2012
December 2012
Commissioning control systems for MCFs
Controls success starts in design with clear requirements, and ends with thorough testing and complete turnover. Here are eight steps to follow. » more
Preventing arc flash incidents by design
Understanding electrical distribution equipment and its associated risks can help reduce incident energy levels and save lives. » more
How to select an air handling unit
Air handling units come in all shapes and sizes. Learn to balance and prioritize all of the choices related to performance, efficiency, maintainability, and space constraints. » more
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November 2012
Designing energy plants the smart way
A critical review of the expected spectrum of operating loads, including the maximum design, average, low, and minimum loads, is necessary to develop a generating plant design. » more
Choose to become a lighting engineer
Do you have what it takes to become a lighting designer? Here are some key attributes you’ll need. » more
Challenge: Hospitals, health care facilities
With daunting aspects such as ever-changing codes and standards, increasing medical complexity, and dwindling capital budgets, hospitals and health care facilities are among the most challenging building projects. » more
Using natural gas for temporary power
A clean, cost-effective power solution is needed to provide additional power support to energy companies, municipalities, and federal agencies. » more
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October 2012
Breathing life into commissioning
Building commissioning is becoming a standard of nearly all aspects of engineering. » more
A career roadmap: Don’t be afraid to ask for directions
If you want to be a leader in your firm, you must understand the skills needed to be considered leadership material. » more
Communication in commissioning
An effective commissioning authority must bring far more than technical skills to the project team. Communication skills of all types are key. » more
Embrace engineering change—or risk failure
Engineering firms that avoid change and cling to the status quo are destined to fail. » more
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September 2012
An overview: How to engineer systems in mixed-use buildings
When working on mixed-use buildings, engineers must address many needs in one building. » more
How to engineer systems in mixed-use buildings: Fire and life safety
When working on mixed-use buildings, engineers must address many needs in one building. Fire and life safety issues are discussed here. » more
How to engineer systems in mixed-use buildings: Electrical and power systems
When working on mixed-use buildings, engineers must address many needs in one building. Electrical and power engineering are key aspects of these buildings. » more
How to engineer systems in mixed-use buildings: HVAC and controls
When working on mixed-use buildings, engineers must address many needs in one building. This reviews aspects of HVAC, automation and controls, and energy efficiency. » more
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August 2012
Overcoming hurdles
The 2012 MEP Giants recognizes the top 100 mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection engineering firms by MEP design revenue. » more
Master these 10 common graces
The consummate professional rounds technical skills with a few common graces. » more
Water mist: A wise recipe for extinguishment
Water mist systems are used as fire protection in buildings with sensitive equipment or materials. » more
Unraveling mysteries of BAS wireless controls
There is quite a bit of flux in the wireless building instrumentation and controls protocol market with numerous players jockeying for dominance. Here’s a look at several of them. » more
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July 2012
High-performance must be high-profile
High-performance buildings are by no means a new topic of discussion, nor are they new to the many engineers who have been working toward energy efficiency and similar goals for years. » more
Tips and tricks for mission critical facilities
Reliability is important on any project an engineer is charged with, but especially when it comes to mission critical facilities, failure is not an option. » more
Saving energy in water heating systems
Increased domestic water heating equipment efficiencies and numerous system configurations offer design professionals more tools to save energy and meet the building and client requirements. » more
In engineering, what really matters?
What do you do when your project has features outside of the normal specs? » more
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June 2012
Innovating our way through the recession
One of the best things about being in the engineering field is that we get to witness new technologies and processes as soon as they’re on the market–new products, groundbreaking projects, and unique engineering solutions. » more
MEP Roundtable: Industrial strength
Manufacturing and industrial structures can have wide-ranging engineering needs, depending on the processes conducted inside. » more
Selecting UPS for mission critical projects
A well-designed and properly applied UPS can protect critical loads from power quality anomalies. » more
Emerging UPS technologies, applications
Several emerging UPS technologies are gaining acceptance. Some of these up-and-coming UPS types include superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES), flywheels, super capacitors, and fuel cells. » more
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May 2012
Designing an effective emergency communication system
Catastrophic events have changed the way fire protection engineers design emergency communication systems and mass notification systems. » more
Your personal development toolkit
A few tools will help you better yourself in relationships and on the job. » more
Life safety in overdrive
Instead of specifying individual systems for fire alarm systems, engine test cell fire suppression, hazardous gas detection, medical emergencies, digital voice command, and emergency weather monitoring, the decision was made to… » more
Whatever happened to critical thinking?
New engineers are brilliant and stupid at the same time. » more
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April 2012
World of difference
Conducting business overseas can be a challenge of global proportions. Figure in language barriers, culture clashes, lack of adequate infrastructure, and climate differences, and a project that would be difficult even in your… » more
The magic of innovation
What do the automated teller machine, Kodak Photo CD, and the fax machine have in common? On the surface, it doesn’t seem like much. Each of these products, however, started out as an award-winning technology in the pages of a… » more
Mentoring is ‘the way it is’ at Midwest firm
KJWW Engineering Consultants employs a formal mentoring process for all new hires. » more
Classifying generator power sources
The NEC has several categories that apply to generator power sources. It is important to review the code requirements when deciding on the classification of an alternate power source. » more
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March 2012
Striking a balance between passive and active fire protection
Occupant protection, structural safety, and proper suppression systems designed in compliance with the 2012 International Building Code can reduce the risk of damages from fire exposure in a building. » more
Analyze the lifecycle of HVAC systems
Performing a series of cost analyses when designing HVAC systems is an economically justifiable method to selecting the appropriate design solution. » more
Case study: Bundling performance
Although LCCA of individual system alternates is often valuable, it is important to recognize the whole building return on investment that is the basis for a building’s overall success. A brief example of such an analysis is… » more
School uses DV in underground athletic facility
For the subgrade athletic center at Sidwell Friends School, a K-12 school on 15 acres in Washington, D.C., displacement ventilation (DV) was ideal for the 23,000-sq-ft, four-court gymnasium, which is equipped with retractable… » more
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January/February 2012
Resolution: Save more energy in the new year
We have solutions for the energy problems, but we have a ways to go. Read this editorial viewpoint, and share your experiences and knowledge.
Sizing motors right the first time
Determining load horsepower, wiring, and breaker size for safe and efficient installations. » more
Balancing energy and indoor air quality
Engineers can create a balanced approach to the energy and indoor air quality (IAQ) trade-off with dedicated outdoor air systems that fit the needs of the facility and its inhabitants. » more
Business development: How to win more work
An engineer provides his perspective on how to win more work by engaging the staff, building your business, and then winning the bid. » more
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