Engineered Systems articles from November 2006

Engineered Systems archives from November 2006

Whither the women?(women engineers )(Editorial)
November 1, 2006... Last month, I ran out of space before I could mention one thing that jumped out at me right away about our BAS conference in San Diego: at least eight women were in attendance. If it sounds weird for me to notice and be able to give a specific...

Calendar of events: November 2006.(Brief article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2006... For more events and details, visit ESOnline at www.esmagazine.com. NOVEMBER 11-14 ARI Annual Meeting Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute La Quinta, CA. For info, visit www.ari.org. NOVEMBER 14 "Multiple...

Cleanliness counts.(letters to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... This letter refers to Howard McKew's "Tomorrow's Engineer" column in the September 2006 issue of Engineered Systems, titled "Cleanliness During Construction" (page 98). The nearest thing to a standard about the effect of allowing...

Back to basics.(air handling unit replacement)
November 1, 2006... Helpful Hints * Refer to the October 2006 "HVACR Designer Tips" and "Back to Basics," and this month's "HVACR Designer Tips" for additional information. Design Phase * Give proper consideration to adequate duct insulation and pipe...

Filter upgrades improve IAQ, reduce maintenance costs at Houston office building.
November 1, 2006... MetroNational is a privately held billion-dollar real estate investment, development, and management company. The indoor environment of this Houston-based company's properties plays an important role in the welfare of tenants and in its ability...

NY hospital sees healthy 15% drop in energy costs after retrofit.(CASE IN POINT)(Lewis County General Hospital and Residential Health Care Facility )
November 1, 2006... Lewis County General Hospital and Residential Health Care Facility in Lowville, NY, is a unique county-owned and operated hospital offering 54 acute care and 160 long-term care beds. Unlike many county-run hospitals, Lewis County General is...

Ventilation system helps deliver appetizing menu in model kitchen.(CASE IN POINT)(Lankford-SYSCO show kitchen)(Greenheck Fan Co. system)
November 1, 2006... Lankford-SYSCO in Pocomoke City, MD is one of 180 facilities owned by SYSCO Corporation, a leading, full-service distributor for the North American foodservice market. The showcase of the Pocomoke facility is its Product Evaluation Center. ...

Convenience, technology convene at Boston convention center.(Massachusetts Convention Center Authority)
November 1, 2006... When the time came for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) to build a new convention facility in Boston, the goal was to create not only a dynamic building but also one that announced that Boston was a 21st-century city facing...

Rewards revisited: it's no surprise that the devil is right where you'd expect him.
November 1, 2006... In my October 2006 column, I threw out the idea of creating a commissioning award fee fund, similar to a contingency, in the project budget. Theoretically, it would not increase the total project budget but would shift dollars from the...

Global connectivity: events spread building intelligence across continents as the industry's lingua franca.(Anto Budiardjo, Gary Bark and Rick Huijbregts speak about building automation trends)(Interview)
November 1, 2006... ConnectivityWeek (www.connectivityweek.com), which started in Palm Springs in May of this year, has grown into several international forums/events which are creating global connectivity on several levels. The first ConnectivityWeek in...

The product selection matrix: clearly presented pros and cons? Yes, please.
November 1, 2006... Stop to think a bit about how your product selection process works. If you are a graduate engineer, somewhere deep in your brain you have knowledge of the engineering principles related to heat transfer, thermodynamics, physics, control...

Design review & equipment startup: checklist for AHU replacement / retrofit.(air handling unit)(List)
November 1, 2006... Equipment type: Type of AHU Equipment designation: AHU-1 Bar code designation: 111111 Area served: Base building Equipment location: First floor equipment room REPLACEMENT PHASING CONSIDERATIONS ...

A green building grows in Cambridge.(Genzyme Corp.)(Cover story)
November 1, 2006... A coal degasification plant used to stand in this space. Then it was an abandoned, contaminationed lot. The transformation to a new 12-story biotechnology headquarters with a Platinum LEED[R] rating took a substantial amount of design...

Smoke control in health care facilities--Part 2: finishing the discussion started in our September issue, the author turns his focus to the requirements and tips behind good life safety design for some special locations in health care facilities. From the narrow confines of a stairwell to the wide open spaces created by an atrium, there's always room for error if you're not paying attention.
November 1, 2006... To continue with the smoke control theme, more questions arise, such as: How are exits and atriums kept reasonably smoke-free, and how does all of this tie in with the building system? Also, where does this all end? The answers are not all that...

