Engineered Systems articles from February 2007

Engineered Systems archives from February 2007

Successful automation isn't automatic.(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... Due to the constraints of that pesky time-space continuum, there is no way to get news from the AHR/ASHRAE festivities into this month's print issue. We regret this unavoidable little collision between the event schedule and our printing...

Calendar of events.
February 1, 2007... FEBRUARY 2007 For more events and details, visit ESOnline at www.esmagazine.com. 4-8 CTI Annual Conference Cooling Tower Institute Corpus Christi, TX. For info, visit www.cti.org. 19-23 Industrial Refrigeration Workshop Kansas State...

Maximizing mixing.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... This letter is in response to the article "Breaking Tradition" by Roger Howard, which appeared in the November 2006 issue of Engineered Systems (page 52). In the section titled, "Opposed Blades for Better Mixing and Efficiency," the author...

The art of commissioning.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... I read Rebecca Ellis' "Commissioning" column in the November issue of Engineered Systems ("Rewards Revisited," page 24) with interest. However, I believe incentives, no matter how well intentioned, do not seem practical, are able to be...

The latent side of HVAC.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... This letter refers to Kevin Dickens' titled, "Southern Comfort--Part 1" in the December 2006 issue of Engineered Systems (page 48). Kudos for a very well written, much-needed article. For years, I have felt like John the Baptist (a voice crying...

Helpful hints.(Back to Basics[TM])(using heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment )
February 1, 2007... Refer to this month and last month's "Back to Basics" and "HVACR Designer Tips" for additional information. Design Phase * Give consideration to completing a hydraulic model analysis of the hot water distribution under all operating...

Building management platform provides Texas hospital with a bird's eye view.(case in point)
February 1, 2007... As one of the nation's leading pediatric orthopedic centers, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children provides ongoing care for thousands of Texas children each year. Naturally, the safety, security, and comfort of its patients and caregivers...

Breathing easy in the 'Big Easy' now easier for restaurant/bar patrons.(CASE IN POINT)(cigarette smoke control in New Orleans restaurants)
February 1, 2007... Cigarette smoke control has been a major economic issue for restaurants and bars in the last five years. However it's no longer an issue for the Southside Cafe. Thanks to a mechanical contractor's D-B air distribution design at this popular...

Retrocommissioning: new buildings: you may get back some, but not all, of the savings written off in construction.(commissioning)
February 1, 2007... I just completed reports for two retrocommissioning studies for different building owners. An interesting--and potentially puzzling--similarity between them was that they were both for relatively new buildings. One building had been completed...

Books for the industry: here are three recommendations for turning the page to today's strategies.(Information Technology For Energy Managers)(Web Based Energy Information and Control Systems)(Web Based Enterprise Energy and Building Automation Systems)(Book review)
February 1, 2007... I am often asked if current industry textbooks cover convergence, connectivity, and the new business paradigm this is creating. Although there are not a lot of books on these topics, I am pleased to point out that the folks writing for...

Design review & equipment startup: checklist for boiler replacement/retrofit.(hvacr designer tips)
February 1, 2007... Equipment type: Boiler Equipment designation: B-1 Bar code designation: 111111 Area served: Base building Equipment location: Mechanical room ELECTRICAL INSPECTION YES NO *...

Southern discomfort (Part II).
February 1, 2007... What are some region-specific strategies for minimizing mold and other regional IAQ problems? Consider DOAS, special VAV factors, and the ongoing case of plenum vs. ducted returns. Also, pay attention to pressurization and function in the...

The interoperability challenge: technology or industry practices? Part 1: technology.
February 1, 2007... Specify building automation interoperability and it will happen? Unfortunately, current evidence indicates that this is not a given. Some believe that BACnet[R] and/or LonWorks[R] were not properly designed to make interoperability easy. Others...

Supplier listings.(Directory)
February 1, 2007... 3M, Macurco 6555 S. Kenton St., Ste. 304 Centenial, CO 80111 (303) 781-4062 Fax: (303) 761-6640 www.macurco.com Manufacturer of quality gas detecting equipment for residential, commercial, and light industrial...

