One of the early 1900’s downtown Omaha land-marks was the Beebe Runyan FurnitureWarehouse. Now a nationally recognized histor-ical building next to the Heartland of AmericaPark, is now being turned into upscale livingresidences just walking distance from the OldMarket, Qwest Center, the Riverfront and thenew Performing Arts Center. The original maplewood floor is being reclaimed and reusedthroughout the building, making it the first res-idential development project in the history ofNebraska to recycle at least 75% of qualifying

construction waste. Other green featuresinclude native plants surrounding the buildingand on the roof, all natural finishing materialsand a bike storage room to promote ridinginstead of driving.

BOCA Development, a Nebraska company, ispartnering with Tackett Company, a premierhome builder, to build the highest quality resi-dences available in Downtown Omaha. Leo A.Daly was hired as the design firm. Completiondate is set for June 2006, with all trades work-ing to improve the end date as much as possible.

Summer 2005

INSIDE THISISSUE:

Beebe RunyanBuilding Renovation

Wittson Hall Project

The Aftermath

YWCA Step Program

CommonwealthDes Moines HelpsKum & Go Expand

CommonwealthCelebrates National

Electrical SafetyMonth

Des MoinesCommonwealthSupports Youth

Hunter EducationChallenge

Beebe Runyan Building RenovationMark Ross – Project Manager

Building Exterior

Wittson Hall, an 8-story building, is a very important part of the University of Nebraska MedicalCenter (UNMC). Built in 1970, it is an extraordinary facility, occupied with very special customers(e.g., College of Medicine Library, Pathology/Microbiology, Comparative Medicine, Cell Biology &Anatomy, multiple professors, directors, deans, vice-chancellors, and the Chancellor, Harold Maurer,M.D.).

Level 2 of Wittson Hall includes the “Hot Lab”, containing radioactive isotopes; the Gross Anatomylab; primate animal holding areas and small rodent holding areas; and the animal cage wash areas.The amphitheater is on Level 3; the biohazard lab on Level 4; the Chancellor’s office on Level 5; andthe McGoogan Library and atrium, on Levels 6, 7 and 8. Included in the McGoogan Library is amulti-million dollar collection of rare medical books.

On 8/10/04, CECM was awarded a contract by UNMC for electrical upgrades to the Normal andEmergency Systems in Wittson Hall.

Wittson Hall ProjectChuck Fintel – Project Manager

Model Unit

continued on page 2

The normal power system was in needof upgrading because of the following:

(1) A fused switch serving a motor con-trol center was overheating.

(2) The network transformers servingWittson Hall and Eppley Science Hallwere not connected properly to providemaximum efficiency and redundancy.

(3) Grounded neutral conductorsthroughout the normal distributionsystem were undersized and did notcomply with current NEC require-ments.

(4) Voltage drop problems plaguedsome of the research areas causingultra low freezers to drop off-line.

(5) Several of the fused switches in themain switchboard were worn out ordamaged and were difficult toopen/close.

(6) The existing switchboard did nothave any spare fused switches avail-able to allow for future load growth andexpansion.

The original intent of the emergencypower distribution in Wittson Hall wasto support the emergency/egress light-ing, as required by the Life Safety Codeand to provide for some critical HVACloads. Over the years, the amount ofcritical equipment needed to supportresearch operations in the building out-grew the emergency distribution sys-tem. The 5KV dry-type transformer inthe basement was too small to supportall of the connected loads during emer-gency conditions.

Our scope of work included upgradingboth the normal and emergency powersystems. We concentrated on gettingthe emergency system completed first.This scope included the buildout of anexisting space in the basement for thenew emergency equipment. It includednew stud walls, double door, HVACequipment and concrete pads for thenew equipment. This room now housesa new 1600 amp emergency switch-board, 4160/480 750KVA substationtransformer and 4160V disconnectswitch. Also installed in this room are2 each 600 amp ATS, 1 each 150 ampATS, a new 300KVA transformer, a1000 amp distribution panel and a fewother smaller panels.

