Engineered Systems articles from September 2008

Engineered Systems archives from September 2008

Correction.(Correction notice)
September 1, 2008... In the August 2008 issue, the website of the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency was misidentified. The correct website is www.dsireusa.Org/. Engineered Systems regrets the error.

Mission critical every week!(ES online: www.esmagazine.com: www.esmagazine.com/blog)
September 1, 2008... Contributing editor Kevin Heslin chips in for us but he's also the full-time editor for Mission Critical Magazine. He's good enough to post a blog entry each week on the latest from the mission critical realm, so make it a regular stop at...

Back to the gym.(ES online: www.esmagazine.com: www.esmagazine.com/blog)
September 1, 2008... More fun than rope-climbing or jumping jacks, check out the next Back2Basics Webinar Series event on September 17, looking at Gymnasiums / Places of Assembly. No gym shorts required, thankfully, but you do have to sign up at...

Feeling insecure?(ES online: www.esmagazine.com: www.esmagazine.com/blog)
September 1, 2008... Tridium's webinar on September 30 covers "Interoperability of Diverse Security Systems: A Framework Approach." As technology continues to evolve, platform selection and management get more important. Hear Scott Muench, past presenter at ES'...

Raising Cade: data centers: better accountability through--you guessed it--another acronym?(Editor's Note)
September 1, 2008... You are probably not familiar with a band called Southern Culture On The Skids. Their name pretty much explains their sound. I'm not an expert on the band, but one of their more memorably titled songs in their catalog is "Too Much Pork For Just...

ES Podcasts.(Editor's Note)
September 1, 2008... Free download or streaming audio at www.esmagazine.com/podcasts. Tomorrow's Environment Podcast Series, Vol. 10 "The Problem WRh Systems Training" Why does this training systematically fall through the cracks, and how can we tweak the...

ES events.(Editor's Note)(Conference news)(Calendar)
September 1, 2008... SEPTEMBER 22-24 Green Sustainable Building Controls Conference Engineered Systems & BACnet[R] Int. Dallas. www.esmagazine.com/GSBC

ES webinars.(Editor's Note)(Calendar)
September 1, 2008... All webinars are free. Registration and archives at http://webinars.esmagazine.com SEPTEMBER 17 Back2Basics: Gymnasium / Place of Assembly Howard McKew, P.E. and Amanda McKew Sponsored by Danfoss. SEPTEMBER 30 ...

Back 2 basics: based on Cx-3 ATC/FPT software.
September 1, 2008... Engineering In The Warranty Phase * The design engineer should continue to monitor the project during the warranty phase by requesting Internet access to the BAS. * The design engineer should make a point of calling the facility...

Test 238 Gymnasiums/places of assembly.(Statistical table)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FPT AHU-1 w HW Heat & CV Single Zone Status: ST-1 Satisfied- Unocc ...

Custom controls manage a little old and a little new, assembling a success for buyer.(Case In Point)(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... When Lenovo purchased IBM's personal computing division in 2005, it instantly became the third-largest personal computer company in the world. This major acquisition created an immediate need to upgrade and expand its North American...

Transit station's retrofit means it's curtains for infiltrating air.(Case In Point)
September 1, 2008... Extending the TD Banknorth Garden's commuter foot traffic area 100 ft into the adjacent train shed relieved congestion. However, it took innovative HVAC engineering and architecture to make the retrofit an energy-saving and aesthetic solution....

Efficient HVAC and duct wrap team up at high-tech high school.(Case In Point)
September 1, 2008... When officials in the School City of Hobart district in Hobart, IN, made plans to build a new, expansive, high-tech high school, one of the focal points was having energy-efficient mechanical systems. School City of Hobart hired Envoy, Inc., of...

Self-reliance dotcom--online facility services strengthens university's physical plant operations.(Case In Point)
September 1, 2008... Since its inception in 1911, the University of Regina in Saskatchewan's capital city has grown to mirror the dynamic people and economy of the Canadian province, providing an ideal study and work environment for more than 12,000 full- and...