Product listings.(List)
February 1, 2007... PRODUCT LISTINGS Actuators * Danfoss, Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning, North America (410) 931-8250 * Dwyer Instruments, Inc (800) 872-9141 Hurst Boiler...

Resource listings.(Directory)
February 1, 2007... Air Movement and Control Association International Inc. (AMCA) 30 W. University Dr. Arlington Hts., IL 60004 (847) 394-0150 Fax: (847) 253-0088 amca@amca.org www.amca.org Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute...

Intelligent buildings today.
February 1, 2007... The concept of an intelligent, smart, or "next generation" buildings was first proposed back in the 1980s, and discussions and promotion have continued ever since. In many ways, this concept has followed the classic "hype cycle," described...

High sales, low utilization: got a sophisticated cell phone but just use it to make calls? Welcome to the underused state of many intelligent building controls. Read about the CABA study examining what owners are doing, and what they should be doing.
February 1, 2007... High technology appeals to the collective imagination and dreams of facility owners, architects, and others in the construction and facility management industry. Implementing these systems, however, requires a sophisticated understanding of...

Flager's new wave of technology: we usually consider being close to the ocean a good thing, but such a location is no day at the beach for mechanical equipment. Ready for some retrofits and looking for new design options, this Florida college embraced a frictionless chiller and upgraded its piping and cooling towers. The result? A sea change in noise and performance.(Flagler College)
February 1, 2007... Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL is located on 19 acres and is one of the most historic campuses in the nation. The college offers state-of-the-art facilities, including computer labs and wired residence halls, as well as historic buildings...

Keeping your 'cool' in prison: think of all the considerations that go into a good design, and then add a separate and unusually vital layer of security concerns, and that begins to approximate the situation for correctional facility HVAC. This article evaluates many common options, giving particular attention to equipment placement and which ventilation strategies adapt well to life behind bars.
February 1, 2007... Can you remember that miserable night you spent in a hotel when the heat or A/C wasn't working right--too hot or too cold, or just not working at all? Or the circulation fan that made so much noise you couldn't sleep the night before a big...

DOE's FEMP hosts inaugural meeting on historic preservation and energy efficiency in federal buildings.(issues and events)(Federal Energy Management Program)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) hosted its inaugural meeting on historic preservation and energy efficiency in federal buildings in December. The two-day meeting brought together distinguished architects, engineers, and...

DOE and Clasma Events to host GridWeek 2007 in April.(issues and events)
February 1, 2007... The electric grid with all its components is among the most complex engineered system known to humankind. It is a system composed of many subsystems managed by independent parties bound only by a general set of rules and practices. The...

EnviroTower.(Industry News)
February 1, 2007... EnviroTower has secured $8.5 million in its latest round of financing to further accelerate North American market expansion of its patented technology.

Belimo Americas.(Industry News)
February 1, 2007... Belimo Americas will collaborate with Trane to produce a private brand of actuators and valves.

Victaulic.(Industry News)
February 1, 2007... Victaulic has opened a new distribution branch in Mansfield, MA to provide its customers with more flexibility and added convenience throughout the Northeast.

Honeywell.(Industry News)(Merrill Community Schools)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Honeywell has entered into an energy savings and modernization project with Merrill Community Schools in Merrill, MI, in which the company will provide energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades, including a corn-burning boiler that will heat the...

PowerLight Corporation.(Industry News)
February 1, 2007... PowerLight Corporation designed and developed the recently dedicated largest privately owned solar array (1.14 MW) in California, at Sonoma Mountain Village.

Thomson Delmar Learning.(Industry News)
February 1, 2007... Thomson Delmar Learning has published Information Technology for Construction Managers, Architects and Engineers (1-4180-3958-6).

Automated Logic Corp.(Industry News)(Automated Control Technologies, Inc. )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Automated Logic Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., has acquired the business of Automated Control Technologies, Inc. (ACT), an ALC dealer serving the Greater Chicago marketplace.

Emerson Climate Technologies.(survey of HVAC contractors)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Emerson Climate Technologies announced that its most recent survey (conducted in 2005 and 2006, and which asked HVAC contractors and distributors across the industry questions to gauge their awareness, planning, actions, and concerns regarding...

Johnson Controls.(Industry News)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Johnson Controls was awarded a $55 million contract to serve as the technology contractor for the construction of its $575 million, multi-building Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Inc.

