Safety first

CSE: Whose responsibility is it to ensure that equipment such as control panels, lighting panels, or panelboards are properly labeled? Designer, contractor, or the building owner/operator? Lanny Floyd: NEC110.16 is specific that the equipment is “field marked” as opposed to the label being applied by the manufacturer.

The nitty-gritty on gensets

Our panel discusses paralleling and proper sizing for generators, considerations for subtransient reactance in critical environments, and accurately matching automatic transfer switches and generators.

Green-lighting energy efficiency

At the intersection of energy codes, technology developments, cost constraints, and demands for higher efficiency and lower emissions, how should designers proceed?

The top ten stories from 2009

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

In retrospect, how far have we come?

With the the World Climate Conference going on in Copenhagen, the CSE staff has put together a two-year collection of columns on climate change, sustainability, and the green market movement.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s 2009 Products of the Year

Consulting-Specifying Engineer ( CSE ) is proud to announce the winners of its 2009 Product of the Year competition. These products, which were introduced or refined in 2008, were first submitted for the competition by their manufacturers. A panel of judges (all professional engineers who regular design and specify HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and plumbing systems) selected up to five finalists in each of 10 categories.

What’s notable about MNS

View the full story, including all images and figures, in our monthly digital edition Our panel discusses the importance, application, and necessary improvements needed for mass notification systems in hospitals, college campuses, and commercial buildings. CSE: What situations require the use of mass notification systems (MNS)? Ray Grill: Currently, the Department of Defense is the only entity that requires MNS to be installed in its facilities. MNS can be appropriate for a facility or area that is susceptible to hazards that may require the occupants to take some action (or stay in place) to prevent them from being impacted by the hazard. Mark Suski: Any facility that has multiple buildings—a college campus—or a building with an extensive footprint—a hospital or shopping mall—should have a MNS to notify occupants in the event of an emergency. The armed forces have been installing MNS on military bases for many years in the form of speakers and public address systems.

Pre-packaged MEP solutions

From complete chilled water systems to data center power packages, our roundtable discusses the economic benefits, liability concerns, and adapatability of pre-packaged systems for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. CSE: What are the economic benefits and penalties associated with a pre-packaged system vs. a component-specified system? R. Stephen Spinazzola : There are many types and sizes of pre-packaged systems; ranging from packaged pumping systems to complete packaged chiller plants.