Engineered Systems articles from August 2007

Engineered Systems archives from August 2007

The least you can do.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... This letter refers to Rebecca Ellis' "Commissioning" column titled, "The Least You Can Do," in the April 2007 issue of Engineered Systems (page 20). The variability in the definition of commissioning services presents significant problems...

Identifying the minimum definition of commissioning.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I recently caught up on my reading, and read Rebecca Ellis' April 2007 "Commissioning" column. I feel that she is absolutely correct with this article and has identified a problem with commissioning--one that could affect the future of the...

Using ground source heat pumps.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... This letter refers to Howard McKew's "Back To Basics" test that appeared in the April 2007 issue, pages 10-11. I'm not being picky, but air separators are always "in high, out low." Also, I would put the ground water temperature...

Acronym acrimony avoided.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... In the May 2007 issue, Matthew Bishop, in his article titled, "Clearing the Smoke," provided the ultimate type of frustration for tech readers: unexplained acronyms. He mentions UULK-listed fans and alarm systems along with the more familiar UL...

The GIB sets sail: we start a new era with all eyes on GridWise.(Editor's Note)(Green Intelligent Buildings)(Energy Control, Inc.)(Green Intelligent Buildings)
August 1, 2007... Our friend and editorial advisor Jack Mc Gowan, president of Energy Control, Inc., has outdone himself with this month's supplement. Last year, we served up a themed Intelligent Buildings Today supplement on wireless. This year, we decided to...

Upcoming ES events.(Conference news)(Calendar)
August 1, 2007... SEPTEMBER 25-27 ES Building Automation & Sustainability Conference BACnet International Conference Phoenix. For more info, visit www.buildingautomationconf.com.

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2007... For more events and details, visit ESOnline at www.esmagazine.com. SEPTEMBER 17-21 "Testing, Adjusting & Balancing" University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI. For info, visit http://epd.engr.wisc.edu/emaH727. SEPTEMBER 25-26 ...

Helpful hints.(Back 2 Basics: Based on Cx-3 ATC/FPT software)
August 1, 2007... Refer to this month's "HVACR Designer Tips" for the main distribution frame (MDF) room packaged HVAC unit/system design review checklist. This month's "Back to Basics" enhances July's test by focusing in the reheat and humidification portion of...

UFAD controls account for savings at IRS campus.(Case In Point)
August 1, 2007... The newly developed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Kansas 00 City Campus sits on 27.5 acres of land just south of the land mark Union Station and west of the Liberty Memorial. It is home to nearly 3,000 full-time employees and up to 5,000...

Single project team approach delivers LEED[R] Gold to North Woods.(Case In Point)(Hoffman, LLC )
August 1, 2007... The Northland Pines School District (NPSD) in Eagle River, WI is the proud owner of the first LEED[R] Certified School in the Badger State. The school district, located in the state's North Woods region, turned to Hoffman, LLC (Appleton, WI)...

Michigan school district beholds the power of corn.(Case In Point)
August 1, 2007... * Like thousands of districts around the country, Merrill Community Schools, a district that serves over 800 students in Saginaw County, MI, faced tight budgets, inefficient building systems, and rising energy costs. But while the district...

Commercial water heater delivers 'Hardee' solution at fast-food restaurant.(Case In Point)
August 1, 2007... * Replacing "like-for-like" is practically standard operating procedure in the world of commercial water heaters. If a piece of equipment has met the demand for hot water until the "twilight" of its career, why monkey around with something...

When to retrocommission? From additions to age, different factors make the argument for or against.(Commissioning)
August 1, 2007... * The idea of retrocommissioning--commissioning an existing building which has not been commissioned before--has gained in popularity over the last few years. Its potential for reducing energy consumption and improving working conditions for...

Making money with BAS mash-ups: how do our traditional controls fit into the GridWise vision?(Building Automation)
August 1, 2007... Exposing the true financial and environmental costs of providing new generation and new distribution to meet the needed local and national peak electrical demand has made buying back peak electrical demand big business. A $900 billion...

What's behind the push for the 'Smart' meter? With more detailed user info, volatile pricing may not just be passing through.(Energy Wiz)
August 1, 2007... "Smart" metering that provides time-based usage data is getting a lot of attention from utilities, regulators, and those concerned with managing peak electric demand. A push is on to bring it to many facilities, even where power prices remain...

Design review / design build: MDF room packaged HVAC unit/system.(HVACR Designer Tips)(Main distribution frame )
August 1, 2007... Job number: Area served: Main distribution frame (MDF) room Equipment type: Packaged HVAC unit Equipment Designation: CACU-1 Barcode designation: 11111 Equipment location: In occupied space DESIGN REVIEW ...

Dry and on time.
August 1, 2007... Record rainfall in November, gale-force winds In December, snow in January... Mother Nature pulled out all the stops last winter in British Columbia. That made humidity control all the More critical at the site for what will be the province's...