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.(Industry News)
February 1, 2007... Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. announced the introduction of a wireless automation level Network (WALN), offering what the company called "unprecedented system design and implementation flexibility."

The Construction Specifications Institute.(Association Agenda)(starts construction education network )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Construction Specifications Institute has initiated the development of the Construction Education Network (CEN), a provider program that encompasses the complete building industry spectrum--specifiers, architects, engineers, designers,...

The Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.(Association Agenda)(Pennsylvania State University )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA) board of directors approved funding for a preliminary study led by Pennsylvania State University to develop a more accurate method of calculating sound ratings from laboratory...

ARI.(Association Agenda)
February 1, 2007... ARI announced that its HVACR & Plumbing Instructor Workshop will be held March 28-30, 2007 at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, VA.

HVAC Excellence.(Association Agenda)(Julius Banks of Environmental Protection Agency to speak at the conference)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... HVAC Excellence's 2007 Educator's and Trainers Conference will feature Julius Banks of the EPA discussing issues such as whether students need to be certified to work with regulated refrigerants in the classroom; whether an HVACR program at a...

ASHRAE.(Association Agenda)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineering)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... ASHRAE made several proposals to the International Code Council, which develops model codes that may be adopted by code jurisdictions in the U. S. or internationally.

RSES.(Association Agenda)
February 1, 2007... RSES will celebrate its 70th Annual Conference, which will be hosted by the RSES San Antonio Chapter, September 11-15, 2007 in San Antonio.

The Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CSCMA).(Association Agenda)
February 1, 2007... The Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CSCMA) will hold its 2007 Trade Show on March 27 in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

The Building Commissioning Association.(Association Agenda)(Balaji Santhanakrishnan, Larry Ross, Kirk Rosenbaum appointed)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Building Commissioning Association announced that incumbent board members Balaji Santhanakrishnan and Larry Ross, will continue their terms and that Kirk Rosenbaum, a Northwest Chapter member with 25 years of experience in building...

The ZigBee[R] Alliance.(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The ZigBee[R] Alliance, a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, announced that Eaton Corporation is now a Promoter level member and the newest member of the...

AGC economist contrasts 'torrid' nonresidential, multifamily gains with single-family slippage.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)(Associated General Contractors of America)
February 1, 2007... "At the risk of sounding like a 'two-handed Pollyanna,' I must point out there was lots of good news hidden in today's seemingly gloomy construction spending report," Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of...

Piping systems.(computers & software)
February 1, 2007... PIPE-FLO Professional 2007 is suited for use by those who design, build, operate, or maintain fluid piping systems, and includes visual features such as the option of creating piping system models as a 2-D or isometric drawing and a new "Shape...

Equipment coordination.(computers & software)
February 1, 2007... MSCHED is an AutoCAD and MicroStation compatible mechanical and electrical design, engineering, tracking, and coordinating equipment program. Users can set and maintain standards and use automatic calculations to reduce errors, as well as allow...

Server-based asset management.(computers & software)
February 1, 2007... The latest version of EAM MP2, an asset management tool includes enhancements designed to ease the transition to Microsoft-based servers and operating systems, including support for the next-generation Microsoft operating system, Windows Vista....

Trane.(TRACE 700 software )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Trane The IRS has approved Trane's TRACE 700 software as a tool that commercial property owners can use to enjoy significant tax deductions by making their buildings more energy efficient and to certify energy savings.

The National Institute of Standard Technology (NIST).(BITS & BYTES)
February 1, 2007... The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently announced that an enhanced version of its CONTAM IAQ modeling software, which predicts airflows and contaminant concentrations in multizone building systems, is now available...

NextComputing.(BITS & BYTES)
February 1, 2007... NextComputing announced the availability of a new thin, lightweight, 17-in. high-definition flat-panel monitor on its NextDimension mobile workstation for high-performance graphics engineering workstations.

Bentley Systems, Inc.(BITS & BYTES)
February 1, 2007... Bentley Systems, Inc.'s PlantSpace Equipment is designed to help engineers create and edit mechanical equipment in a 3-D environment.

