Critical look at power

This month's panel discusses what facilities need mission critical power and at what levels, successful design schemes, technological advancements, and commissioning for these facilities. CSE: The term “mission critical” applies to data centers, telecom centers, and healthcare facilities.

Technology is power

This month's panel discusses on-site power, with regard to power generation, new designs, and renewable technologies.

Not a drop to waste

CSE: Do sensor-activated faucets really save water? J. PATRICK BANSE: Sensor faucets are more sanitary than handle-type faucets, and with preprogrammed “on” times, reduce the water use and possibility of leaving the faucet running longer than needed. Flow-control devices are the real water savers, as they limit the flow rate discharge of water to the user, which also minimizes spla...

Wireless controls

The advantages, future, and obstacles facing the development of wireless controls are discussed with this month's panel of experts.

Power grid problems

This month’s panel discusses the national grid, its problem and innovations, and how to prepare for the digital future.

Alarm panel versatility

This month's panelists discuss how fire alarm codes are addressing issues of mass notification and calls for easier modification of existing fire panels.

FieldServer Technologies system integrators

The FS-B35 series FieldServer is an interoperability solution for building automation system integrators. It brings together a driver library with the latest in gateway design. The system offers four serial ports, two 10/100 BaseT Ethernet ports, access to the largest driver library in the industry, and 1,000 point capacity.

Charles Austen condensate pumps

The Blue Diamond Condensate Pump series removes condensed water from refrigeration and air conditioning systems where gravity draining is not realistic. The self-priming rotary diaphragm technology offers a compact lightweight design to a miniature pump that quietly self-primes in wet and dry conditions.

AT A GLANCE

Show hours Jan. 22: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 23: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 24: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.ahrexpo.com ASHRAE's Winter Meeting & Conference will be held Jan. 19 to 23. More than 1,800 exhibitors from 30 countries are scheduled for 2008's Expo. The three-day event also hosts 72 educational sessions. These sessions begin at 8 a.

Extech infrared thermometer

For instant, accurate readings, turn to the 42515-T Wide-Range InfraRed Thermometer with Type K output. Storing as many as 20 readings, the thermometer measures both non-contact and contact temperatures in ranges from -58 F to 1,472 F, and Type K thermocouple measurements from -58 F to 2,498 F. Users can manually adjust emissions.

ICM Controls starting relays

The Universal Motor Starting Relay is a wire-for-wire replacement for all standard relays that operate a single-phase motor with a voltage range of 110 VAC to 502 VAC. The relay is ideal for installations in HVAC, commercial refrigeration, heat pumps, and single-phase motor applications up to 10 hp. The relay offers a patented differential voltage sensing technology that ensures exact starting ...

Miller-Leaman strainers

Unveiling at the AHR Expo is the Thompson Strainers. Designed for cooling tower water, chilled water, process cooling, and other applications, the strainers are available in a variety of screen mesh options, ranging from large perforated hole openings to as small as 50 microns. All models operate with less than 1 psi pressure loss, when clean.

Water storage heats up

CSE: When considering tankless, when might a decentralized—point-of-use—approach be more ideal than a centralized—one tankless heater—approach? MELODY LUTZ: When a water-heating system is decentralized, it may eliminate the necessity for long or multiple hot water piping runs.

Setra Systems pressure transducer

The Compact 3100 Series pressure transducer provides a low-cost solution for OEM applications, such as hydraulic controls, HVAC, engine controls, industrial processing, compressors, and pumps. The unit is less than 1 in. in diameter and is ideal for installations where space is at a premium. It is offered in pressure ranges from 100 psi to as high as 30,000 psi in many outputs, pressure fitting...

Fenwal Controls Gas

The re-engineered 35-6X series of 24 V gas ignition controls has received international third-party approvals. The controls can be integrated into gas-fired appliances such as HVAC, boilers, commercial cooking equipment, radiant/infrared heaters and furnaces. The series includes a standard direct spark ignition control, a direct spark ignition control with combustion blower relay, and intermitt...

Bryan Steam boiler

The Compliance HE-AB Series boiler is equipped with a gas burner that achieves sub 9 ppm. The burner features a metallic fiber mesh head design. In addition, the boiler features a guaranteed combustion efficiency of 85%, which results from a unique extended surface heat extractor that is supported by 7 sq.

