To this point in the troubled US economy, my company (HVAC consulting) has been extremely fortunate and remained busy and profittable. Things have recently really started to slow down. Our backlog of work (typically 4-6 weeks) has dried up down to week by week. We are not keeping everyone...
I've recently been asked to review the drainage design for a new 7 story, open ventilation parking structure. No oil interceptor is provided. I can't find anything in the local codes that requires it, but I would think it's good practice? In a tight budget, is this necessary?
Also, is there a...
I was just given some record plumbing drawings of a grocery store we will soon be renovating. There is a central vacuum system that feeds underground and hits each refrigeration pit. I'm not sure what the system is for. Typically, I see hub drains in the bottom of the pits. No information was...
In hydronic piping systems, my company has always specified copper pipe for sizes 2-1/2" and smaller and black steel for 3" and larger. No one at the firm really knows where the separation came from. Is it just cost? Are there other notable differences?
If copper pipe is cheaper at larger...
I'm working in a partition wall space (small, easily calculated cooling load) within a larger building. The users will be using a process in which they heat a material to 400 degrees.
Assuming I can determine the surface area of the heated material, how do I calculate the cooling required to...
Our firm currently adopts a "business casual" philosophy for office dress. The policy is vague on purpose with the intention being able to dress comfortably yet professionally.
Due to a couple of internal complaints and the idea of "professional" being taken a little too liberally, we're...
I've begun work on a project where the entire roof over a 2800 square foot room (physical therapy) is glass (pitched).
I'm good with caculating the load, but I'm looking for good ways to get the cooling in. I'm thinking with that much glass, regardless of the amount of cooling, the occupants...
About two years ago, our office installed two unit ventilators in a large conference room of a school. The unit vents replaced old heating only unit vents but were increased in size to accomodate new ventilation requirements and add cooling. We warned the owner of the potential noise issue...
I work for a mid sized MEP consulting firm. We're looking for some perks to offer to our young engineers when they get their PEs. We've found the market to be very competitive right now and we just can't offer the same salaries as the huge firms in nearby cities. So, we're looking for some...
My understanding from contractors and facility owners is that Evapco cooling towers are more difficult to maintain and are generally cheaper (not just less expensive) than some of the other manufacturers. I've expressed this concern to the local rep and he's offered to take me and my co-workers...
I'm a mechanical engineer working on a mid-sized ($3M Mechanical, $13M overall)construction project. All trades are separate primes reporting directly to the owner. The owner has asked that we conduct bid reviews of the low bidders to ensure drawing compliance.
I have not conducted many bid...
I work for a med/small sized MEP consulting firm with three partner/owners. Two are nearing retirement and, though unsaid formally, it is likely I will be asked to replaced one of them. I am fairly young and do not have much experience with the inner workings of company...
