The top ten stories from 2009

A top ten list of the most heavily trafficked stories of 2009 from the CSE website.

Patrick Lynch, Associate Editor

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As 2009 came to a close, the Consulting-Specifying Engineer staff put together a compilation of its most heavily trafficked articles from the www.csemag.com Website. Agree with the list? Disagree with it? Give us your comments in our Talkback utility or suggest an article that you found interesting on our Website during 2009.

1.) Panelboard mysteries revealed
NEC 2008 will change the way panelboards are specified.
By Gerald Versluys, PE, LEED AP, TLC Engineering for Architecture, Jacksonville, Fla.
2.) Emergency communications systems and NFPA 72-2010
Changing "mass notification systems" to "emergency communications systems," and three new chapters signal big changes to NFPA 72.
By Andrew Woodward, PE, Arup, Cambridge, Mass.; and Ray Grill, PE, FSFPE, Arup, Washington, D.C.
3.) Lighting the way to 90.1
ASHRAE 90.1-1999 is the national energy standard of record for state code adoption in the United States. Here's what's on the books for the future.
By A. J. Glaser, Lighting Controls Assn. and HUNT Dimming, Fort Collins, Colo.
4.) Generator Sizing: Avoid the Pitfalls
The dos and don'ts of backup power systems design.
By James Kerschinske and Mike Kirchner Generac Power Systems Inc., Waukesha, Wis.
5.) Architects, engineers see salaries slashed
Principals' pay cut in 2008, according to an industry survey.
Source: ZweigWhite
6.) MEP Giants 2009
Diversity, attention to operational effectiveness are themes for weathering a volatile 2008 as the construction market heads into a recession.
By Patrick Lynch, Associate Editor and Michael Ivanovich, Editor-in-Chief
7.) Fire pumps in high-rise buildings
This is a close look at the proposed changes, the philosophy behind the changes, and the implications for future fire protection in high-rise buildings.
By Gayle Pennel, Schirmer Engineering, Glenview, Ill.
8.) HVAC basics
It's important that young (and seasoned) engineers remain familiar with the principles and equations behind HVAC design and modeling software.
By Ben Biada, PE, LEED AP; and Carl C. Schultz, PE, LEED AP, Advanced Engineering Consultants, Columbus, Ohio
9.) Calculate HVAC loads with BIM
3-D building information modeling tools are improving the process of calculating peak cooling and heating loads for buildings.
By Stephen Roth, PE, LEED AP, Carmel Software Corp., San Rafael, Calif.
10.) National Electrical Code 2005: Article 250 - Grounding and Bonding
By Chris Tapas, P.E., President, Tapas Engineering Services PC, Chicago