Engineered Systems articles from March 2004

Engineered Systems archives from March 2004

Revisiting CMMS and visiting Anaheim, automation potential abounds.(editor's note)
March 1, 2004... Based on some polite but slightly mystified reader mail, it's become clear that when it comes to CMMS awareness, there is plenty, of room for growth. I received a few e-mails about last month's "Editor's Note" and "Tomorrow's Engineer" column...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... APRIL 2004 For more events and details, visit ESOnline at www.esmagazine.com. 13-16 BuilConn Forum 2004 and M2M Expo Clasma, Inc. Dallas. For info, visit www.builconn.com. 18-19 Light + Building 2004 Messe Frankfurt GMbH...

Control issues.(letters to the editor)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... This letter refers to Howard McKew's "Tomorrow's Engineer" column that appeared in the January issue ("New Year, New Opportunities," Page 136). I've enjoyed your articles in Engineered Systems over the last few months. I was intrigued by...

An idea whose time has come.(letters to the editor)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... This article refers to "The Bar Code: Long Overdue in the Building Industry," by Jason Peterson and Jaime Paredes (January 2004, page 114). Your article in the January 2004 issue of Engineered Systems was fantastic! Well done, clearly...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2004... In the January 2004 issue, Dan Gemeny, P.E. was misidentified. Engineered Systems regrets the error.

Helpful hints.(Back to Basics[TM])
March 1, 2004... * This test is continued from the January and February 2004 issues. * Integral to the long term success of a building system is the initial commissioning process followed by proactive building management. The cornerstone to this aggressive...

Middle school studies options; new boiler units join honor roll.(case in point)
March 1, 2004... For many public schools, the decision whether to replace outdated, inefficient, and sometimes failing equipment is not an easy one. However, in the case of Geyer Middle School, in Fort Wayne, IN, the school decided to begin the 21st century and...

High-efficiency boilers fit the curriculum in Michigan.(case in points)
March 1, 2004... School districts across the country are facing the battle of providing the best education possible with limited funds and shrinking budgets. During lean times, it becomes hard to justify spending money on facility renovations, but many schools...

Two 'oldies but goodies' receive extensive HVAC renovations.(Case In Point)
March 1, 2004... The Fort Smith School System is the fourth largest in Arkansas, with an enrollment of about 12,500. Many of the older schools have boiler heating systems and window air conditioners, and district officials wanted to upgrade to contemporary...

East Maine School District 63 gets a lesson in energy savings.(Case In Point)
March 1, 2004... East Maine School District 63 students got a cool reception upon their return to school in the fall of 2002. After years of having no air conditioning systems in live of their seven schools, students and teachers alike were excited to be in...

When timesavers confuse: tight budgets and interoperability present K-12 schools with new vocabulary issues.(commissioning)
March 1, 2004... With only one state in the nation reporting a school budget surplus, 34 states reporting budget shortfalls, and the rest struggling to balance budgets by dipping into rainy day funds or reducing the number of school days, commissioning services...

Between BuilConns: the industry has seen cooperation, objectivity, and oBIX evolve.(building automation)
March 1, 2004... Last May, I wrote a review of the Building Connection Forum BuilConn 2003; an extract follows. "I am just back from BuilConn 2003 (http://www.builconn.com) and am extremely pleased to have been involved as a contributor to the content...

HVAC underfloor application commissioning and project closeout checklist.(hvacr designer tips)
March 1, 2004... Equipment type: Draw-through HVAC unit Equipment designation: AHU-1 Bar code designation: 1111111 Area served: Second-floor office space Equipment location: Penthouse NOTE: Refer to the January 2004 and February 2004...

January '04: a heating budget buster for the Northeast.(Weather report: January 2004)
March 1, 2004... If you are located in the Northeast, you had the pleasure of experiencing one of the coldest January's ever. In Boston, for example, there were 114 heating design boars, the low of -7 was 11 degrees below normal, and healing degree days were up...

Class beyond code.
March 1, 2004... Q: When does a score of 31.4% translate to an A+ grade? A: When "annual energy cost savings" is the name of the test. In order for the new Williamstown Elementary School to qualify for a "green school" grant, the consulting firm had to...

BuilConn preview April 13-16, 2004 Dallas, TX.(The Integration Event for 2004)
March 1, 2004... Get in on the Ground Floor Before the ground floor, there was no BuilConn, and Engineered Systems didn't even have a building automation columnist. Still, the stars were aligning. A variety of building technologies were marching toward...

solving the K-12 conundrum.
March 1, 2004... School projects can be like popular televised poker shows: the stakes are high, and if you commit a big mistake in judgment, you can get taken for all you've got in a very public way. Don't walk away from the table quite yet, though: in this...

