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 ...
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 new designs and technologies. To learn more about building systems for schools, see “Back to School with New Systems, Ideas” on p.47.
Control device helps keep humidity in check by providing full capacity modulation for all sizes of direct-expansion AC systems by continuously and automatically matching AC system capacity/output to changing load conditions. The device modulates the AC system’s capacity by varying refrigerant flow according to suction pressure, which changes with the temperature of air crossing the evaporator coil, as opposed to end-type controls such as thermostats and humidistats. (APR-410 Control by Rawal Devices) www.rawal.com Input #1 at www.csemag.com/QuickResponse
Static air-to-air heat exchanger transfers heat and moisture from the exhaust air to the outside air. As a result, humidity is controlled and heating and cooling capacity is reduced. Utilizing new material technology, the equipment is said to require no maintenance. Heat exchanger is also designed to transfer more moisture at part-load conditions than a number of conventional products on the market. (ConsERV by Dais Analytic Corporation) www.conserv.com #2
Fan coil units have dedicated outside air coils and come pre-piped from the factory for fast installation. www.tempspec.com #3
Filter protects classrooms from outdoor air contaminants emanating from nearby loading docks and waste disposal units outside the school. The combination particulate and chemical filter utilizes a unique media to remove gases such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, aldehydes and VOCs, some of the main contaminants found in classrooms, offices, gymnasiums and cafeterias. The unit can be retrofitted into any existing system. (Purafilter OA by Purafil) www.purafil.com #4
UVC kit makes retrofitting a packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC) unit fast and easy. Kit includes a UVC emitter, power supply and the necessary hardware for retrofitting the PTAC coil. In addition to controlling mold and microbial growth, the UVC emitter saves energy and reduce A/C coil cleaning costs. (UVC Kit by Steril-Aire) www.sterilaire.com #5
Air-cooled screw compressor chiller has its own factory-installed pump package mounted right on the chiller base. This way the hassle of installing separate external pumps and connecting them to the chiller is eliminated. In addition to easy installation and a smaller footprint, the chiller’s aerodynamic fan blades and single rotor screw compressor enables quiet operation, making it a great fit for schools. (Model AGS air-cooled screw compressor chiller by McQuay) www.mcquay.com #6
Condensing boilers offer energy-efficiency and reliability. Available in six different sizes with modulating capabilities from 6:1 to 23:1, depending on the unit, to maximize seasonal operating efficiency, boilers operate at less than 50 dBz, so they can be located next to classrooms, if necessary. By incorporating several independent 151,500 BTU/h, pre-assembled thermal modules housed in a common enclosure, the system is designed to maintain its load if one module is in need of maintenance or repair. Each module has its own dedicated controller with a combustion safeguard, variable-speed fan, modulating gas valve, electronic ignition, modulating burner, flow temperature sensor, thermostat and heat exchanger. (Modulex line of condensing boilers by AERCO) www.aerco.com #7
Constant-volume rooftop unit now available with the EnergyX system. EnergyX offers a fully factory-integrated and certified energy recovery system that utilizes exhaust air to exchangeenergy with fresh intake air. This preconditioning of air allows higher operating efficiencies and increased comfort control and IAQ while reducing the cooling and heating capacity requirements of the Centurion leading to installation cost savings. The combined efficiency by ARI Guideline V can be higher than 19.0. (Centurion EnergyX by Carrier) www.carrier.com #8
Controls software ties a school’s fire, communication, security and building control systems together, making building operation much more efficient and organized. Possible configurations include programming the school’s fire control panel to communicate directly with the paging speakers and phone system; reducing hallway lighting levels when classes are in session and/or reducing heating or cooling once the building is no longer hosting school activities. (BuildingConnect by Siemens) www.sbt.siemens.com/bau/inquiry
Building automation system is designed to connect building systems on an enterprise, or school district level. With simple, web-based access to multiple buildings, facility staff can regularly monitor building systems and review the software’s daily operations such as reporting on status of buildings, systems and equipment; scheduling by room, building or enterprise; data collection, analysis and troubleshooting; and alarm management. (Tracer ES – Enterprise Solutions by Trane) www.trane.com #9
