Barbara Horwitz-Bennett, Contributing Editor

Tech Talk: Fire Suppression

In the world of fire suppression technology, the sophistication of fire detectors and control panels and the sustainability of fire extinguishing agents are currently topping the list of recent technological advancements. "If a detector senses a fire and creates an alarm, the panel can not only tell that a potential fire exists, it can also indicate when, where and how big, and it also tracks the history of the event," explains Joseph Behnke, manager of technical services engineered systems for Tyco Safety Product's fire suppression business, Marinette, Wis. Not only that, but the latest control panels are not only faster and smaller, but they offer increased monitoring ability with graphic displays and text messages, according to David N. Holst, department manager for plumbing and fire protection systems, Bala Consulting Engineers, Philadelphia. "These panels offer more programming and connectivity options so that the extinguishing systems for multiple rooms, buildings or even locations can all report to one central panel," explains Holst. With regards to clean agents, Jeff LaSalle, P.E., chief fire protection engineer for EwingCole, Philadelphia, explains that the phasing out of Halon 1301 has resulted in a significant increase in the number of viable alternatives. "As a number of these agents are considered to be quite sustainable, this gives the facility owner or manager the peace of mind that he or she will only have to purchase the system once, eliminating a costly retrofit due to future environmental restrictions," says Behnke. At the same time, LaSalle points out that the increased number of agents can sometimes be confusing, but it is a small price to pay for providing engineers, designers and owners with more options. Elsewhere on the fire suppression new technology front, special purpose sprinkler heads and heads that provide greater coverage are being developed, says Holst. And while it is pretty hard to improve on the technology of pipe, there is a continuing attempt to make it stronger, lighter and cheaper, he adds.

Distributed Generation: The Global Outlook

Rising fuel prices have dealt a setback to the distributed generation movement and its advocacy of on-site power. But there are still a number geographic regions and types of facilities where the technology makes sense. “While the basic idea is still good, the cost of natural gas has increased to the point that, on a Btu basis, natural gas and electricity are very close in cost,” sa...

Engineered systems for K-12 projects

Below is a sample of products and technology solutions that help engineers build schools that are more efficient with effective design options. American School & University magazine’s “32nd Annual Official Education Construction Report” says that school construction spending is estimated to be $80 billion next year, which presents many opportunities for engineers to apply ...

Back to School with New Systems, Ideas

As the kids gather their backpacks, notebooks and pencils for the new school year, MEP engineers are working tirelessly through issues of IAQ, energy efficiency and maintenance in their ongoing quests to design high quality, energy-efficient and cost-effective learning environments. And considering the fact that K-12 enrollment is expected to grow by 3 million—or 5.

DNA of R&D Labs

Although the overall R&D facilities market is somewhat slowing down, a number of R&D markets remain hot and are driving a new generation of high-tech, energy-efficient, amenity-packed laboratories. Leading the R&D charge is biotech, nanotechnology, bio-fuels, bio-safety and alternative energy research.

UPS Design, Specification Considerations

This month's panel of electrical experts offer advice on specifying the most suitable UPS system for a givenapplication. CSE: What is driving the demand for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems these days? CARLINI: UPS systems are in more demand than ever—primarily in the data center. Even though the new servers are much faster and require less power to operate, the demand for comp...

Highly Intelligent

A snapshot of some cutting-edge intelligent lighting applications and tips on how to successfully incorporate smart lighting into buildings. CSE: What are building owners' needs and expectations and how do you make sure that they're involved? YORGEY: The lighting design process must begin with the programming step.

Airport Cities

Domestic airline travel is on the rise, but that doesn't always translate into airport renovations and expansion. “The demand for air travel is fairly strong, but the problem is financing,” explains Dave Kipp, P.E., chief operating officer and senior vice president of technology and aviation, Ross & Baruzzini, St.

A Sprinkling of Expertise

This month's panel of fire protection experts hash out the advantages and disadvantages of steel, copper and CPVC sprinkler systems. CSE: What are the main advantages and disadvantages of copper, steel and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) sprinkler piping materials? SCHULTZ: Steel is the oldest, most common pipe in use.

Best of BAS

This month's panel of controls experts takes a hard look at the state of intelligent buildings, how the industry has evolved and where it is heading. CSE: How far have intelligent buildings come in the past few years? HOFFMAN: Further than we expected, but less than we might have hoped. Building systems manufacturers have worked hard to provide communication features that facilitate integration...