UVC: Florida Hospital puts HVAC maintenance under a new light.
March 1, 2004... HVAC system during coil cleaning can compromise humidity and temperature control, potentially leading to air quality or comfort problems. Florida Hospital has found that high-output ultraviolet-C lights installed in the AHUs reduce or eliminate...

Maximum benefits with minimal controls.
March 1, 2004... A growing trend involves the use of consulting firms for hydronics design in a new setting: high-end residential systems. Whether in this caliber of home or in a more typical application, coordinated design details can provide several benefits...

ASHRAE revises fundamentals courses.(issues and events)
March 1, 2004... ASHRAE is revising its self-directed learning courses to incorporate the latest technologies, while the "fundamentals" will remain the same. Revision of the nine course fundamentals series will take place over the next two years. It was created...

ASHRAE publishes sustainable design guide, touts more high-performance guidance to come.(issues and events)
March 1, 2004... The list of new offerings in Anaheim included the ASHRAE GreenGuide. The book is intended to serve as a reference manual for HVACR designers, providing them with guidance on green design from project design through construction, O&M, and even...

The Kele Companies.(Industry News)
March 1, 2004... The Kele Companies have reached an agreement in principle with Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP) that will result in TSCP acquiring the Kele Companies including Kele Distribution, PrreCon National Sales, Wentech, Inc., and Innovative...

Berner International Corp.(Industry News)
March 1, 2004... Berner International Corp. recently received a Manufacturer of the Year award from the Pittsburgh Business Times in the small manufacturing facility category.

Emcor Group, Inc.(Industry News)
March 1, 2004... Emcor Group, Inc. announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Siemens' U.S. Facility Management Services business as part of a strategic alliance between the two companies.

Tridium, Inc.(Industry News)
March 1, 2004... Tridium, Inc. announced plans for the first ever Niagara Summit, a two-day conference devoted to networking people, systems, and machines. The event will be held in Tampa, May 3-4, 2004.

Johns Manville.(Industry News)
March 1, 2004... Johns Manville recently began production of fiberglass pipe insulation at a new plant in Phoenix City, AL.

Brooks Air Systems has been named the exclusive representative for ABB Drives Commercial HVAC drive products.(Industry News)
March 1, 2004... Brooks Air Systems has been named the exclusive representative for ABB Drives Commercial HVAC drive products throughout northern Florida to include Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Gainesville.

Marley Cooling Technologies, a unit of SPX Corporation, announced that Albemarle Corporation is the first company to benefit from Marley.(Industry News)
March 1, 2004... Marley Cooling Technologies, a unit of SPX Corporation, announced that Albemarle Corporation is the first company to benefit from Marley's new cooling productivity and cold water outsourcing programs.

RPA and BNP team up to produce the 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide.(Radiant Panel Association News)
March 1, 2004... Find all the answers to your radiant heating system and flooring material questions in the 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide, an updated publication co-produced by the Radiant Panel Association (RPA) and BNP Media, publisher of Engineered Systems....

RPA schedules two RadFests.(Issues and Events)
March 1, 2004... The Radiant Panel Association (RPA) has set dates and locations for the launch of its first two RadFests (radiant festivals). The two-day regional events are designed to be "affordable and effective gatherings of radiant enthusiasts," according...

B&R Engineering, Inc.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... B&R Engineering, Inc. announced that Kenneth Marks has been appointed president, Thomas Hickey was promoted to vice president, and Donna Hancock is now senior project manager.

RDK Engineers.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... RDK Engineers announced that John B. Lapomardo has joined its staff.

Barr Engineering Company.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... Barr Engineering Company's board of directors recently appointed three new principals: Brian LeMon, Steven Marshik, and Don Richard.

Pate Engineers, Inc.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... Pate Engineers, Inc. announced the addition of Rod Smith as vice president of corporate development.

Architectural Energy Corp.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... Architectural Energy Corp. and Eley Associates have merged and will continue business under the former's name, with offices in Boulder, San Francisco, and Chicago.

Fanning/Howey Associates'.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... Fanning/Howey Associates' Dublin, OH office received a 2003 Project of Distinction Award by the Council of Educational Facility Planners, International for its design of Moreland Hills Elementary School, in Pepper Pike, OH

RDK Engineers.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... RDK Engineers announced that Paul A. Giansiracusa, P.E. has joined its staff.

Cannon Design.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... Cannon Design announced that John Sobiecki, AIA, has joined the firm as an associate principal.

Fitzmeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... Fitzmeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc. announced that Scott LeClair has been named as a partner.

Woolpert LLP.(Engineering Beat)
March 1, 2004... Woolpert LLP recently announced the promotion of Robert C. Holdener, RA, NCARB; and Paul T. Greco, AIA to group managers.

'Buildy' awards program established to honor those who support networked buildings.(Issues And Events)
March 1, 2004... To increase awareness of the benefits of whole building integration and honor successful implementation strategies, BuilConn organizers recently announced the "Buildy" awards program celebrating the North American organizations and individuals...

Purafil, Inc.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... Purafil, Inc. announced that Wolfgang Schmidl has joined the company as technical director.

Society of Fire Protection Engineers.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... R. Bruce Fraser, director of industry relations at SimplexGrinnell, a business unit of Tyco Fire & Security, has been elected to the board of directors of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

ABB.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... ABB recently announced that group executive Dinesh C. Paliwal has assumed the additional role of president, ABB Inc., in the United States.

Unico Inc.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... Unico, Inc. announced that Ted Brown has been appointed as national training specialist.

Teletrol Systems Inc.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... Teletrol Systems Inc. announced the promotion of Ernest Conrad to senior vice president of sales and business development.

Bry-Air Inc.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... Bry-Air, Inc. announced that it will employ four regional sales managers throughout North America. Stan Slabinski, eastern region; Bill McClure, southeast region; Ron Will, Midwest region; and John Williams, western region, will fill the...

The CD adapco Group.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... The CD adapco Group announced that Didier Halbronn is now vice president of sales for its European and American offices.

Broan-NuTone LLC.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... Clement Feng has joined Broan-NuTone LLC as vice president, marketing.

Selkirk LLC.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... Selkirk LLC has announced that Ray Overbey has been promoted to vice president--Southwest Operations.

Steril-Aire, Inc.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... Steril-Aire, Inc. announced the appointments of Shahrad M. Banki to manager, quality assurance, and Roger B. Redman to manager of western regional sales.

United CoolAir Corp. has expanded its distributor base in northern Virginia, Washington and Maryland.(Places and Faces)
March 1, 2004... United CoolAir Corp. has expanded its distributor base in northern Virginia, Washington and Maryland, with the addition of Havtech of Laurel, MD as its representative.

The International Code Council Foundation.(Association Agenda)
March 1, 2004... The International Code Council Foundation announced that it, in conjunction with State Farm Insurance and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, has issued a free fire inspection pocket guide.

NFPA.(Association Agenda)
March 1, 2004... NFPA announced that the 2002 edition of its NFPA 70, National Electrical Code[R], has been adopted by New York City with localized amendments, to serve as the New York City electrical code, effectively immediately.

ARI.(Association Agenda)
March 1, 2004... David R. Pannier, president of residential systems for Trane, was elected chairman of the ARI board of directors.

The National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards.(Association Agenda)
March 1, 2004... The National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards has formed the Information Technology Industry Advisory Subcommittee to the Regulatory Affairs Committee, which will help address the fact that in the United States today, less...

National Environmental Balancing Bureau.(Association Agenda)
March 1, 2004... James Bochat, president of Pro Mechanical Services, Inc., has been elected president of the National Environmental Balancing Bureau.

ASTM International.(Association Agenda)
March 1, 2004... ASTM International will hold its Committee Meeting C24 on Building Seals and Sealants June 13-17, 2004 in Kansas City. For more information visit www.astm.org/COMMITT/C24.htm.

The Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA).(Association Agenda)
March 1, 2004... The Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) has elected its 2004 board of directors. The executive board is as follows: Chip Conlan, chairman; Mark Broomer, president; Doug Sweet, executive vice president; Dave Murphy, vice...

Hydronics how-to seminars set for spring tour.(Issues And Events)
March 1, 2004... A new slate of I=B=R schools has been announced for this spring, allowing attendees to learn hydronic heating installation and design. Designed to help users develop fundamental residential hydronic heating knowledge and skills, the two day...

BuilConn adds M2M Expo.(Issues And Events)
March 1, 2004... The BuilConn networked building systems forum has added one more component to its agenda: an expo dedicated to the development and promotion of the machine-to-machine (M2M) market. While companies involved in this emerging market previously had...

A/C system used to deliver noxious spray in attack on hotel in Australia.(Issues And Events)
March 1, 2004... Reports indicate that up to four suspicious people were spotted on the roof of a South Melbourne, Australia, hotel the night of January 16, just before an unknown noxious substance was released into the HVAC system of the Wayside Hotel. The...

