new construction of a 664,000 square foot, six-level parking garage, and three nine-story office towers totaling 712,752 square feet. The project took over three years to complete and was completed in three phases. Additionally, Auburn was the first MEP subcontractor to complete their scope of work on the project, saving the owner money.
It may have been early (for a Saturday), but we had a great turn out at the Heart & Stroke Walk in Seattle!
#heartstrokewalk
Thank you to everyone who attended the Heart & Stroke Walk in Seattle!
#heartstrokewalk
Armando, a plumber at Auburn, has earned the Steve Strehlo Instructor of the Year Award from Local 32. Congratulations!
Way to go!
A few weeks ago, we held our annual summer meeting and barbecue, which included our annual ping-pong tournament. We went over our successes, made goals, and spent time enjoying the end of summer!
#FridayFun
President Stacy Johnson was featured in this month’s WiMI Minute, discussing her career and the Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative.
WiMI Minute - Meet the Women of WiMI: Stacy Johnson - MCAA
Each month we will introduce an MCAA/MSCA woman leader, faculty advisor or student involved in our Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative. These one minute videos will help you learn a little more about them, their careers, how they got into the industry and why WiMI is so valuable to them.Happy #ConstructionAppreciationWeek! Thank you to everyone who builds—you’re changing the world for the better!
Happy #ThrowbackThursday to the F5 Tower. We finished working on this project a few years ago. If you are driving through Seattle, you will definitely see it!
Last week, we held our annual summer meeting and barbecue, which included our ping-pong tournament. We went over our successes, made goals, and spent time enjoying the end of summer!
Last week, our team participated in a business development retreat. Half the day was dedicated to market discussions, training, and a building challenge. The afternoon was used for our team-building pickleball tournament. Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to our winners Isaac and John!
Auburn is working on the REI Spring District Headquarters to build over 200,000 SF of office space for their multi-building headquarters! Check out these recent photos!
I’m there!😉
We had a little #FridayFun a couple weeks ago at our Hawaiian BBQ Lunch. Thank you Engineering and Detailing for hosting!
Our Obliteride team raised money for Fred Hutch's largest fundraising event of the year. Good job Isaac, John, Don, Jason, and John!
Some #FridayFun from this beautiful Friday afternoon; an epic pose from Eric and an outdoor view of the progress on 3rd and Lenora!
Happy National Professional Engineer’s Day!
We’re proud of our licensed Professional Engineers. Thank you Randy, Pedro, Mary, Austin, and Larry for your great work!
#LicensedPEday
Check out a great article by LMN Architects about the Seattle Academy Cardinal Union Building. It is worth a read if you have an interest in design and architecture. Auburn was the full-mechanical contractor on the project.
#SheetMetalSaturday
ow.ly/WOF450vlIGl
New middle school furthers Seattle Academy’s urban evolution
According to a recent study by the United Nations, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas — a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050.
#TuesdayTip
Don’t Drive Distracted—It’s Not Worth Your Life
The main cause of distracted driving is cell phone use. It involves the three main type of distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive. Just don’t do it!
We are looking to hire a BIM Technician. Visit our page, fill out your application, and email to hr@auburnmechanical.com to apply.
auburnmechanical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BIM-Technician-20190729.pdf
Check out NBBJ’s video from the REI Headquarters project at the Spring District! #MondayMotivation
Great job site! Love being there!
Last week, Justin and Stacy participated in Turner Construction's 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament!
Happy Friday! Here’s an inside look at the fresh construction of the Washington State Convention Center, set to open in 2022. #TrustTheProcess
Happy #NationalInternDay!
Auburn would like to thank our 2019 interns! Larry, a marketing major at EWU, enjoys visiting our job sites and drafting social media posts. Logan, a computer science major at WSU, enjoys observing our network restructuring.
What a weekend at the 2019 Auburn Charity Golf Classic!
Another great golf tournament! Already looking forward to next year!! 🏌🏼♀️
Thank you to everyone who made this event amazing! Thank you Keller Supply Co., Ferguson, A. O. Smith, Victaulic Company, Stone Drew/Ashe & Jones, Apollo Flow Controls, King Sales, Pacific Plumbing Supply Co., LLC., Ballard Industrial, Star Rental, Dorse & Company, Enterprise Fleet Management, Accuduct, Consolidated Supply, nVent - Caddy, Milwaukee Tool North America, Johnson Barrow, Air Test, Shoemaker Manufacturing Company, Viega LLC, Western State Sales, Watts - North America, Specialty Products & Insulation, ACI - Mechanical & HVAC Sales, Valley Buick GMC & RV, NIBCO INC, ISAT Seismic Bracing, and C.M. Hoskins Company.
A little #FridayFun with John, Jared, Will, and Jamie at the Project & Developmental Services Invitational earlier this week! The event was sponsored by Cushman & Wakefield, benefitting Cancer Pathways & Sound.