Doas & desiccants: this pairing can represent a great strategy--if you choose your tactics wisely. When is passive or active the better desiccant approach? When is one out of the question? We'll discuss how to control the latent load, arrive at a smart design decision for the circumstance, and consider recent research on first cost and performance.(dedicated outdoor air system )
August 1, 2007... Two essential attributes of mechanical systems intended to provide building occupants with good IAQ and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) are uncompromised ventilation air delivery and ensured humidity control. Engineers have numerous...

Design and construction administration for the 21st century part 2.
August 1, 2007... Redistributing some of the fee, updating your toolbox, and waiting to jump into the design minutiae can pay off in many ways. Fewer drawings, increased time on-site, and more accurate pricing will lead to a better (and more profitable) product....

Sustainability, BACnet gatherings converge on Phoenix.(Issues & Events)(BACnet International)(Engineered Systems )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Engineered Systems and BACnet International are collaborating to present an unprecedented building automation gathering in Phoenix from September 25-27. The first-time event represents a combination of ES' Building Automation & Sustainability...

Brilliant Awards celebrate leaders in sustainable economy.(Issues & Events)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Discover Brilliant International Conference and Expo, being held September 17-19, 2007, is now accepting nominations for their Brilliant Awards. The Brilliant Awards will honor firms who best demonstrate the true marriage of economics,...

Distech Controls.(Industry News)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Distech Controls received the Innovation Canada Prize, based on its commitment to research and development and its integration of innovative business practices within its ISO certified management processes, from the South Shore Chamber of...

American Ultraviolet Company.(Industry News)
August 1, 2007... American Ultraviolet Company has introduced a high-output (800mA), low-mercury (??8 mg) UVC lamp for disinfecting air and water in commercial and residential environments.

Mestek, Inc.(Industry News)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Mestek, Inc. of Westfield, MA and Dadanco Pty of Adelaide, Australia have announced a joint venture to produce and market active chilled beams, induction units, and induction diffusers for the North, Central, and South American markets.

CLARCOR Air Filtration Products (CLC Air).(Industry News)
August 1, 2007... CLARCOR Air Filtration Products (CLC Air), a subsidiary of CLARCOR, announced plans to open a new 249,600-sq-ft manufacturing and distribution center in Pittston, PA.

Munters.(Industry News)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Munters has concluded an agreement to purchase U.S.-based Des Champs Technologies. Munters acquired 100% of the shares in Entrodyne Corporation, the holding company of Des Champs Technologies for approximately US$ 37 million in cash.

The United Association.(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The United Association has introduced a new Green Awareness Training and Certification Program to help contractors and their employees understand the emerging concepts, terminology, systems, and products that are considered green.

The Design-Build Institute of America's (DBIA's).(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Design-Build Institute of America's (DBIA's) "Lessons Learned Mini-Library" provides in-depth analysis of the court decisions issued spanning from 2002-2004 D-B projects, which provides important lessons to those involved in the D-B market....

The Hydraulic Institute (HI).(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Hydraulic Institute (HI) announced that Flowserve Corporation's Thomas E. Ferguson, president of the company's Pump Division, has been chosen as the institute's chairman of the board for 2007-2008.

The Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CSMCA).(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CSMCA) announced that Jack Baer of Air Comfort Corp., Broadview, IL, was installed as president; James Cesak of Tal-Mar Custom Metal, Crestwood, IL, vice president; and John Comforte of...

The ESCO Institute.(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The ESCO Institute, a leader in training and certification, and provider of textbooks, instructor's guides, training manuals, multimedia, assessments, and certifications to the HVACR industry, has joined the Green Mechanical Council.

Honeywell takes two Toronto offices green.(Issues & Events)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Honeywell announced it will consolidate two Toronto offices and bring teams together to work in a new, green office complex in the Town of Markham, ON, Canada, part of the Downtown Markham development by The Remington Group Inc. Honeywell...

ASHRAE, United Nations partner on emission reduction.(Issues & Events)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers )
August 1, 2007... As the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol approaches, two international organizations focused on the environment have joined forces to reduce emissions and encourage energy-efficient refrigeration and A/C systems and...

Peter Basso Associates.(Engineering Beat)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Peter Basso Associates announced that Dennis P. Sczomak, P.E., LEED AP, has been promoted from vice president to senior vice president, and Scott A. Garrison; Wayne E. Kerbelis; Jose A. Meijer; Robert N. Roop, CIPE/CPD; Philip G. Saoud, P.E.;...

Woolpert, Inc.(Engineering Beat)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Woolpert, Inc. recently relocated its Orlando office to accommodate exponential staff growth, and announced that Fei Ma, John Kelly, Frances Tolentino, Mariless Tolentino, David Bruno, and Dave Feuer have joined the staff.

