How to design proper exhaust and air handling units in laboratories, part 3

Brandon Fortier and Jeremy Barrette answer questions about labs and research facilities

When and how to use codes and standards for HVAC in laboratories, part 2

Brandon Fortier and Jeremy Barrette discuss codes and standards in laboratories

Different laboratories with HVAC implications, Part 1

Jeremy Barrette walks through several types of laboratories and the HVAC considerations for them

Lighting: How codes and guidelines affect lighting design

Before starting any lighting design specifications, several resources must be considered, which will be presented at this session. Engineers also should seek third-party objective sources for information on and comparison of directionality, efficacy and other properties.

Motors & Drives: Tips and tools for efficient motor management, Part 4

Michael Lyda, motor and drive engineer with Advanced Energy Corp., explains tips and tools for efficient motor management in this transcript from a December 2020 webcast.

The ABC’s of VRF System Design for K-12 Schools

Register to learn why schools are looking to VRF for HVAC solutions and what you need to know when designing for these spaces.

Transforming the Construction Cycle to Build Smart Buildings

Learn about current barriers facing the implementation of smart building solutions and methods to design and ensure the delivery of smart building systems.

Holistic lighting systems

This webcast will summarize the codes and standards that apply to lighting systems, controls and holistic lighting design.

Motors & Drives: Tips and tools for efficient motor management, Part 2

Michael Lyda, motor and drive engineer with Advanced Energy Corp., explains tips and tools for efficient motor management in this transcript from a December 2020 webcast.

Webcast: HVAC systems that achieve indoor air quality

Depending on the building and its geographic location, there are several techniques for specifying HVAC systems in nonresidential buildings.

Introducing Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse

Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse is a new website dedicated to educating and informing engineers about the latest challenges and developments relating to cybersecurity, information/operational technology (IT/OT), the cloud and more. Check it out!

CFE Media and Technology to Host Spring Virtual Training Week for Engineers

The five-day learning experience will cover a variety of topics and feature presentations from the industry’s leading experts, all of which will allow registrants to earn continuing education credit.

2021 40 Under 40 nominations open

Nominations for the 2021 40 Under 40 program are now open. Supporting materials are due Feb. 5, 2021.

Critical power webcast: Backup, standby and emergency power for hospitals

Engineers also need to be mindful of the construction process, and ensure equipment replacement is coordinated, temporary power strategies are identified and phasing concepts are developed.

Designing flexible, safe labs: Electrical, power and lighting

Safety, budget, flexibility and flexibility are key factors when designing laboratory and research space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer November 2020 issue

Read the November 2020 digital edition to learn about the annual salary survey, NFPA 110, Lighting control systems, fire pumps and hospital design.

Critical power webcast: Low- and medium-voltage electrical systems

There are several reasons to choose one voltage level over another for electrical transmission. First, the requirements of the electrical system must be defined. Voltage is determined by the equipment requiring power. Another reason is the cost. With higher voltage comes less copper for wiring, but more money for electrical equipment.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer October 2020 issue

Read the October 2020 digital edition to learn about building wiring, the 2020 Commissioning Giants, indoor air quality standards and virtual design for buildings.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer September 2020 issue

Read the September 2020 digital edition to learn about electrical protection advice, boilers and hot water heating tips and smart building consulting.

CFE Media and Technology Announces Virtual Training Week for Engineers

CFE Media and Technology (CFE) is excited to announce the Virtual Training Week for Engineers during the week of Oct. 5, 2020, which will bring together industry leaders, technical experts and market research firms to provide engineers a unique continuing education opportunity.

Colleges and universities doing their part during the COVID-19 pandemic

Colleges and universities have been helping out during the COVID-19 pandemic with research, assisting local hospitals and more. See video.

Designing smart buildings

Smart buildings, intelligent places or connected venues are all terms the industry is using to describe this new way of thinking about how users consume the built environment.

Arc Flash 101: AIA CES accredited online course

This course explores the differences between arc flash and electrical shock.

Data Centers: AIA CES accredited online course

This course will explore the fundamentals of data centers and energy efficiency.

Critical Power Hospital Electrical Systems: AIA CES accredited online course

CFE EDU is an interactive online platform that offers multi-media educational courses on engineering topics that are critical to your work. Courses are AIA CES accredited and are self-paced for your convenience.

The demands of mixed-use facilities: HVAC

Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix with HVAC systems.

The demands of mixed-use facilities: sustainable buildings/energy efficiency

Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix with sustainable buildings/ energy efficiency.

The demands of mixed-use facilities: electrical/lighting/power and fire/life safety

Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix with electrical/lighting/power and fire/life safety.

The demands of mixed-use facilities: automation and controls

Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix with automation and controls.

