Page 370 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance for Reciprocating Compressors 355

report on work completed, such as an overhaul or inspection report
on reconditioned components. Copies of reports supplied to other
clients should be requested. Unless a final inspection report is
received, it is usually advisable to withhold payment.
4. Does the vendor supply mill test reports on the materials used in the
manufacture of critical parts such as compressor piston rods? No
critical part should be accepted without this report. This provision
should be made part of the purchase order.

Vendor selection may require dealing with a sales force. Here, two
questions may be of interest:

1. Is vendor's sales person an employee or is he an agent working on a
percentage of the order received? An employee generally has a
greater vested interest in the company than an agent.
2. What is the sales person's experience and technical knowledge? Has
he actually worked in the shop in some capacity?

Sales people are by nature optimistic and feel that their company or
shop can do anything. They are often reluctant to admit any shortcom-
ings and don't like to miss out on what they consider an opportunity.
Without proper knowledge and experience, a sales person may commit
the vendor to something outside his area of competence.
VENDOR SURVEY

It is absolutely mandatory to make a visit to the vendor's facility to
review his capabilities. The previously mentioned items will serve as a
checklist and help in the survey. In addition to management's attitude,
workforce, equipment and facilities, it is important to observe the house-
keeping in the shop and offices. Also, this is the time to review the ven-
dor's documentation routines, work procedures, specification, drawings,
shop equipment and testing procedures.

Operational and maintenance personnel must be involved in an ongo-
ing training program to achieve the greatest efficiency and reliability of
the compressors. All too frequently, the only training that operators and