Breaking tradition: parallel or opposing blades for the best mix of air in VAV systems? What about deploying filtration only when you really need it, thereby avoiding unnecessary pressure drop? Include some ideas about economizer control and another vote for C[O.sub.2] sensors and demand-controlled ventilation, and you've got some worthwhile--if not always traditional--answers for airside controls blowin' in the wind.(variable air volume)
November 1, 2006... Until recently, the HVAC industry relied on control solutions with a demonstrated tradition of success. Now, however, with new technologies at their disposal, engineers are experimenting with control solutions unlike those that worked in the...

Size up the sizing options: sometimes, it's the little things that help the most. While plugging in standard specifications can be common (maybe too common) for boilers and other equipment, some circumstances might call for some closer examination to weigh contenders and obtain accurate load information. Here's a survey of what boiler manufacturers offer online, in the way of software, help you make the most of their particular models.
November 1, 2006... Looking up "boilerplate" in the American Heritage Dictionary yields the following definitions: "1. A steel plate used in making the shells of steam boilers. 2. Journalistic material, such as syndicated features, available in plate or mat form."...

AMCA releases paper on external shading in commercial buildings.(Air Conditioning and Mechianical Contractor's Association)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... AMCA International has released a technical paper titled "External Shading Devices in Commercial Buildings--The Impact on Energy Use, Peak Demand and Glare Control," which explains the benefits of sunshade devices, and the impact of external...

BuilConn goes to Singapore.(issues and events)(BuilConn Asia-Pacific )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... With the increased demand of IT in building automation, the launch of BuilConn Asia-Pacific in Singapore on November 14-16, delivers key education on implementing IT for buildings and facilities. BuilConn will bring up-to-date technologies and...

Schneider Electric.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... Schneider Electric recently expanded expert repair services for over 120,000 products from more than 2,500 manufacturers through its Telemecanique[R] Automation and Control Repair Services.

Emerson Climate Technologies.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... Emerson Climate Technologies is offering industry educators comprehensive HVAC Instructor Kits packed with information and visual aides.

Munters.(Industry News)(Munters Corp. to use R-410A)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Munters will begin manufacturing all of its commercial products with R-410A as of January 2007 in anticipation of the mandated phase out of R-22 in new products beginning in 2010.

Truland Systems Corporation announced the acquisition of Blumenthal-Kahn Electric.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... Truland Systems Corporation announced the acquisition of Blumenthal-Kahn Electric of Owings Mills, MD.

Echelon Corporation.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... Echelon Corporation announced that its control technology has been incorporated in the Chinese national standard for commercial buildings and residential community construction.

CertainTeed Corporation.(Industry News)(CertainTeed Corp.'s deal with Trump International Hotel & Tower (Chicago, Illinois))(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... CertainTeed Corporation announced that two of its products, ToughGard[R]2 Textile Duct Liner and SoftTouch[TM] Premium Duct Wrap will be used in the construction of the new Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago.

Grainger.(Industry News)(W.W. Grainger Inc. opens facility in China)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Grainger announced the opening of its first facility in China, the Master Branch, located in the Shanghai suburb of Minhang, which will initially stock approximately 20,000 products businesses and institutions need to keep their facilities...

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.(Industry News)(Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.'s APOGEE[R] Wireless BAS receives "Digie" Award)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. announced that its APOGEE[R] Wireless BAS received Realcomm's 2006 "Digie" Award, which recognizes individuals and companies making the greatest impact on the commercial real estate industry in the area of...

Spitzer and Boyes, LLC.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... Spitzer and Boyes, LLC announced that it has released The Consumer Guide To Industrial pH And ORP Instrumentation by David B. Mills.

Bell & Gossett.(Industry News)(ITT Bell and Gossett's EASB-Jr.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Bell & Gossett announced that its popular EASB-Jr. Enhanced Air Separator is now available in 1-in. and 1-1/4-in. sizes with NPT and sweat connections, as well as 1-1/2-in. and 2-in. sizes with NPT connections.

American Refrigeration Supply.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... American Refrigeration Supply is offering a R-410A Training and Certification program to help prepare A/C professionals for the challenges of R-410A.