Middle East Mania

For now, the Persian Gulf states' coffers are overflowing with oil money. But some of these powerhouses—in particular, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain—are planning for a future not depended on oil revenue. There are unprecedented building and construction programs to improve and expand the region's infrastructure.

Optimistic Outlook for M/E Engineering Opportunities in Israel

Israel is among other centers of rapid growth and construction activity in the Persian Gulf. “The high-tech industry in Israel is amazing with a very high level of expertise and technical ability,” explained Kfir Godrich, principal, director of technological development, EYP Mission Critical Facilities, New York. One of Israel’s most significant construction projects is Intel’s multi-billion dollar construction of a wafer fabrication plant, anticipated to be the biggest and fastest in the world. In addition, Donald Trump has been showing interest with plans to build a $500 million hotel complex on the shores of Netanya and a 70-story residential tower in Ramat Gan, neighboring Tel Aviv—anticipated to be the tallest building in Israel. In general, the building and construction market has been up for the past couple of years, following a several-year recession, with the defense, semiconductor, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries leading the way, according to Emanuel Marynko, general manager of the Tel Aviv-based Yani, Israel’s largest electrical engineering firm. Although it’s difficult to pinpoint the country’s exact volume of defense work as the information is classified, a significant portion of Israel’s $10 billion annual defense budget goes toward building and construction, Godrich said. In any case, design and building opportunities are numerous as he said, “There’s no doubt about it that there is a lot to do in Israel for American companies.” Marynko added, “There especially are opportunities for overseas firms on projects where the Israeli market may not have as much expertise.” As far as the market outlook in general, Marynko predicted, “I think it will continue to speed up.”.

Direct Current Do’s and Don’ts

Electrical engineers and researchers debate the pros and cons of direct current (DC) vs. alternating current (AC) for mission-critical data centers. CSE: Why even consider DC power for a data center? SULLIVAN: Efficiency is the driving force. Performing the power conversion from AC to DC once for the entire data center, as opposed to at each server, enables a more efficient power conversion.

Striking a Balance

HVAC engineers provide key pointers in evaluating desiccant dehumidification vs. reheat to optimally meet a facility's needs. CSE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of desiccant dehumidification? PALM: Traditionally, a mechanical refrigeration application requires cooling the supply air well below its dew point to remove the humidity and then adding back sensible heat or reheat to atta...

The Power of Independence

Several technical and economic advantages argue in favor of both distributed generation and alternative power—but there are also disadvantages that hinder development. CSE: Right off the bat, what are the biggest obstacles to implementing distributed generation (DG) and alternative power solutions? DAUFFENBACH: Justifying capital cost to install, operate and maintain the equipment, becaus...

Geothermal Gets the Go-ahead

Despite higher first cost, continuing technology advances and increasing system efficiencies are making geothermal a serious contender in the HVAC market. CSE: What's the latest with geothermal technology? Do recent advances promise to make geothermal systems even more efficient and cost-effective? TOWNSEND : Increased geothermal unit efficiencies coupled with variable-speed pumps for the loops are helping to minimize energy consumption. Also, the new SEER 13 requirements should help make geothermal systems more attractive in terms of overall operational efficiencies and costs. SCHMIDT : The latest geothermal advance seems to be with the refrigerant conversion from R-22 to R-410a.

Classroom Environments

Although some local markets are hotter than others, nationwide, the K-12 market is going strong both for new construction and renovation. As one might expect, K-12 building activity is strongest in the Sun Belt and parts of the West, where the “parent population”—25- to 55-year-olds—is expanding the fastest. “We've been extremely active with education work in Florida with such a large influx of people,” says Matt Wiechart, P.E., principal with TLC Engineering for Architecture's Ft. Myers office. But demographics isn't the only force affecting this market.

High-Wire Act

Electrical and communications systems design for today's high-rise buildings calls for a flexible approach to accommodate the inevitable future adds, moves and changes. CSE: What are some of the best ways to build flexibility into electrical wiring and communications cabling in high-rise facilities, especially to accommodate MACs (moves, adds and changes)? VOLTAGGIO : There are a number of important considerations, all of which minimize the time, expense and disruption associated with MACs. They include the following: The provision of adequate capacity in the initial installation to accommodate anticipated levels of growth. Strategic placement of equipment and infrastructure to readily facilitate MACs. Efficient access to equipment and cabling. Establishment of repetitive, modular installations, which simplify the management of the final installation for maximum efficiency. MAKWINSKI : Building flexibility into a system requires close attention to wire and cable pathways. The conventional method of running wires and cables through the walls and using fixed-position outlets makes it difficult to accommodate changes in the physical layout, the popularity and efficiency of open space environments and advances in technology.

