Jim Siegel – Freelance Analyst, Journalist & Photographer in Orlando
May 12, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
Freelance analyst, journalist and photographer Jim Siegel brings uncanny insight as well as a thoughtful and engaging style to his work. That’s because he’s much more than just a writer. Jim’s background features technical and business experience as both as a senior executive at one of the world’s largest multinationals, as well as the head of his own company. The result is a knack for critical thinking coupled with a true focus on consumers and the everyday person. He has the ability to simplify the complicated, to find simplicity on the other side of complexity. He investigates issues and produces reports for private companies, universities, magazines, and newspapers. His audiences have ranged from CEOs to grade school students. Jim knows that visuals are a critical aspect of communication. His one-page mind-maps and flow diagrams are often found in his work, and he has honed his photographic skills to produce images that add impact, understanding, and buzz.
Jim has undergraduate and graduate degrees and executive certificates from Purdue University, the University of Michigan, the Kellogg School of Northwestern University, and the Fuqua School of Duke University. He seeks to understand the big picture as well as the interesting details of any assignment. He is comfortable talking with the captains of industry, government leaders, and celebrities … as well as local citizens and students. His relaxed style that draws people out comes in part from extensive experience in conducting and overseeing both qualitative and quantitative market research in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
His accreditations range from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to the Vatican.
Jim can be reached at 407-432-1358, or jim.siegel@mac.com.
Celebration News- Justin Bieber and Jasmine Concert in Celebration
- 2010 Celebration Games Rescheduled for November
- Florida Hospital Celebration Health - Dr. Redan
- Dr. Vipul Patel at Celebration Health
- Celebration Students in State Concert
- School and State at Ends over Gun Decision
- US Ski Team Member Profile of David Babic
- Education - Indoctrinating Hard Work
- Can You Afford A Christian School?
- Super Bowl XLIV: Facts at a Glance
Historic May 14 Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis
May 11, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
On May 14, Central Florida residents and visitors will have a chance to view the historic last launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis from the Kennedy Space Center. Atlantis is one of three remaining shuttle orbiters, each of which is scheduled to have its final flight between now and the end of the year. The mission designation for the flight is STS-132 (which stands for Space Transfer System mission #132).
Atlantis’ 12-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will deliver a 23-foot long, 17,000 pound Russian-built research module that will provide additional storage space and a new docking port.The module will be permanently attached toone of the existing sections of the ISS and will carry important hardware on its exterior including a radiator, airlock and a European-built robotic arm. Three spacewalks are planned to install spare components outside the station, including six spare batteries, a Ku-band antenna and spare parts for the Space Station’s Canadian-built robotic arm.
This and the other final flights of Discovery on September 16 and Endeavor no earlier than mid-November will be the last opportunity to transport large components and spare parts to the ISS, which can only be delivered using the large cargo bay provided by the Shuttle.
This will be the 32nd flight for Atlantis, which lifted off on its maiden voyage on Oct. 3, 1985. Later missionsincluded the launch of the Magellan probe to Venus in May 1989,Galileo interplanetary probe to Jupiter in October 1989, the first shuttledocking to the Mir Space Station in June1995 and the final Hubble servicingmission in May 2009.
Atlantis is named after a two-masted sailingship that was operated for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute from 1930to 1966.
In total Atlantis has logged 115 million miles of space flight has spent 282 days in earth orbit.
The scheduled launch time is 2:20 pm, given favorable weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center and at its downrange emergency landing sites in case one is needed.
For those who wish to be as close as possible for the launch, prime viewing sites are along the Indian River on U.S. Highway 1 especially in Titusville, the Beachline Expressway Rt. 528 where it crosses over the Indian River, in Cocoa Beach off Route A1A, and at Jetty Park at Port Canaveral. Plan to arrive at least 3-4 hours prior to launch.