Ruskin.(Ruskin Manufacturing Co. acquires Eastern Sheet Metal)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Ruskin has acquired Eastern Sheet Metal (ESM), a privately held company based in Cincinnati. ESM will be integrated into NRG Industries, an operating company of Ruskin. Ruskin, a Tomkins Company, manufactures air and sound control products and...

Eagle Technology, Inc.(Industry News)
November 1, 2006... Eagle Technology, Inc. announced the acquisition of Equipsoft Corporation, a CMMS vendor based in Knoxville, TN.

Super boiler looks promising for high efficiency, cost savings.(steam boilers with new technology )
November 1, 2006... A series of promising new technologies in steam generation could reduce U.S. industrial steam system operating costs by more than $10 billion annually, saving 185 trillion Btu/yr. At the same time, the technologies would curb environmental...

Gannett Fleming announced that Mark D. Hollopeter, LEED[R] AP.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2006... Gannett Fleming announced that Mark D. Hollopeter, LEED[R] AP, has achieved LEED[R] 2.1 accreditation.

Comprehensive Energy Services, Inc. (CES).(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2006... Comprehensive Energy Services, Inc. (CES) recently completed an HVAC renovation project to depict an authentic "Irish Pub" located in "Downtown Disney," in Orlando.

Vanderweil Engineers.(appoints J. Patrick Carpenter, Paul Konz, Charles Vansant)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Vanderweil Engineers announced the recent addition of J. Patrick Carpenter, P.E., as a principal in the firm's Princeton, NJ, office; Paul Konz, P.E., as an engineering principal, and Charles Vansant, P.E., as an associate in the firm's Boston...

Girard Engineering, PC.(Larry Beam promoted)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Girard Engineering, PC, has promoted Larry Beam, P.E., who has been with the firm for over 23 years and previously served as a principal, to president.

SSOE, Inc.(opens a new office )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... SSOE, Inc. announced the opening of a new office in Phoenix, which offers the firm easier access to clients, to architectural and engineering talent in the western part of the U.S. and the opportunity to build on the company's strengths.

Gideon Toal, along with the team of Legorreta + Legorreta of Mexico City, has been selected by The Fort Worth (TX) Museum of Science and History.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Gideon Toal, along with the team of Legorreta + Legorreta of Mexico City, has been selected by The Fort Worth (TX) Museum of Science and History as the architectural firm for their new cultural district facility.

Harris Consulting Engineers, LLC's Elena Wilkinson, E.I.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2006... Harris Consulting Engineers, LLC's Elena Wilkinson, E.I., mechanical designer, recently joined the ranks of accomplished individuals possessing a LEED[R] Professional Accreditation.

Cannon Design announced that the firm has received the American Institute of Architects/Continuing Education System (AIA/CES).(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2006... Cannon Design announced that the firm has received the American Institute of Architects/Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) 2006 Award for Excellence.

The Durrant Group Inc. announced.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2006... The Durrant Group Inc. announced that Jon Pugh has joined the company as a principal.

Harinder (Harry) Singh recently joined Woolpert, Inc. as a project director.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2006... Harinder (Harry) Singh recently joined Woolpert, Inc. as a project director for the firm's facility design and management group.

Evergreen Engineering.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2006... Evergreen Engineering will host an eight-hour Code Training Seminar on November 7, 2006 in Hillsboro, OR.

Parents voice concerns in survey on school IAQ.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)
November 1, 2006... Increased absenteeism. Decreased concentration levels. Declines in academic performance. According to a national survey, these represent some of the areas of concern voiced by parents of school-aged children that can result from poor IAQ in...

Texas Technology Showcase brings latest ideas to Galveston.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... This year's Texas Technology Showcase for industry is scheduled for December 6-7, 2006, in Galveston. Attending this showcase is a way for industrial engineers, plant managers, energy specialists, and others to come together, network, and learn...

APPA seeks facilities data for annual core data survey.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)
November 1, 2006... APPA, the association serving educational facilities professionals, is currently collecting data from fiscal year 2005-06 for its Facilities Core Data Survey. The Facilities Core Data Survey is an annual collection and reporting of data related...

A family circus.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2006... "I forget. Does holding the door open let the cold air in, or the warm out?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Basics of Energy Management online course offered by AEE.(Association of Energy Engineers)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Association of Energy Engineers (ALE) now offers the "Basics Of Energy Management" online seminar series as part of the 24/7 Online Seminar Program. Energy professionals who would like to improve their problem-solving skills will benefit...