QuickPen.(BITS & BYTES)
February 1, 2007... QuickPen has designed the software that runs the Lockformer Company's Vulcan 2900, a plasma-cutting machine for HVAC applications.

ESS.(BITS & BYTES)(new information system)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... ESS, a provider of operational risk management software and services for environmental, health and safety and crisis management, introduced a new information system designed to meet the needs and budget of any organization responsible for...

IES Ltd (UK).(BITS & BYTES)
February 1, 2007... IES Ltd (UK) announced that its new release of 5.6.1 is now approved by the relevant governing bodies for use to test building compliance for England & Wales Regulations Part L1, Part L2 (SBEM), and Part L2 (ApacheSim).

World wide Web.(computers & software)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Distech Controls, Inc., manufacturer of the easyCONTROLS[TM] BAS has launched EC-NetAX, a Webbased BAS platform, powered by the Tridium NiagaraAX Framework[TM]. Optimum Applied Systems, Inc., a conservation technology firm, has developed...

Water heaters.(products in focus)
February 1, 2007... The Alliance SL indirect-fired water heater is available in five sizes, ranging from 27 to 119 gal and features a seamless Hydrastone lined tank, which is designed specifically for a wide range of water quality applications. Other features...

Pressure transducers.(products in focus)
February 1, 2007... The PX309 Series pressure transducer is available in absolute pressure ranges from 5 to 300 psi; gauge pressures from 1 to 10,000 psi; and three output ranges: 0 to 100 mV, 0 to 5 Vdc, and 4 to 20 mA. Features include all stainless steel...

Duct suspension.(products in focus)
February 1, 2007... The 3x1 suspension system includes a single tension cable and framework of lightweight aluminum brackets that support the company's 16- to 48-in. dia duct systems. Combined, the cable and hangars offer support at the 10, 12, and 2-o'clock...

Cleanrooms.(products in focus)
February 1, 2007... The Series 583 modular cleanroom can be constructed for Class 100,000 to Class 10 operating conditions. The units feature a smooth metal wall and metal ceiling designed for wash down applications. The HEPA filters are room-side replaceable for...

Themosorber.(products in focus)
February 1, 2007... The ThermoSorber[TM] is a gas-fired heat pump which supplies air conditioning or refrigeration at the cold end, and which uses all the reject heat (gas heat plus cooling duty) to heat hot water. The high temperature glide achieved with the...

Water treatment.(products in focus)
February 1, 2007... The Dolphin Series 3000 water treatment system is designed to control scale and corrosion. A built-in software program automatically regulates the unit's pulse generating action and can be upgraded. Typical applications include commercial...

Fire vents.(products in focus)
February 1, 2007... The company's automatic fire vents are designed to maximize fire containment and life safety while minimizing damage and material loss. The vents are available in single-leaf models for smaller, more confined areas; and double-leaf models for...

C[O.sub.2] monitors.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The AirSense M307 C[O.sub.2] sensor can be either mounted on a wall or installed on a standard electrical junction box in new construction. Users can calibrate the unit by removing the port cap, plugging in the 2,000 ppm cal gas, and pressing a...

Environmental recording.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The FlashLink Wireless System allows users to perform real-time environmental monitoring and recording. Sensors can be placed at any location to be monitored and up to 100 sensors will transmit to a single host receiver. The host receiver...

VAV boxes.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company's HiFlo VAV box is engineered to be a cost-effective replacement for existing system-powered boxes. No sheet metal retrofit is required. The unit includes a direct digital VAV controller, which can operate independently or as part...

Water heaters.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... ProTankless[TM] water heaters, Models GWH 635 Es and GWH 635 ESO, are designed to provide hot water at 12 gpm when installed together and connected by a Tankless Link, a cascading kit which consists of a cable and a shunt. This application...

Defrost systems.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company's hot gas defrost system is designed to operate in all outdoor ambient temperatures and is available on all of the company's products. The system uses a dedicated electronic controller and features shorter defrost times, faster pull...

Piping systems.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company has expanded its Schedule 80 PVC and CPVC pressure piping systems to include large diameter 10- and 12-in. pipe sizes. The PVC system has a temperature resistance up to 140[degrees]F and is typically found in chilled water systems....

