Engineered Systems articles from December 2007

Engineered Systems archives from December 2007

Changing of the guard: we're fine tuning our lineup as the calendar flips. Shall we pencil you in?(Editor's Note)
December 1, 2007... Before we get to some notes about the first-ever EE Global Forum I attended last month, let me start with some news about our "Building Automation" column. Ken Sinclair has been writing that column for us nearly as long as I've been in this...

Free ES events.(Conference news)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... * FEBRUARY 6 Back2Basics Webinar Series, Vol. 2 Howard McKew, P.E. and Amanda McKew For info, visit www.esmagazine.com and click on Webinars. * APRIL 2-3 Green Intelligent Buildings Conference Baltimore. For info, visit...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... For more events and details, visit ESOnline at www.esmagazine.com. 2008 * JANUARY 19-23 ASHRAE 2008 Annual Meeting American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers New York. For info, visit www.ashrae.org. ...

Engineering in the warranty phase.(Back 2 Basics: Based on Cx-3 ATC/FPT software)(construction engineers must lok into building design energy use)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... * The design engineer should continue to monitor the project during the warranty phase by requesting the facility manager e-mail system trending data to confirm basis of design compliance. * In addressing energy management capabilities in...

Third-party Cx and TAB engineering in the warranty phase.(Back 2 Basics: Based on Cx-3 ATC/FPT software)
December 1, 2007... * The commissioning team, during the warranty phase, is the same team who participated in the construction phase. A deferred seasonal FPT demonstration is necessary to observe the heating sequences in the heating season (refer to the April 2004...

Condo / apartment complex HVAC system.(Application Checklist)
December 1, 2007... The following system analysis and analytical scorecard can be used to assess the use of a central heating and A/C unit for a condo within a condo complex or apartment within apartment complex. The approach is based in part on the 2004 ASHRAE...

Boilers, burners, and controls reduce natural gas consumption at expansive government campus.(Case In Point)
December 1, 2007... Sprawling over 4 million sq ft and hosting more than 7,000 employees of the Department of the Interior and other federal agencies, the campus of the Denver Federal Center (DFC) has significant heating needs. Trying to meet those needs...

LEED[R] EB streamlines for 2008: the goal: motivating owners while maintaining procedures.(Commissioning)
December 1, 2007... I would like to bring closure to this fall's series of columns on retrocommissioning with a discussion of the LEED[R] for Existing Buildings' (LEED EB) prerequisite for existing building commissioning. The USGBC's LEED program extends beyond...

Farewell, but not goodbye: beyond the column, features and the Expo await.(Building Automation)(Column)
December 1, 2007... December's column is my last "Building Automation" column for Engineered Systems. The preparation of this column has become a monthly ritual that will be hard to break. It has been over seven years, but it is time to step off the soapbox...

Condo / apartment HVAC units: commissioning and project closeout checklist.(HVACR Designer Tips)
December 1, 2007... Equipment type: Residential packaged units Equipment designation: AHU-1 Barcode designation: 111111 Area served: Condo/apartment building Equipment location: In occupied space BASIS OF DESIGN * Review and confirm...

Continuing a creative legacy.
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When George Washington Carver School was built in 1935, boiler room excavation inadvertently intercepted an underground spring. Ever since, sump pumps ran continuously to remove approximately 150 gpm of ground water...

A Platinum oasis in the desert.(A SPECIAL SECTION IN ES)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's one thing to aim for LEED[R] Platinum status for your company's new offices. It's another to do it in a region of the world where nobody is familiar with a design and documentation process of that complexity....

GridWise green buildings.
December 1, 2007... It is a pleasure to kick off this new GridWise column in Green Intelligent Buildings. Energy, buildings, and the environment are intertwined in a symbiotic relationship, and the results of this interaction are optimal in smart buildings. This...

Greenbuild reaches critical masses.
December 1, 2007... Sustainable building is an astounding economic opportunity. If you don't believe it, look at how Greenbuild is growing. Greenbuild 2006 had 13,500 attendees; attendance this year at Chicago's LEED[R]-Certified McCormick Place reached...

International Code Council HQ goes for the green.
December 1, 2007... The ICC doesn't own the building housing its new offices. However, between the site's location and a considerable commitment by both the owner and the ICC, their unusually shaped building points toward good design and environmental...

