Hey guys. I've been seeing a lot of this lately where a new software / AI company will integrate to an existing BMS to use AI / machine learning to "optimize" building energy usage. I'm part of a project where I have to retrocommission and ensure minimum ventilation requirements are met, and...
I'm working on a vehicle repair bay, and it dawned on me that it would be a lot less hassle and cost to wire a garage door to open upon exhaust purge fan (min 0.75 cfm / SF) activation from NOx / CO2 detection in lieu of large stationary louver with motorized damper. Has anyone ever done this...
With all of the alternative septic systems available today, is there ever a risk that a site is completely unbuildable due to poor soil permeability, or is the risk just associated with added cost of having to provide an alternative, more expensive system than a conventional subsurface system...
When designing the openings to support roof drains, does the steel need be under the roof drain flange to properly support the drain, or does it need to be a few inches further out to allow for the required space in install the drain? I'm having a hard time finding a detail or installation...
Hey everyone. Do open ceiling spaces (ie. rooms with no ceilings, exposed to deck) have the same smoke / flame spread requirements as those in an above ceiling return air plenum? Ultimately, I'm attempting to identify is PVC DWV piping is allowed in a building with open spaces, and whether all...
I can use a refresher on core & shell HVCAC / MEP design and see what others are doing. Most of my experience has been with smaller low-rise commercial buildings with very basic heating only and minimal toilet exhaust systems provided by the owner, where the tenants will typically later come in...
This probably isn't news to anyone in the field, but equipment lead times are absolutely out of control and getting worse. VRF seems to be the only equipment in stock, with VAV RTU's / DOAS units sometimes 30-50 weeks out depending upon capacity. Boilers, chillers, pumps are from 10 to 50 weeks...
Is there anything wrong with putting water cooled freezer / cooler condensing units on a water source heat pump loop for heat recovery? I see the benefit of "free" heat in the winter, and better compressor efficiency in the summer with evaporative cooling vs air cooled condensers. I've never...
In cold climates, I've always been specifying makeup be tempered (heating only). The IMC requires tempering, or the ability of the HVAC system to be able to handle the additional load of raw makeup air. However, I've seen others moving towards no conditioning of makeup air when using...
When applying a diversity factor to water source heat pump systems, let's assume 80% for this example, do you apply this factor to pump flow (variable primary pumping)? I've been told by a grey-haired engineer to size pumps for total connected load, and to apply diversity factor to boilers /...
Hello. I'm seeking information on sulfamate nickel plating process ventilation / exhaust requirements. The bath is about 4'x5' in a 600 SF room located in an office building. It will be covered during operation. I've seen conflicting information from what I can find, where some sources claim...
I can use some opinions on a recent project involving a nickel formation plating room.
It's a small room about 600 SF with a 4'x6' nickel bath. The client had an industrial hygienist take readings of the air and surfaces in the room which resulted in harmless levels of airborn toxins. The...
I have a project where high pressure district steam is available and distributed to buildings on an industrial site. My scope is heating and ventilating about 50,000 SF of manufacturing space. I'm deciding whether to reduce pressure at the building steam entrance and distribute low pressure...
Hello. As a mechanical engineer with access to the full AEC collection suite, and decided to start tinkering around with Civil3D and Infraworks. I just started diving into the world of GIS data, parcels, and Lidar elevation data. I'm enjoying the learning process and blown away by the data...
Can anyone help point me in the right direction of software / resources which may be helpful in the design of HVAC / refrigeration equipment? I come from the world of HVAC building systems engineering, but I'd like to start learning more about equipment design. For example; is there software out...
Hello. I'm a self-employed consulting engineer. In the building design and construction world, many contracts are typically "paid-when-paid" terms, with some wording stating that invoices will be paid in a "reasonable time-frame" to circumvent payment protection laws. I'm looking for opinions...
I have an application where I'll be pumping ethanol at -75°F. I was originally thinking of going with air operated 316 stainless steel diaphragm pumps, but I'm running out of options once I hit -40°F, I believe due to the plastic / rubber diaphragms and seals. Can someone maybe recommend a...
I'm designing the pumping and piping system for a CBD hemp oil ethanol extraction process. Can someone point out some good references / design standards? I have ASME B31.3 which mainly covers pipe stresses, but looking for more guidance.
Thank you.
New York State Plumbing Code (2015 IPC) prohibits building (house) traps in chapter 10 of the IPC, 1002.6. However, I've come across certain local building departments that require them, I.E. White Plains, NY. The way I understand code is that the state legislates, and the localities enforce...
Anyone aware of larger light-commercial DX split system / gas heat AHUs greater than 5-tons that don't require 3-phase power? It appears all the manufacturers typically jump from single to 3-phase after 5-tons. I'm working on an addition that has a large open space with 20-ton cooling load and...
