Engineered Systems articles from May 2007

Engineered Systems archives from May 2007

Patently good ideas: with a little hot air mixed in, of course.(Editor's Note)(Editorial)
May 1, 2007... * Back in October of 2005, we published a cover story ("Trademark Design," get it?) about a project at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office headquarters in Alexandria, VA. (That may be ancient history for some of you. Or, having been at this for...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2007... JULY 19 Owners' Commissioning & TAB Seminar Engineered Systems and RDK Engineers. Baltimore. For more info, visit www.esmagazine.com. SEPTEMBER 26-27 Fall 2007 Building Automation Conference Engineered Systems and...

Calendar of events.(Brief article)(Calendar)
May 1, 2007... SPRING & SUMMER 2007 For more events and details, visit ESOnline at www.esmagazine.com. MAY 17-19 2007 TABB Conference The Testing, Adjusting & Balancing Bureau. Hartford, CT. For info, visit...

Eliminating humidity.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... I just finished Part 2 of Kevin Dickens' two-part article titled, "Southern Discomfort," (February, page 26) and found it to be extraordinarily well written. He seems to be one of the few engineers in the business who has figured out that the...

Equal opportunity humidity problems.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... I just read Kevin Dickens' "Southern Discomfort" articles in ES (December 2006 and February 2007). I have had my share of problems with humidity issues over time throughout the United States. But I have to say that these issues arise also here...

Wanted: technology contractor.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... We read Paul Ehrlich's job posting for a building systems architect (ES IBT supplement, November 2006, page 4B) with great interest. Frankly, we are surprised you could not find someone more easily. What you call a building systems...

Helpful hints.(Back 2 Basics)
May 1, 2007... Refer to this month's "HVACR Designer Tips" checklist associated with this ground water source heat pump (GWSHP) system application. This month's "Back to Basics" enhances April's test by focusing on how two 25-ton ground water heat pumps...

Boilers raise the curtain on district energy in New York's capital region.(Case In Point)
May 1, 2007... * Since 1926, Proctor's Theatre--an historic, beautifully restored theater located in the heart of downtown Schenectady, NY--has been known for presenting the very best in entertainment for New York's Capital Region. Listed on the National...

Central cooling system displays sense of style and sustainability.(Case In Point)
May 1, 2007... * Located in midtown Atlanta on the site of the old Atlantic Steel Mill, Atlantic Station is a 140-acre environmentally conscious, live-work-play village. Among the many attributes contributing to this development's green status is the...

Humidity control units may allow chillers to take summer break.(Case In Point)
May 1, 2007... * HVAC upgrade projects, such as chiller changeouts, are best done in suitable weather conditions that include appropriate temperatures and dry air. Unfortunately, that's not always possible in southeastern Texas. Such was the challenge...

Storied Kansas City building's walls can finally talk.(Case In Point)
May 1, 2007... * "If these walls could talk..." It's an old expression that's particularly apt for the new Crestwood Condominiums building in Kansas City. This landmark of the city's historic Country Club District has a long, storied, and varied history. ...

Core & shell and tenant fit-out projects: the seed of a fruitful project is in agreeing on the core vision.(Commissioning)
May 1, 2007... * It is exciting to see that the benefits of commissioning are being realized by more and more commercial real estate developers and their tenants. A traditional speculative office building presents special challenges for the commissioning...

Thinking out loud: sometimes it's the only way to get things moving.(Building Automation)
May 1, 2007... * In the April 2007 issue of AutomatedBuildings.com, our entire staff of contributing editors provided their thoughts on the radical changes needed in the building automation industry. They did what AutomatedBuildings.com does best: think out...

Automated Logic Corp.: laboratory breakthrough! Energy savings in Biotechnology Building approaches 30%!(COMPANY PROFILE: BACnet SUPPLEMENT SECTION)
May 1, 2007... Cornell University's Biotechnology Building may be home to advanced scientific research, but its building controls were far behind the times. Built in 1986, the 150,000 sq ft, energy-intensive facility operated with its original pneumatic...