Also included in the emergencyupgrade scope of work was the furnish-ing and installation of 2 each 600 ampMCC’s. One of these was located in the

basement and one on the 5th floor.

There were also 15 each 225-amp pan-elboards to furnish and install. Weinstalled these panels on floors 2through 6. The majority of these wererecessed panels, installed in existingblock walls. A subcontractor cut andchanneled the walls after hours. Thechanneling was for the panels andpanel extensions, to extend above theexisting lay-in ceiling. The panelextensions were then connected back tothe basement with new conduit andwire, installed in congested ceilingspaces and hard to get to shafts.

The most challenging part of the emer-gency upgrade was getting the emer-gency switchboard and 750 KVA trans-former down to the new electrical roomin the basement. Wittson Hall does nothave a large freight elevator. Level 3 isthe ground floor and building entrance.The two ways of accessing the base-ment are via a set of concrete stairs, orvia a small maintenance elevator.

The plans and specs called for the con-tractor to do a structural analysis ofthe stairs, shore the stairs, and thensomehow take the equipment down thestairs. Due to the physical size andweight of the equipment, this approachdid not seem practical or feasible.

Our alternative plan was to lower theequipment down through the elevatorshaft. We contracted with CraneRental and Rigging Company to per-form this work. Kone Elevator clearedthe elevator shaft by moving the car toone of the upper floors. Hoisting beams

were installed on level 4, a temporaryplatform was installed on Level 3 and atemporary landing platform wasinstalled in the elevator pit in the base-ment. Chain-fall hoists were attachedto the hoisting beams at Level 4 andthen attached to the equipment as itwas slid onto the temporary platformon Level 3. The chain-falls were thenused to raise the equipment highenough for the ironworkers to removethe platform. Upon removal of theplatform, the equipment was lowereddown the shaft, on to the landing plat-form in the pit. The chain-falls thenremoved and the equipment rolled outof the shaft and rolled near the pad forfinal installation. We accomplished allof this work on one Saturday, thus notdisrupting normal activity at WittsonHall.

Our scope of work for the normal powerupgrade included furnishing andinstalling a new 3000 amp switch-board, 600 amp MCC, 600 amp distri-bution panel and new 600 MCM feed-ers, from the transformer vault to thebasement, in 6 each, existing 4” con-duits. The scope also included demoli-tion of all of the old equipment andmain feeders.

Again, this equipment was to beinstalled in the basement. Since it wasnot as heavy as the emergency gear, wewere able to move the sections downthe stairs to the basement.

Some of the most challenging work onthe normal upgrade included the workto split apart the secondaries from fourtransformers in a vault outside WittsonHall. The secondaries of these fourtransformers were all routed to oneside of a set of old Burndy moles. Theother side of the moles distributed nor-mal power to both Wittson Hall andEppley Science Building. The feederreplacement scope, included replacingthese existing moles, with new 17-portmoles, socket and nut assemblies andcable limiters (on the load side of themoles). We also had to split the loadsso two of the four transformers fedEppley Science Building and two fedWittson Hall. This work was accom-plished during a number of 2 hoursshutdowns on Saturdays. UNMC didnot allow longer shutdowns of WittsonHall because of the critical nature ofthe freezers and ongoing research inthe building.

Included as part of the normal scope ofwork, the plans and specs called forfurnishing a 750 KVA temporary gen-

3rd Floor move 750KVA XFMR into shaft

continued from page 1 - Wittson Hall Project

continued on page 3

The AftermathCECM Contractors Rebuild School Damaged by F4 Tornado

Jeff Griffin

NATURAL DISASTERS ARE BIG NEWS. Television presents live images of thedevastation and the faces and voices of the victims of hurricanes, forest fires, tor-nadoes and other catastrophes. Newspapers follow with detailed accounts of prop-erty damage, injuries and death tolls.

