News & Insights

Solar panels and wind turbines generating renewable energy on a green field

Solar Energy: Bright Idea or Not?

As energy resources become more scarce and global political issues threaten energy security and standards of living, the developed world has been focusing on alternative sources of energy. These sources of energy have ranged from renewable natural gas and “clean coal” to naturally renewable sources such as wind and solar. With any new energy transition, … Read more

Compounding Pharmacy Design, Construction, and Operation: Pharmacy Certification Standards

Certification that the cleanroom is operating within the ranges set forth is the final step before occupancy and use of the pharmacy.  The goal of the HVAC systems design is so that the users have a functional system that meets their requirements which they have verified is safe for compounding. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) <797> … Read more

Barton Associates Inc. Welcomes Pranit Ale Magar

We are pleased to announce that Pranit Ale Magar is joining our York office as the newest member of our Mechanical Design team! “We’re all excited to have Pranit join our team. His addition to our mechanical team is another step in continuing to improve our services and solutions we offer,” said Jonathan B. Slagel, … Read more

Tawnie A. Platts, hired as Construction Services Administrator

We are pleased to announce Tawnie A. Platts is joining our York Office as a Construction Services Administrator! “We are delighted to have Tawnie join our team as we continue our efforts to provide our customers with the best possible service and solutions.” said Jonathan B. Slagel, Vice President. Tawnie comes to Barton with over … Read more

Compounding Pharmacy Design, Construction, and Operation: Pressure, Temperature, and Humidity

Compounding hazardous drugs is a chemically volatile process, which means that tight control of air pressure, temperature, and humidity is required. Thus, when designing compounding areas, it is critical to determine an acceptable time delay before alarming and when and how often to report these values when out of compliance. Most mechanical systems are not … Read more

Michael H. Ginder, PE, LEED AP becomes an NFPA Certified Emergency Power System Specialist for Health Care (CEPSS-HC)

We are pleased to announce that Michael H. Ginder, PE, LEED AP has passed his exam to become an NFPA Certified Emergency Power System Specialist for Health Care (CEPSS-HC).  The National Fire Protection Association created the CEPSS-HC credential in response to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rulings requiring facilities to develop … Read more

Compounding Pharmacy Design, Construction, and Operation: Changes Coming Fall 2023

Compounding pharmacies require tight temperature, relative humidity, and pressurization control to operate in compliance with the current standards. Those standards are set to change in the coming months, and we’ve put together a series of articles to help navigate the new requirements. Balancing and actively controlling the airflow to achieve the correct pressure relationships in … Read more

Joshua D. Lange Earns Professional Engineer License

We are pleased to announce that Joshua D. Lange earned his Professional Engineer (PE) license from the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. The license allows him to prepare, sign, seal and submit engineering plans and drawings for public and private clients as well as municipalities and authorities. Josh first … Read more

Michael H. Ginder, PE, LEED AP named Director of Electrical Engineering – Healthcare

We are excited to announce that Michael H. Ginder, PE, LEED AP has been promoted to Director of Electrical Engineering – Healthcare! “As Barton continues to expand into new healthcare markets, Mike’s experience and healthcare expertise will be critical to ensure that our team continues to deliver high-quality solutions for our clients demand,” said Barton’s … Read more

Barton Associates Adds to Growing Engineering Team

We are excited to announce that Barton’s Sarah C. Kane and Adelaide L. Pearce have recently transitioned from interns to full-time employees. Adelaide and Sarah had both interned with Barton for the past year. Adelaide interned at our York office, while Sarah served in our State College office. After completing their internships, they both have … Read more

Hospital operating room illustrating patient care space classification and equipment requirements

A Collaboration – Patient Care Area Classifications and Risk Assessments

There is an aspect of healthcare facility design that neither the design team nor the healthcare facility can avoid in any project – the classification of patient care areas and associated risk assessments. The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Design and Construction for Hospitals, and FGI Design and Construction for Outpatient Facilities, and NFPA 99, The … Read more

Safety First! Preventing Arc Flash Hazards

Every year, electrical safety accidents rank in the top ten of workplace-related fatalities and cause 75,000 plus workers to miss time to due shock and burn injuries. The threat of inadvertent shock, electrocution, and fire from electrical equipment has long been a known hazard in the electrical industry. In the last 20 years, however, the … Read more

Meet Barton Associates’ 2023 Interns

We are pleased to introduce and welcome Barton Associates’ interns Emma Evans-Nolet, Elizabeth Duffy, Clayton Geisel, Jonathan Wyrick and Elizabeth Hargrove to the team! “We are thrilled to have this great group of students join our team” said Michael S. Rader, PE, CEM, President and CEO, “We look forward to providing real-world experience and industry … Read more

Choose Your Own Adventure: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding When Lighting Control Upgrades Will Be Required

When planning for new lighting in your building, you will need to assess whether the current energy code will require new lighting controls to be included.  But anyone who has picked up a code book knows it can feel a bit like fumbling your way through a “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel.   So, to help … Read more

Barton’s Lighting Studio Wins Two IES Illumination Interior Lighting Awards!

Barton’s Lighting Studio is honored to have received two lighting awards from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Philadelphia Section. Penn State Health Children’s Lancaster Pediatric Center and UPMC Children’s Harrisburg New Pediatric Unit were recognized for their professionalism, ingenuity, and originality in lighting design and controls. IES Philadelphia Section: 2023 Section Award for Interior Lighting … Read more

Maple Engineering Joins Barton Associates, Inc.

Barton Associates, Inc. announces that Maple Engineering, PLLC., a 17-person engineering firm in Raleigh, NC, has joined Barton Associates, Inc.  The acquisition expands Barton Associates’ reach in the South Atlantic Region and strengthens design capabilities in the multi-family housing and mixed-use markets. Maple Engineering will operate as Maple Engineering, a Division of Barton Associates, Inc. … Read more

Jacob A. Rourke becomes an NABCEP Associate

We are excited to announce that Jacob A. Rourke has become a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Associate (NABCEP)! The NABCEP Associate Program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic, Solar Heating or Small Wind energy systems. Through Hudson Valley Community … Read more

Combatting Low Occupancy in Office Facilities

Remote and hybrid work schedules appear to be here to stay in many office environments.  If you lease your office space, hopefully you can “right-size” your space requirements so that you can save cost the next time your lease is due for renegotiation.  However, what happens when you’re on the other side of that equation, … Read more

Protection of the Potable Water Supply

Protection of the water supply system is paramount to the health and safety of not only the occupants of your building but also everyone else that is supplied water through a connection to the water system. Chapter 6 of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) is an example of where you will find the requirements that … Read more