Upgraded building management system offers greater interoperability, reliability and ease-of-use. The system is certified for interoperability with all BACnet devices, regardless of their manufacturers, and the system’s network-control engine combines an IP-based supervisory controller with an adaptive, self-tuning DDC controller and a Web-based user interface. Improved field equipment controllers have optional integrated displays for monitoring and control in the field. (Metasys 3.0 by Johnson Controls) www.johnsoncontrols.com #10
Standby generators operate on natural gas or liquid propane and are available in sizes between 20 kW and 150 kW. The natural gas gensets offer quieter operation, reduced emissions and unlimited fuel supply with no storage, making them ideal for school settings, especially those with emergency power code requirements due to their designation as an emergency shelter. (QT Series by Generac) www.generac.com #11
Automatic transfer switches are single- or dual-operator, available in 2-, 3- or 4-pole configurations, for emergency power systems in 600-volt class applications. ATS have positive mechanical interlocking and provide high-speed, quick-break, quick-make preloaded transfer by means of a simple electrical operator, backed up by a safe manual operator. The switches offer an effective design solution for K-12 institutions with backup power requirements. (Models RMT and RMTD automatic transfer switches by Russelelectric) www.russelectric.com #12
Air-conditioned cabinet , with integrated UPS protection, efficiently stores and protects IT equipment. Designed as a plug-and-play system, the multi-purpose cabinets feature adjustable racks and rack rails that support a wide variety of equipment from servers to networks. With enhanced cable access and management, airflow is improved to further reduce overheating of IT equipment. Its small size is said to be ideal for K-12 computer rooms. (Foundation MCR — Mini Computer Room by Emerson Network Power) www.liebert.com #13
Power protection system is scalable, redundant and designed specifically for small- to medium-sized data centers. Made up of dedicated and redundant modules containing power, intelligence, battery and bypass, the components are engineered into a design that is easily and efficiently serviceable. Its architecture can scale power and runtime as demand grows or as higher levels of availability are required. The system also features self-diagnostic capabilities and standardized modules that decrease the risk of human error, resulting in increased overall data-center reliability. (Symmetrex by American Power Conversion) www.apcc.com #14
Lighting subpanel is suited for K-12 settings because it can control numerous small spaces. The product installs in the ceiling and a Cat-5 cable connection gives the pre-engineered enclosed panels the ability to integrate light-level detection, occupancy detection, keypads and switching. Set up as a stand-alone system or connected to a larger network, the subpanel offers easy installation and reduced field wiring costs, in addition to ease of network connectivity and simplified programming. (Square D Clipsal Area Lighting Panels by Schneider Electric) www.squaredlightingcontrol.com #15
Lighting control system utilizes advanced fluorescent dimming technology to integrate daylight harvesting and occupancy sensors into a network of digitally addressable dimming ballasts, infrared receivers and manual lighting controls. Based on a simple and flexible building-block architecture that does not require interfaces or power packs, the intelligence is built right into the ballasts, which communicate with each other and with other controllers in the network, so reconfiguration and reprogramming is relatively easy. Wall-mounted controls can also be preset to provide optimal lighting for various educational activities such as watching videos, working on computers or traditional blackboard instruction. (BalanceLC System by Lutron Electronics) www.lutron.com #16
Information management system monitors a K-12 facility’s fire and life-safety network from a single location. With its graphical user interface, the system can help accelerate emergency response by delivering customized, event-specific instructions to system operators. (TrueSite Workstation by SimplexGrinnell) www.simplexgrinnell.com #17
Waterless urinal DVD demonstrates how waterfree urinals work and provides step-by-step instructions for installation and maintenance. (Waterfree Urinal DVD by Falcon Waterfree Technologies) www.falconwaterfree.com #18
Sanitary hand dryer for school bathrooms is an alternative to paper towels or conventional units. The device reduces drying time from 30 or 40 seconds required by conventional units to 5 or 6 seconds. Paper and labor costs are eliminated, making it easy to maintain. (Jet Towel by Mitsubishi) www.mitsubishijettowel.com #19