Eclipse issues safety warning for Veri-Flame controls.(Issues & Events)
December 1, 2007... The Eclipse Veri-Flame is an electronic control used on gas-fired heating equipment that might be used in a variety of manufacturing processes. Eclipse has found that some Veri-Flames may allow continued gas flow even in the absence of flame....

SBIC announces the 2007 Beyond Green Awards.(Issues & Events)
December 1, 2007... The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, along with its sponsors, announced the 2007 Beyond Green High Performance Building Awards. This unique program recognizes the initiatives that shape, inform, and catalyze the high-performance building...

Standard 90.1 chiller addendum estimated to provide 13% savings.(Issues & Events)
December 1, 2007... An estimated annual energy savings of 13% relative to ASHRAE/ IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 is predicted to result from a proposed addendum regarding air and water cooled chillers. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings...

Sanuvox Technologies.(Industry News)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Sanuvox Technologies announced that its Ultraviolet Air Purification System has the ability to destroy the Staphyloccus aureus bacteria (MRSA), and that further testing by the EPA and the National Homeland Security Research Center showed that...

Schneider Electric.(Industry News)
December 1, 2007... Schneider Electric's North American Operating Division celebrated the opening of its Automation and Control Innovation Center in Raleigh, NC, with a grand opening that drew approximately 100 customers, editors, employees, and special guests in...

ECR International.(Industry News)
December 1, 2007... ECR International's new demonstration vehicle is on its maiden voyage through the United States and Canada to showcase the company's HVAC products.

The WILO AG group.(Industry News)
December 1, 2007... The WILO AG group, which has representative offices in more than 50 countries and employs almost 6,000 people worldwide, is celebrating its 35th year in business and pumps and pump system manufacturing for heating, air conditioning and cooling...

The Chiller Systems Group.(Industry News)
December 1, 2007... The Chiller Systems Group, a network of independent contractors throughout the U.S. dedicated to knowledge sharing and training to provide building owners the highest level of chiller service, held its fall meeting this past fall in Boston.

Danfoss Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning.(Industry News)
December 1, 2007... Danfoss Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning, North America, announced a general price increase (which will offset price hikes on raw materials which have been occurring since early 2004) on all products of up to 6%, effective January 1, 2008.

Pritchett Controls.(Industry News)
December 1, 2007... Pritchett Controls, which designs, installs, and services BAS including temperature, lighting and access control, CCTV, IAQ monitoring, and energy information systems, has formed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and joined the growing...

New sessions and exhibitors premiering at 2008 AHR Expo[R].(Issues & Events)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The AHR Expo[R] in its 60th showing will return to New York City for the first time in 17 years. The world's largest exclusively HVACR event will convene at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from Tuesday, January 22 through Thursday,...

Sebesta Blomberg.(Engineering Beat)
December 1, 2007... Sebesta Blomberg, which has helped colleges and universities achieve and maintain sustainable campuses for more than a decade, now has a customized a sustainable integrated approach to create and maintain sustainable facilities.

Rolf Jensen & Associates.(Engineering Beat)
December 1, 2007... Rolf Jensen & Associates has opened an office in Seattle in order to better serve clients throughout Washington, Oregon, and the Pacific Rim.

Vanderweil Engineers.(Engineering Beat)
December 1, 2007... Vanderweil Engineers announced that Michael Karst, a senior project management executive with nearly 35 years of experience in engineering and construction, has joined the firm as chief of construction and commissioning.

Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc.(Engineering Beat)
December 1, 2007... Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc. has announced the formation of a 50-person Engineering Group, which will provide comprehensive MEP, structural and technology design services for new building and renovation projects.

GBI releases improved interactive platform for commercial green rating system.(Issues & Events)
December 1, 2007... As part of its commitment to provide a better way to build, the Green Building Initiative (GBI) has released a new and improved interactive platform for its Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system. The updates reflect...

USGBC introduces LEED[R] for Existing Buildings v.2008.(Issues & Events)
December 1, 2007... The USGBC has introduced the next version of the LEED[R] Green Building Rating System for Existing Buildings. Titled LEED for Existing Buildings v.2008, this version includes fewer program prerequisites, greater emphasis on facility O&M,...