ABB Automation Products, Low Voltage Drives.(Places and Faces)
November 1, 2006... Michael Mikolajczak has been named a product line manager for ABB Automation Products, Low Voltage Drives.

R. Craig Breese has joined Rheem as president.(Places and Faces)
November 1, 2006... R. Craig Breese has joined Rheem as president of its Water Heating Division in Montgomery, AL.

Denso Sales California.(Places and Faces)
November 1, 2006... Denso Sales California has named Kazu Yanagawa vice president of the company's Materials Control Group.

Sensor System Solutions, Inc. announced the appointment of Electronic Systems Tech of New Delhi.(Places and Faces)
November 1, 2006... Sensor System Solutions, Inc. announced the appointment of Electronic Systems Tech of New Delhi as its sales representative for India.

PoolPak International.(Places and Faces)
November 1, 2006... PoolPak International announced the appointment of James Voitel as marketing director to its team of dehumidification specialists.

A.O. Smith Water Products Company.(Places and Faces)
November 1, 2006... A.O. Smith Water Products Company has announced that Paul R. Dana has been named vice president-global product engineering.

Lennox Industries Inc.(Places and Faces)
November 1, 2006... Lennox Industries Inc. announced that Tom Dowling has been promoted to the position of regional director, Southern Commercial Region.

Ember Corporation.(appoints Dennis Natale, Peter Ma, John Corbett)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Ember Corporation announced the addition of three sales executives to manage its growing domestic and overseas sales operations: Dennis Natale, Peter Ma, and John Corbett will serve as the company's directors of sales for the Americas, Asia and...

Larson Davis.(appoints Alain DeLandsheer)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Larson Davis, a PCB Piezotronics division (PCB[R]) announced the addition of Alain DeLandsheer as product and marketing manager, responsible for the implementation of new product strategy, introduction, and development.

The American Chemical Society recognized DuPont scientists.(Places and Faces)(Donald B. Bivens, Mark B. Shiflett, Akimichi Yokozeki)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The American Chemical Society recognized DuPont scientists, Donald B. Bivens, Ph.D., Mark B. Shiflett, Ph.D., and Akimichi "Michi" Yokozeki, Ph.D., for their invention of non-ozone-depleting alternatives.

Truland Systems Corporation has announced that Alan Linder has joined the company as vice president of operations.(Places and Faces)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Truland Systems Corporation has announced that Alan Linder has joined the company as vice president of operations and John T. Jordan, Jr., CCIFP, has joined the firm as chief financial officer.

Baltimore Aircoil Company.(Places and Faces)(Kaye Flamm, William O. (Bill) Rector, Bruce Schehlein, Kenneth Dow and William E. Dietrich appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Baltimore Aircoil Company announced the appointments of Kaye Flamm to the position of director of manufacturing systems; William O. (Bill) Rector to VP of engineering; Bruce Schehlein to director of materials, North America; Kenneth Dow to...

Flowserve Corp.'s Bruno Schiavello, director of fluid dynamics in the company's technology department, has won the 2006 Fluid Machinery Design Award.(Places and Faces)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Flowserve Corp.'s Bruno Schiavello, director of fluid dynamics in the company's technology department, has won the 2006 Fluid Machinery Design Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

National HVAC Educators and Trainers Conference set for March in Las Vegas.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)
November 1, 2006... HVAC Excellence announced that it will host the First Annual National HVAC Educators and Trainers Conference. This conference brings together the people from schools, manufacturing, distribution, and education administration who are involved in...

GSA says LEED[R] is most credible among green rating systems.(ISSUES AND EVENTS)(General Services Administration)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The General Services Administration (GSA), which operates as the federal government's landlord, issued a report finding the USGBC's LEED[R] system to be the most credible among five different systems evaluated. The GSA report was conducted...

The state of Delaware announced that it has adopted NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code[TM] (UFC).(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The state of Delaware announced that it has adopted NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code[TM] (UFC), for the first time statewide, in addition to the latest editions of several other codes and standards including, NFPA 70, National Electrical Code[R], and...

The Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWlA) has become the first labor organization in America to formally endorse the 25% x '25 Renewable Energy Initiative.(Association Agenda)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) has become the first labor organization in America to formally endorse the 25% x '25 Renewable Energy Initiative, a program of the Energy Future Coalition.

The Tennessee Valley Authority has added HVAC Excellence Certification.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2006... The Tennessee Valley Authority has added HVAC Excellence Certification to its Quality Contractor Network Membership requirements.

