Contractor Magazine Profiles Logboat Brewery Automation Project
COLUMBIA, MO – Integrated Facility Services (IFS) recently automated Logboat Brewing Company’s building control system to increase operational efficiency while safeguarding the system from harsh environmental factors. The Logboat Brewery takes its name from the dugout canoes that the native peoples of the region—mainly Osage, Missouria and Illinois—used to travel and trade on the Missouri […]
IFS completes automation project for Logboat Brewing Company in Columbia, Missouri
COLUMBIA, MO – Integrated Facility Services (IFS) recently automated Logboat Brewing Company’s building control system to increase operational efficiency while safeguarding the system from harsh environmental factors. The project included the installation of custom built control panels featuring Reliable Controls, which allow real-time monitoring, regulating and adjustments of temperature, pressure and flow rates. IFS selected […]
IFS Featured in CNR Article About Building Controls
St Louis Construction New & Review recently ran an article titled “Industrial Builds Bring Control Systems Complexity For Specialty Contractors,” which featured our very own Jerry Baumann. Read the article below to hear what Jerry had to say about the challenges faced on industrial projects. St. Louis Construction News Review – March/April 2023 by St. […]
Integrated Facility Services’ Controls Manager selected as Missouri Gateway Green Building Council 2023 Board Chair
ST. LOUIS, MO – Chris Ruth, Controls Manager for Integrated Facility Services (IFS), has been selected as the 2023 Board Chair of the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council, a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In this role, Ruth works to advance the organization’s mission to improve human health, support economies and protect the […]
Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) Ordinance
What is the Building Energy Performance Standard? The Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) was unanimously passed by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and signed into law by Mayor Krewson in May 2020. With its passage, St. Louis became the 4th jurisdiction in the country and the 1st in the Midwest to mandate significant reductions […]
Building Energy Exchange (BE-Ex STL)
St. Louis jumped to the forefront of sustainability by passing and signing into law critical regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). This landmark policy – just the fourth of its kind in the US and the first in the Midwest – put the City of St. Louis at the center […]
Automation Earth Month Blog
Reducing Energy Costs from HVAC Equipment Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units require a considerable amount of energy to maintain the climate of a building. EPA studies have shown HVAC operations typically account for 40-60 percent of a commercial building’s energy use. Automated climate control systems which change to meet the business needs within a […]
Blog – Temperature Considerations
To avoid costly emergency service calls and uncomfortable buildings or lost time incidents, there are a few steps to take now and some items to take note of for offseason repair or replacement. Be Sure to Change Your Filters Dirty filters can clog a system, decreasing energy efficiency and Indoor Air Quality. Consider using pleated […]
Blog – Building Automation
What began as a simple thermostat triggering a light for coal to be added to a boiler has evolved over the past 135 years to comprehensive electrical systems that can control multi-stage building systems via cloud-based software from nearly any computer connected to the internet. As the technologies have expanded, the associated systems have grown […]
Water & Air Safety Guidelines for Reopening Your Building
The Director of Public Health in St. Louis County has issued a set of guidelines for Social Distancing and Re-Opening of businesses effective on Monday 5/18/2020. The details of this order can be found on St. Louis County’s website. The CDC and ASHRAE have issued associated Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced […]
Re-Opening of Buildings Safely
To Our Valued Customer: First, I would like to thank you for being a loyal customer of Integrated Facility Services. Second and most important, we at IFS hope that you, your family, and your employees are safe and healthy during these difficult times. We are reaching out to all our customers to make them aware […]
Buildings reopening following the shutdown pose a health risk that mimics COVID-19 if water systems aren’t brought online properly
Legionella Illustration Source: CDC St. Louis-based Integrated Facility Services is sampling buildings throughout St. Louis for Legionella bacteria ST. LOUIS, MO — Recent building closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have created a prime environment for the spread of the Legionella bacteria. As buildings start to reopen after their plumbing systems have sat dormant or underused […]
IFS HVAC Recommendations To Mitigate SARS-CoV-2 Transmissions in light of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns for many building owners regarding the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen, particularly with their mechanical systems. Being that the pathogen is known to spread through airborne means, owners have expressed concerns in regards to the mitigation of spread in their buildings. Our experts have worked to compile recommendations in […]
ASHRAE Issues Statements on Relationship Between COVID-19 and HVAC in Buildings
ATLANTA (April 20, 2020) – ASHRAE has published two statements to define guidance on managing the spread of SARS–CoV–2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease (Coronavirus) with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems in buildings. “In light of the current global pandemic, it’s critically important that ASHRAE responds with guidance on mitigating […]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: COVID-19 Preventative Measures
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: COVID-19 Preventative Measures March 19, 2020 In consideration of the continued spread of COVID-19, Integrated Facility Services (IFS) would like to outline our procedures to reassure our customers of the steps that we are taking to prevent the potential of community spread. IFS has put into place new policies and procedures with regards […]
Leveraging Building Automation to Work Toward Net-Zero
Net-Zero Energy (NZE) buildings are a fast growing trend around the country. At their simplest form, the total amount of energy used by a NZE building is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created. Renewable energy is a key part in the success of these buildings; however, without extensive effort on the conservation […]
Is Your Facility at Risk for a Legionnaires Outbreak?