BACnet access control, lighting, network addenda open for review.(BACnet NEWS)
May 1, 2007... ATLANTA -- Six proposed addenda to ASHRAE's BACnet standards were released for public review on March 16, 2007. If approved, they will become part of Standard 135, BACnet[R]--a Data Communication Protocol for Building Automation and Control...

BACnet France Association formed to complement BIG-EU.(BACnet NEWS)
May 1, 2007... The ACR (Association for Comfort and Regulation) that changed a short time ago into "Syndicat des Automatismes du Genie Climatique et de la Regulation pour l'Efficacite Energetique du Batiment," has decided, according to its president,...

Interpretations now available.(BACnet NEWS)
May 1, 2007... "Official interpretations" of the BACnet standard, rendered by the SSPC over the years in response to specific requests, are now available as PDF files by visiting the "Interpretations" link at www.bacnet.org.

Elegant integration: for this Seattle luxury hotel, harnessing real convergence is a critical step for towering over the competition.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Madison Tower in Seattle is a 23-story, luxury building that includes 47 luxury homes atop a premier boutique hotel, Hotel 1000. The building, which opened in June 2006, is situated in the heart of downtown on the...

Reliable controls: local enterprise, global scale.(COMPANY PROFILE: BACnet SUPPLEMENT SECTION)
May 1, 2007... With over 20 years of design excellence, and a five-year warranty, Reliable Controls[R] empowers a global network of Authorized Dealers to achieve exceptional service. The BACnet[R] protocol is a key driver for Reliable Controls Authorized...

Viconics Electronics, Inc.: Viconics Electronics, Inc.: beyond comfort.(COMPANY PROFILE: BACnet SUPPLEMENT SECTION)
May 1, 2007... Viconics Electronics, Inc. was founded in 1981 in Montreal as Quantum Electronics in response to a market demand for cost-effective industrial process and temperature controls equipment. Viconics Electronics, Inc. was among the first to offer...

Intelligent buildings roadmap completed: CABA's survey of the current landscape reveals that obstacles remain but that they won't stop owners from pursuing the benefits of intelligent buildings. will the industry respond to make sure the path toward efficiency doesn't become the road not taken?(Continental Automated Buildings Association)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The industry needs to get together to integrate or at least educate all of the people that are involved. The owner cannot integrate the industry, the architect cannot integrate the industry, the industry must...

Contemporary controls.(COMPANY PROFILE: BACnet SUPPLEMENT SECTION)
May 1, 2007... The BAS Remote provides a convenient method of expanding BAS in the field when using Ethernet for network communication. It complies with BACnet/IP[R] and provides six universal input/output points, and two relay outputs. [ILLUSTRATION...

CABA Forum to be held in June.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)
May 1, 2007... The 2007 CABA Intelligent Buildings Leadership Forum will be held in conjunction with InfoComm 07 in Anaheim, California on June 18, 2007. The forum will focus on the recently completed CABA Intelligent Buildings Roadmap. The CABA...

Honeywell signs deal to acquire Burtek Systems.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)
May 1, 2007... Honeywell has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Burtek Systems Corporation and the Security Systems Division (SSD) from Richardson Electronics, Ltd for $80 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory requirements. Burtek is a...

ZigBee poised for growth in 2008.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)
May 1, 2007... According to ABI Research, ZigBee should start finding significant adoption in commercial building applications in 2008. Commercial buildings represent a huge addressable market of field equipment currently using wired field buses to connect...

Tendril launches next-generation network operating platform to use Zigbee applications.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)
May 1, 2007... Tendril (www.tendrilinc.com), the manufacturer of network management software for building, deploying, and managing ZigBee[R] applications, has released an improved and expanded version of the industry-first Tendril Network Operating...

New products, new awards.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Ember, a provider of Zigbee networks, has started volume shipments of its two ZigBee platforms in 2006: the EM250 ZigBee system on a chip, and the EM260 ZigBee network co-processor. These semiconductor systems offer customers a fast, flexible...