Switching Power

Innovations in controls and communication systems have improved monitoring of switchgear and transfer switches. Manufacturers are also touting arc-flash-resistant designs. CSE: What are the latest design innovations in switchgear and automatic transfer switches (ATS)? LIGGIO : In brief, equipment is smaller, communications have improved and arc-flash safety has increased. OLSON : There are new arc-resistant and arc-proof designs, but in general, these new capabilities are not yet hitting a large number of projects. The biggest advances are probably in the area of controls—both the integration and advancement of common feature sets and the advent of easy, low-cost communications, as Mr.

On the Right Track

There's a lot of pressure being a third-generation engineer. Add to that equation that your grandfather happened to found the firm you work for, your father is the current chairman of the board and, oh, you happen to be female—and young at that. Those were exactly the cards dealt to Shelley Vanderweil, an electrical engineer with—of course—R.G.

Code Red

Full integration of fire alarm and IT systems hasn't yet happened, but networking capabilities have advanced, with open systems that use an intranet as a communication path. CSE: What's the latest and greatest in the world of fire alarms and related equipment? WEAVER: Well, for one thing, the tough new 9th Edition of UL Standard 864 is certainly still big news. All manufacturers must test their products to this standard to meet local codes requiring UL-listed products. Originally scheduled to go into effect last October, there have been two extensions to accommodate the sizeable amount of redesign and testing with which most manufacturers are finding necessary to comply.

A Balanced Mix

Where can you put in a few hours at the office, meet some friends at the corner cafe, pop in to shop at a clothing boutique, pick up your dry cleaning, catch the latest movie and then retire for the night in your condo—all without leaving the neighborhood? The answer can be found in just about any major American city these days, where one finds plenty of mixed-use developments that combine residential, retail, office and hospitality venues for occupants to live, work and play—all in one place. After all, who wouldn't want to eliminate a long commute to work? "Employees are increasingly demanding places near their work where they can live, shop and relax. Seeking a better quality of life, they want to spend more time with their families and friends, and less time commuting," explains St. Petersburg, Fla.

Where Are all the Women Engineers?

When women consider careers in M/E engineering, one factor that's often overlookeed is that it's a fairly male-dominated profession. This, sometimes, can lead to culture shock. This was definitely the case for Marina Dishel, P.E., now a vice president with the Syska Hennessy Group's New York office.

Women in Engineering

Just a few decades ago, it was practically unheard of for women to enter the field of M/E engineering. While a few brave female pioneers began testing the waters in the late '70s and early '80s, it wasn't until the '90s that greater numbers began to follow. Over time, women have become much more accepted and respected in this traditionally male-dominated profession, and today, it's not uncommon to find at least a couple of female engineers in just about any office.

Tune in, Sports Fans

Whether it's snazzier, concession-laden concourses, more premium seating options or just more in-seat services, the latest line of sports stadiums and arenas are doling out the works. "The sports business is strong, and facilities are an important component of that," says David Murphy, AIA, principal, Crawford Cannon Design. The Kansas City, Mo. firm is in the midst of a number of high-profile sports projects, including the design of a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, a recently completed arena for Boston University and $8 million worth of renovations to the Seattle Seahawks' four-year-old Qwest Field. The Qwest Field project really reveals the state of the industry: Even though just about every professional franchise has built a new stadium or arena in the past 20 years, the drive to create new revenue streams and keep things exciting for fans has led to a continuous stream of renovations, according to Randy Bredar, AIA, vice president and national director of sports architecture with HNTB, Kansas City. And, according to Murphy, it's just not the pros. "The business philosophy of colleges toward stadiums has become more professional, which has redefined the market and fueled this explosion of growth," he says. HNTB's docket certainly bears this out, with work that includes a new arena for the University of Southern California and stadium renovations for Michigan State, Oregon State and the universities of Illinois, Michigan and California-Berkeley.

Where’s the Wire?