MCAA.(Colin L. Powell at Mechanical Contractors Association of America's annual convention)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... MCAA announced that General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) will kick off the association's annual convention, '07, Meeting the Challenge of Change (February 25 to March 1, 2007 in Orlando).

Thomson Delmar Learning announced a new publishing collaboration.(Air Conditioning Contractors of America collaboration )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Thomson Delmar Learning announced a new publishing collaboration with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association Educational Foundation (PHCC), and RSES in an effort to develop...

AMCA International's laboratory has been accredited by the California Energy Commission.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2006... AMCA International's laboratory has been accredited by the California Energy Commission as an approved testing facility for the California Appliance Efficiency Program.

ASHRAE.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2006... ASHRAE-funded research conducted in Denmark indicated that lowering the temperature and increasing ventilation in classrooms increases student performance by 10% to 20%.

ARI and the Associacion de Normalizacion y Certificacion A.C.(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute contracts)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... ARI and the Associacion de Normalizacion y Certificacion A.C. (ANCE), the electrical standards developing organization in Mexico, signed a memorandum of understanding designed to strengthen the partnership between the two organizations.

The Association of Energy Engineers.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Association of Energy Engineers is offering Boiler & Steam System Cost Control, including 60 ways to save boiler fuel, and instructed by Harry Taplin, P.E., C.E.M., a highly regarded boiler efficiency expert.

ELife safety event management.(computers & software)
November 1, 2006... Version 3.0 of the company's LS 7000 life safety event management system includes two interim upgrades with features that have been developed at the recommendation of its customers. The new version includes programmable event segregation, LS...

HVAC controls estimating.(computers & software)
November 1, 2006... Controls Estimate 2.0 allows users to create cost estimates and customized proposals to be presented to customers, and includes three modules that comprise the entire software suite. --Carmel Software FOR FREE INFORMATION CIRCLE: 701...

Geothermal system sizing.(computers & software)
November 1, 2006... GeoCalc is a Windows[R]-based program that sizes closed-loop heat exchangers, calculates pump requirements, estimates annual operational costs, and calculates heat losses on existing buildings. It can also compare operating costs on other types...

CyberMatrix Corporation.(releases Project Clock CE, a time tracking software )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... CyberMatrix Corporation has released version 2 of Project Clock CE, a project time tracking application for Windows[R]-based PDAs, which allows consultants and engineers to have reports filtered for a specific client, project, or task.

IES Ltd.(BITS & BYTES)(IES Ltd. updates its thermal templates)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... IES Ltd. has created a series of updated thermal templates within its Building Template Manager for common building types, such as offices, primary schools, and secondary schools.

Design Master.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2006... Design Master's HVAC 5.0 program includes improvements such as load calculations, new AutoCAD commands, and automatic double-line update.

ESS.(BITS & BYTES)(ESS expands its development program)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... ESS announced the expansion of the company's global partner development program to help address growing demands from engineering and consulting firms, and customers alike, for support of their service and growth initiatives.

Mc4.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2006... Mc4 has released its Suite 2006, a drawing and calculation tool available for the HVAC and fire protection systems design industries.

Teletrol Systems.(BITS & BYTES)(Teletrol Systems TLC i-VAV)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Teletrol Systems announced the release of the TLC i-VAV, a new BACnet-compliant controller for VAV boxes, which offers an integrated actuator motor, built-in airflow sensor, and a custom enclosure, and can be used with both the company's...

IMST.(BITS & BYTES)(IMST-ART)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... IMST's demo version 3.00 of IMST-ART offers full access to the calculation of refrigerant properties and theoretical cycle for a reduced, but significant, sample of refrigerants, which may make it of particular interest for simple calculations...

Bradford White.(World Wide Web)(Bradford White's newly designed website)(www.bradfordwhite.com)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Bradford White recently unveiled its newly designed website, www.bradfordwhite.com, which now makes the company's entire water heater product line, complete with specification sheets, parts lists, and installation guides, easily accessible.

The Fluke Corporation.(World Wide Web)(us.fluke.com/usen/apps/Plus/ default.htm)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Fluke Corporation now offers FlukePlus: Test Tool Info online (http://us.fluke.com/usen/apps/Plus/ default.htm), a feature that serves as test tool for users with how-to articles, product usage details, previews of new tools, and more.