NFPA conference engineered toward hot topics.(Fire & Smoke)
March 1, 2004... This year's National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) World Safety Conference & Exposition includes a variety of relevant content for HVACR professionals and especially those with a keener interest in life safety. From May 23-26, Salt Lake...

Fire protection seminars focus on latest laws, technologies, and strategies.(Fire & Smoke)
March 1, 2004... System Sensor is hosting free half-day seminars throughout the United States to educate engineers and facility directors on the latest laws related to fire protection, advancing technologies, and the most effective fire/life safety strategies....

HVAC system design.(computers & software)
March 1, 2004... Hydronic 2.0 includes the hydronic (wet) only side of the company's HVAC Solution. It also includes all the new hydronic side valves and the ability to export schematics in dxf format. It is also designed as an upgrade for Taco HS2[R] users....

Datalogging.(computers & software)
March 1, 2004... The company recently introduced HOBOware, a Mac[R]-based datalogger software package for the company's high-resolution, direct-USB HOBO U12 dataloggers. The program combines fast, easy logger launch and readout functions with data plotting and...

Piping diagrams.(computers & software)
March 1, 2004... PipeSyst program operates using Windows[R] and is based on user interaction with a diagram of the piping system. The diagram is graphically interactive with I/O functions. --Raiza Engineering Software FOR FREE INFORMATION CIRCLE: 702...

Fluent Inc.(Bits & Bytes)
March 1, 2004... Fluent Inc.'s Computational Fluid Software version 6.1 now offers upgraded functionality through dynamic mesh for modeling flow conditions in and around moving objects, allowing users to set up the initial mesh, prescribe the motion, and watch...

Andover Controls Corporation.(Bits & Bytes)
March 1, 2004... Andover Controls Corporation recently announced that its Video Monitor software package has been enhanced to include BACnet functionality and provide a seamless interface between the company's Continuum[R] CyberStation[R] front-end workstation...

McQuay International.(Bits & Bytes)
March 1, 2004... McQuay International's McQuayTools for Engineers is a Web-enabled selection program designed to make it easy to choose from a variety of sizes and product options to design the HVAC system that best fits the user's requirements.

Silverglance Software.(Bits & Bytes)
March 1, 2004... Silverglance Software's Fanfare for Windows Pocket PCs is designed to enable rapid sizing of ducts in a wide range of ductwork materials and styles, allowing display in velocity, pressure-drop, width, and depth order.

Pump-Flo Solutions and BigMachines recently announced a partnership.(Bits & Bytes)
March 1, 2004... Pump-Flo Solutions and BigMachines recently announced a partnership to offer their integrated front-end solution to all pump manufacturers.

The American Institute of Architects.(Bits & Bytes)
March 1, 2004... The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released a redesigned version of its Contract Documents software--a Microsoft[R] Word-based software platform that offers flexibility in contract document drafting, collaboration across the project...

The Federal Energy Management Program.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... The Federal Energy Management Program offers an energy cost calculator for commercial boilers (closed loop, space heating applications only) at www.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/boilers_calc.shtml.

Carrier Corporation.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... Carrier Corporation provides information about its NATE Core Exam Online Prep Course, and other technical training, at www.training.carrier.com.

National Engineers Week 2004.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... National Engineers Week 2004 has launched a new website, located at www.eweek.org, to provide local chapters or student branches with ideas for activities as well as organizational tips for hosting a public event on engineering.

The 7th Annual Energy Efficiency Workshop and Exposition.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... The 7th Annual Energy Efficiency Workshop and Exposition offers program and registration information at www.energy2004.ee.doe.gov.

Honeywell.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... Honeywell has launched a new consumer website located at www.homeindoorair.com focusing on IAQ.

Emerson Network Power.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... Emerson Network Power recently introduced the portal www.emersonnetworkpower-it.com, which explores power system needs and considerations from an IT manager's point of view.

The Indoor Environmental Standards Organization.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... The Indoor Environmental Standards Organization's website, located at www.iestandards.org, provides information about the organization and its events and services.

The National Building Museum.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... The National Building Museum provides information about its exhibits, events, and more at www.nbm.org.

CD adapco Group.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... CD adapco Group's website, located at www.cd-odapco.com, features brochures and additional information about the company's publications and software.

The Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... The Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center's website located at http://cdiac.ornl.gov, is the primary global change data and information analysis center of DOE.

The National Council of Professional HVAC&R Educators and Trainers.(World Wide Web)
March 1, 2004... The National Council of Professional HVAC&R Educators and Trainers (NCPHET) has launched a new website located www.nchpet.org.