Psychrometrics can be a complicated field of study. However, a psychrometric chart can be a simple, invaluable tool to help HVAC engineers and owners understand the relationship between air temperature and humidity. Relative humidity (RH) is a term that most people are familiar with, but its relationship with dry bulb (DB) temperature is typically under-appreciated. RH … Read more
As we leave the heating season, many building owners begin repair and replacement projects in their boiler plants. Boilers that burn fuel to heat water have been around for thousands of years, and technologies that we would recognize today date back to the early 1700s. More recent trends in boiler construction and control focus on … Read more
At the end of most construction projects, there is a warranty period, but not all mechanical failures and problems occur within the warranty period. Sound familiar? One option is to get a service agreement from another company or local contractor; however this can be costly, especially if only minor repairs are required when the building … Read more
No, we’re not trying to make a political statement. Whether or not there will be a change in the White House this year, there are changes coming for the construction industry. In 2012, the new version of the International Building Code (IBC) family is being issued. Depending on your jurisdiction, the 2012 version of the … Read more
For many years, chilled beam systems have provided space conditioning to buildings throughout Europe and Australia, but the technology has been slow to catch on in the United States. However, that trend is changing as the system has reported benefits of superior comfort and substantial potential energy savings for little or no additional cost when … Read more
If you are in the design, construction, or facilities management business you are probably getting inundated with questions about LED lighting. If you looked into LED’s a year ago, you were probably disappointed in the options available, light output, cost, etc. Commercial lighting applications utilizing LEDs as a light source have come a long way … Read more
Chillers have been the workhorses of building cooling systems for decades. In recent years, a renewed focus on energy efficiency has led to new and renewed trends in the chiller equipment market such as: Magnetic Bearing Compressors With this breakthrough technology, the compressor impeller shaft is levitated by a magnetic field. The result is a … Read more
Emergency showers, eyewashes and drench units are common equipment in hospitals, laboratories, science classrooms, maintenance shops and anywhere hazardous chemicals are handled. OSHA regulations require “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within … Read more
Spring is upon us and so is the unpredictable weather; a warm summer-like day next to a frigid, blustery cold day, sound familiar? As we get into spring and into those swing days before air conditioning systems are completely commissioned and operational from the winter shut-down, some systems are caught unprepared for the unseasonable temperatures … Read more
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released changes to PlanCon instructions that will have a significant impact on project reimbursement and feasibility studies for educational facilities. The updated instructions can be downloaded from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website. These changes are to take effect for all forms submitted after January 31, 2011, and … Read more
Construction codes have been part of our society for thousands of years; and while the purpose of building codes have always been to ensure and maintain our safety, learning and staying current with the codes that affect our industry can be a daunting task. Regardless of how time consuming it may be, taking the time … Read more
Confused About Energy? The word energy is arguably the most commonly used word in the architecture/engineering/construction industry these days; and rightfully so. The increasing cost associated with energy, along with the threat of energy instability and America’s dependence on foreign energy sources are certainly matters that need our attention. In addition, the recent removal of rate … Read more
Act 129, which was signed into law October 15, 2008, requires utility companies to reduce consumption for electricity by 1% by 2011 and 3% by 2013. Additionally, the Act requires a 4.5 percent reduction in peak demand by 2012. In an effort to encourage customers to reduce energy consumption, utility companies are offering a variety … Read more
There are many factors to consider when designing for telecommunications rooms and data centers. The most critical factors include the amount of power and the appropriate cooling system needed to fit the requirements of the space, as well as a method for backing up your systems. High-density processing and data storage requires a significant amount … Read more
After cooling and heating systems, lighting is responsible for the largest consumption of electrical energy in a building. With energy efficiency and sustainable building design being near the top of almost every facility manager’s list of priorities these days, here are a few simple lighting upgrades that can help you save on your electrical energy … Read more
The law requires that any multi-story, commercial or public building provide a means for a disabled person to request evacuation assistance in an emergency situation. These areas of refuge are generally required on each floor, with the exception of the ground floor. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines specific requirements for such features as … Read more
The last two winters have brought ice storms to South Central Pennsylvania causing extended power outages for facilities that lasted for two or more days. In fact, your facility may have been of the many affected by these storms. If not, were you prepared for these power outages, or just lucky? The summer season is … Read more
You are probably familiar with the term commissioning, but did you know that there is a more cost-effective alternative to traditional commissioning? We call this process systems validation. Systems validation encompasses the foundation of commissioning but in a more customized, streamlined process. Systems validation can be an effective way to ensure your building’s systems function … Read more
Today’s healthcare facilities house countless pieces of valuable equipment ranging from IT equipment, linear accelerators and MRI units, to cardiovascular imaging machines for cath labs, CT scanners and other imaging equipment. These sophisticated machines require a significant financial investment that facility owners and operators should be sure to protect. While it is common to incorporate … Read more
We have all heard the buzz about grant and other funding opportunities that were recently developed for energy-related projects; however, making sense of what programs are available, when they become available, which options apply to your project and how to apply for this funding can be challenging and confusing. The initiative to develop grants, low … Read more
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