Cleanup and early recovery efforts usually receive media attention, but theyquickly fade from the headlines. For disaster victims, however, the story is farfrom over—recovery and rebuilding is long term and lasts long past the attentionspan of the national press.

No one knows that better than Roy Baker, superintendent of Norris SchoolDistrict, just south of Lincoln, NE.

The 2003-04 school term ended on Friday, May 21. As Baker looked out his officewindow that afternoon, he saw a beautiful, 160-acre campus. More than 300 treesand shrubs offered varied shades of green. All was quiet after the departure of theschool’s 1,700 students, ranging from kindergartners to high school seniors.

The following night, the school was struck by one of a series of tornadoes thatraged across Nebraska. Tornadoes are classified according to the Fujita Scale,which is based on damage. The scale ranges from FO to F5, with F5 causing themost damage.

The storm that hit Norris School became known as the Hallam tornado, namedfor the small community 10 miles to the west. Hallam was virtually obliteratedby an F4 tornado during the outbreak (winds from 207 to 260 mph and capable ofdevastating damage)—142 of its 150 homes and businesses were destroyed orseriously damaged. In Nebraska, 27 funnels were reported that night. The onlyfatality, 73-year-old Elaine Focken, lived in Hallam.

The Norris school was hit just as hard. “The whole complex was devastated,” saidBaker. “We always considered it an advantage to have grade, middle and highschools concentrated on one campus. But in this instance it wasn’t—every build-ing was hit. Every square inch of every building suffered water damage.”

In Lincoln, the management of Commonwealth Electric Co. of the Midwest(CECM) knew that areas struck by the storms would require immediate assis-tance and the company’s Lincoln facilities were near some of the hardest-hitareas. In the past, CECM had completed projects for Norris Public Power, theelectrical provider for much of the area, including Hallam and Firth, the townnearest the Norris school complex. Norris School District is a service account forCECM. The company had installed lighting on the school’s softball field.

“Not knowing the severity of damage, we tried calling, but the telephone servicewas out,” said Nick Cole, manager of construction services. “We contactedSampson Construction in Lincoln, a large general contractor that we thoughtmight be involved in the emergency. We said CECM was ready to help howeverwe were needed.”

Cole went to the school soon after the storm.

“Driving south from Lincoln, everything looked normal,” Cole said. “Then, abouta half mile from the school, you saw this swath marking the path the tornadotook. Everything was swept away, trees uprooted, drives leading to where homeshad been now were gone. It was chilling.”

By the end of the week, a dozen CECM electricians were on-site evaluating dam-age and planning the most logical approach to ensure the electrical safety of theseverely damaged facilities and making preliminary plans for rebuilding its elec-trical systems. Ultimately, the company was awarded the contract for both stormmediation and construction phases of restoring the school’s electrical, informationtransport and related systems. Commonwealth’s client was a consortium made upof general contractor, Sampson Construction, the Norris School District, its insur-ance carrier, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

erator, to power Wittson Hall duringthe planned outages. This was a criti-cal part of the scope. Since WittsonHall could not be shut down for extend-ed periods of time, we developed alter-native ways of powering critical equip-ment. Through the cooperation ofUNMC, we made extensive use of thenew emergency switchboard as ameans of providing temporary power tocritical equipment, while the normalupgrade was going on. We were able toplan, coordinate, schedule and performour work in a manner that allowed usto finish our work without needing orusing the 750KW generator at all onthe project.

This project was done mostly with a 2to 4-man crew. Some of the shutdownsrequired more men, however we triedto keep the crew to a minimum. Thefour electricians most involved in thisproject were Don Schuette (foremanthrough 3-31-05), Cecil Duncan, BobBohling (foreman after 3-31-05) andRod Moore, Jr. Chuck Fintel was theproject manager.

Dan Michalak was the project man-ager/electrical engineer on the projectfor UNMC’s Facility Management andPlanning Department. The engineer ofrecord on the project was MorrisseyEngineering.

