RACA Journal August 2023 | Page 3

Hot and chilled

RACA Journal : ISSN 1812-772X

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RACA Journal Publication www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za eamonn @ interactmedia . co . za

‘ TIS THE SEASON FOR REMINISCIN ’

Last month we had Barney Richardson reminiscing about his 60 years in the industry , and next month it is the turn of long-time RPM Consulting Engineers outgoing chairman Pat Burke . So , I thought I ’ d chip in between these two with my own 60-year-old tale of a completely fictional Stompie on the first day of his apprenticeship .

It was the 1960s , and young Stompie found himself in a hot , humid Durban . Fresh-faced and full of mischievous enthusiasm , he embarked on his first day as an HVAC apprentice . Little did he know that this day would turn out to be a calamitous comedy of errors that even the most seasoned adventurers would find daunting .

Stompie arrived on site at a CBD office block , his tool belt clanking with nervous anticipation . With a cheeky grin and a twinkle in his eye , he couldn ' t resist flirting with the young office girls he encountered along the passage ways . His charm was undeniable , but alas , it was also his downfall . Caught up in a whirlwind of sweet nothings , he lost track of time and dozed off in a cozy corner .

As Stompie drifted into slumber , he found himself engulfed in a nightmare . In his dream , he was surrounded by broken pipes , hissing steam , and flaring sparks . The HVAC system groaned and wailed , echoing his own distress . The office workers were regarding him with outright scorn and fury , blaming him for their sweaty discomfort . It was a surreal and chaotic mess , one that left poor Stompie in a cold sweat .

Suddenly , Stompie jolted awake , his heart pounding against his chest like a wild beast . To his disbelief , his nightmare had come true . The office block was in a shambles , and it was all his doing . Pipes were burst open , wires dangled precariously , and the once-balanced climate control system had turned into a cacophony of misdirected airflow .

The building manager stormed in , his face red with fury . " What have you done , you blithering fool ?" he bellowed . " You ' ve turned this place into a blasted sauna !" Stompie ' s cheeks flushed with embarrassment , his charm replaced by sheer mortification .

As the manager stood surrounded by office workers and all the pretty girls he ’ d been so recently trying to impress , unleashing a torrent of angry and hurtful words , Stompie ' s head spun . He desperately tried to recall his training , but all his knowledge had evaporated like steam in the summer sun . The manager had seen enough . With a furious wave of his hand , he banished poor Stompie from the premises , leaving him standing on the sidewalk , tool belt hanging low in defeat .

Humiliated and disheartened , Stompie trudged away from the scene of his fiasco . He wondered if he was cut out for the world of HVAC after all . But even in the face of failure , there was a spark of determination within him . Stompie vowed to learn from his mistakes and redeem himself .

Days turned into weeks , and weeks into months . Stompie worked tirelessly to improve his skills , studying manuals late into the night , attending SAIRAC Tech Talks and seeking guidance from experienced , no-nonsense technicians . His determination paid off , as he gradually transformed into a competent HVAC professional .

Years later , Stompie looked back at that disastrous first day with a bittersweet smile . It had been a comedy of errors , a true test of his mettle . But it had also been the catalyst for his growth , pushing him to become the capable technician he was today .

And so , Stompie ' s misadventure served as a cautionary but comical reminder that even the most disastrous beginnings can lead to unexpected triumphs . And with a toolbox of experience and a renewed sense of purpose , Stompie marched forward , ready to conquer the world of HVAC , one repair at a time . RACA

Eamonn

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