Cleaver-Brooks green burner

Introducing at the AHR Expo, the Pro-Fire V series reduces carbon footprints. It offers facilities as high as 10:1 turndown on natural gas, as well as an option for sub-30 ppm operation throughout the firing range. The series is available in four sizes from 1.5 MMBtu to 11 MMBtu and is ideal for water tube boilers.

Seattle Aquarium exhibits major change

The historic landmark Seattle Aquarium, located along the Seattle waterfront, welcomes around 700,000 guests each year to its famed marine exhibits. Housed in a 100-year-old building, the Seattle Aquarium was in need of a major renovation to meet the needs of its guests and marine wildlife. The historic landmark status of the aquarium posed many challenges to Flack + Kurtz, a mechanical and ele...

High-bay presents unique challenges

This month's panel discusses fire detection and suppression challenges in high-bay environments—what systems are ideal what technological advances have been made. CSE: What are the unique design challenges in fire detection and suppression systems for high-bay environments? GOLDHAMMER: Design challenges depend on the type of fire scenario anticipated for the expected occupancy.

Taking control of BAS

This month's panel discusses building automation systems (BAS) and how engineers can meet expectations for these systems, in areas such as installations and retrofits. CSE: How can BAS designers meet an owner's requirements on time and on budget? HYDEMAN: A successful controls project rests on the following pillars: a clearly defined scope of work; a competent and reputable controls contractor;...

Big power in the Big Easy

This year's Power-Gen International takes place Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. More than 17,000 industry professionals are expected to attend to see 1,100 exhibitors displaying the latest in power products and technologies. Field device management and optimization software reduces the complexity of larger control systems into one compact interf...

Power equipment considerations

This month's panel discusses the ideal projects and facilities for both stick-built and pre-integrated power equipment, in addition to industry and specification issues. CSE: What are the considerations for stick-built power equipment? What types of projects and facilities are ideal for this system? AHUJA: Stick-built power equipment is suitable for customers who want easy shipment, minimum fi...

Security protection: Las Vegas hosts ASIS

This year's 53rd Annual ASIS International Seminar and Exhibits takes place from Sept. 24 to Sept. 27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. More than 23,000 attendees are expected to see more than 950 exhibitors. Remote video surveillance transmits real-time video from deployed cameras.

Integrating fire protection, security

This month's panel discusses the challenges engineers face integrating fire alarm and security systems, and provides practical solutions. CSE: What integration snafus have you seen in the field and how were they fixed? CASAMASSIMA: 1) Running out of node capacity within a network. Solution was to divide the system into two independent networks and utilize a global monitoring station.

NFPA Conference & Expo Post-Show

The National Fire Protection Assn. World Safety Conference and Expo took place June 3 to June 7 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Below is a sample of some of the extinguishants that were featured. See the M/E Roundtable on p.23 for further insights into extinguishants. Clean agent fire suppression system is available that is non-synthetic, made from nitrogen, argon and carb...

Fire Suppression Systems

This month's panel discusses the issues that engineers and designers need to be aware of concerning fire suppression systems, extinguishants and codes. CSE: What questions should designers ask their clients at the start of a project for a new fire suppression system? KELLY: For new projects, the designer should ask the client or owner several basic questions that are vital to the design of the ...

Boiler recommendations, specifications

This month's panel discusses how manufacturers and designers can improve specifications on boilers, and how to increase boiler safety and efficiency. How can engineers right-size—not oversize—a boiler while also providing for flexibility for a client whose needs might grow in the future? Scruby: There are two ways.

2007 World Safety Conference & Expo

The National Fire Protection Assn. World Safety Conference and Exposition takes place June 3 through June 7 at the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Last year, more than 4,000 attendees were at the event, a nearly 7% increase over 2005. The expo takes place on Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5.

LFI Illuminates Trade Show, Conference

The 18th annual Lightfair International makes its way to Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. The Lightfair Daylighting Institute and the Lightfair Institute take place on May 6 and May 7. Trade shows, conferences and seminars take place May 8 through May 10. LFI attracts more than 19,000 attendees from around the world, with more than 550 manufacturers showcasing products in more tha...

AHR Expo 2007 Returns to Dallas

The AHR Expo comes to the Dallas Convention Center from Jan. 29 to Jan. 31 for the first time since 2000. The event is expected to bring more than 1,600 exhibitors from 35 countries, and 45,000 HVAC/R professionals from more than 100 countries. This year's show promises the latest technologies and products from the world's leading manufacturers.