Wireless mesh technology, improved security and reduced radio frequency obstructions are some of the developments that have increased the appeal of wireless building automation controls. CSE: What are the main advantages of wireless controls? MUNSON: The big benefit is the ability to deploy devices in difficult settings, especially in existing structures or remote locations. Also, mobility and rapid deployment are high on the list of advantages, as well as lower costs from reduced infrastructure wiring requirements. HOFFMAN: There are certainly cost savings from not having to pull wires between controllers and sensors. But I think the main advantages of wireless controls are expandability and flexibility.

New Trends in Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems

Editor’s Note: Our March 2006 M/E Roundtable, “ Power Continuity ,” features industry experts in a wide-ranging discussion of the latest trends in UPS technology and system deployment. The article below draws on additional, previously unpublished materials from the roundtable. Significant trends in the development of UPS technology include not only increased use of web-enabled systems, but also the ability of manufacturers to build UPS with a smaller footprint. “Most UPS systems can now be web-enabled for remote monitoring,” says Herve Tardy, vice president of marketing, MGE UPS, Costa Mesa, Calif.

Getting Humidification Right

Good indoor air quality depends, in part, on good humidification. But consulting engineers often must win owners over to the benefits of quality humidification. CSE: What obstacles must be overcome to convince an owner about the importance of installing a quality humidification system in his or her facility? MUMMA: The main points that must be communicated are: need, benefit and cost-benefit ratio. Essentially, the owner needs to realize that providing good IAQ reduces productivity loss and illness. For example, Lawrence Berkeley Lab estimates that poor IAQ costs U.S.

Power Continuity

There are a variety of different loads and faults in all the many types of facilities that emergency power system designers encounter. Specifying an uninterruptible power supply system calls for a careful consideration of what is unique to the project. CSE: How does one decide that UPS is even the best emergency power solution for a specific application? ALBERT: In general, if any system or application is affected or operationally impaired because of power source interruptions or loss, UPS is required. McCALLA: Any business processes that depend on technological systems need to be protected by UPS.

Ready for Prime Time?

While facility owners seem to be reluctant to commit themselves to using on-site generators for prime power, the interest is out there—especially when it means cost savings. CSE: What's driving the interest that has developed in the past couple of years in using on-site generators for prime power? KESLER: The two main factors are reliability and flexibility. Due to ever increasing demand, facilities and end users are becoming more and more subject to outages and power quality issues. Also, electricity production has not kept up with the increase in demand, and utilities are spending much less on infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, thus creating a risky environment for those users that rely heavily on outside sources of power. From a flexibility standpoint, building owners and operators are always looking to reduce operational costs.

Shopping Smarts

Retail developers and designers these days must deliver the gamut from big box stores to specialty boutiques. This is becoming increasingly difficult, as trends such as narrower target markets, the increasing popularity of "retail-tainment" and adding retail into mixed-use development demand more innovative thinking and additional resources. Perhaps the greatest task at hand is something somewhat foreign to the retail scene: achieving energy efficiency to meet the requirements of a new breed of codes. Title 24 in California is receiving the most notoriety of these new standards with its requirement that general lighting consumption now be only 1.2 watts per sq.

Student Centric

For a generation of students used to having their own bedrooms, TVs, computers and, in many cases, cars, the expectation—demand, even—for certain lifestyle amenities at colleges and universities is quickly becoming the norm. This is a lesson savvy school designers have learned and are communicating to their university clients so that these institutions can deliver the kinds of buildings that best allow them to be in a position to land these highly desired, if somewhat pampered, prospects. "You have to have the best facilities if you want to compete for the best students," says Don Rerko, AIA, director of college and university facilities, URS, Cleveland. And, according to Mike Brennan, AIA, senior vice president, HSMM, Roanoke, Va., the competition among institutions is very strong. "Most [schools] are looking for ways to differentiate themselves with expanded programs, modernized facilities, diverse residential opportunities and a host of amenities," he says. It's this last category, says Gary Pateau, a senior vice president of development with Altanta-based Carter, that's really influencing a lot of campus construction.

In Hot Water

Industry experts discuss strategies for reducing Legionella outbreaks while, at the same time, maintaining water temperature at levels safe enough to prevent scalding. CSE: How common is it for facility owners and designers to proactively address the issues of Legionella and scalding? FITZGERALD: Unfortunately, not as common as it should be. I attribute this to the lack of understanding by infection control practitioners and facilities management about sources of bacteria and effective treatment protocols. SHEERIN: But in general, media coverage, facility maintenance education and sometimes local and state regulatory enforcement have created a greater awareness of the Legionella hazard. And most health-care facilities we work with proactively monitor and maintain their domestic hot water systems. HOOVER: While that's generally true, one obstacle I foresee to a more proactive approach is the rising cost of natural gas.