- Celebration Town Tavern - Celebration, Florida
- 2010 Celebration Games Rescheduled for November
- Celebration Florida's Fun Station Closes
- Celebration Hotel
- Corpus Christi Opens New Church
- Marin County Harbors Part 2
- Travel Guide:World Cup 2010
- Top Travel Places to Go in 2010
- EU says half of normal flights may run Monday
- Door Installation Instructions for Knocked-Down Pre-Hung Doors
2010 Celebration Games Rescheduled for November
April 12, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
The annual Celebration Games, a kind of friendly Olympics among the residents of Celebration, have been rescheduled. Originally slated for the traditional third and fourth weekends in February, they are now scheduled for the first two weekends in November. The postponement avoids an overlap with the Celebration K-8 School Artrageous event that will benefit the School’s Tech-up Program. When the Games finally occur in November, they will include three new events: kickball, Wii tournament, and Bocce. In contrast to the regular international Olympics, all age residents will be able to participate in many of the events.
Last February, a record number of Celebration participants turned out for the annual town event. In spite of busy schedules of work, school, children, and other civic events, hundreds of spirited residents of all ages participated in the sometimes-chilly, early-morning air to have fun together competing for bragging rights among the town villages. For the second year in a row, the Western District, comprised of Celebration Main Village, West Village, and Lake Evelyn, captured the most points.
Robin Malatino, one of the main organizers of the Games since they were initiated in 2007, credited the hard work of the District captains, plus ongoing expansion of the Games to more activities and all age groups. “The first year involved only adults,” she said. “During the second year we added board games for which children were eligible. Last year we added some new activities, including croquet, women’s basketball, and a talent show.”
The talent show was particularly a huge success by any measure. Emceed by Celebration resident DJ and entertainment extraordinaire Joe Magic, the two hour show featured twenty-one acts that included dancing, singing, gymnastics, cheerleading, musical instruments, comedy, and even karate. It was an opportunity for residents of all ages, children, teens, and adults to demonstrate the breadth of talent here in Celebration. The Celebration K-8 School Gymnasium bleachers were filled to overflowing as residents enthusiastically applauded their appreciation, while the judges (Jacqueline Hazen of the Central Florida Talent Agency, Michelle Bastone of Radio Disney, and former child star and current talent agent Stephanie Brown) carefully marked their score sheets.
With the popularity of video games in our culture today, it was not surprising that “arcade wars” was also an added event last year and were held at the Family Fun Station on Front Street. It may not be recognized by the International Olympic Committee (at least not yet), but admittedly video games do require a great deal of eye-hand coordination, as well as mental acuity and fast reaction time. Most importantly, the event had been one more way of including more residents in the Games, not to mention giving children and teens an opportunity to easily best their parents. This year arcade wars will be replaced by the Wii competition.
Again this year the various villages of Celebration will be organized into four Districts that will compete against one another: East District Pirates (East Village, Roseville Corner, Condo Terraces, and Aquila Reserve), North District Knights (North Village, Georgetown Condos, and Acadias), Western District Alleycats (Celebration Main Village, West Village, Lake Evalyn, and The Downtown Condos), and South District Leprechauns (South Village, and Artisan Park Homes and Condos).
Residents interested in learning more should go to www.celebrationgames.org.
Originally posted 2010-02-06 11:40:22.
Celebration News- Celebration Students in State Concert
- Best Restaurants in Celebration Florida
- Arabian Nights Orlando
- Celebration Christmas Lights Contest Winners
- Celebrators Start Year on a Cruise
- Visit Germany: The UN-Official Guide
- Introduction To Creating Profitable Space Advertising -- 10 Secrets To Doing It Right!
- An Open Letter To Major League Baseball, Fox And Advertisers.
- Island gambles on attracting Chinese investors
- Visit India: The UN-Official Guide
Celebration Homeowners Beware Water Problems
April 12, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
If you live in Celebration, there may be a kind of “time bomb” ready to go off in your house at any moment. Thanks goes to a dozen or so residents who have called our attention to it, including Dennis Kennen (who started a thread on the Front Porch last month) and to Rick Amick (who posted a thorough explanation and warning). The problem is sudden and unexpected water leaks inside the house. The root cause: water pressure delivered to our homes that significantly exceeds County and Uniform Plumbing Codes, coupled with the omission by Celebration builders to install simple pressure relief valves.
