Engineered Systems articles from November 2007

Engineered Systems archives from November 2007

'Soapbox' leaves bitter taste.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... This letter refers to Lindsay Audin's "Energy Wiz" column from September 2007. When did this publication change from a trade journal to a political opinion sheet? While Mr. Audin is entitled to his opinions ("... regulatory and leadership...

The engineering age: a survey about webinars raises a different point altogether.(Editor's Note)(Survey)
November 1, 2007... The sad part of working on a print magazine is, of course, that news doesn't care when you're supposed to deliver the issue to the printer. In fact, interesting tidbits have a habit of showing up right toward the end of our cycle, when they...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... NOVEMBER 27-30 4th European Congress on Economics & Management Of Energy In Industry Porto, Portugal. For info, visit www.cenertec.pt.ecemei/. DECEMBER 3-5 AMCA International Fan Sound Seminar Air Movement & Control Association...

Engineering in the construction phase.(Back 2 Basics: Based on Cx-3 ATC/FPT software)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... * The designer should manage the design phase fee so that he has adequate funds to participate in the field coordination-drawing phase of construction. Refer to "Design and Construction Administration for the 21st Century," by Sarah Maston and...

Third-party commissioning and TAB engineering in the construction phase.(Back 2 Basics: Based on Cx-3 ATC/FPT software)
November 1, 2007... * Those who contract for commissioning serves in the construction phase of the job usually interpret commissioning as being startup. When the commissioning firm is hired at that point in time to do FPT, experience has shown that this approach...

VRF zoning systems help firm back up the green talk.(Case In Point)(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... In July 2005, Guild Hardy Architects PA (GHA) consolidated two smaller facilities from Gulfport, MS and downtown Biloxi, MS and began operating solely out of a new headquarters building in the Biloxi Commerce Park. A full-service architecture...

Zone valve retrofit provides Mass success.(Case In Point)
November 1, 2007... As director of engineering for the Boston Marriott Cambridge, Robert Vass knows that each mechanical decision he makes for the hotel has 431 opportunities to fail. That's the number of guestrooms at the hotel, located in the historic Kendall...

Developer plans for Platinum productivity.(Case In Point)
November 1, 2007... * The Signature Centre is an 186,000-sq-ft office building developed by Aardex LLC and designed by the world-renowned architect Binh Vihn. As of September 2007, the building is 100% pre-leased including the now relocated headquarters of Aardex....

Plant's retrofit eliminates negatives in pressure, price, performance.(Case In Point)
November 1, 2007... Every company wants to save energy and get a little bit greener. Converting to a more energy efficient and environmentally friendly heating/ventilating system is one way to make a big impact in this area. The Durr Industries, North American...

Forwarding the retro process: further benefits await beyond the equipment.(Commissioning)
November 1, 2007... In my October 2007 column, I wrote about the importance of the commissioning professional gaining the respect, confidence, and trust of the O&M staff during a retrocommissioning process. This will lead to more comprehensive and reliable...

Stumbling towards sustainability: utilities to facilities: get with the (incentive) program, whether we like it or not.(Building Automation)(Conference notes)
November 1, 2007... "It's clear that in the last year our clients and society in general has moved much further in their expectations for sustainable buildings than our industry has moved in ability to effectively implement them." The above is from an...

Equipment startup checklist for condo / apartment HVAC units.(HVACR Designer Tips)
November 1, 2007... Area served: Condo / apartment Equipment type: Residential packaged HVAC unit Equipment Designation: AHU-1 Barcode designation: 111111 Equipment location: In occupied space ELECTRICAL INSPECTION ...

HVAC manufacturers turning various shades of green: in an era where a press release about the next green product arrives faster than we can say "sustainable building practices," we wondered how many manufacturers are walking the walk in their own operations. These stories represent a sampling of companies who are greening the industry from the inside out.(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... Manufacturers in all sorts of different industries are advertising their green offerings these days--products that help the enduser save energy, lower emissions, reduce waste, etc. Nowhere does that make more sense than in the HVAC industry,...

Designing for life safety: beyond sprinkles, fans, and dampers.
November 1, 2007... From the three basic smoke control options, the authors move on to other factors that life safety system designers should consider. Circumstances that can influence fire behavior or that make one smoke control system more desirable in a given...

Found in phoenix.(Interview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Feeling lost in a confusing world of issues like interoperability, wireless, and security, or just exactly how building automation ties into sustainability? You are not alone. But out in the desert, insights and...

