News & Insights

Navigating A2L Refrigerants in Multistory Split-System HVAC Projects

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Do you have a project involving split-system air conditioning in a multistory building? If so, you may find the regulatory landscape especially difficult to navigate right now. As of January 2025, manufacturers are required to produce several refrigerant-based products—including split-system air-handling units, mini-splits, and dehumidifiers—using refrigerants with lower ozone depletion potential than legacy options. The … Read more

Brandon A. Ward and Jacob P. Trimble Join Barton

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We are excited to announce that Brandon A. Ward and Jacob P. Trimble have recently transitioned into full-time employees! “We are thrilled to welcome Jacob and Brandon to Barton! Their transition to full-time employees marks a valuable addition to our team.” – Jonathan B. Slagel, PE, LEED AP, Vice President Brandon A. Ward Brandon joined … Read more

Barton’s Lighting Studio receives Two IES Illumination Lighting Awards at the Philament Awards 2025!

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Barton’s Lighting Studio is honored to have received two lighting awards at the Philament Awards 2025! The evening of celebration was hosted by the Philadelphia Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society to recognize the local lighting community. The Nemours Children’s Health and Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services projects both received recognition for interior lighting … Read more

Meet Barton Associates 2025 Summer Interns

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We are pleased to introduce and welcome Barton Associates’ interns Angela Batson, Lauren Heisler, John Riley, Nicole Purnell, Caleb Naylor, Isabella Weyandt, and Logan Keen to the team!   “We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of interns. We believe in investing in the next generation of engineering professionals, and our internship program is … Read more

Functional Testing of Lighting Control Systems

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This article continues our multi-part series focused on architectural coordination as it relates to mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems, based on updates to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), ASHRAE 90.1, and related standards. This installment highlights the growing importance of functional testing for lighting control systems—a code-mandated step that ensures buildings not only … Read more

Energy efficient papers and items on desktop

Architectural Planning and Coordination: Communications and Energy-Efficient Buildings

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This article continues our multi-part series focused on architectural coordination as it relates to MEP systems, based on changes to the International Building Code and related standards for the 2021 code cycle. Today we address a significant and growing challenge impacting both emergency and non-emergency communication systems—specifically how modern energy-efficient building envelopes are degrading radio-frequency … Read more

Katherine Mahon Earns WELL AP Accreditation

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We are pleased to announce that Katherine E. Mahon, EIT, has passed her exam to earn her WELL AP Accreditation! Administered by the International WELL Building Institute, the WELL AP credential denotes expertise in the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and a commitment to advancing human health and wellness in buildings and communities around the world. … Read more

Architectural Planning and Coordination: Backflow Preventers

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This is the first in a multi-part series focused on architectural coordination as it relates to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, based on changes to the International Building Code for the 2021 code cycle. This article addresses a significant revision between the 2018 and 2021 International Plumbing Codes that could have a notable … Read more

What is a Digital Twin?

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Digital Twins has been an industry buzzword being tossed around for a few years now, but what exactly is a Digital Twin? As with most new concepts, coalescing around a single definition can prove challenging. My own technical definition as it pertains to buildings and Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) is: ‘A Digital Twin … Read more

Designing with Maintenance in Mind

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When my late father-in-law, a professional mechanic, was shopping for a car for his daughter, he asked to see under the hood. The salesman obliged, and what he saw left him aghast.  This was the mid-1990s and the previous generation of cars mostly had generous space within the engine bay.  They had room to access … Read more

Mary I. Taylor Earns Professional Engineer License

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We are pleased to announce that Mary I. Taylor has earned her Professional Engineer (PE) License from the Maryland Board for Professional Engineers. The license allows her to prepare, sign, seal, and submit engineering plans and drawings for public and private clients as well as municipalities and authorities. Mary joined Barton in 2021 as a … Read more

Ruben E. Sandoval, PE, WELL AP Joins our Electrical Team

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We are excited to announce that Ruben E. Sandoval has joined Barton as a Senior Electrical Engineer at our Philadelphia Office! “We are thrilled to have Ruben join our team! His electrical experience will help provide our Philadelphia clients the best possible solutions as our office continues to grow!” said Jonathan B. Slagel, PE, LEED … Read more

Preparing for the 2025 Refrigerant Transition: Compliance, Costs, and Challenges 

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Starting in January 2025, just a few weeks away, the allowable Global Warming Potential (GWP) for refrigerants in several common applications will be limited to 700.  This change garners several common questions: Can you still buy units with the current refrigerant? Can you fix your existing systems? Are compliant systems available? Will this affect design, … Read more

John J. Jacobson III Hired as Senior Mechanical Designer in Philadelphia Office

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We are excited to announce that John J. Jacobson III has joined Barton as a Senior Mechanical Designer at our Philadelphia Office! “We are excited to have John join our team!  His extensive experience and knowledge are a great addition as we continue to grow in the Philadelphia region,” said Jonathan B. Slagel, PE, LEED … Read more

Emergency Lighting Systems: Smarter Solutions for a Safer Future

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Did you know that routine testing of your emergency lighting is not just a code requirement but also a critical safety practice? Power failures are unpredictable, and ensuring your emergency lighting functions properly during an outage could make the difference between life-or-death in some instances. Thankfully, advancements in technology are making this critical system more … Read more

Staying Updated with Revit and BIM

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Ever since Revit came onto the scene in 2000, the AEC industry has been adopting it and the underlying Building Information Modeling (BIM) concepts across an ever-increasing range of projects and building types. The software itself has also undergone many changes over the past 24 years, from the early single-user only models to today’s cloud … Read more

Electrical Recovery When Disaster Strikes

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In commercial, educational, and healthcare facilities, the integrity of electrical systems is crucial for safety and operational continuity. Recent natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires have highlighted the significant impact of water and fire on electrical infrastructure. When electrical equipment is exposed to fire or water, the risk of malfunction or failure increases … Read more

Barton Associates, Inc. Opens Sixth Location in Philadelphia

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We are excited to announce the opening of a new office in Center City Philadelphia, PA. The new location marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy and reinforces our commitment to being a trusted leader providing innovative, cost-effective and sustainable design solutions for every client. Leading the office is Barton’s Vice President, Jonathan B. Slagel, … Read more

Chloe P. Cipar Joins Our CADD Team

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We are excited to announce that Barton’s Chloe P. Cipar has recently transitioned into a full-time employee after finishing her internship with Barton. Chloe had interned with Barton for the past couple of months serving as a CADD intern at our State College office. After successfully completing her internship and earning her Associate’s degree in … Read more

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