Just ask residents such a Thomas Muery, Renato Texiara, and William Abendschein. All had expensive repairs totaling thousands of dollars.
The solution is relatively simple: a pressure relief valve installed in the water line just before it enters the home.
I just had one installed in my house in East Village, after I learned of the danger by reading the Front Porch thread started by Kennen. Suddenly, recent incidents nearby suddenly became clear. Earlier this year, my immediate neighbor suffered extensive water damage to the entire first floor of his house. Three months later, his neighbor had a water pipe burst, flooding half his house and ruining the carpet. A few blocks away, a friend had a burst water line just a week ago. The next day I had a mysterious trickle of water form under our washing machine.
Kevin the Plumber verified my fear. The pressure was about 120 psi, far exceeding the recommended maximum of about 80 psi. In a bit over an hour, Kevin installed a pressure relief valve, his second such installation that day. The water pressure time bomb has stopped ticking at my house.
But that raises an interesting issue. Should not some public organization (such as the County, CCDD, or CROA) be warning residents of this danger? Do the builders have an ethical responsibility to warn all the homeowners? What about real estate agents who sell houses to unsuspecting buyers?
Based on the talk around town, the attitude seems to be Caveat Emptor … Let the Buyer Beware. The Water Department, CCDD, The Celebration Company, builders, and real estate agents all seem to be pointing their fingers either at the others or at the home owners themselves.
Thus it falls to the Fourth Estate (a term coined by Edmund Burke, meaning “the Press”).
We urge you not to procrastinate. Test your water pressure with a simple pressure gauge available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or a good hardware store. If it exceeds roughly 85 psi, buy and install a pressure relief valve. Or call a reliable plumber like Kevin (their repair costs reportedly vary between $150 and $250, depending on the size of house and other factors).
Even if the water lines in your house have held until now, the excessive pressure month after month may eventually produce a weak point, causing what could be inconvenience (at best) and catastrophic, expensive damage (at worst).
Just because our public servants haven’t waived a red flag, it doesn’t mean there isn’t danger. Just ask the residents with posts on the Front Porch, category “Place& Community.”
Originally posted 2010-02-07 13:03:52.
Celebration News- Celebration Gets Proactive Water Pressure Strategy
- Celebration Hosts Community Covenant Soldiers
- 2010 Celebration Games Rescheduled for November
- Celebration School Technology Fundraiser – Support TechupK8
- Celebration Town Tavern - Celebration, Florida
- Visit Turkey: The UN-Official Guide
- President Barack Prima Donna
- Go Green and Save Money with Water Saving Shower Heads
- 10 Weirdest Urban Ecosystems On Earth
- Interesting Facts: Volume 1
Celebrators Start Year on a Cruise
April 11, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
Nearly 100 members of the Celebrators Club recently returned from their second annual cruise to Nassau and the Bahamas aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ship.
One of the highlights of the four-day cruise was an interactive Murder Mystery written by Earlyn and Con. Suspects included Kenny Zisel, Jan McChesney, Pat Wells, Harold Kollman, Shearer Richardson, Bob Sublet, Sal Negro, Fred Bartok, Ann Fitzpatrick, Coach Rich, Pat McGoldrick, and Mary Orr. The identity of the perpetrator remains a carefully guarded secret to protect the guilty.
Other activities included a treasure hunt organized by Susan Lovely and her mom Barbara, bridge, and a rousing series of mah jongg. Said Ann Fitzpatick, “ Fun and fellowship abounded. Everything about the ship was great, including the entertainment, shopping, and of course the food.”
To the disappointment of some of the more adventurous (such as Bill and Catherine Pelaia), no pirates in an 18th century brigantine were spotted, and no buccaneers in leather cavalier hats and carrying razor-sharp cutlasses attempted to board the vessel. On the other hand, guests were warned of piracy among the merchants of Nassau.