BAS Anywhere, Anytime

Through laptops, hand-held devices and even cell phones, building automation systems have taken to cyperspace, revolutionizing the accessibility and convenience of building controls. CSE: What are the main advantages of web-based building control? WESTPHAL: The ability to monitor and control a building from anywhere, anytime with an Internet connection and off-the-shelf browser software is the main advantage. Secondly, the cost of the browser software to display the web pages is free in Microsoft's Windows operating systems. LUNDSTROM: Web-based systems also can provide easier remote access to building controls for site managers and operators for troubleshooting during off-duty hours, assuming the IT department allows access via firewall ports. And the amount of time required for training building controls operators is significantly decreased, because most people are already knowledgeable about using web-browser software. TOM: I believe the primary advantage is a revolutionary improvement in accessibility.

State of Sprinklers

Designers of fire sprinkler systems today confront many issues: requirements that exceed minimums set by NFPA 13; an abundance of new technologies; and evolving job expectations. CSE: What are some of the latest trends in the design and specification of sprinkler systems? HOPKINS: One of the hottest design trends is performance requirements that exceed the minimum prescribed levels of NFPA 13 [Installation of Sprinkler Systems]. Many jurisdictions, including the federal government, are requiring these provisions.

Power System Checkup

During the 2003 summer blackout, which left large parts of the Midwest and East Coast in the dark, hundreds of health-care facilities were affected. Like many of its neighbors, one Midwest hospital lost both primary and alternate power. To add insult to injury, the local utility soon after informed the hospital that due to local growth, it would have to start charging a hefty fee for alternate power service. The hospital decided it was time to back up its entire campus with emergency gensets. Power events are often the catalyst that finally motivates a health-care facility to address neglected maintenance and needed upgrades.

Tangle-Free Design

Density of cabling, its effect on cooling and air-handling systems and its interaction with other systems are some of the major challenges for communication cable layouts in telecom and data centers. CSE: What are the key challenges in organizing cable in telecom and server rooms? MONFORTON: From a capacity planning standpoint, building a permanent cabling infrastructure that not only meets current requirements but also anticipates future needs is tricky. One challenge is that ever-increasing quantities of cabling are being required at server and network equipment cabinets. There's also a greater density of cables being routed to main cross-connect frames.

State of Security

Security experts say digital technology is quickly becoming the norm, particularly in the CCTV realm, and that other, formerly exotic equipment, such as biometrics, is also gaining more acceptance. CSE: What are some of the newest and trendiest security technologies being considered for facilities these days? GARCIA: Trendy technologies would have to include video system enhancements, pedestrian access control, biometric access and automated vehicle penetration bollards. For example, digital video devices, with larger storage capacity and more effective data retrieval, have replaced analog equipment. Digital provides these benefits through integration into existing facility LAN infrastructures. Also, storage of video images on dedicated security systems is no longer the only alternative. The trend is toward images stored on computer mainframes managed by the IT departments. In access control, the utilization of turnstiles in main lobbies has become more common, since they provide a means of establishing accountability for individuals entering and exiting. The use of magnetometers and x-ray equipment is being seen more in manufacturing facilities and high-rise buildings.

The Big Chill

Chiller experts predict that modular central chiller plants will continue to gain market share over field-built installations. The technology offers definite advantages—but MCCP isn't always right for the job. CSE: How novel is the concept of modular chillers and what is your assessment of their popularity? LANDRY: The concept of packaging chiller plants is not new. In the 1980s, several companies made packaged plants, but the concept wasn't yet commercialized on a large scale. McAULIFFE: Actually, the modular central chiller plant (MCCP) approach grew out of the electric utility industry where MCCPs have been applied for more than a decade, usually to boost power plant efficiency via gas-turbine-inlet air-cooling.

Medium Voltage for Maximum Effect

Medium-voltage power distribution systems are common in industrial settings and are becoming common in other types of facilities. However, each type of facility has its own special requirements. CSE: Besides industrial plants, what other types of facilities rely on medium-voltage systems? How does specification of these systems differ in non-industrial settings? GUSTIN: Actually, many building types require medium-voltage systems: health-care, office high-rises, sports complexes, data centers and waste and water treatment facilities. Installations can range from simple radial systems to loop systems to multiple-source primary systems.

