Some ACs are illegal

Summer officially starts Tuesday, and with the heat, along comes the thought of air conditioners.

Air conditioners can be found at base exchanges and certain locations off base, but that doesn’t mean people can just purchase ACs and put them in their office. There are certain guidelines that must be followed to get approval.

An interested person must first go online and see if their office or workplace meets requirements for air conditioning. The requirements are listed in KMCI 32-1001, which can be found online at https://wwwmil.ramstein.af.mil/435abw/435msg/435cs/scs/scsi/scsip/Ramstein%20publication/32/KMCI32-1001.pdf.

If all requirements are met, then the building manager can submit an AF Form 332 to the 735th Civil Engineer Squadron Customer Service Element and someone will be sent out to evaluate the office.

“Our main concern is fire hazards but we also want to reduce energy consumption,” said Sarkis Farah, 735th CES mechanical engineer. “Our goal is to be down 35 percent in 2010 compared to 1985 and so far we are on pace to do that.”

Also, nearly all KMC facilities are over 50 years old and that raises concerns about wiring and power distribution.

“We have had a number of incidents where people have fried equipment and wasted thousands (of dollars) by trying to take a shortcut,” said Mr. Farah.

People found in violation of the KMCI will be notified in writing by civil engineers and will be given 14 days to remove the device.

For more information on air conditioners and procedures contact the 735th CES at 480-2581.