The Celebrators Club is open to residents age 50 and over. Their mission is to continue life-long learning, do volunteering and socialize with others in Celebration, both young in age and young in heart. They meet on the first Wednesday of each month, usually at Heritage Hall, at 9 am.
Among their next outings are dinner at Seasons 52 on Sand Lake Road on February 25, and another dining experience (location TBD) on March 25. Those interested in joining should contact Herb Winfield at 407-566-8933.
Originally posted 2010-03-04 10:38:15.
Celebration News- Celebration, Florida Church Dedicated
- Celebration Rhodes Scholar Headed For Afghanistan
- Celebration Town Tavern - Celebration, Florida
- Celebration Florida's Fun Station Closes
- 2010 Celebration Games Rescheduled for November
- Stockholm - The Venice of the North
- MSC Cruise New Waves In The Ocean
- Things to do in San Francisco pt 1
- Alaska Casino Cruises. AK
- All About Collectible Postage Stamps
Celebration Medical Company Gets Stimulus Money
April 9, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
Located in Celebration, Florida, the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement (NCSA) was recently awarded $4.2 million by the federal government as part of the 2009 federal stimulus program. The project was one of two earmarks requested by Congressman Allan Grayson that would have directly affected Celebration. The House Appropriations Committee rejected the other, $750,000 requested to upgrade the planned Celebration library.
The Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement, located at Florida Hospital Celebration Health, develops and disseminates cutting edge surgical knowledge and techniques through state-of-the-art teleconferencing technology. Participants perform minimally invasive surgical procedures at one of nine state-of-the-art endoscopically equipped stations, mastering invasive surgical skills.
The money will pay for the training of doctors and the development of robotic surgery techniques. The money will create dozens of new high-paying jobs. A primary goal of the project is to save the lives of U.S. troops in the field. The directed spending (earmark) will come from the Department of Defense and is the largest single award in the 8th Congressional District for 2010.
Doctors will eventually be able to use the technology to perform life-saving operations on troops in the field, long before they can get to a hospital, performed remotely by surgeons that might be located anywhere in the world. The funding will lead to the direct creation of at least 50 high-tech jobs over a five-year period here. The workers will make an average of $55,000 a year.
The award will help establish a new “Global Center of Excellence in Medical Robotics and Simulation,” which will be housed at the NCSA.
“It is our vision to expand the reach of the Nicholson Center and this grant will help us make this goal a reality,” said Lars Houmann, president and CEO of Florida Hospital. “The support of the local community and lawmakers has provided us with assistance that allows Orlando to continue on its path of becoming a medical destination.”
“It is so important that physicians have access to a training facility that advances the understanding of robotic and simulation technologies,” said Dr. Monica Reed, administrator of Florida Hospital Celebration Health. “Florida Hospital Celebration Health is so fortunate to house this outstanding facility where physicians from all over the world will have the opportunity to further improve their skills in robotic surgery.”
In a press conference following the announcement of the award, Congressman Grayson admitted that the award was an earmark that apparently did not have to pass much Congressional scrutiny, but defended it on the basis of 1) earmarks are such a relatively small percentage of congressional spending, 2) because it represented defense department spending that would ordinarily go to traditional defense contractors located outside the district, and 3) because it will be used to save lives of combat soldiers in the field.
Celebration News- Celebration Health - Florida Hospital
- Florida Hospital – Dr. McCarus
- Hedez Hospitality Services
- Celebration Florida's Fun Station Closes
- Health & Beauty
- San Francisco County Hike of Crissy Field
- Kwanzaa Community Celebration Florida
- Orlando Employment - Considering Changing Careers in Orlando?
- Medical tourism eyed as source of income in health-care sector
- Dr. Redan - Florida Hospital Celebration Health
Celebration Library Planning Underway
April 7, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
The long anticipated permanent library branch building for Celebration is moving closer to construction. The County and The Celebration Company (Disney) reached an agreement on the terms of transferring the planned parcel of land to the County. As reported previously, the site selected is in the civic corridor near the intersection of Celebration Boulevard, Campus Street, and Celebration Place. Construction may start by the end of the year.