The demands of mixed-use facilities: codes and standards

Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix with codes and standards.

The demands of mixed-use facilities

Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix.

Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings: electrical/lighting/power and fire/life safety

Fulfilling the demands of a mixed-use facility can be challenging, considering the structure’s diverse components. Here, professionals with experience on such projects share advice and explain how to end up with positive results for specialty buildings and electrical, lighting, power, and fire/life safety.

Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings: sustainable buildings/energy efficiency

Fulfilling the demands of a mixed-use facility can be challenging, considering the structure’s diverse components. Here, professionals with experience on such projects share advice and explain how to end up with positive results for energy efficiency.

Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings: HVAC

Fulfilling the demands of a mixed-use facility can be challenging, considering the structure’s diverse components. Here, professionals with experience on such projects share advice and explain how to end up with positive results for specialty buildings and HVAC systems.

Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings: codes and standards

Fulfilling the demands of a mixed-use facility can be challenging, considering the structure’s diverse components. Here, professionals with experience on such projects share advice and explain how to end up with positive results regarding codes and standards.

Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings: automation and controls

Fulfilling the demands of a mixed-use facility can be challenging, considering the structure’s diverse components. Here, professionals with experience on such projects share advice and explain how to end up with positive results concerning automation and controls.

Lighting in hospitals, health care facilities

Lighting and lighting control findings as they relate to hospital and health care facility projects.

Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings

Fulfilling the demands of a mixed-use facility can be challenging, considering the structure’s diverse components. Here, professionals with experience on such projects share advice and explain how to end up with positive results. Trends for specialized facilities are also explored.

The future of professional engineers: talent and career preparation

Young engineers are an important resource for firms—recruiting, training, and retaining fresh talent is important for a company’s future success. Here, engineers with experience in attracting and developing new talent share advice to help their professional development while increasing their value to the company. Many professional engineers practice various methods to reach out to new, potential talent and have great industry advice.

The future of professional engineers: communication

Young engineers are an important resource for firms—recruiting, training, and retaining fresh talent is important for a company’s future success. Here, engineers with experience in attracting and developing new talent share advice to help their professional development while increasing their value to the company. Engineering firms address how senior and new talent communicate.

The future of professional engineers: retention

Young engineers are an important resource for firms—recruiting, training, and retaining fresh talent is important for a company’s future success. Here, engineers with experience in attracting and developing new talent share advice to help their professional development while increasing their value to the company. Engineering firms also discuss how they are retaining new talent and the progress of young engineers.

The future of professional engineers: training and mentoring

Young engineers are an important resource for firms—recruiting, training, and retaining fresh talent is important for a company’s future success. Here, engineers with experience in attracting and developing new talent share advice to help their professional development while increasing their value to the company. Engineering firms have a number of different training programs, formal, and informal mentoring programs for new talent.

The future of professional engineers: recruitment

Young engineers are an important resource for firms—recruiting, training, and retaining fresh talent is important for a company’s future success. Here, engineers with experience in attracting and developing new talent share advice to help their professional development while increasing their value to the company. Many engineers have varying methods regarding how they recruit new talent.

Fire, life safety in government, military facilities

Half of respondents to the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2016 Fire and Life Safety Study specify, design, or make product selections for government buildings and military facilities—and 86% of these engineers are responsible for determining requirements/writing specifications for these projects.

HVAC for Data Centers

When developing data center energy-use estimations, engineers must account for all sources of energy use in the facility.

NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

Consulting engineers who specify emergency power equipment understand that installations for mission critical facilities, such as hospitals and data centers, are required to comply with NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, in conjunction with NFPA 70: National Electrical Code.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer welcomes Cory Duggin, PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP, to editorial advisory board

Cory Duggin, energy modeling wizard at TLC Engineering for Architecture Inc., has joined the editorial advisory board.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer announces Sunondo Roy, PE, LEED AP BD+C, joins Consulting-Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board

CCJM Engineers Ltd.’s vice president Sunondo Roy has joined the editorial advisory board.

Richard Vedvik, PE, joins Consulting-Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board

Richard Vedvik, a senior electrical engineer and acoustics engineer from KJWW Engineering Consultants, has joined the editorial advisory board.

Tom Earp, PE, ATD, joins Consulting-Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board

Tom Earp, principal/MEP engineering director at Page, has joined the editorial advisory board.

Cory J. Abramowicz, PE, LEED AP, joins Consulting-Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board

Cory J. Abramowicz, associate at Environmental Systems Design Inc., has joined the editorial advisory board.

Your questions answered: Designing for Minimum Flow With VFD Operation

Jim Swetye, senior technical trainer at Grundfos Pumps Corp. in Ohio tackled unanswered questions from the June 14, 2016, webcast on minimum flow considerations when using variable frequency drives (VFDs).

