Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles, November 17-23: Building envelope testing, evaluating energy codes, passive firestop systems, more

Articles about building envelope testing in existing buildings, evaluating energy codes, specifying passive firestop systems, applying building energy modeling, and effective health care facilities were Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s five most clicked articles from last week, November 17-23. Were you out last week? Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra November 24, 2014

Consulting-Specifying Engineer Top 5 most read articles online, for Nov. 17-23, covered building envelope testing in existing buildings, evaluating energy codes, specifying passive firestop systems, applying building energy modeling, and effective health care facilities. Link to each article below.

1. Building envelope testing in existing buildings

Existing buildings are tested under different protocols from new buildings, so testing must be approached from many different angles to achieve air tightness and better building performance. 

2. Evaluating energy codes on a scale

ASHRAE Standard 189.1 and IgCC are leading the way to high-performance green buildings. Learn how these two "maps to net zero" handle the enigma of "percent better than code," with the outright goal being to have updates to energy codes be evaluated on a scale. 

3. Specifying passive firestop systems

Fire-rated wall assemblies and passive firestop systems are key elements to the design of all commercial buildings. 

4. Applying building energy modeling

Whole building energy modeling techniques and software are crucial for designing code-compliant buildings. At the same time, this near-mandatory exercise introduces opportunities for engineers to add significant value to projects. 

5. Building safe, effective health care facilities

It’s hard to think of an engineering project with higher standards than a hospital or health care facility-successfully designed and installed systems can literally be a matter of life and death. Here, engineers with experience in the field offer advice on how to deliver such projects with a clean bill of health. 

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on csemag.com, November 17-23, for articles published within the last two months.

– Chris Vavra, production editor, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.