Observing Protocol: What’s in Store for BAS? – Part 2

Integration of BACnet and LON protocols has become easier, say the experts, but the focus has shifted to the convergence of BAS with IT networks, XML and web services. The CSE M/E Roundtable on BAS continues. Click here for part 1. CSE: Do you personally think one system is better than the other, or does it matter? EHRLICH: I don't think one or the other is better.

Observing Protocol: What’s in Store for BAS?

Integration of BACnet and LON protocols has become easier, say the experts, but the focus has shifted to the convergence of BAS with IT networks, XML and web services. (Click here for part 2 of this roundtable discussion.) CSE: There were a lot of products at the AHR Expo this year that claimed the capability to work with both BACnet and LON. Has integration of the two protocols gotten any easier? HUSTON: I'd say so.

High-Class Hospitality

Time heals all wounds, they say, and this axiom rings true of the hospitality market. In the wake of 9/11, the industry was hit hard. But with a steadily recovering U.S. economy and renewed confidence in travel, in cities such as Las Vegas, designers are going gangbusters. "Virtually every major hotel and casino on the Strip is expanding, remodeling or refreshing its property," says Ed Butera, P.

Pro IAQ, Anti-Mold

Air-conditioning coils, rainwater intrusion and even cleaning methods are cited as sources of mold. Proper design that avoids oversizing systems and emphasizes peer review in planning is the solution. CSE: What are the leading causes of mold and poor IAQ in commercial and institutional facilities? SCHEIR: In my opinion, the air-conditioning coil is the source of most IAQ problems, even though w...

Around the World

American A/Es venturing beyond the Atlantic and Pacific shores are finding plenty to do these days, with an overseas market that is generally up, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. "The big news, which isn't necessarily new news, is that China is very hot," says Gene Schnair, AIA, a managing partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill's San Francisco office.

Beyond the Basics: Holistic Lighting Solutions

Experts discuss the next dimension of fluorescent lighting design, highlighting the latest in technology and emphasizing the importance of quality lighting to building owners. CSE: How can a lighting designer break out beyond routine specs and design more functional, energy-efficient and aesthetic spaces? KOYLE: The answer is education.

Gateway to the Holy Land

For seasoned road warriors, travel through most airports—even international—can be a rather mundane experience. Of course, much of this depends on one's destination and purpose—business, pleasure or pilgrimage. But for those journeying to Israel for the latter, the trip tends to be more exciting and often dramatic.

Have a Safe Flight

Fire professionals share the finer points of airport fire-protection design for these unique facilities. CSE: Given the unique nature of airports, what special fire-protection requirements do these facilities have? CASTELLANO: Today's airports incorporate large open areas, often atriums, to provide passengers with a sense of spacious surroundings and a welcoming environment to the arriving city.

Smoke Control: To CFD or not to CFD

Computational fluid dynamics is the latest and greatest when it comes to designing smoke management systems. But it's a complicated tool that's not necessary for every project. CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: Smoke management is an area where fire protection and mechanical engineers truly interface. Software for fire modeling and computational fluid dynamics make for even more exciting interfac...

Government Restoration

Buildings all over the country, constructed in the '50s, '60s and '70s "need massive upgrading," declares Bill Helmuth, AIA, design director for the Washington, D.C. office of A/E HOK. In the private sector this is not welcome news, as buildings from these eras aren't exactly retrofit-friendly because of narrow floor plates and low floor-to-floor heights.

Gray Power

The U.S. Census Bureau recorded a total of 35.9 million American seniors—65 years and older—in July 2003. That's an increase of 1 million since the 2000 census. So, there won't be a slowdown in the senior housing sector any time soon. And one of the most critical components of this specialized housing—be it retirement community, assisted living center or skilled nursing facili...

Taking Off the Chill

Dealing with end-user concerns, using variable speed and evaluating combinations of equipment headline a meeting of the minds on the topic of hybrid chiller plants. CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: What's the latest and greatest with hybrid chiller plant design? ZAK: The emphasis seems to be shifting from a specific piece of equipment to the efficiency of the overall process.

Zoning In

Zoned HVAC strategies make sense for facilities that have varying heating and cooling loads. This month's roundtable participants discuss the technology, practical applications and benefits of zoning. Consulting-Specifying Engineer: What are the most common applications for zoned HVAC systems? KENSKY: Office environments, both enclosed and open office plans.

Above or Below?