SmithGroup.(Engineering Beat)(Harold E. Davis, William L. Diefenbach and Paul G. Johnson have joined College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... SmithGroup announced that architects Harold E. Davis, Jr., William L. Diefenbach, and Paul G. Johnson have been elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

EYP Mission Critical Facilities (EYP MCF).(Engineering Beat)
August 1, 2007... EYP Mission Critical Facilities (EYP MCF) announced that Rick Sawyer has been named director of the Critical Facility Assurance (CFA) group for the firm.

Richard D. Kimball Company, Inc. (RDK Engineers).(Engineering Beat)
August 1, 2007... Richard D. Kimball Company, Inc. (RDK Engineers) has appointed Kim Sousa to marketing director.

Evergreen Engineering.(Engineering Beat)
August 1, 2007... Evergreen Engineering announced that Mark Haldeman, formerly of Northwest Engineering, has joined the firm as director of business operations.

Grundfos Pumps.(Faces and Places)
August 1, 2007... Grundfos Pumps has promoted Kerry Baskins to the new position of vice president/business unit director in the U.S.

Bradford White.(Faces and Places)(promotions of R. Bruce Carnevale, Frederick D. Vattimo and James C. McGoldrick, Jr)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Bradford White recently announced several promotions: R. Bruce Carnevale was promoted to the position of vice president - sales and marketing; Frederick D. Vattimo was promoted to the new position of director-corporate advertising; James C....

Emerson Climate Technologies.(Faces and Places)
August 1, 2007... Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, announced the winner of the 2006 Robert J. Novello Leadership Award: Randy Nielsen, operations director, Hartselle, AL.

Racine Federated.(Faces and Places)
August 1, 2007... Racine Federated hired Michael Scoon as its director of sales for its flow meter divisions.

The Gastite Division of the Titeflex Corporation.(Faces and Places)
August 1, 2007... The Gastite Division of the Titeflex Corporation has appointed Craig A. Barry as its new director of marketing.

Munters Moisture Control Services (MCS).(Faces and Places)
August 1, 2007... Munters Moisture Control Services (MCS), a division of Munters AB has named Steve Naughton as Southeast regional sales manager.

Sizing tool.(Computers & Software)
August 1, 2007... The company's Global Pfannenberg Sizing Software (GPSS) tool is downloadable directly from its website (www.pfannenbergUSA.com). The program allows users to configure filter fans, cooling units, air/water heat exchangers, and heaters for...

Heating and cooling simulation.(Computers & Software)
August 1, 2007... Version 7 of the company's FloventCFD software features a new Response Surface Optimization capability that allows users to specify combinations of design parameters and iterate sequentially toward the best design. --Flomerics FOR...

Sales tools.(Computers & Software)
August 1, 2007... The company's Unitary Sales Tool (UST) software package for the York[R], Coleman[R], and Luxaire[R] heating and A/C products is designed to support the overall system selling efforts of those in the sales and engineering communities. The tool,...

ESS.(BITS & BYTES)(introduction of enterprise software)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ESS, a provider of environmental, health and safety and crisis management software, recently unveiled a new tool called Essential Performance Manager(tm) that helps enterprises drive daily operational excellence in order to achieve their...

Meridian Systems.(BITS & BYTES)(Runding Corporation enters into a partnership )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Meridian Systems, a provider of enterprise project management software for optimizing capital projects, programs, and facilities, announced a new systems integrator alliance with Runding Corporation, a Sarasota, FL-based consulting firm that...

Contemporary Controls.(BITS & BYTES)
August 1, 2007... Contemporary Controls' industrial Ethernet-managed switches (EICPM, EISXM and EISBM Series) can provide recovery times of less than 10 milliseconds when using trunking between its switches.

The MooreHawke.(BITS & BYTES)
August 1, 2007... The MooreHawke TRUNKSAFE TS Series power conditioner has been approved by the Fieldbus Foundation; it is now a registered product and listed on the foundation website (www.fieldbus.org).

Honeywell's Fire-Lite Alarms.(BITS & BYTES)
August 1, 2007... Honeywell's Fire-Lite Alarms has introduced a Web-based tool, which allows users to voice their equipment needs and improvement ideas directly to the company--the Product Improvement Process--via www.firelite.com.

Winsted Technical Interiors'.(BITS & BYTES)
August 1, 2007... Winsted Technical Interiors' Talon 2 Custom Console System is designed to be a self-contained control room, is intended for control situations where wall-mounted monitors are not an option.

Mc4 Software.(BITS & BYTES)
August 1, 2007... Mc4 Software announced that, thanks to a productive partnership in Europe, REHAU was selected as the former's authorized reseller in U.S. and Canada.

Quest Controls, Inc.'s.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
August 1, 2007... Quest Controls, Inc.'s embedded Web server in its Q3BMS[TM] Building Management System enables users to quickly and easily access a Q3BMS[TM] over a network connection using a standard Web browser.