Radio stations' rooftop systems dial down noise and vibration.(Case In Point)
September 1, 2008... When Kansas City residents tune in to KMBZ radio, their local ABC-affiliated news and sports station, they hear crystal-clear communication. It's the result not only of the latest broadcast technology, but also of a "down-to-the-studs"...

Enter the matrix: sorting responsibilities early creates a better future for everyone on the team.(Commissioning)
September 1, 2008... I closed last month's column (August 2008) with a recommendation that the general contractor on any project, but especially on complex projects, invest time at the beginning of construction to carefully understand the integrated nature of the...

The intelligence: quotient: how does an intelligent building get so smart, exactly?(Building Automation)
September 1, 2008... What differentiates an intelligent building from one with automation? We are seeing growing interest in the concept of the intelligent building (AKA, smart building or connected building). Often, however, we are then asked, "What is the...

Commissioning & project closeout checklist: gymnasiums/places of assembly.(HVACR Designer Tips)(heating ventilation and air conditioning)
September 1, 2008... Equipment type: Two AHUs Equipment designation: AHU-1, AHU-2 Barcode designation: 11111 Area served: School gymnasium Equipment location: Rooftop BASIS OF DESIGN * Review and confirm design intent has been met. *...

LEED[R]? Or get (it) out of the way? We often think of the road to green and the road to LEED[R] as being one and the same. However, if your destination is a data center, mapping the current requirements reveals that the true green path may bypass this popular certification.(Cover story)
September 1, 2008... My first car was a '70 Ford Fairlane. I bought it from a little old lady for $500 back when gas was $1.14 a gallon. It was a white four-door with a massive bench seat about the same size as my grandmother's divan. It was no chick magnet (or...

Race to market: pharmaceutical lab and plant design is complex enough, but adding time urgency driven by both municipal and product concerns can be a tough pill to swallow. Fortunately, exceptional teamwork and computer modeling avoided many potential complications and assisted this firm in achieving the cure for the common deadline.
September 1, 2008... On your mark, get set, go! Fast track was an understatement when racing against the clock to bring a new $10-million San Diego laboratory and central plant online, thus allowing a mid-sized biopharmaceuticals company in San Diego to bring...

New bearing protection ring kits speed field installation/retrofit.
September 1, 2008... To simplify predictive/preventive motor maintenance programs, Electro Static Technology introduces two new Split-Ring T[TM] AEGIS SGR Bearing Protection kits--one for NEMA motors and one for IEC motors. Developed for easy field installation...

Steam humidification in pharmaceutical facilities: one steam is clean. Another steam is chemical-free. Are they interchangeable? And what effects do pharmaceutical manufacturing best practices and regulations have on the usual humidification specification process? Let this brief but specific article be your prescription for wiser design.
September 1, 2008... HVAC systems play an important role in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Operator comfort, temperature, humidity control, directional airflow, cleanliness classifications, contamination control, and process control are several ways...

Outside air: inside data centers: data centers are expensive propositions, so incorporating some free cooling is financially attractive as well as green. However, reaching the real savings involves more than just incorporating economizers. You need the controls to execute an overall sequence of operation that handles the transitions in chilled water plant performance, too.
September 1, 2008... A few circumstances are fueling the move to incorporate sustainable designs into data center infrastructure systems. These include the high energy demands of data centers, rising energy costs, and changes in many building codes to require some...

Forecast: increasingly cloudy and under control: as the burden of building data gets heavier, strategies for managing it take to the sky, so to speak. Whether it's sorting your services smartly or learning to use SCADA or OPC, modern building automation aims to help you succeed by keeping your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground.(supervisory control and data acquisition)(Object Linking and Embedding )
September 1, 2008... As the convergence communities reinvent the BAS industry, our mission becomes critical. Convergence is changing everything for everyone by leading us down the same data paths while using our data as it has never been used before. In breaking...

Humidity controllers.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The VH7200 Humidistat Series of communicating and non-communicating humidity controllers has been specifically designed for controlling commercial humidification and dehumidification equipment within accuracies of [+...