Experts on air distribution weigh the advantages and disadvantages of overhead vs. underfloor air distribution. Consulting-Specifying Engineer: As HVAC technology and systems continue to evolve, are you seeing more movement toward either overhead or underfloor air systems? ABNEY: We're seeing growth in the use of underfloor HVAC systems.

Private Sector Goes to School

When it comes to selecting a college or university, many incoming students and parents are paying more attention to the frills and amenities that institutions offer. But as universities compete for new recruits—both students and instructors—the reality is that many colleges are short of the cash required to build new dorms, labs and state-of-the-art lecture facilities.

Taking Control of BAS Specs

CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: What are some common errors designers make when specifying environmental control systems? TOM: Engineers tend to overspecify control hardware technical details, while underspecifying control of HVAC hardware. To some extent, this is probably a result of the fact that many control system vendors have a vested interest in selling their own hardware, so their specif...

Treat Yourself to M&M

Shortly after deciding to install a submeter in his New York City building, Mr. Facility Manager discovered a 400-kW spike in his facility's electric profile one day in June. Upon further investigation, he found that his utility operator apparently decided to slack off, leaving the chiller running at full blast all day.

The Right Answers?

K-12 school construction continues to see activity around the country, partly because of the spate of capital improvement referenda that passed in the last few years. But that well appears to be drying up. "With a lot of education cuts in the [Illinois] state budget, and even fairly affluent districts scrambling, the prospects for growth are not as exciting [as the past couple years]," says Mic...

What’s New with Renewables?

Manufacturers and consultants discuss how renewable power technologies—solar, wind, microturbines and fuel cells—are progressing, and how these technologies are faring in the marketplace. CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: It seems that the biggest barrier to renewable energy sources has been first cost.

Sensitive Issues

CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: What are the criteria for determining when to specify fire suppression in place of traditional sprinklering? RZEZNIK: The use of special suppression systems, which includes both gaseous agents and water mist systems as the primary extinguishing method, is generally dictated by the nature of what's being protected and its relative value to the owner—or to so...

Healthy and Robust

Most firms in the business of designing and building health-care facilities would agree that the market continues to be strong. But 40-year industry veteran Robert Levine is more emphatic. "It's the strongest health-care market I've ever seen in my life! There are no soft spots to speak of, geographically," says Levine, vice president of health care for Turner Construction, St.

What’s the Alternative?

CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: What advantages do non-metallic piping systems offer over traditional plumbing? DeANGELIS: CPVC and PEX are growing in popularity as acceptance levels increase for these non-metallic piping systems. CPVC delivers long-term performance benefits, such as not being susceptible to corrosion, pitting or scaling.

Boiler Check

Consulting-Specifying Engineer: What are some factors to consider when specifying boilers or water heaters? SMARR: In recent years, first cost has usually been the most important factor. This being the case, modular boilers—often firetube type—are attractive. The building heat load is divided by the number of standard modular boilers required to handle the load, and sometimes a spa...

Court’s in Session

Just about a decade ago, the U.S. government declared a "judicial emergency." No, there was not a constitutional crisis. Rather, the nation's federal courts were determined to be "out of space." Thus began the federal government's ambitious courthouse reconstruction program with a mandate for the General Services Administration to build 160 new facilities over a 10-year period.

Below the Surface

Geothermal experts share system specification tips for this ever-emerging, energy-efficient, sustainable technology. CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: It's been said that geothermal technology has been gaining popularity over the past few years at a rate of roughly 20% per year among building owners and design professionals alike.

Fire Protection: The Right Balance

CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: Do fire-protection engineers look more to active techniques? How can passive fire protection play a greater role? HAYNES/PRYMAK: The National Fire Protection Assn. (NFPA)—and all the building codes—continue to stress active fire protection in the form of sprinklers and alarm and detection systems.

Battling Brownouts, Blackouts

What are the latest advances in uninterruptible power supplies? Has the Northeast outage of last summer resulted in power systems with greater reliability? Professionals on the front line provide answers. Consulting-Specifying Engineer: In the news of late, we've head a lot about dealing with blackouts, but what about brownouts? Specifically, what types of facilities are most prone to these occ...

Control Variables

CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: Oftentimes, only a small percentage of a project's cost is allocated for building system controls. Does this pose challenges for controls design? STANKE: A low budget for controls may or may not make it difficult to do what the design requires. One has to consider the type of project.

