From people to structures, all good systems bear upon on a sturdy and reliable framework. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) infrastructure is the framework of a successful campus. Central equipment, utilities, and buildings are all components of campus infrastructure that help students, faculty, and staff perform to their highest potential. Effective MEP systems for educational … Read more
The United States Pharmacopeial Convention published a revised edition of their document “A Guide for the Compounding Practitioner USP on Compounding,” in 2013. The document has many chapters and is a guide for those practicing in the pharmacy and compounding field. One chapter, titled USP 797 Pharmaceutical Compounding-Sterile Preparations defines minimum practice and quality standards … Read more
As education trends change, educators are continually developing new means of teaching today’s students. These trends have architects and engineers thinking outside the box to create academic facilities of the future. Not only are classrooms being affected, but there is a dramatic shift in what students and educators are demanding in library designs. In today’s … Read more
Student housing has become one of the most important pieces in an institution’s strategic plan to attract prospective students, transition new students to collegiate life, develop and retain students as well as educate students throughout their academic careers. A comprehensive approach to match housing options with developing trends is a critical component both now and … Read more
The life of a student on campus has seen a remarkable evolution in the last decade. Students now are more mobile, savvy, and health-conscious than ever. Whereas athletic facilities may have been a nice added touch for prospective students, today they are an integral part of the recruiting process — not only for athletes but … Read more
In today’s healthcare market, many surgical procedures have moved from the hospital setting to an outpatient setting. Stand-alone outpatient surgery centers allow for same-day surgeries to be more convenient and less expensive for patients and healthcare providers. From the outside, an outpatient surgery center may look like a standard medical office building (MOB) but, below … Read more
As institutions strive to attract and retain the best and brightest students, they are facing ever-increasing competition from not only “bricks and mortar” institutions, but also from new online options. Perhaps the single greatest difference a bricks-and-mortar institution can offer is the collegiate experience. Campus life facilities promote this experience by serving as a social … Read more
Renovating or expanding an emergency department can be one of the most challenging projects that a hospital faces. Unless you have the ability to construct a completely new, replacement emergency department, the project will require a phased implementation to ensure that continuous care is available to the hospital’s emergency patients. The mechanical and electrical system … Read more
One of the many challenges involved in completing a successful operating room project is maintaining environmental conditions that meet the demands of the surgical staff and comply with the applicable healthcare requirements. An important step in designing an operating room is to solicit input from the surgeons and surgical staff early in the design process … Read more
Performing arts centers (PAC’s) present unique opportunities and challenges for owners, operators, designers and contractors alike. They are a unique mix of specialized systems with very specific performance requirements that need to meet the needs of a wide constituency. Whether the PAC serves a sole purpose such as a concert hall or multiple purposes with … Read more
The term “design-day” is used frequently in the HVAC industry, but it can have different meanings and is dependent on many factors. Design-day is typically used to describe a period of time with maximum conditions that a HVAC system was designed to accommodate and maintain the desired indoor temperature and humidity. These conditions can include … Read more
HVAC engineers balance operating costs versus initial costs in their designs every day. One area where this occurs is ducted air systems and their associated fan motors. An air distribution system could be designed with relatively small ductwork and equipment to keep initial costs lower, but the result is higher static pressures and a higher … Read more
Summer is fast approaching and in case you have been putting off those summer cooling preparations the following are some last minute items that can be performed to maximize your cooling equipment’s performance. These are just a few simple items that should not take much time or money to accomplish and can prepare your air … Read more
Building orientation plays an integral role in the way a building heats or cools during the course of a day. Transpired solar walls, also referred to as solar air heating, are green, efficient, and a cost-effective method of supplemental air heating. These solar collectors take advantage of south facing exposure and preheat ventilation air during … Read more
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines “clean agents” as an electrically non-conducting, volatile, or gaseous fire extinguishant that does not leave a residue upon evaporation.” A clean agent fire suppression system consists of the agent storage containers, release valves, heat detectors, control panel, piping, and discharge nozzles. Clean agent fire suppressions systems are typically … Read more
More specifically is your heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) system on schedule? Do your restroom room fans run at night when you are not there? Are you heating or cooling the entire building when no one is working? Changing temperature setpoints and scheduling HVAC equipment to turn off when the building is unoccupied is an easy way … Read more
Hard water is found in many water supplies across the country. Hardness is the measurement of the concentration of calcium and magnesium compounds found in water. These compounds enter the water system from groundwater sources. Calcium and magnesium compounds can become separated from the water and cause scaling in equipment and piping. Scale can decrease fixture flow rates, decrease … Read more
A freeze stat is a sensor located in your HVAC system that is designed to minimize the potential of freezing a water or steam coil in your air distribution system. A true freeze stat is directly interlocked to shut down equipment and requires a manual reset if it trips. This is different from a low-temperature sensor that … Read more
Electronically commutated motors (ECMs) have quickly become standard in the HVAC industry. They can have unexpected operating characteristics that are very different from their predecessor, the alternating current (AC) permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor. An ECM is a brushless, direct current (DC) motor that operates at a synchronous speed. ECMs utilize integral inverters so they … Read more
Natatoriums are typically among the most corrosive environments facility staff must maintain. The design architect, HVAC engineer, and pool consultant must work together to reduce the causes of corrosion. In addition, all designers involved, along with facility personnel, need to be keenly aware of the factors that contribute to natatorium corrosion. The primary drivers of … Read more
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