According to Osceola County’s Beth Knight, the County is now conducting a detailed due diligence assessment prior to the closing currently scheduled for April 1; they will be reviewing the many issues affecting site appropriateness. . Looney, Ricks, Kiss Architects have been chosen to design the project.
The County has $1.55 million appropriated to build the facility. Said Ms. Knight, “We anticipate this funding will be sufficient.” This a fortunate, since the U.S. Congress House Appropriations Committee did not approve the earmark request by Congressman Allan Grayson for additional funds for the library as part of last year’s Federal Stimulus package.
On the other hand, Ms. Knight revealed that the County Staff recently discovered a half million-dollar grant available for new library construction. The County is in the process of completing the application due in later February. “We are excited about the possibility of receiving such a grant,” said Ms. Knight. The funds would be used to enhance and upgrade the technology and other resources available to library patrons.
Once construction begins, hopefully in the late Fall 2010, the normal expected construction time would be 12-18 months, according to Ms. Knight. That could mean an opening around the early to mid part of 2012.
Originally posted 2010-03-03 18:04:55.
Celebration News- Celebration School Technology Fundraiser – Support TechupK8
- 2010 Celebration Games Rescheduled for November
- Celebration Students in State Concert
- Celebration Residents Scramble for Boil Water Alert
- Celebration Health - Florida Hospital
- Petite-Related Websites Growing, But Not Fast Enough
- Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways
- Freedom Towers Construction Site - New York
- Affiliate Marketing Demands Knowledge And Skills.
- Athlete Profile: Dan Wakeham
Celebration Hosts Community Covenant Soldiers
April 4, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
Florida National Guard Enjoys Family Holiday Party Hosted by Town of Celebration
Last Fourth of July the Town of Celebration signed a “Community Covenant” in support of our Armed Forces and decided to adopt a local Army National Guard Unit scheduled to be deployed overseas in early 2010. Recently, residents of the Town organized a combination Christmas and Send-off party for the soldiers and their families at the Celebration Community Center. The event was a resounding success that buoyed spirits and touched the hearts of those who attended.
The Unit being deployed is the Headquarters Company of the Second Battalion, 124th Infantry of the Florida National Guard, led by Captain Jason Craft.. Stationed at the Ferncreek Armory in Orlando, the unit has been activated for deployment in the Middle East Theater. Ferncreek Armory is about 20 miles northeast of Celebration, and a few miles north of the Orlando International Airport. But the soldiers are from all over Florida, not just the Orlando area.
South Village resident Karen Whelden spearheaded the planning and organization of the entire event for the soldiers and their families. Her spouse, retired Army Major General Craig Whelden, developed the Community Covenant Program now used to support all branches of the United States Military. Covenants with military units have now been signed by 400 American towns, communities, groups, and States across the country (www.army.mil/community).
The recent event held in Celebration was not only a Holiday party, but also served as a venue for awarding Unit commendations earned while the soldiers have been preparing for deployment. After a breakfast and other business, the Company’s 108 members assembled and marched smartly two blocks down Celebration Avenue to Founders Park and the Veterans Memorial. Family members followed along on the sidewalk, while residents lined the street to applaud their adopted heroes. With the Company in precise formation, Captain Craft and Battalion commander Lt. Colonel Ralph Ribas thanked the community and bestowed about 10 commendations to unit members. In particular, Captain Craft presented framed certificates of thanks to Katie Tamanini of Town Hall, Karen Craft, and Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
Following that troop formation ceremony, the soldiers and their families (numbering about 220 in total) returned to the Community Center for a Christmas feast, entertainment, children’s games, and other activities. Later, children and their parents were transported by Mike Gaw’s Celebration Express train to the Santa Station on Front Street for a visit with Santa, photos, and a present.