Energy-saving measures proposed for ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1.(ASHRAE News)
November 1, 2007... ASHRAE announced that energy-savings measures related to VAV and cooling towers are being proposed for ANSI/ ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, which provides minimum requirements...

Demand-controlled ventilation requirements proposed for ASHRAE 62.1.(ASHRAE News)
November 1, 2007... Requirements for systems that use optional demand-controlled ventilation strategies are being proposed for ASHRAE's ventilation standard. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, sets minimum...

Automated Logic Corp. (ALC).(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Automated Logic Corp. (ALC) acquired the business of Building Technologies Group, Inc. (BTG), an independent controls contractor serving the greater New York City and New Jersey marketplace.

The EPA.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... The EPA selected the Trane CenTraVac[TM] from the field of past Strategic Ozone Protection Award winners to receive its "Best-of-the-Best" Award.

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. demonstrated the potential of wireless building controls in hospitals at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK, with its APOGEE[R] Wireless Field Level Network (WFLN) solution.

Distech Controls.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Distech Controls has been ranked among the 2007 Deloitte Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in Canada, based on the percentage of revenue growth over five years.

Sanuvox Technologies Inc.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Sanuvox Technologies Inc. has launched the NASCAR[R] "Cross the Finish Line with Sanuvox" fall promotion, which provides contractors with official NASCAR gear including jackets, caps, messenger bags and belt buckles of the racing team of their...

State Water Heaters'.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... State Water Heaters' Premier[R] Power Vent units were chosen to meet the hot water needs of a home that will be featured on the Home & Garden Television show "Dream House."

Accurex.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Accurex, a Greenheck company and newly formed national supplier of complete restaurant ventilation systems, will focus operations on meeting the needs of design engineers, contractors, food service consultants, and building owners who...

Carrier Corp's.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Carrier Corp.'s 17DA industrial water chillers were selected by the Mayo Clinic and Oklahoma State University (OSU) for their expansion projects.

Sensicast[R] Systems.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Sensicast[R] Systems announced enhanced support and integration of its Sensi-Net product line for National Instruments LabVIEW.

ABB.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... ABB marked a milestone of rapid growth of its drives business with the completion of a factory renovation, including the completion of a new receiving area, at its North American drive headquarters in the New Berlin (WI) Industrial Park.

Honeywell.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Honeywell will help the DOE meet stringent federal requirements for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while improving building efficiency at DOE sites around the country.

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH).(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2007... Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH) announced the addition of John Fidler, RIBA, to its Preservation Technology practice area, a role in which he will help lead preservation projects nationwide from the firm's Los Angeles office.

RDK Engineers.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2007... RDK Engineers announced that Matthew Stelmach, P.E., LEED AP, and Scott Henriques, P.E., have joined its team of engineering project managers as senior project managers.

Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH[R]).(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2007... Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH[R]) announced that Chris Bratsch, P.E., joined the consulting services firm as a senior professional engineer in its Minneapolis office.

The Energy Services Division of Syska Hennessy Group.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2007... The Energy Services Division of Syska Hennessy Group announced that Steve Tredinnick, P.E., was named vice president and chief engineer, and will be based in the firm's Princeton, NJ, office.

Miyamoto International, Inc.(Engineering Beat)
November 1, 2007... Mark C. Zweig founder of ZweigWhite, has been named to the board of directors for Miyamoto International, Inc.

Lenze-AC Tech.(Places And Faces)
November 1, 2007... Lenze-AC Tech, announced the promotion of Danny McDonald to the newly created position of vice president of North American Sales, a role company officials describe as focused on advancing the development of the North American Sales channels far...

Distech Controls.(Places And Faces)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Distech Controls announced several personnel moves: Charles Xu was hired as general manager to manage its office and operations in Shanghai, China; Dean Gibson will serve as sales manager for the South East Asia region; Erhard Dobler was...

Lochinvar Corporation.(Places And Faces)
November 1, 2007... Lochinvar Corporation announced that Tim Russell, who represented sales for the company in the Nashville territory, passed away after a short battle with cancer on September 14, 2007, at the age of 33.

Steril-Aire, Inc.(Places And Faces)
November 1, 2007... Steril-Aire, Inc., which manufactures a line of patented "UVC Emitters[TM]" for IAQ control and energy savings, appointed Christopher M. Dudek as Northeast regional manager.

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI).(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI) released two new reports, "Fundamental Understanding of Heat and Mass Transfer in the Ammonia/Water Absorber," which concerns the development of a model to help HVACR...