Lumisys: built for integration.(COMPANY PROFILE: BACnet SUPPLEMENT SECTION)
May 1, 2007... Since 1985, Lumisys, formerly known as TRIATEK, has led the way with innovations in lighting control that are built for integration. Lumisys' solutions currently thrive in several thousand facilities around the world, fulfilling building owner...

Equipment startup checklist: for ground water source heat pump systems.(HVACR Designer Tips)
May 1, 2007... Equipment type: Ground source heat pump (GSHP) Equipment designation: GSHP-1, GSHP-2 Barcode designation: 111111 Area served: Condo building Equipment location: Equipment room ELECTRICAL INSPECTION ...

Commercial kitchen ventilation: the design challenge!
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The recipe for effective design? Stir in some air from the front of the house. Integrate the kitchen system with the overall HVAC. Add a little skepticism about what looks easy on the air balance sheet. And finally,...

Savings in style: led by a forward-thinking operations manager, this Toronto shopping center implemented wholesale changes on its retail HVAC to provide a beautiful energy budget makeover. See how the team changed chillers and controls, upgraded pumps and drives, and "chased" rewiring options to conserve $120,000 annually.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The local shopping mall is the place where people usually head when they need a makeover, or if they want to update their wardrobe with the latest fashions. The Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto also looked to...

Clearing the smoke about smoke control: the author, from a firm specializing in third-party and commissioning services, reviews the three most common methods of smoke control before going on to offer some useful tips for the design and construction process. The goal is keeping it simple in design while avoiding late-stage complexities and delays when everyone's attention is turning to occupancy.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] During construction, the life safety system is the key component in allowing a building to open to the public. Without a fully functional, inspected, and approved life safety system, a Certificate of Occupancy cannot...

More heat, less energy.
May 1, 2007... Genuine Cambridge gas-fired space heaters offer the Lowest Total Heating Cost for large commercial/ industrial buildings, including lowest installed cost and lowest operating cost. Patented gas burner and Blow-Thru[TM] heater construction...

Corporate brochure describes equipment and services offered.
May 1, 2007... A new, 16-page color brochure describing the many different types of equipment and services offered by Nationwide Boiler is available at no charge to qualified companies and individuals. In addition to covering rental boilers, this new brochure...

Haloguard[R] photoacoustic infrared refrigerant leak monitor.
May 1, 2007... 2007 Thermal Gas Systems Product Guide for HVACR and Division 15 (28) refrigerant monitoring and safety equipment, features new generation Haloguard[R] photoacoustic refrigerant leak monitors and SCBA personal protection for cost-effective...

Automatic Filters, Inc. Tekleen[R].
May 1, 2007... The Best Engineered Water Filtering Solution Always Cost Less. * Fully automatic self cleaning water filters * No flow interruption. * 2 gallons per backwash. * Single Unit Flow rate to 20,000gpm * 1 inch to 36 inch line...

New Raypak Brochure: MVB[TM] Modulating Vertical Boiler.
May 1, 2007... Raypak's MVB[TM] advances the art in small-footprint, clean-burning boilers and water heaters featuring automatic fuel-air ratio control. Seven models from 500 to 2000 MBtuh operate with 87% non-condensing efficiency. All copper and bronze...

Industrial Water Filter.
May 1, 2007... Conserves Rinse Water * Automatic Self-Cleaning * Line Pressure Powered * Screens down to 10 microns * 1 inch to 20 inch line sizes * Single Unit flow rates to 12,000 gpm [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Orival, Inc....

E+Plus Stack Economizer--save energy.
May 1, 2007... Cleaver-Brooks' new CB Packaged E+Plus Stack Economizer saves energy dollars and reduces emissions. The versatile design allows for multi use applications of steam and hot water boilers from 150-2200 HP. Features include removable tubes and...

TM Series Cooling Tower CTI certified performance.
May 1, 2007... The TM Series Cooling Tower expands Delta's unit capacity up to 2000 cooling tons. This engineered plastic molded tower provides longer life than traditional metal towers without the high budgeted costs typically associated with those designs....