A-1 Components Corporation.(WORLD WIDE WEB)(Website overview)
August 1, 2007... A-1 Components Corporation has updated its website (www.a-1components.com), which offers hundreds of HVACR product specifications, MSDS information, dimensional drawings, and links to the wholesale distributors.

The Blade Ready[TM] Program's.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
August 1, 2007... The Blade Ready[TM] Program's website, located at www.bladeready.com/ provides information about this program which unites vendors of complementary network critical physical infrastructure technologies to deliver comprehensive interoperable...

The Mechanical Service Contractors Service Association (MSCA).(WORLD WIDE WEB)(www.5starcareers.com)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Mechanical Service Contractors Service Association (MSCA) hosts www.5starcareers.com, a site designed to highlight the advantages of careers in mechanical system service and how to get started.

Control Works, Inc.(WORLD WIDE WEB)(www.controlworksinc.com)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Control Works, Inc., a control panel manufacturer specializing in designing and building custom control systems for a wide variety of applications, announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, www.controlworksinc.com.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.(WORLD WIDE WEB)(www.hp.com/go/powerandcooling)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. offers a website located at www.hp.com/go/powerandcooling, which provides extensive information about energy-efficient computing for the nextgeneration data center, including interviews, podcasts, and...

Bry-Air.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
August 1, 2007... Bry-Air now offers a free Application Library online with over 20 applications and processes, ranging from condensation to moisture regain prevention, at www.bryair.com/library.htm.

Condensate management.(Products In Focus)
August 1, 2007... The company has a full line of condensate management products that allow users to vent multiple high-efficiency boilers without leaks. These include pitch assist vent lengths, which are rotated and adjusted to provide from 1/4 to 1/2-in. pitch...

Flow metering.(Products In Focus)
August 1, 2007... The company's ThermoTrack[TM] HVACR energy flow monitoring system for commercial and industrial buildings, is built on a non-invasive platform, allowing several units to be daisy-chained and wired into a single personal computer for a...

Balancing valve/metering station.(Products In Focus)
August 1, 2007... The Nextrol[TM] line of manual balancing valves and metering stations are avail able in sizes ranging from 2 1/2 to 12 in. with two 3/4-in. ports, two 1/4-in. ports, and one 1/2-in. port, pre-tapped. The unit features standard equipment such as...

Wirelesss gas detectors.(Products In Focus)
August 1, 2007... The 301W is designed to monitor carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in parking structures. No wires, conduit, or extra materials are required, reducing labor and material expenses. Other features include automatic configuration upon...

Air heaters.(Products In Focus)
August 1, 2007... The SKORPION[TM] process air heater features an integrated system with digital display temperature control, and has the same footprint of popular European manufactured air heater/blowers. Two models are available: the 1.5 kW model with...

Motors.(Products In Focus)
August 1, 2007... The Telemecanique[R] Altistart[R] 01 soft-start motor features smooth motor starting control of applications that do not require high starting torque, limiting the stress of the mechanical parts of a machine and reducing downtime and...

Dampers.(Literature & Catalogs)
August 1, 2007... The company's Dampers Application Guide is a detailed 12-page manual created to assist with the selection and application of the company's Iris dampers. Included are principles of operation, application considerations, performance data,...

Identification.(Literature & Catalogs)
August 1, 2007... This catalog features technical specifications and other information for the company's wire and harness identification products, label identification products, hardware and printers, software, and specialty products. --Tyco FREE INFO:...

Coils.(Literature & Catalogs)
August 1, 2007... This brochure features the company's product line and manufacturing capabilities. Included are photos and information on available coil customization. The company manufactures DX evaporators, hot water, chilled water, steam distributing, and...

Receivers.(Literature & Catalogs)
August 1, 2007... This one-page fact sheet highlights the company's steel receivers for refrigerant storage during normal operation and system pump down. Included is a product photo, a schematic chart, dimensional information, and a list of features and...

A/C.(Literature & Catalogs)
August 1, 2007... This brochure features the company's VRV[R]-S system. Included are product model numbers, specifications, and graphics on how the units are used within light commercial applications such as retail stores, small offices, restaurants, hotels,...

Air-handling systems.(Literature & Catalogs)
August 1, 2007... This product brochure features the company's custom-built AHUs and replacement coils, specifically its CTM Series custom air-handling system and the MLR Series air handler. Included are key benefits, detailed product construction information,...

Third-party TAB: we're making progress: want the very picture of perfect balancing? Start by drawing it.(Tomorrow's Engineer)
August 1, 2007... For the past couple of years, I have been advocating the need to elevate the role of the TAB subcontractor to mechanical contractor to third-party responsibilities, and I can say firsthand that we are making progress with this important quest....