The ZigBee[R] Alliance.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The ZigBee[R] Alliance announced increased traction across key markets, specifically in energy management and efficiency, as growing demand for the ZigBee standard drives the development of new solutions across geographies and markets.

AMCA International.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... AMCA International has been approved by NCEES--National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying--to accredit seminars, technical training sessions, and other educational venues as they are developed (future planned venues include Web...

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA).(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) named Chuck Anderson as its codes and industry affairs manager.

ASHRAE.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... ASHRAE has published a Spanish translation of its Pocket Guide to serve as a ready reference for engineers whose mobility keeps them from easy access to the ASHRAE handbook volumes and information in ASHRAE standards.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is expanding its Directory of Certified Room Air Cleaners to include information on ozone emissions.

The Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE).(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE) announced that the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has joined OSCRE as an executive member--the highest level of partnership with the organization.

The Environmental Information Association.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The Environmental Information Association will hold its Annual EIA Conference & Exposition in Albuquerque, NM, March 15-19, 2008.

The Building Performance Institute (BPI).(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The Building Performance Institute (BPI) has initiated a professional approach to the development and upkeep of the BPI Standards, and the group's board of directors has approved changes to the standards development process that will follow...

The American Indoor Air Quality Council.(Association Agenda)
November 1, 2007... The American Indoor Air Quality Council announced that its certifications are compliant with international standards for program operation developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), including ISO standards 9000,...

Emerson Network Power and Dell to conduct Data Center seminars.(Issues & Events)
November 1, 2007... Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson announced the schedule for a series of seminars it is offering in collaboration with Dell titled, "Smart Growth Strategies for Data Centers." The interactive seminar is designed to help...

Mold linked to depression.(Issues & Events)
November 1, 2007... A groundbreaking public health study has found a connection between damp, moldy homes and depression. The study, led by Brown University epidemiologist Edmond Shenassa, is the largest investigation of an association between mold and mood and is...

Ohio School Facilities Commission announces 'green schools' initiative.(Issues & Events)
November 1, 2007... * Hundreds of new and renovated schools are set to meet higher energy efficiency and environmental standards, according to the Ohio School Facilities Commission. The commission adopted the LEED[R] for Schools Rating System as part of its...

Enterprise software.(Computers & Software)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] InfraStruXure Central v4.0 is designed to lower support costs and prevent downtime through rapid problem resolution of physical and environmental issues. Features include device management, alerting and reporting,...

Radiant floor heating design.(Computers & Software)
November 1, 2007... Advanced Design Suite[TM] is designed to calculate heat loss and guide guiding the system designer through every step of radiant floor heating system design, including system-performance requirements, panel design, and mechanical...

Facility automation.(Computers & Software)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Intelligent Manager III, when combined with the company's product lineup, is capable of addressing up to 1,024 indoor unit groups and a total of 10,000 control and data points. With standard Ethernet connectivity,...

Lynxspring, Inc.'s.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... Lynxspring, Inc.'s of JENEsys[TM]/Small Business Solutions[TM], is a fully scalable, Internet-based BMS for national accounts.

AccuBuild.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... AccuBuild has released its Project Management module, designed for full-featured project management functionality with built-in workflow and document management capabilities, as part of its Construction Software system.

Elite Software.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... Elite Software has improved its Proposal Maker program. Features include easier picture manipulation, a spell checker and thesaurus, and improvements to most of the included templates and example projects.

NextComputing.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... NextComputing has added the Seagate Technology's Momentus[R] 7200.2 (200GB capacity) hard drive to its line of flextop computers, suited for high-performance commercial systems, workstations, and small form factor PCs.

Maxwell Systems, Inc.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... Maxwell Systems, Inc. has released Quest Estimator[TM] 7.6, its takeoff and estimating system.

Meridian Systems.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... Meridian Systems announced an incremental release for Prolog[R] 2007 software that supports the new Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, SQL Server Express 2005, Citrix Presentation Server 4, and IIS 7.0.

Engineered Software, Inc.(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... Engineered Software, Inc., makers of PIPE-FLO[R] and PUMP-FLO[TM] software, announced its sponsorship of the educational organization, Pump Systems Matter[TM], which was launched by the Hydraulic Institute in 2004 as the first industry-led...

RC-Studio[R].(BITS & BYTES)
November 1, 2007... RC-Studio[R] 2.0 is a BACnet[R] operator workstation application that allows building engineers and operators to create control programs and interfaces.

Lenze-AC Tech.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... Lenze-AC Tech has re-launched its website, www.actech.com, offering better navigation, clear-cut design, and immediate access to product information.