Blackout Blues

Although the jury is still out as to exactly what led to a situation where 50 million customers in New York, the Midwest and southeastern Canada were suddenly without power on August 14, 2003, many electrical engineers and consultants seem to agree that the state of the nation's transmission system deserves some of the blame.

A World Without Wires?

Communications and networking experts offer a glimpse into the current state of wireless technology—common applications, relevant codes and standards and obstacles to more widespread use. CSE: Compared with more conventional cabling, what are some of the advantages—and disadvantages—of wireless? CALOZ: When designing a voice or data network, the considerations are application,...

All in 1 Package?

While engineers and contractors have traditionally pieced together a facility's electrical system utilizing equipment from different manufacturers, in some cases, the option of choosing pre-integrated systems has become a possibility—for example, gensets, switchgear and controls all in one package.

HVAC Air Time

Both novel and conventional technologies are being put to effective use in air movement strategies. The newest innovations are in controls and monitoring, as well as airflow modeling in the design phase. CSE: What are some of the newest approaches to moving air for energy-efficient heating and cooling? ROWLAND: There are several alternatives currently in use that, while not new, are different ...

Keeping Up on CFCs and Chillers

CSE: Several alternatives are available for chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) replacement, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and ammonia. How does one determine which is best for existing chillers—or whether to install a new chiller? LEADER: If a new chiller is considered, it's best to do a cost analysis that looks at all aspects of chiller replacement, not just...

Life, Security and the Pursuit of Effectiveness

It's unanimous: Government spending on building projects is up—for the federal government, that is. At the state and municipal level, on the other hand, budget deficits have put many plans on hold. The surplus of federal building programs, however, coming to bear in a wide range of projects for dozens of different agencies, is keeping a number of engineers busy this year, and the action i...

Staying Power

Staying in business as an M/E engineering firm, especially in today's economic climate, is no small feat. Staying in business for 70-plus years, however, must mean you've really got a formula for success. In compiling our annual Giants ranking of top engineering firms by M/E revenue, four particular firms merit extra attention: the SmithGroup and HarleyEllis, both of Detroit; Syska Hennessy Gro...

Cabinets, Cabling and Cooling

CSE: Is it safe to say that many of the notions the engineering community has about cooling data centers and similar mission-critical facilities are already outdated? SPINAZZOLA: Without question. The focus must be on kilowatts per cabinet, not watts per sq. ft. STACK: The reality is that newer rack-based servers generate much more heat than older systems, creating hot spots within the control...

Fire Alarms for the Future

CSE: Have you noted any significant changes in how fire-alarm systems are set up in buildings since the events of 9/11? HEIN: Many people are beginning to recognize the importance of fire-alarm systems as part of a comprehensive security system. We've also seen a keen interest in emergency-evacuation systems.

Back it Up

CSE: To begin, let's examine the most significant technological advances backup power systems have accrued. COURTEMANCHE: In my opinion, perhaps the most significant advances have not so much been in the equipment itself, but in the monitoring and reporting systems associated with the equipment. For example, with today's systems, the owner/operator can continuously monitor the health of their b...

Hospitable Climate

Last year the American Hospital Assn. (AHA) reported that there are currently 900 fewer hospitals in the United States than there were in 1980, so it's no surprise that demand for new or improved facilities is hot. "I've been involved in the healthcare market for 40 years, and I've never seen such a strong market in my life," says Robert Levine, a vice president with Turner Health Care, Nashvil...

The Model for Smoke Control

CSE: What new technologies or trends are currently affecting the design of smoke-control and fire-detection systems? NADGIR: We have seen a tendency among end users to move away from the use of ionization detectors. However, this trend seems more pronounced in the detection and alarm business than in the fire-suppression business.

Changing Variables

CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER: Pumps, drives and motors are a good example of integrated engineering in action. What are some of the best applications for such combinations? Where are they not appropriate? RISHEL: The best applications for variable-speed pumps are systems with very broad load swings such as from 500 to 10,000 gallons per minute.

Midterm Exam: C-

Although it's not uncommon for engineering students to spend more time hitting the books than their peers in liberal arts or the college of business, a surprising number of professional M/E/P engineers feel many engineering programs might be better off borrowing some of the curricula of their academic brethren.

Getting in (Switch) Gear

Editor's note: In a world of heightened sensitivity within electrical environments, engineers have been observing some interesting changes in switchgear and automatic transfer switches. For example, the introduction of digital trip technology in circuit breakers now makes it possible to communicate feeder data that previously would have required multiple instrumentation packages.