Metal Industries.(Places And Faces)
December 1, 2007... Metal Industries announced that Jim Meats joined the company as vice president of engineering.

PB Heat, LLC.(Places And Faces)
December 1, 2007... PB Heat, LLC, manufacturer of residential and commercial, gas and oil-fired boilers, created a new department at its headquarters in Bally, PA and announced that David Scearce was named director of the newly created department, and Gerry Hogan...

CAREL USA.(Places And Faces)
December 1, 2007... CAREL USA has appointed Shane Mummery to the position of national sales manager of the North American Humidification business unit.

Ashcroft Inc.(Places And Faces)
December 1, 2007... Ashcroft Inc. announced that John T. McKenna, CEO, was appointed operating officer of the company's parent company, Nagano Keiki Co., Ltd.

Boilers.(Products In Focus)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's Benchmark boilers support dual-fuel applications (natural gas and propane), increasing system design options for facility owners and managers seeking long-term fuel savings. The condensing boilers...

Multi-gas detector.(Products In Focus)
December 1, 2007... The G450 multi-gas detector is designed to offer optimum confined space performance and a compact one to four sensor design. Other features include a three-year warranty, interchangeable battery packs for up to 25 hrs continuous operation, and...

Filters.(Products In Focus)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The OR Series of automatic self-cleaning filters is designed to remove both organic and inorganic suspended solids in a variety of applications, including HVAC. Features include highly efficient flushing systems,...

Lubricants.(Products In Focus)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's Emkarate polyolester lubricant is suited for any refrigeration system, including those using HFC and HC non-chlorinated refrigerants such as R-134a, R-404A, and R-507. Features include optimum low...

Heat pumps.(Products In Focus)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company has added six-ton units to its Tranquility 27 geothermal and water source heat pumps product line. Sizes range from 2 through 6 tons with efficiencies up to 31.5 EER and 5.1 COP. --ClimateMaster, Inc....

Compressors.(Products In Focus)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Copeland Discus Digital[TM] compressor offers continuous modulation from 10% to 100%, ensuring precise temperature control, according to the manufacturer. The unit is available for a range of discus compressors...

Flowmeters.(Products In Focus)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Boiler-Trak[TM] gas flowmeter is designed to measure natural gas levels in heaters and boilers. The microprocessor-based transmitter integrates the functions of flow-range adjustment, meter validation, and...

Humidity control units.(Literature & Catalogs)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This two-page product guide features the company's HCUc Series humidity control unit. Included is a detailed product description and a list of benefits, product photo, and technical specifications. The HCUc is...

Green Building Products.(Literature & Catalogs)
December 1, 2007... This Green Building Products reference guide highlights the sustainable qualities of the company's products. Included is information on recycled content, use of harmful chemicals, third-party certifications, energy efficiency, carbon footprint,...

Sensors.(Literature & Catalogs)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's catalog, titled Industrial Vibration Sensors, Switches, and Instrumentation, details its full line of high-temperature, high frequency ICP[R] and 4-20 mA accelerometers, switches, indicators/ alarms,...

Health care facility management.(Computers & Software)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SiteFM[TM], a suite of Web-based health care and productivity software, is designed to provide facility managers continuous compliance, low cost of ownership, health care configured applications and health...

Water heater sizing.(Computers & Software)
December 1, 2007... EZ-Spec[TM], a tankless software application, is available for download at www.rheemtankless.com in the "Products" menu. The program allows specifiers and contractors to select a specific application from a drop-down menu and then enter...

Life safety management.(Computers & Software)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Version 4.0 of the company's LS 7000 life safety event management system software features upgrades and improvements for three different utilizations: operations using redundant systems, ease of operator and...

Glossary.
December 1, 2007... A A/C - air conditioning ach - air changes per hour AE - architectural and engineering; or architect and engineer AFD - adjustable-frequency drive AHJ - authority having jurisdiction AHU- air-handling unit ASD - adjustable-speed drive...

Designing, scheduling, and pumps submittal review: looking for problems on paper, Part 2.(Tomorrow's Engineer)
December 1, 2007... I'd like to continue last month's discussion about looking for problems on paper rather than finding them on the job site months later. Last month, I shared with you some tricks of the trade relative to AHU design, specification, and shop...