Precision Screw & Bolt.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... Precision Screw & Bolt has update its website (www.precisionscrewnandbolt.com) with a more user friendly design and updated information. Features include the ability to order fasteners online.

Powers.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... Powers, a division of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. launched a new water tempering microsite at www.powerscontrols.com/hydroguardtp, focusing on the benefits of ASSE 1016, Type T/P technology.

Anvil[R] International.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... Anvil[R] International launched a 3-D CAD library featuring Gruvlok[R] Grooved Couplings, grooved and plain-end fittings, flanges, and valves, at www.anvilintl.com, under the "Technical Data" drop-down menu.

The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) has introduced its newly developed and interactive career board, the DBIA CareerSpot (http://careerspot.dbia.org/).

CompressedSchedule.com.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... CompressedSchedule.com (www.compressedschedule.com), an industry portal sponsored by Victaulic Company[TM], released its podcast series focusing on the topic of jobsite safety and the best ways to implement health and safety programs.

MicroMain Corporation.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... MicroMain Corporation has released version 7.1 of its MicroMain[TM] Web Request tool, which enables employees, tenants, students, clients, and others to submit maintenance work requests to a central help desk or directly to the maintenance...

ASHRAE.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
November 1, 2007... ASHRAE announced that president Kent Peterson is now maintaining a new blog, titled "GreenBits," which can be found at www.ashrae.org/blog.

Infrared thermometer.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The IR4 is a dual-function thermometer with a laser that offers a wide infrared temperature measurement range and supports K-type thermocouple probes. The unit has a temperature range of -76[degrees] to...

Circuit breakers.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... The Emax range of air power circuit breakers is designed to offer performances at the top of their categories. The Emax E3X-A and E6X-A reach top performance in terms of rated short circuit current using fuseless technology, and the Emax E2...

Valves.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Series GBF butterfly valve is designed for use on grooved piping systems. Features include a ductile iron body and Teflon[R] shaft bushings for low torque ratings. The valve is available in sizes ranging from 2.5...

Light tower kit.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The TSLM35T light tower kit is designed for the company's mobile diesel generators. The unit is portable and features four 1,000 W metal halide lamps enclosed in cast aluminum elliptical fixtures. --Baldor ...

Mold remediation.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... The company has added SaniDate disinfectant to its mold remediation and restoration product line. The disinfectant is EPA registered and is the foundation of a mold remediation program that treats and eliminates algae, bacteria, fungus, mold,...

Flowmeters.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The F-3000 Series electromagnetic flowmeter is available in sizes from 1 to 42 in. and is suited for monitoring cooling water, heating water, and condenser water. The unit uses a velocity measurement principle that...

Steam traps.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The FTE Series high capacity float and thermostatic steam trap is available in sizes ranging from 1/2 to 2 in., for pressures from 5 to 464 psi, and for temperatures up to 850[degrees]F. The traps are available with...

Filtration system.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... The BioCirc[R] total air filtration system combines UV, mechanical filtration, and gas-phase air purification technologies. The BioCirc is available as a self-contained, ductless unit with sizes ranging from 350 to 3,000 cfm; as an OEM or as a...

Filters.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KleanLine filters are available in several sizes, materials, and connection types for installation in many gas pipeline applications. Flanged filters are available in all-steel construction in sizes from 2 to 12 in.;...

Heat exchangers.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AQ4L plate heat exchanger is designed for HVAC cooling applications and features an extra long plate to achieve close temperature approach. The unit is suitable for all HVAC duties, including free cooling,...

Rooftop units.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... The company has expanded its line of T-Class[TM] rooftops to include 2- and 2.5-ton units. The units are available in TG gas/electric, TC electric/electric, and TH heat pump offerings. Electric heat is available in 7.5 kW and 10 kW models....

Duct liners.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's Toughgard[R]2 textile duct liner is designed to provide improved levels of acoustical and thermal performance. Features include an enhanced surface that repels moisture and resistance to tearing,...

Sensors.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The STE-6000 Series room sensor is available in a variety of packages with a variety of options, including programmable override, LCD, a data port, and temperature display, depending on the model. --KMC Controls...

Air vents.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... The company's line of manual and automatic air vents are designed to remove troublesome air in a variety of hydronic systems. The line ranges from rigged high-capacity for liquid systems to compacted air vents for radiators. [ILLUSTRATION...

Networks.(Products In Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The PC10420 Series of ARCNET network interface modules is designed for industrial applications. Features include two LEDs on the board for monitoring network operation and providing bus access, data ranges up to 5...