[CAUT] Dampp-Chasers in institutional setting

[reggaepass at aol.com]

Working in an institution with relative humidity in the teens for much 
of the school year, I can tell you that Dampp-Chaser systems alone 
HELP, but pitch changes are, unfortunately, still necessary. I would 
recommend using the room humidifiers in conjunction with the DC 
systems--then you'll have a fighting chance. At my school, student 
assistants on the work-study program service the systems under my 
supervision. It is one task that virtually ANYONE can learn to do.

 Good luck,

 Alan Eder, RPT

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Simone Tucci Piano Tuner-Technician <tuccisimone at rogers.com>
 To: caut at ptg.org
 Sent: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 07:29:59 -0500
 Subject: [CAUT] Dampp-Chasers in institutional setting

 Hi Forum
  
  I just joined this forum. I had posted this on the pianotech forum and 
it was suggested that I try CAUT.
  
  I have a question for the forum. I have thought about this but, I know 
that the right answers with come from the forum.
  
 Question:
  
  I currently work in an institution that has about 160 pianos. Around 
80 grands and 80 uprights. There is a major problem with the climate 
there. Climate doing all the wrong things....much too hot (25C) and 
dry (18% average) The admin. has bought and placed humidifier units in 
all the studios and classrooms to combat the dryness. But, they are 
either empty, unplugged, turned off, or out in the hallway.
  
  I made a suggestion to my colleague who is the head technician that we 
install Dampp-Chasers on all the pianos or just the grand pianos as a 
min. His response to me was to come up with a cost. Cost break down: 
Dampp-Chaser units, cost in maintaining them, approach to maintaining 
them etc.
  
  We are contractors there and we are not there everyday. The building 
maintainance staff is currently filling the humidifiers that are in the 
rooms. I thought that if we install the units on the pianos we can have 
the maint. staff fill the Dampp-Chasers instead of filling the current 
humidifiers.
  
  My question to the forum is. How are the other inst. tech's going 
about this? Time/money/approach? 80 or 160 Dampp-Chasers are a lot. I 
need to come up with a formula of $ and time. Daily service? etc.
  
 Hope the forum can help?!
  

 || ||| || ||| || ||| || ||| || |||
 SIMONE TUCCI
 Piano Tuner-Technician
 Registered Craftsman Member of
 O.G.P.T. Inc & C.A.P.T./A.C.A.P
 PTG Associate Member
 416.993.6332
 tuccisimone at rogers.com