2010 BX Craftsmanship
Award Recipient

Charlie Volpe led a crew of 39 to install the decentralized water loop piping that connects the existing Franklin County Courthouse Complex with the new Franklin County Courthouse.

The project featured the installation of two 750-ton centrifugal chillers and two 750-ton cooling towers, plus 24 new pumps and approximately 8,800 lineal feet of piping.

The complex layout required the routing of 12-inch piping from the lower level through a total of 48 floors in three buildings. The renovation also included the replacement of the chilled water plant on the 11^th floor of the Hall of Justice and the creation of two new equipment rooms.

A significant challenge for Volpe was completing the project in a fully occupied, high profile and secure government building. Work took place during off hours for the courts, but could not interfere with building operations or security.

Limited work and storage space required the coordination of material and equipment deliveries on a just-in-time basis.

A member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 189, Volpe has been employed by Sauer Group, Inc. for 24 of his 32 years in the industry.

This is Volpe’s first Craftsmanship Award. A second-generation pipefitter, Volpe gained much of his training during four years as a Navy Seabee. His son has also entered the trade and is a second-year apprentice.

This year, the Builders Exchange will honor 12 Craftsmanship Award recipients at the BX Annual Meeting on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010, at the Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Rd.

Updated 10/15/2010