This contract for the electricalupgrades to the Normal andEmergency Systems in Wittson Hallwas a project that we were all very con-cerned about when it was awarded tous. We were substantially lower thanthe next bidders. However, throughhard work in the field, careful plan-ning, and close coordination and coop-eration with UNMC, CECM was ableto make this a successful project.

Mole work

continued on page 4

continued from page 2 - Wittson Hall Project

“Because of the nature of the emer-gency, there wasn’t time to go throughthe normal bidding process,” said Cole.“It was obvious from the outset that avery large and well-trained work forcewould be needed, and we could providethat and the experience and capabili-ties required to complete the project ina timely manner.”

Cole said most of the walls of theschool’s buildings were standing, butmany roofs and walls had collapsed inthe elementary and middle school gym-nasiums, sports concessions and pressboxes, bus barn, greenhouse, kitchen,cafeteria areas, and auto and woodshops.

“Windows were out and even where theroof was structurally intact, roof sur-faces were heavily damaged or goneentirely, causing water damagethroughout every structure,” Cole said.“Even in the enter part of the highschool, walls looked as if they had beensprayed with seaweed—the force of thewind was that strong. Steel girdersshook so violently, upper portions ofconcrete block walls were cracked.Mechanical equipment that had beenon roofs was now in hallways, class-rooms and other areas. There weremazes of twisted steel and conduitraceways.”

After confirming that all areas wereelectrically safe to enter, the next taskwas to identify any electrical equip-ment and wiring that could be salvagedand reused.

“As soon as we could get power restoredto the line side of the main service dis-connects, we began electrically andvisually inspecting each and everybreaker, feeder, branch circuit and sys-tems circuit to verify the electricalintegrity of the wiring that remainedafter the storm,” said Cole. “With safe-

ty and compliance with NationalElectrical Code requirements para-mount, we literally worked our wayfrom the main service disconnectsthrough each and every circuit, clear tothe final device to verify electricalintegrity and to establish what could bereused.”

Working through the debris, represen-tatives of the insurance company,CECM, the mechanical contractor,engineers, school officials and othersdetermined what could be saved. Theprocess took about a week. Removal ofthe wreckage came next.

“After circuits were safe, the demolitioncontractor came in,” Cole said. Debriswas removed so work could begin.Books and other items were removedand cataloged, salvaging everythingpossible.

Damaged walls, ceilings, carpets andother debris were cleared. Areas thatshould be given priority wereaddressed with engineers and archi-tects, and working drawings were pro-duced. With staff from the Lincolnengineering firm, Olsson Associates,CECM assisted in the design andpreparation of working drawings forthe school’s new electrical, fire alarmand intercom/paging systems. CECMcompletely engineered and designednew information transport systems(ITS). A state-of-the-art voice overInternet protocol (VoIP) system alsowould be installed.

Cole said every effort was made to sal-vage as much as possible, but mostlight fixtures and about 90 percent ofthe electrical system were replaced,including service entrances, feeders,switchboards, panel boards, transform-

ers, disconnect switches, motor andbranch circuit wiring, fire alarm sys-tems, intercom/paging equipment,HVAC controls, and parking lot andsports lighting.

During the peak of construction,CECM was tracking 33 separate proj-ects. The number of electricians on theproject varied, but at one point in mid-summer, the number reached 95.Through one 11-week period, crewsworked 70-hour work-weeks. ByDecember 2004, more than 65,000hours had been logged.

Electrical work is on tract to be com-pleted in late spring, almost one yearafter the tornado struck. Cole esti-mates by that time approximately75,000 hours will have been devoted toelectrical and ITS work.

The CECM management team consist-ed of Cole, responsible for the electricalsystems rebuild, and Todd Havlat,

Lincoln manager of CommonwealthCommunications, in charge of ITS,security, CCTV and HVAC controlwork.

