From Cape May County to Sussex County, Rutgers has a presence throughout New Jersey. In each location, a facilities mechanic may run into any variety of HVAC building equipment from modern computerized systems to older pneumatic controls that need physical calibration to optimize their functionality. 

Although pneumatic thermostats and dampers are infrequently used in today’s HVAC systems, Rutgers still has many pneumatic control systems. To ensure a mechanic or tradesperson recognizes and knows how to calibrate these controls, Brian Kenny, Assistant Director, Facilities Operations, offers classes in their proper calibration. 

“The classes are open to our trades employees to help them identify these items. Each employee gets a device and receives hands-on training calibrating pneumatic devices,” Kenny explained. The training defines the many thermostats found in the buildings and the differentials among them, followed by the hands-on application. Kenny offers both basic and advanced instruction. “Our buildings span decades. This training helps our employees to quickly identify the type of controls they are dealing with in each building. With pneumatic controls, you must go out to the location and look at the thermostat and then know how to calibrate it. These are far different than direct digital controls initiated through computers that run the more modern systems.”

“I encourage our employees to take this training,” said Michael Manchello, IP&O’s Associate Vice President.  “It is critical to our ability to understand and troubleshoot temperature control issues in facilities buildings.” 

Kenny is offering the courses on an as-needed basis. For information, contact your manager.

Featured in the IP&O Newsletter, May 2025.