Piping systems.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... The company's Greenpipe[R] formerly known as Fusiotherm[R], is fully recyclable and uses a simple heat fusion connection to eliminate toxic materials, glues and resins, and open flames from piping installation applications. Features include a...

Boilers.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Modulex line of condensing boilers are available in sizes ranging from 300,000 to 1 million Btuh and can support projects with higher working pressure--up to 92 psig. One key feature is a 2-1/2-in. NPT water...

Ducts.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's TD pre-insulated aluminum ducts feature a layer base of fire-retardant polyurethane foam sandwiched between aluminum foil. Features include an anti-vibration dumping point, turning vanes, and tap-in...

Dataloggers.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... The OM-Microlite datalogger measures temperature, is small in size, and features a numeric LCD. The unit has been dustproof and waterproof tested to meet IP 68 standards and works with Microlab-Lite software, which can be downloaded free from...

Compressors.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 1100e, 1500e, and 1800e encapsulated series of compressors are available with VSDs and feature insulated intake and exhaust louvers, fully-insulated enclosures, and low noise levels. --Sullair Corporation ...

Heat pumps.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Tranquility 27[TM] line of geothermal and water source heat pumps uses EarthPure[R] (HFC-410A) zero ozone depletion refrigerant. The unit's heat pumps are available in sizes ranging from 2 through 6 tons with...

Multi-split systems.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... The company's four-port multi-split product line can be combined to serve two rooms, three rooms, or four rooms with a product selection allowing all wall-mount units or all slim-duct units or a mixture of both. The line is rated at SEER levels...

Valves.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Type 568 lug-style butterfly valve is intended specifically for dead-end service and is fully pressure rated at 150 psi. Features include a modular design and a wetted inner body, disc, and bearings in PVC, CPVC,...

Ervs.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's DryCool ERV uses exhaust recovery and condenser reactivation desiccant to provide dehumidification in commercial applications. Features include low dewpoint and independent temperature and humidity...

Humidification systems.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... The company's nozzle-free, multiple-tube steam dispersion humidification system features a bank of multiple, evenly spaced tubes that provide evenly distributed steam. The steam dispersion devices use hole-forming technology to extract...

Cooling towers.(Products In Focus)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The PT2 induced draft counterflow cooling tower is available in sizes ranging from 100 to 2,000 nominal tons. The unit is access-friendly, making it maintenance friendly, and can be used in retrofit applications end...

Building science concepts.(Computers & Software)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's iCommercial Building Science Concepts and Practices, a self-study workshop DVD for builders, architects, designers, engineers, and contractors, illustrates how natural forces affect a building and...

Engineering calculations.(Computers & Software)
September 1, 2008... This family of engineering calculation programs for the design and analysis of HVAC systems is designed to improve productivity and quality control, according to the manufacturer. The programs are available online and in a package, with an...

Virtual fire alarms.(Computers & Software)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's virtual fire alarm control panel monitoring software allows users to supervise multiple fire alarm panels from one PC. The virtual monitoring software from is suited for proprietary fire alarm systems...

Beckhoff Automation.(BITS & BYTES)
September 1, 2008... Beckhoff Automation has introduced its smallest control panel--the CP6608 Ethernet Control Panel with 5.7-in. display, which features an integrated PC with Intel[R] IXP420 processor and several commonly used interfaces, making it suitable for...

The EtherCAT Technology Group.(BITS & BYTES)
September 1, 2008... The EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) announced that EtherCAT is now an official IEC standard--the IEC standards for EtherCAT--61158, 61784-2, and 61800-7 unanimously passed in final voting.

Green Edge Systems, Inc.(BITS & BYTES)
September 1, 2008... Green Edge Systems, Inc., which provides tools for real time energy savings, PM. aria temperature monitoring solutions for schools, hospitals and campuses, announced that its GreenGuard program continuously monitors the savings and the actual...