Three of CECM’s top people supervisedon-site crews. Greg Derks, project gen-eral foreman, and Larry Lahman,Testing Division manager, supervisedthe storm mediation and constructionphases. Gerald VanAmerongen, techni-cal services general foreman, led 10workers who installed ITS security,CCTV, clock, intercom/paging andHVAC controls.

From the school’s perspective, recon-struction has proceeded slowly butsmoothly, said Baker. Work was intensethroughout the summer to accomplishas much as possible before the nextschool term. However, there was far toomuch to do to have facilities ready forfall classes, and 12 portable buildings,each with two classrooms, were posi-tioned on the campus.

Norris High School Tornado Damage

Left to right: Larry Lahman (manager,CECM Testing Division); Roy Baker (NorrisSchool District superintendent); Nick Cole(manager, CECM Construction Services);and Greg Derks (general foreman)

continued on page 5

continued from page 3 - The Aftermath

Tom Price, our CEO, often reminds allof us of the good fortunes we have.Family, friends and great co-workersall sharing the good things we work sohard for. We all have many things to bethankful for. Many of you in theCommonwealth Electric Company fam-ily also contribute time by sharing per-sonal time with others through volun-teer work with church groups, coachingsports for youths and many other wor-thy activities. Your way of giving backto your community.Recently I was asked to speak to agroup of ladies at the local YWCA.Being a Saturday with a tee time inplace, I thought, play golf or meet withthe ladies. I chose to meet with thegroup and I am so very glad I did. Thisgroup belongs to a project called STEP(Self Sufficiency-Through TrainingEducation and Placement) This is aunique program aimed at helpingwomen achieve economic independencethrough nontraditional employmentopportunities. The program combinesintensive case management, counsel-ing, career and life strategy trainingand educational assistance. Thisincludes basic worksite safety, handand power tools and refresher math.The program offers many other classesto help prepare women for new careers.

My day began with introductions andan overview of construction safety.From the class room we moved to autility room where 2x4’s and drywallwere cut. The women hammered theboards together and asked a ton ofquestions. We all had a good time and Ipersonally walked away feeling Imaybe somehow helped them. It was agood feeling. I asked the ladies for agroup picture which they gladly agreed

to do. I have this picture in my office. Itis a constant reminder of the goodthings I enjoy and the good feeling I gotfrom helping others. All of us have spe-cial talents and I urge everyone, if youhave the opportunity, give a little backto help others. You will be surprised athow good it makes you feel. My timewas well spent. I hope they ask meback.

YWCA Step ProgramRuben Bera – Corporate Safety Director

“The school year proceeded, and wemet key construction completion targetdates,” Baker said. “Students and staffadapted very well. There have been nocritical issues. Construction crews haveworked efficiently; CommonwealthElectric came in with a large workforcethat helped speed construction.”

By the Christmas break, the middleschool classrooms and kitchen, highschool vocal music, foreign language, 3-D art and home economics rooms werein use. Work on the bus barn and trackare complete. Leases on the portablestructures expired Jan. 31 and all buttwo were removed.

Although school activities are settlinginto a familiar routine, evidence of thestorm is everywhere. The once-woodedcampus is starkly bare by the loss of 80percent of its trees and shrubbery.Many of the renovated buildings havenew, modern appearances and the twotemporary classrooms are visible

reminders of what school was like dur-ing the previous term.

Throughout construction, cooperationhas been a key to completing the proj-ect.

“With all the different contractors andtrades involved, often working in closeproximity with one another, and withschool staff and pupils, and numerousvolunteer workers on-site, everyonehad to work together,” said Cole.

The school district still must deal withcosts, which are an estimated $35 mil-lion.

“Insurance and grants will not cover allof the costs, and we do not yet knowhow much funding we will receive fromFEMA,” said Baker. “We took theopportunity to make some improve-ments during the rebuilding, enlargingareas some where walls were down,adding safe rooms for protection in caseof future storms, and those costs arenot covered by insurance.