Low range differential pressure sensors utilize compact design for airside applications.
May 1, 2007... Pressure ranges of 0-2", 0-5", 0-10" H20, [+ or -]1", [+ or -]2" [+ or -]5" H20 available, suitable for clean, dry air and dry inert gas pressures. Applications are VAV control systems, filter monitoring, and building pressurization. Operate on...

Electronic FlowHood CFM-88.
May 1, 2007... Air Balance and energy audit are faster and easier with the new CFM-88 electronic FlowHood. The unit offers unequaled accuracy and direct digital readout of density and corrected air flow measurement. No Ak correction factors are ever needed....

ClearFire commercial boiler--fully condensing.
May 1, 2007... The Model CFC is a Single Pass--Down Fired Stainless Steel Full Condensing Boiler. It is CSA Certified and listed from 750,000 BTU/Hr input through 1,800,000 BTU/Hr input. Utilizing a Premix Burner with Metal Fiber Head, provides NOx emissions...

Premier VS Vacuum System "Engineered Performance".
May 1, 2007... Superior Radiant products Premier VS system boasts the flexibility of in-series variable rate burners resulting in unsurpassed comfort and energy efficiency. * Custom engineered to precisely fit building heat requirements * Burner...

Desert Aire introduces new ExpertAire[TM] dehumidifiers brochure.
May 1, 2007... --The Only Dehumidifier Available with R-410A as Standard Refrigerant ExpertAire[TM] is a consolidation of Desert Aire's four commercial-industrial dehumidifiers. The brochure explains that the merging of these products enabled Desert Aire...

High efficiency profile turning vanes & rail.
May 1, 2007... * H-E-P Vanes Provides Maximum Turning Efficiency * Superior airfoil contour reduces relative pressure to the lowest level * Aerodynamic design greatly reduces generated sound power levels * Provides velocity distribution of...

Unilux Boiler Corp.
May 1, 2007... The unique UNILUX 5 pass flexible water tube boiler design is simply the finest in its class. With standard operating efficiencies at 85% and a standard 20 year warranty against thermal shock damage, UNILUX provides a built in savings/insurance...

AireShare[TM] increases room comfort.
May 1, 2007... Tjernlund's AireShare[TM] moves air to rooms that are too hot or cold. Quiet, low-profile design efficiently moves air through the wall cavity from room to room. Unique design allows Intake or Diffuser to be mounted high or low for greater...

Laminar & radial flow Hepa filter diffusers.
May 1, 2007... Designed for Class 10 to Class 100 HVAC Clean Room Systems, our new Laminar Flow Hepa Filter Diffuser (LF-HFD) provides clean air performance with a continuous uni-directional flow of large volumes of highly filtered air that washes...

Revolution[TM] hybrid rooftop.
May 1, 2007... Once again, SEMCO breaks the rules and sets a new standard for advanced ventilation technology. This time we've leapfrogged conventional technology to create the first truly integrated active desiccant hybrid rooftop system. Revolutionary by...

Brochures describe high-efficiency AERCO Modulex & Benchmark Boilers.
May 1, 2007... The 12-page Benchmark brochure details how these 2 and 3 million BTU/hr. boilers deliver energy savings and reduce installation costs for a wider variety of applications. The 8-page Modulex overview describes how the design of this boiler line...

Mestex, Ltd., a Mestek company, located in Dallas, TX announces a new type of integral face and bypass coil.
May 1, 2007... LJ Wing invented the integral face and bypass coil and has been the market leader for several decades. The new Wing MV coil allows the controls to completely shut down half of the coil rows, allowing the integral dampers to readjust to a more...

Revolutionary data center A/C with EC fan.
May 1, 2007... Stulz-ATS's Electronically Commutated (EC) fan technology offers a breeze of fresh air with the new generation of high performance compact CyberAir precision air conditioning units. This new technology increases the efficiency of each CyberAir...

Advanced desiccant dehumidification systems.
May 1, 2007... Stulz-ATS's redesigned DEZ-300-40-E desiccant dehumidification system available from 150 to 600 scfm now offers 100% front accessibility. Features and options available include a desiccant rotor, manometer pressure taps, pressure indicating...