Flomerics.(BITS & BYTES)
September 1, 2008... Flomerics celebrates its 20th anniversary as an independent company this year, and completed a record-breaking fiscal year where it achieved a new high in revenue and has seen its worldwide customer base grow to over 2,500 sites and over 7,000...

CABA.(BITS & BYTES)(Continental Automated Buildings Association)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... CABA in partnership with RSMeans, a Reed Construction Data company, announced a "proof of concept" beta test and actively sought feedback from the engineering and integrated systems industry regarding its Intelligent Building Life Cycle...

Wrightsoft.(BITS & BYTES)
September 1, 2008... Wrightsoft, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand the Right-UniversityTM training program, hosted the first training class in their recently completed training facility in their new headquarters.

Accurex.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
September 1, 2008... Accurex, a national supplier of complete restaurant ventilation systems, launched its new website (www.accurex-systems.com) to meet the needs of design engineers, contractors, food service consultants, and building owners specializing in new...

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
September 1, 2008... The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) announced that the website address for its Directory of Certified Product Performance changed to www.ahridirectory.org/.

The American Boiler Manufacturers Association.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
September 1, 2008... The American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) has upgraded and improved its website (www.abma.com) to better serve its members and provide the general public easier access to timely information about the boiler and combustion equipment...

PUMP-FLO[TM] Solutions.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
September 1, 2008... PUMP-FLO[TM] Solutions has announced its PUMP-FLO.com website (www.pump-flo.com) has over 150,000 registered users. The PUMP-FLO software suite is used by pump manufacturers, pump distributors, and pump users/specifiers for sizing and selecting...

Victaulic Company's.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
September 1, 2008... Victaulic Company's CompressedSchedule.com (www.compressedschedule.com) released its latest edition of the Radio Victaulic podcast series, "Shades of Green," in which John Sommers of Henderson Engineers, Incorporated, provides information on...

Peerless Boilers and Pavilion Products.(WORLD WIDE WEB)
September 1, 2008... Peerless Boilers and Pavilion Products have introduced their completely redesigned website that combines both PavilionAir.com and PeerlessBoilers.com at www.PeerlessBoilers.com. One key feature is easier overall site navigation from the home...

Pumps and tanks.(Literature & Catalogs)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This catalog, titled Commercial, Residential & Institutional Pumps, Tanks & Accessories, contains information on the company's pump lines, cartridge circulators, pump accessories, tanks, and electronic controls....

Heat pumps.(Literature & Catalogs)
September 1, 2008... The Enfinity[TM] water source heat pump is featured in this booklet. Included are product photos, features and benefits, and specification charts. The Enfinity uses R-410A refrigerant and is available in either horizontal or vertical...

Air filtration.(Literature & Catalogs)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This eight-page catalog features the company's complete line of air filtration products. The company offer products in every category of air filters from disposable panel filter and pleated filters to high-efficiency...

Analyzers.(Literature & Catalogs)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The X-Wand[R] is featured in this brochure. Included is a product photo, specifications, ordering information, and available accessories. The X-Wand measures halogenated volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) in the...

Panel fans.(Literature & Catalogs)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This brochure features the company's APW direct-drive panel fans. Included are product photos, features and benefits, and a product specification guide. The fan is available in sizes ranging from 14 to 60 in and with...

Thermal imagers.(Literature & Catalogs)
September 1, 2008... This brochure features the company's Ti25 and Ti10 thermal imagers for use in troubleshooting HVACR equipment. Included are product photos, a list of features and benefits, and information on IR-Fusion[R] technology that simultaneously captures...

Glossary.(Glossary)
September 1, 2008... Here are some common abbreviations and terms found in the pages of Engineered Systems. A A/C--air conditioning ach--air changes per hour AE--architectural and engineering; or architect and engineer AFD--adjustable...

Proactive: preconstruction services: ask not what your client can do for you ...(Tomorrow's Environment)(Column)
September 1, 2008... In August, I discussed responsible documents, beginning with the OPR and then talking about producing construction documents by the design team. Based on my years of experience working for and with construction managers (CM), it is now time to...