Said Captain Craft afterward, “My soldiers and their families were absolutely overwhelmed by the visible and practical outpouring of care demonstrated by the people of Celebration and the surrounding area. Our children will not soon forget the great food, train ride, visit from Santa, presents, entertainment, and so much more. Our soldiers could not have been prouder as they paraded in the town. They and their loved ones could see, in a real way, the reason for their sacrifice. For a short time they did not have to think about deployments and separation; for a short time it was all about enjoying the season.”
Much credit goes to all those residents and groups that contributed time, materials, and food. They include CROA, Celebration Town Hall Staff, Joseph Judge, Hank Wake, Desiree Eastman, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Joe Magic, Mike Gaw, Family Fun Station, Lee Moore, Town Tavern restaurant, other local businesses and entertainers, and scores of resident volunteers.
Deployment date for Headquarters Company is now set for January 6.
We will be following the progress of both the soldiers in theater as well as families left back home, and we will be periodically reporting on how they are doing.
Originally posted 2009-12-31 10:06:25.
Celebration News- Justin Bieber and Jasmine Concert in Celebration
- Celebration Christmas Lights Contest Winners
- Celebration Florida's Fun Station Closes
- Best Restaurants in Celebration Florida
- Celebration Town Tavern - Celebration, Florida
- Father's Day Craft: Father's Survival Kit
- Kwanzaa Community Celebration Florida
- Restriction of Judgement
- Sax in the Jazz Band
- Military: Free Applebee's Tonight... Maybe...
Celebration Florida’s Fun Station Closes
April 4, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
The Family Fun Station, a Celebration Town Center business that has specialized in delivering family fun, has sadly decided to close its doors. Mike and Pattie Gaw, well-respected and much admired Celebration residents, announced the closing with a December 30 posting on the Front Porch website.
According to their post, “We have made a decision to close the Family Fun Station at the end of the business day on December 31st. We have made this decision for several reasons. First, the business as currently structured cannot generate sufficient income to justify remaining open; second,we have not had success in any attempts for the addition of different activities that would generate revenue;and third, we no longer can afford to pay the rent, utilities and wages required to remain open. We are saddened by this set of circumstances, and the fact that our dream of providing a wholesome place for the community,young and old, to relax and have fun will not be realized. We fully accept the fact that we made a business decision to open the Family Fun Station in October 2007, but as it turns out like thousands of other small businesses the decision in retrospect was not timely. We had hoped that the economy would improve and business would be better, but we learned a lesson that I well knew from my military experience that hope is not a method. “
Mike and Pattie were among the first residents of Celebration, having had their name chosen during the original lottery held by Disney in November 1995. A former army major general, Mike is one of the town entrepreneurs, and has served the community as a CROA board member. Pattie is a successful real estate agent who plans to continue that business.
The Gaws explained that they would be selling the contents of the Fun Station over the next few weeks, including games, vehicles, prizes and bikes. That includes the popular Celebration Express train that has given thousands of passengers a mini-tour of Celebration around the immediate Town Center area. Anything that is not liquidated would be donated to Give Kids the World, an organization that they have long supported.
Magnanimously, the Gawsacknowledged that many children have been saving redemption tickets and that they would do their best to redeem them for prizes, cash they can spend, or donations to a charity.
The Gaws can be contacted through the Front Porch posting thread or at the Fun Station while liquidation and clean-up proceeds.
Pattie and Mike concluded by noting, “We would like to sincerely thank each and every customer who has frequented the Family Fun Station, our long time immediate neighbors Kilwin’s Ice cream–the very best ice cream in the area, and our new neighbors the unique Spot Me Kids. We wish continued success to you both.”
Originally posted 2009-12-31 10:47:42.
Celebration News- Celebration Gets Proactive Water Pressure Strategy
- Healthy Eating for Kids
- Celebration Homeowners Beware Water Problems
- Justin Bieber and Jasmine Concert in Celebration
- Best Restaurants in Celebration Florida
- The Recession And Living In A Small Town.
