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tigger2
Advanced Member

USA
469 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  03:16:36 AM  Show Profile  Click to see tigger2's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
We lost our shop last Thursday morning to a fire. What we need now is recommendations from the members here for a architect that has experience in building bus garages or commercial shops in northern In,southern Mi, Eastern Il, or western Oh. Our last remodel was handled by an architect that had never done a garage before and it shows. We have been lent a portion of a factory across the street from our shop to Perform minor repairs while we hunt for a semi- permanent location until all is back to the new normal.
For pictures go to inkfreenews.com in Warsaw In. Scroll down to bus garage fire.

aaronwilmoth80911
Top Member

538 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  06:41:33 AM  Show Profile  Visit aaronwilmoth80911's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Sorry to hear that. I saw the story on the internet over the weekend. I can't help recommend anybody, just want to send my condolences to you.
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steveolboy
New Member

8 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  06:41:48 AM  Show Profile  Visit steveolboy's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Sorry to hear of your loss. I would be in big trouble if we lost our shop as all my personal tools are used on site. Makes me think to do an inventory/slideshow for insurance purposes. Do your guys use their own equipment? As contractors go I wish you luck. Try the local buisness bureau or look for Cat/Pete/Nav dealerships with new buildings. A neighboring school has been doing a remodel for a while now and the facility has been a total mess for months. Low bid can mean low IQ too. We have been doing their DOT inspections here at our facility to help out. Any good neighbors near to help you now?
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bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  08:50:47 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sorry you had this happen. Can't imagine. I always joke that my place would be better if it would burn down. lol, I don't really want to go to the trouble that it's going to take you to rebuild and retool the whole place. How many buses did you loose? Looks like at least three conventionals, a transit and a type A. Good luck with the hunt for a good architect.

Bryan
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Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  09:33:20 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Wish I knew someone to recommend, but I don't.

Sorry to hear about the loss, but it could be a blessing in disguise. At least nobody was hurt or worse. We pay large insurance premiums for this reason though.

One story says one bus inside wasn't damaged, (if that's even true) I'd wager it's going to be a legal nightmare with future drivers having breathing issues from driving it. Hopefully insurance writes it off too.
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bedfordone
Active Member

USA
47 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  11:08:22 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Contact Brecksville/Broadview Hts. City Schools in Ohio, ask to speak with Jim (Head Mechanic) he would be able to share some insight with you. They had a new bus garage built about five years ago and it is very modern and a great facility. They are located in Northern Ohio a little far but it might be worth the call.

Brian Prochazka
Bedford City Schools
Transportation Specialist
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tigger2
Advanced Member

USA
469 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  2:42:04 PM  Show Profile  Click to see tigger2's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Luckily all tools are owned by the corporation. As for the two units undamaged the fumes inside would nock a horse down. Thanks for the lead in Ohio I will call.
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Carp_26
Administrator

United States
170 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2016 :  4:39:53 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I would second what Bedfordone offered, contact Jim Flauto at Brecksville-Broadview Heights schools. They have a very impressive and well thought out facility.
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BigPapa
Advanced Member

215 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2016 :  03:11:07 AM  Show Profile  Visit BigPapa's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I would suggest planning for CNG buses in the future.
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bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2016 :  05:40:25 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by BigPapa

I would suggest planning for CNG buses in the future.



Good thought! If it's not too cost prohibitive, that would be a good hedge. When the fuel prices go back up some kind of alternative fuel will take over in our industry. Of course, I believe that to be propane but when one is thinking about a building that's going to be around for at least the next 50 years it would be good to cover the bases.

Bryan
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tigger2
Advanced Member

USA
469 Posts

Posted - 01/15/2016 :  06:55:09 AM  Show Profile  Click to see tigger2's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Things learned from the fire:
1 Keep a set of keys in another location for all units.
2 go out into your shop NOW and take pictures of all tools on racks or shelves and tool boxes, humans have poor memories.
3 Put stuff on your desk away at nite even paper in an old steel desk survived the fire nothing on top of the desk did.
4 Get set for lots of time eating meetings, you will deal with three sets of investigators and appraisers: contents,building, and vehicles. Most meetings will last four to eight hours.
I will keep you posted as we have to wait at least two weeks for a possible determination on cause of the fire.
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bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 01/15/2016 :  07:45:14 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks for the update! We keep inventory on everything in our school district, including my shop. The superintendent requires it to be carefully updated once per year.

Bryan
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RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 01/15/2016 :  12:14:17 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
An inventory and pictures are a great idea. I do our shop inventory and store the information in Fleetvision. That information is stored in a cloud somewhere. I do keep a hard copy once a quarter in a file cabinet.
Pictures will be my next task. Never thought of that one.

US Army retired CMBT
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bedfordone
Active Member

USA
47 Posts

Posted - 02/17/2016 :  11:39:58 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Tigger, any recent updates concerning your terrible shop fire?

Brian Prochazka
Bedford City Schools
Transportation Specialist
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tigger2
Advanced Member

USA
469 Posts

Posted - 02/17/2016 :  12:57:46 PM  Show Profile  Click to see tigger2's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Moved into a temporary garage about 5 mi. North of the old shop, make that still moving. We are all together now office staff had been relocated to the central office so communications could be kept for parents and computers would be available. We just went through mid year 12 yr. old and up inspections got my first yellow in more years than I can remember, part not in stock go figure. Our trouper just laughed said to call him when we were ready to reinspect the unit. Ahh the joys of a steel building still have to walk to a window to talk on my cell phone even the ip phone won't work right, but it is warm and dry. Thanks for asking.
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bedfordone
Active Member

USA
47 Posts

Posted - 02/24/2016 :  07:40:16 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Good luck to all of you. I hope the worst is behind you and your district.

Brian Prochazka
Bedford City Schools
Transportation Specialist
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