Congratulations Won! He is the winner of our Step into Summer Challenge! Won, having the most miles walked during the challenge, was gifted a Fitbit Flex 2!
#TuesdayTip
Buy Only Leading-Edge Work Self-Retracting Lifelines (Yo-Yos).
There are many limitations faced without these Yo-Yos; Auburn has taken away any issue faced by only purchasing the higher-rated leading-edge work yo-yos.
When safety counts, no expense is too expensive!
Catch us on hole 13 at the annual CWU CMGT Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament! Check out our mini-game, and come snag a Gatorade before they’re gone. 😎 – at The Golf Club at Echo Falls.
IN THE NEWS! The Yesler Terrace Red Cedar Apartments had its ribbon cutting on Friday. Red Cedar is a mixed-income apartment building for the Seattle Housing Authority that Auburn completed under general contractor Andersen Construction. Auburn was the full-mechanical contractor, completing both the plumbing and HVAC scopes of work. Some highlights from the project are that we installed a solar preheat system (on the plumbing side) and a large VRF system for office spaces on the first floor.
Seattle's new mixed-income apartment opens in Yesler Terrance
SEATTLE -- It’s move in time for Bibi and her family. They are some of the newest tenants of Red Cedar, a new 119 mixed-income apartment building that is a part of the $1. 8 billion redevelopment of Yesler Terrace. Her husband and four kids now live in a three-bedroom apartment with a monthly....We had an outstanding time at Andersen Construction's Charity Golf Tournament hosted at the Rainier Golf & Country Club. Auburn’s team took third place, and everyone enjoyed getting a round of golf in on a beautiful day. Most importantly, money was raised to support Mary's Place—an organization that works to “provide safe, inclusive shelter and services that support women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness.”¹
Notes
1. About Us — Mary's Place, www.marysplaceseattle.org/about-us/ (accessed June 21, 2019).
We are looking to hire a driver/warehouse support employee. Visit our page, fill out your application, and email to hr@auburnmechanical.com to apply.
It is a beautiful day for a round of golf! We're sponsoring the 14th hole at the WSU Construction Management Tournament!
Take a look at this interesting article and awesome photos about the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School. Auburn was the full-mechanical and design-assist contractor.
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School, Washington - e-architect
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School, Washington: North American Building Development, USA - design by LMN Architects - Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School, Washington Building Development, Architecture ImagesDid the ground work on that one, very cool project.
We are looking to hire a mechanical drafter. Visit our page, fill out your application, and email to hr@auburnmechanical.com to apply.
BUILDING A CULTURE OF SAFETY
During Safety Week, it is appropriate to remind ourselves to act safely not only on the job site but at the office, on the road, and at home. Auburn’s zero injury safety culture is rooted in the philosophy that all accidents and injuries are preventable. Our comprehensive safety program encourages employees to take action to protect themselves and others, correct potentially unsafe behaviors, and adopt a mindset of choosing to follow safety rules.
#SafetyWeek
Auburn is nearing completion on the Yesler Terrace Red Cedar Apartments. Red Cedar is a low-income apartment building for the Seattle Housing Authority. We are the full-mechanical contractor, completing both the plumbing and HVAC scopes of work.
Auburn is nearing completion on the Yesler Terrace Red Cedar Apartments. Red Cedar is a low-income apartment building for the Seattle Housing Authority. We are the full-mechanical contractor, completing both the plumbing and HVAC scopes of work. Some highlights from the project are that we installed a solar preheat system (on the plumbing side) and a large VRF system for office spaces on the first floor.
Early in the project, Auburn emphasized coordination by identifying spaces where there were going to be constraints as far as conflicts with plumbing, HVAC, and structural construction. We proactively addressed all those issues ahead of time, so they weren’t issues when we got to them in the field.
About every three years, Auburn undergoes a peer review from other contractors throughout the United States. A lot of hard work was put into preparing and participating in the event, but it was also a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who came to review us and to all Auburn employees who participated.
Looking Great you guys
Congratulations to Jason for being an honorable mention for our March photo contest!
Pictured is a rooftop unit for a restaurant project at the SeaTac Airport.
Nice pic Jason High.
Congratulations to Brandon for being an honorable mention for our March photo contest!
Pictured is a prefabricated skid being hoisted at one of our downtown Seattle projects.
Congratulations to Isaac for winning our March photo contest!
Pictured is a prefabricated skid at one of our downtown Seattle projects.
Auburn has been a leader in Lean construction practices for years. This includes our prefabrication process and dedication to just-in-time delivery. Whenever possible, we fabricate systems off-site and deliver fully assembled equipment skids to the jobsite
Auburn had a memorable time at MCAA19. We participated in education and networking opportunities with mechanical industry peers from across the nation. Phoenix was terrific, and we are already looking forward to Maui in 2020!
Happy Women in Construction Week! Auburn Mechanical, a nationally- and state-certified Women Owned Business Enterprise, is proud of all the women who make our team great!
#WomenInConstruction