Ultrasonic humidifiers.
May 1, 2007... The STULZ Ultrasonic humidifiers offer clean, virtually contaminant free humidification and use 93% less electrical energy than electrode boilers or infrared humidifiers; a cooling effect that helps reduce compressor run time is achieved...

Rheem-Ruud eclipse electric commercial water heaters.
May 1, 2007... Discover the commercial heavy-duty electric Line that features: * Longer life--carries an unpredecenter 10-year limited tank warranty * Lighter weight--less than half of conventional products * More durable and more efficient than...

Modulating building exhaust System[TM].
May 1, 2007... The MBES is a state-of-the-art solution for exhausting kitchen hoods and bathrooms in multi-story buildings. It's a result of expertise acquired over half a century, and participation in scientific and code development of new ventilation...

Mechanical dryer venting System[TM].
May 1, 2007... The MDVS is developed in cooperation with clothes dryer manufacturers. It's used to exhaust clothes dryers in multi-story buildings, and laundry facilities in hotels, resorts, sports and health care facilities. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

2-stage gas infra-red heaters.
May 1, 2007... Solaronics' energy-efficient "True Dual" 2-stage heaters bring unprecedented fuel-cost savings of up to 75% for commercial and industrial buildings. Both air and gas flows of the patented system provide precise air-to-gas ratios at both high-...

Selective catalytic reduction system for package boilers.
May 1, 2007... Nationwide Boiler offers a new six-page brochure describing the design configurations, principle of operation and performance of their selective catalytic reduction system, CataStak[TM]. Suitable for use with package boilers to 250K lb/hr.,...

Intelligent exhaust / ventilation systems.
May 1, 2007... Tjernlund's patented CPC-3 technology allows for precise control of exhaust, make-up and combustion air applications. Reduce vent diameters up to 50%, overcome convoluted vent layouts and dramatically shorten stack height above roof line....

Insulation saddle system.
May 1, 2007... Anvil's 260 Insulation Saddle System is a revolutionary product for installing insulation. Used for copper and steel pipe systems, it eliminates the wood block and shield, and costly hanger adjustments. For chilled and hot water systems...

Clampless strut-mount.
May 1, 2007... HVAC/R lines are vastly improved with Klo-Shure's new clampless, self-locking insulation coupling. The new, all plastic, one-piece design eliminates metal clamp brackets while supporting and securing pipe/tube runs. The patented, self-locking...

Clevis hanger.
May 1, 2007... Klo-Shure, Inc. has introduced a new method of securing copper tube insulation in HVAC/R and plumbing systems. The system provides a superior vapor barrier, reduces installation time, and dramatically improves the finished appearance. The...

Strut-mount.
May 1, 2007... Klo-Shure, Inc. has introduced a new method of securing copper tubing insulation in HVAC/ R, cold water plumbing, and chilled water systems. The patented design directly supports the tubing, provides a superior vapor barrier, reduces...

Cemline SEH series instantaneous water heaters.
May 1, 2007... The SEH steam-to-water and water-to-water heaters are completely packaged and ready for use. The SEH heaters are supplied with controls including the Cem-Trol[TM] controller with BAS interface. All components are sized, mounted and piped prior...

New TSI VelociCalc[R] with Plug-in Probes.
May 1, 2007... www.tsi.com The new TSI VelociCalc Model 9555 is a multi-function anemometer. It accurately measures air velocity, air flow, temperature, humidity, and pressure simultaneously, displaying the five parameters on the large graphic display....

CHEMTROL[R] CT100 CONTROLLER.
May 1, 2007... SANTA BARBARA CONTROL SYSTEMS introduces the CHEMTROL[R] CT100 controller for Cooling Towers and Boilers. Features include conductivity, with an option for pH, temperature, Watermeter inputs, three additive-feed programs, Langelier Saturation...

New Metal-Fab Vent Website.(Website overview)
May 1, 2007... New Metal-Fab commercial website offers detailed spec data on the broadest selection of cost-saving factory-built chimney, vents, and grease ducts in the industry. Sizing tools, codes & standards, products, warranties, application information...