Flowmeters.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The Duosonics ultrasonic flowmeter automatically switches between pulse Doppler and transmit time, depending on the fluid conditions in the pipe. The unit is designed to measure anything in the pipe, including different fluids flowing through...

Evaporators.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The XP evaporator is designed to handle 3 to 80 tons of refrigeration with R-410a. A two-circuit heat exchanger can accommodate two separate compressors and achieve 7[degrees]F approach temperatures. As a true dual-type evaporator, all the...

Pressure gauges.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company's Model 20 pressure gauge is designed for use with gas, oil, water, or any medium that is not corrosive to brass or bronze. The dry-filled gauges are available in three sizes, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 in. Pressure ranges available include 0...

Insulation.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... EnergyBlock foam insulation is suited for installation around standard electrical boxes to eliminate air infiltration in both directions. The block meets International Building Code regulations for flame spread and smoke development. ...

Heaters.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company's Heatstar forced air, high-pressure, diesel-fired heaters are available in 400,000 and 600,000 Btuh models (HS400KT and HS600KT) and feature a fan with a high cfm output, a water-resistant control panel, and top-mounted capability....

Fans.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The CK Series of inline fans is available in 12 models in 4 to 12-in. duct diameters with 12 cfm performance levels. Features include a galvanized steel casing with baked epoxy coating and Swiss-made external rotor motors. --Eclipse Enviro...

Drive fuses.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company's drive fuse is designed for the protection of power electronic controllers such as drives and temperature control equipment. The high-speed fuse is also a UL Class J fuse and meets NEC[R] branch circuit requirements to protect...

Space coolers.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company's Space Cooler is designed for cooling and dehumidification and can fit into a 2- by 4-ft suspended ceiling panel. The unit requires no outside condensers, refrigerant piping, or centralized ductwork and features a side access...

Boiler controls.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The Boiler Consultant allows users to model a baseline for existing facility efficiencies then allows manipulation of on-screen conditions to demonstrate resultant performance, prior to making system modifications and capital equipment...

A/C units.(PRODUCTS IN FOCUS)
February 1, 2007... The company's line of 13 SEER A/C models are available in sizes ranging from 1.5 to 5 tons, making it suitable for slab or rooftop mounting in light commercial applications. The unitary split A/C systems meet all 2006 energy efficiency...

Boilers.(literature & catalogs)
February 1, 2007... The Futera Fusion[TM] gas-fired condensing water heater and boiler is featured in this brochure. Included are photographs and illustrations detailing its design and construction and specification charts depicting dimensions and ratings, hourly...

BAS.(literature & catalogs)
February 1, 2007... This brochure features the company's CITY MULTI[R] building comfort system and emphasizes the advantages of cooling and heating with variable refrigerant zoning technology, as well as the system's effective energy savings. --Mitsubishi...

Steam traps.(literature & catalogs)
February 1, 2007... This Float & Thermostatic Steam Trap brochure describes strategies for efficient condensate drainage of HVAC equipment. The 12-page brochure covers the company's complete line of float and thermostatic steam traps, which are available with cast...

Wireless sensor networks.(literature & catalogs)
February 1, 2007... This brochure describes the company's complete wireless sensor networks, including information on wireless sensors, receiver modules, DDC interface, and system software. Also included is information on the company's three patent-pending...

Dataloggers.(literature & catalogs)
February 1, 2007... This catalog features the company's complete line of indoor monitoring products. Included are product descriptions, specifications, and pricing. Also included are new hardware and software products such as the HOBO Energy Logger Pro for energy...

Flow and vacuum instruments.(literature & catalogs)
February 1, 2007... This product overview features the company's complete line of instruments for the measurement and control of vacuum pressures and gas flows. The brochure details the products' significant design features and specifications and is separated into...

Sensors and transducers.(literature & catalogs)
February 1, 2007... This short-form catalog summarizes the company's electronic and electromechanical pressure, differential pressure and temperature switches, temperature sensors, and pressure transducers. Applications for the products included shutdown and...

Glossary.(Glossary)
February 1, 2007... Here are some common abbreviations and terms found in the pages of Engineered Systems. A A/C--air conditioning ach--air changes per hour AE--architectural and engineering; or architect and engineer ...