Critical Power: Backup power systems

Standby and emergency power systems provide power to ensure that life safety systems and critical equipment can operate during a power outage.

Critical Power: Electrical systems and data center efficiency

Whether producing, consuming, or measuring and verifying (M&V), electrical systems play an important role in data center energy efficiency. When it comes to data center electrical efficiency, all sources of energy use in the facility must be considered.

Retrofitting HVAC systems in existing buildings

While the mechanical engineering team has much more control over how HVAC systems are designed and how they fit into the facility for new construction, retrofitting HVAC systems to accommodate existing buildings is considerably more challenging.

HVAC: Cooling systems

HVAC systems consume 25% to 30% of the energy in a typical commercial building; functionally intensive buildings with controlled environments and large process loads can consume more than this.

Lighting: LED codes and standards

Good lighting enhances building design, conserves energy, and increases productivity, safety, security, personal comfort, sales, attendance, and profit.

Fire/life safety: Detection and notification systems

Fire detection systems—including fire, smoke, heat, linear, and intelligent—are required at varying levels in nonresidential buildings.

HVAC: Alternative heating/cooling systems

Balancing year-round thermal comfort and energy efficiency in nonresidential buildings is an ongoing challenge for mechanical engineers. Emphasis on building performance and adoption of energy-efficient building codes are increasing.

Data centers’ intricate design: Sustainability

Data centers are important structures that hold vital information for businesses, schools, public agencies, and private individuals. Energy-efficient designs frequently are requested by building owners.

Fire/life safety: Detection, notification, and suppression

Both active and passive fire protection systems are specified to ensure the safety and well-being of building occupants in case of a fire. As in most industries, the safety of people comes first and property protection is secondary.

Lighting: LED specifications

Engineers must understand the basics of LED lighting systems and which building types are best suited for them.

Webcast: How to thrive in the ‘nontraditional’ engineering work world

Telecommuting, growing numbers of contract employees, stressed corporate profits reducing the number of core employees, people working reduced amount of time past "normal" retirement age, a desire for part-time work, parenting, and elder care—all are contributing to a rapidly changing picture of how engineering work is and will be done.

Webcast: Deciding which ownership transition path to take

What's the succession plan for your engineering firm? Are you considering an internal ownership transition, or exploring an external sale? This professional development session will help owners look at the various options their engineering firm should consider as they opt to sell their firm.

Webcast: Variable frequency drives (VFDs), variable speed drives (VSDs), and motors

Engineers must understand how the components in the systems they design use power and how they can be optimized without compromising traditional design values. Standard induction motors use (and waste) electricity.

Webcast: Data center electrical efficiency

Designing efficient data centers is a high priority for consulting engineers. From business operations and continuity to the growing use of cloud services to the Internet of Things, increased Internet demand is putting a strain on server capacity and energy use.

Critical power: Transfer switches in switchgear

Consulting engineers must understand transfer switch types, timing requirements, ratings, and the effects that the characteristic of each emergency load has on generator operation.

Critical Power: Selective Coordination

Selective coordination is a means of localizing an overcurrent condition to restrict electrical outages to the affected equipment, circuit, or feeder. In a properly coordinated system, a fault induces operation of the nearest device on the line side of the fault and limits the outage to only the faulted portion of the system.

HVAC: New chiller requirements

Equipment efficiencies are increased for heat pumps, packaged terminal air conditioners, single package vertical heat pumps, air conditioners, and evaporative condensers.

Fire and life safety: Integration: Building automation systems and fire/life safety

Like a BAS, fire protection and alarm systems have also evolved into sophisticated computer-based systems, which offers more opportunities to integrate these systems to develop a more complete building response as part of overall building operations during an emergency event.

Critical Power: NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

In the Consulting-Specifying Engineer's May 8 webcast, Tom Divine, PE, Smith Seckman Reid Inc., and Kenneth Kutsmeda, PE, LEED, AP, Jacobs Engineering, discussed how consulting engineers who specify emergency power equipment for mission critical facilities will be impacted by new code requirements.

Critical power: Generators and generator system design

When designing generator systems, consulting engineers must ensure that the generators and the building electrical systems that they support are appropriate for the specific application.

Fire and Life Safety: Notification and emergency communication systems

Understanding emergency communication system design, installation, and maintenance criteria requires engineers to be familiar with the applicable codes and standards, primarily NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

Webcast: Circuit protection in health care facilities

Designing electrical systems for health care facilities—especially hospitals—is more demanding than for conventional buildings because the stakes are so high.

Modular data center design

Modular data centers can help cash-strapped building owners add a new data center (or more capacity) to their site, and can assist facilities with unplanned outages, such as disruptions due to storms.