In today’s blog, we’ll be taking a look at another potential risk to your facility’s water quality and the occupants that rely on it. Legionella is pathogenic bacteria that live in water. While it is a common bacterium, it is not normally found in high enough concentration to be dangerous. If a facility’s water supply […]
How Metals Affect Your Building’s Water Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for metals in drinking water. Usually, the water treatment process can monitor and maintain these levels and prevent the levels of metals from becoming dangerous. Once the water supply enters a buildings system, the monitoring and treatment stops. There are many contaminants that […]
Improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major concern that is often overlooked. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Most Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors and many spend most of their working hours in an office environment.” [1] It is hard to believe that people spend so much time inside, but […]
Could your Building Benefit from an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) Retrofit?
As energy costs and consciousness increase, manufacturers are looking for ways to make their equipment more efficient. This also aids in compliance with energy initiatives and incentives. As this focus grows, the manufacturers are able to bridge the gap in the “comfort vs. cost” debate that many businesses face. As manufacturers have increased their focus […]
Understanding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
VFD is an acronym that is thrown around a lot when discussing energy savings and HVAC equipment. But what exactly is a VFD? How does it work? Why does it save energy? Hopefully this quick blog will answer these, and some of your other questions concerning VFDs. A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is an electro-mechanical drive that is used […]
IFS renovating HVAC systems for four schools in the Pattonville School District
ST. LOUIS, MO – Work is underway on an extensive $3.1 million upgrade of heating, ventilating and air conditioning HVAC systems at four schools in the Pattonville School District in St. Louis County, with Integrated Facility Services (IFS) as the mechanical contractor. The design/build project will replace outdated equipment with new HVAC systems designed to […]
IFS among Top 100 Contractors in the country
IFS was named one of the Top 100 Contractors in the country in the Contractor Magazine Book of Giants. Click here to view the full list Below is an excerpt from their article titled, “Giants 2018: More money, more problems” “It has been another strong year for the nation’s largest mechanical contractors. Combined, the companies […]
IFS Receives Outstanding Mechanical Installation Award
IFS is pleased to announce that we have earned the MCA – Eastern Missouri Outstanding Mechanical Installation Award based on our work on the St. Louis County ROOS Building cooling tower project. Accepting the award on behalf of IFS were Gary Tidwell (Project Manager), Jeff Ridenour (Foreman), Josh Foland (CAD Engineer), and John Rundquist (IFS […]
Hot Weather Safety Tips
With the hot weather upon us this week, we wanted to share some quick tips for working outside when the temperatures are high. This tips will help keep you safe and can even save your life! It can take your body a whole week to acclimate to the temperature change. Be extremely careful when returning […]
Gary Conrad Retires After 33 Years With IFS
In the fall of 1984, Air Masters Corporation (now IFS) was nearing the completion of its 18th year in business. The company had grown significantly during its first 2 decades, having to move twice to accommodate the ever growing workforce. In September of that year, a man named Gary Conrad became a proud employee of […]
Holiday Fire Safety
The American Red Cross is an excellent source for fire prevention tips for your home. “During the holiday season, an average of 40 home fires per day are caused by children playing. And candle fires are four times as likely to occur. That’s why these seven fire safety tips are so important to remember as […]
Core Values
Innovation. Integrity. Safety. Stewardship. Teamwork. These are the core values of IFS. Over the years, we have seen examples of these values from each and every one of our team. This past weekend, at the annual IFS Anniversary Dinner, 5 employees were recognized for being outstanding examples of these core values., Innovation: Adam Grossman was […]
Thanksgiving Grease is Gross
Greases, oils, and fats are common by-products of foods that need to be disposed of during cooking. If simply washed down the drain, these oils can congeal in your pipes and create blockages. These blockages can cause serious damage, and lead to very costly repairs. Reuters published an article on plumbing problems that can be caused […]
Chris Ruth promoted to Automation Production Manager
ST. LOUIS. MO – Integrated Facility Services (IFS) has promoted Chris Ruth of St. Louis, MO to Automation Production Manager. Ruth will work with the automation team to improve the management and implementation of building automation projects. He has been with IFS for 12 years as an automation systems specialist and is a member of the USGBC. […]
Heat Stress
Temperatures are on the rise, so we wanted to share some information on an important topic, heat stress. The white paper below discusses signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses and most noteworthy, preventative measures to ensure we stay hydrated. Take a few minutes to educate yourself on the warning signs of heat stress, it […]
Community Outreach – Lift for Life Gym
As part of our commitment to BOMA, IFS employees and BOMA Outreach Committee members, Rich Kasznel and Christina Schafer signed up to volunteer at Lift of Life Gym on Tuesday, June 6th. They were joined by fellow IFS employees, Joscelyn Riegert, Ben Moore, Kevin O’Meara and Brian Karcher who also volunteered their time. Our volunteers […]
IFS Employees Help Rescue Kitten at BJC
On Monday May 22nd Integrated Facility Service plumbers responded to a service request from BJC to address a problem with a storm drain – but this was no ordinary plumbing problem. Employees from BJC reported that a small kitten had fallen into the drain and gotten stuck. When MSD and the local Fire Department couldn’t […]
National Safety Stand Down-Ladders
This week is National Safety Stand Down Week and we will be highlighting some safety tips in regards to fall hazards. Today we are going to focus on a tool that most field employees use multiple times a day, and that is ladders. Step Ladders Because we use them so often, it is extremely easy […]
National Safety Stand Down-Roofs/Skylights
This week is National Safety Stand Down Week and we will be highlighting some safety tips in regards to fall hazards. Today we are specifically talking about fall hazards associated with roofs. Many field employees in the construction industry are required to work on roofs. Every roof is different and every roof presents different challenges […]