- How to Avoid the Restaurant to Save Money
- Our Wii has changed our lives
- Catching up
- how to connect twitter to facebook fan page
Celebration Gets Proactive Water Pressure Strategy
March 31, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
The Celebration community water company, formally known as the Enterprise Community Development District (ECDD), has recently announced steps to help residents with high/fluctuating fresh water pressures. These steps will not only inform residents regarding how to reduce the possibility of water damage to their homes, but also will result in the installation of equipment that should fix the water high/fluctuation problem permanently.
This issue began attracting wide-spread attention of residents several months ago as a consequence of information exchanges posted by homeowners on the Front Porch website. This thread revealed:
* Many Celebration residents have experienced a variety of plumbing problems in their homes, ranging from blown seals to burst pipes.
* Local plumbers, called to repair damaged plumbing, seemed to agree that many of these problems stemmed from unusually high or highly fluctuating water pressure entering the houses in Celebration. They have recorded pressures over 100 psi and as high as 125 psi. In contrast, the usual maximum recommended in building codes and standards is reportedly about 80 psi. Home plumbing systems are not designed to withstand these higher or widely fluctuating pressures.
* To remedy these conditions plumbers have been installing pressure reduction valves (as opposed to pressure relief valves) in many homes, at a cost of $150-250. Unfortunately, many of these homes had already sustained considerable water damage and expense, as much as $50,000 to replace furnishings, carpet, drywall, and hardwood flooring.
ECDD’s Brian Smith explained to residents during and after a recent CROA meeting that on many occasions he warned builders to install pressure reduction valves on dwellings built in Celebration, consistent with established and well-communicated ECDD policies. Some people believe that such devices could have helped reduce the unusual rash of incidents involving water leaks or plumbing damage in Celebration dwellings.
Thankfully, the ECDD has offered to insert a warning in the next water bills mailed to homeowners, along with instructions on how to identify whether their dwelling has a pressure reduction valve (a relief valve is not sufficient). They also agreed to consider sending an email blast to all residents. Further, they have offered to measure the water pressure at the homes of any residents that call their office.
After the meeting Smith elaborated on planned actions to install variable frequency drives (VFD) in the water system, equipment that will reportedly control water pressure variation from one point in time to another within a much tighter range. According to the ECDD, “Currently as the system demand exceeds the capacity of the jockey pump (which produces up to 500 gpm at 75 psi discharge pressure), the high service pump will start and the system pressure at the pump station would rise in the vicinity of 110 psi based on a suction pressure set point of 50 psi at the pressure regulating valve. Based on this, the current range (of pressure delivered to residents) is generally 75 to 110 psi (plus/minus). If the TOHO pressure drops below 50 Psi then the low end of the pressure will lower accordingly. With the (planned) VFD and pressure set point control, the system pressure range can be expected to be 75 to 90 psi depending on the desired operating set point. In addition to controlling the range, the variation in pressure with VFD will be much smoother.
The date when residents can expect the new equipment to be fully operational is somewhat vague. In response to that question, the ECDD said, “We have evaluated two options for the VFD addition. One is to retrofit the existing panel to accommodate the new VFDs and the other would be to provide separate enclosures for the VFDs. In both options, the motors will have to be rewound to make them compatible for the VFD. We have been trying get the optional prices from the ECDD desired control shop since mid December. Finally they have promised price early next week. Per Florida Bearings, the retrofit option can be implemented in 3-4 week from NTP, while the other option may take 8-9 weeks due to longer delivery times.”
Until equipment installation is complete, local plumbers and other knowledgeable individuals recommend installation of a pressure reduction valve to help decrease the possibility of potential related problems.
The next public meeting of the ECDD Board is February 17, 4 pm, at the 851 Building. According the ECDD charter, residents are welcome to attend and comment.
Originally posted 2010-02-14 05:49:51.
Celebration News- Celebration Residents Scramble for Boil Water Alert
- Celebration Health - Florida Hospital
- Celebration Hosts Community Covenant Soldiers
- Best Restaurants in Celebration Florida
- Corpus Christi Opens New Church