“The insurance limit for Code-requiredupgrades has been exceeded, and thosecosts are the school’s responsibility.Our cash reserves will, no doubt, bequite depleted by the end of this proj-ect,” Baker added.

Donations are helping.

“We can recount literally hundreds ofstories of generosity,” said Baker.“Businesses set out jars for donations,neighboring schools have raised fundsto help us.”

Lincoln’s IBEW Local 265, whose on-site members worked on the school,sponsored a lunch, did the cookingthemselves and donated proceeds tothe school.

“A positive result of disasters is thatthey bring out the goodness in people,”said Cole. “Put most people in a situa-tion where other people need help, andthey want to do everything possible tohelp. The good things people do for oth-ers is a positive lesson for life.”

YWCA Step Program

continued from page 4 - The Aftermath

The Des Moines’ branch of Commonwealth Electric recently completed the construction of a new Kum & Go in Ellsworth,Iowa. We teamed with Henning Construction to complete the project. Our work consisted of the construction and build outof the convenience store including power distribution, lighting, lighting control, and power branch circuit wiring. Site workincluded the electrical service entrance, power and control conduits for the gas pumps, 16 pole lights, and power to variousequipment throughout the job site. The project foreman was Robin Pearson.We are excited about how this project turned out for Kum and Go. We are currently working on additional Kum & Go storesin Grinnell, Iowa and Urbandale, Iowa. Next time you are traveling in Iowa, make it a point to stop at a Kum and Go.

Commonwealth CelebratesNational Electrical Safety MonthRuben Bera – Corporate Safety Director

May 2005 was National Electrical Safety Month. As part of ourmonth long celebration, the Safety Department traveled to sever-al job sites and had cookouts. It was a wonderful opportunity tothank everyone for their hard work and commitment to safety.Everyday we are faced with opportunities to work safe. Puttingsafety in the front of your mind will eliminate accidents.Everyday Practices that Will Keep You & Your Coworkers Safe:n Plan your work.n Wear your safety glasses, hardhat, and the proper protective

equipment for the task at hand.n Practice good housekeeping.n Buckle up when operating or riding in a company vehicle.n Always ask yourself, "Is this the safe way to do this task?"

This industry is a dangerous one, and all of us must look out foreach other. Safety is everyone's job.Think smart. Work safe.

Michael Price – Branch Manager, Des Moines

Commonwealth Electric joined Iowa Archery, Madison County ISU ExtensionOffice, Madison County Sportsman’s Club and Pheasants Forever in support-ing this year’s Youth Hunter Education Challenge(YHEC).

Iowa YHEC (Youth Hunter Education Challenge) is a weekend-long event thattakes place each June at the 4-H Education and Natural Resources Center inMadrid, Iowa. Youth from all over Iowa come to compete in eight events, learnabout the outdoors, and have fun with other youth and adults that have simi-lar interests. The events include four shooting events: archery, muzzle loadingrifle, shotgun, and small-bore rifle. There are also four non-shooting events: wildlife identification, orienteering, hunter safe-ty trail, and written exam. There are two age categories to compete in, Junior (ages 12-14) and Senior (15-19). Most youthcompete as part of a team of five from their area, but youth can register as individuals as well. All participants must com-pete in all eight events.

This year, we took 2 teams of five boys each to compete in YHEC. We had a junior team and a senior team. Michael Priceserved as coach for the junior team and assistant coach for the senior team. Commonwealth sponsored one of the teamsand donated hearing and eye protection for both of the teams. Although neither team placed in this year’s competition, theboys had a great time and gained some valuable experience in hunter safety and education.

Husker Village chows down!

Ruben Bera – Grill Master/Safety Director

Safety Gear

Commonwealth Des Moines Helps Kum & Go ExpandMark Ramsey – Project Manager

Des Moines Commonwealth Supports Youth Hunter Education Challenge