Parker 204WW direct fired hot water wall boiler.
May 1, 2007... Parker Boiler, Los Angeles, offers its 204WW Direct Fired Hot Walter Wall Boiler. Soon to be available in sizes from 500,000 up to 2,000,000 BTU Input with bent tube all welded design. The WW raises the efficiencies up to 85% on some models....

Reduce wasted energy up to 85% with DRI-STEEM[R] insulated steam dispersion tubes.
May 1, 2007... DRI-STEEM's new insulated tube option for new or retrofit Ultra-sorb[R] and Rapidsorb [R] humidification dispersion systems reduces wasted energy up to 85% and significantly reduces airstream heat gain, dispersion-generated condensate...

3E Plus[R] insulation thickness computer program.
May 1, 2007... Download NEW Version for FREE at www.PipeInsulation.org Quantifies energy, environmental and cost savings from increasing pipe, duct and vessel insulation levels in commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Improved user interface,...

Ruskin's air measuring solutions.
May 1, 2007... Ruskin's complete line of air measuring and IAQ products are designed with the latest code requirements in mind. Among Ruskin's new products is a patented controller that combines indoor air quality with economizer functionality. The...

CTI certified cross flow cooling towers.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Protec FWS Series' single, double and multi-cell configurations are designed for commercial, institutional and industrial loads. All major components of the FWS Series: have been developed to ensure maximum...

Tjernlund Draft, Combustion Air & Ventilation Resource CD.
May 1, 2007... Tjernlund's new resource CD contains 1000's of pages of useful information including; brochures, spec sheets, performance curves, installation/ service instructions, wiring diagrams, parts breakdown/cross reference, product photos and more....

All plastic corrosion resistant fume exhaust products.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 28-page product data brochure covers PLASTINETICS[R] INC.'s line of corrosion resistant Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) and Polypropylene (PPRO) exhaust systems and duct fittings....

DRI-STEEM[R] XT Series electrode humidifiers.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now with larger capacities, more voltages, and steam blowers DRI-STEEM's expanded XT Series electrode steam humidifier line increases unit maximum capacity to 200 lbs/hr; increases staged (multiple-unit) maximum...

Reclaim flash steam--brochure C-1.
May 1, 2007... Penn Separators newly revised brochure C-1 describes our Flash Separators that can be used in place of larger flash tanks. This new brochure gives examples of uses, savings calculations, suggested specifications, flash steam percentages, and...

FREE! New catalog for building automation & HVAC systems.
May 1, 2007... Dwyer Instruments, Inc., has just released a new catalog for the Building Automation & HVAC markets--The Building Automation Catalog. Products are grouped together by application: water-cooling systems, boilers, air quality & control, test...

HVAC insulation.
May 1, 2007... CertainTeed duct wrap, duct board, duct liner and metal building/OEM products are unsurpassed for quality and performance. Our ongoing product development and customer service initiatives make CertainTeed the industry's most customer-focused...

Mestex, Ltd., a Mestek company, located in Dallas, TX announces a new unit for delivering 100 percent outside air.
May 1, 2007... The new IFL product line is designed to provide the ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation air requirements for most types of buildings. In addition the IFL has a number of unique design features that might allow a designer to earn as many as four LEED NC-2.2...

Everything you need to know about "Solution-based" Air conditioning products on one FREE CD.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Complete collection includes: * Product submittals * Detailed product profiles * Application ideas * Installation/operation manuals * Product literature and specs

Maintenance-free exterior duct insulation.
May 1, 2007... For exceptional durability on exterior ducts, ArmaTuff[R] PLUS resists UV and chemicals with a rugged 13-ply laminate adhered to Armaflex insulation. No painting required. ArmaTuff PLUS has zero permeability, exceeds most building insulation...

Condensate return, boiler feed, vacuum return systems.
May 1, 2007... Bulletin HP-1 covers custom-built condensate return, as well as complete boiler feed systems. Several 2' NPSHR pumps available as standard selections. Three series of vacuum return or boiler feed can accommodate special space requirements. Our...