Building envelope of enclosure is created with the main function of protection the indoor spaces and occupants from external barriers.
The idea of ‘shelter’ has been around since the history of mankind and the same concept applies to a building envelope.
The need for an improved and sturdy building envelope comes into the picture when external factors like natural calamities or terrorism are considered.Currently, the 2 most common threats for the integrity of a building envelope are rainwater penetration and moisture infestation.
Based on the wall specifications, the drainage plane can be specified as waterproof and vapour-impermeable or water resistant and vapour-permeable.Air BarrierIt consists of elements that are designed to control the air movements across an exterior wall system.
For optimal performance, some key aspects of the air barrier are:Must reside within the wall, and be continuous from roof to wall to foundation.Should have high quality materials that provide high resistance to air pressure without compromising their performance.Must be durable with ability to maintain the structural integrity throughout its life cycle.
The element that controls and limits vapour flow across the exterior wall systems is called an vapour retarder.A vapour retarder must meet the building codes, and the designers must consider factors like material selection, occupancy, local climate and building location.Insulating ElementAn insulating element regulates and controls the heat transfer across the exterior wall system.
The COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the building sector and made healthy building interior one of the most important safety factors.
In residential buildings, indoor air quality has gained the utmost importance for stopping the transmission of coronavirus.
To create safe indoor spaces, the MEP design plays a critical role.The requirements of every building might be the same as each building is unique.
However, the most common requirements that must be met for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses are:High ventilation rates for preventing accumulation of harmful viral particles in the air.Smart ventilation layout for ensuring that the air pollutants are eliminated at the source and not distributed to nearby building areas.Efficient filtering for eliminating viruses up to 0.3 microns.Reliable disinfection methods for destroying germs that aren’t removed with ventilation and filtering.One of the common concerns with building system upgrades is the higher associated costs due to increased energy consumption.
The above mentioned measures can be compensated with effective energy efficiency measures.COVID Prevention with Effective Ventilation DesignFor an optimal ventilation system design, ASHRAE has 2 main recommendations:Increased outdoor air ventilation for displacing any contaminated indoor air.Minimum to none recirculation of indoor air for stopping transmission of viruses and germs.Even in absence of viral particles, an effective ventilation design can greatly improve the indoor air quality and promote comfort.Keep in mind that patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms are often instructed to recover at home until medical attention is needed.
However, there are ways how the excess requirement can be compensated:In favourable weather condition, residential ventilation systems can use airside economizer for achieving free cooling as the outdoor air is cool enough for replacing the need of air conditioning.HVAC systems coupled with Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) can further reduce the heating and cooling costs without sacrificing indoor air quality and comfort.Role of Filter Ratings in COVID PreventionAir filters have the ability of trapping harmful air particles.
The holiday season is upon us and we all know what that means, a time for all the friends and families to come together and enjoy the Christmas and New Years festivities.
And the best part, with the holiday sales around the corner, you can do a whole lot of home upgrades with fewer funds.Here are the top 8 home upgrades to consider before the holiday season.Underfloor Heating (Especially the Bathroom)Its winter, no one wants to step barefoot on to a cold floor.
Additional benefits of underfloor heating are improved energy efficiency, thermal comfort and indoor air quality as compared to the forced-air heating systems.Smart ThermostatWhile you’re busy tending to your house guests, a smart thermostat will tend to your heating needs.
A smart thermostat will automatically adjust its setting based on the indoor space occupancy, which means you longer have to recall if you adjusted the thermostat.
Looking at the current emergency situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is extremely important that your home can provide a healthy indoor air quality while ensuring harmful air pollutants, including COVID-19, are eliminated.HVAC UpgradesYou’ve been meaning to upgrade your HVAC system but haven’t done it yet?
Fall is like the sweet spot since its not too hot or too cold, which should be the perfect time for you prepare for the ‘winter is here’ days.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, many construction projects have taken a blow and have been slowed down.
Here’s when Revit Family Creation comes to the rescue.
When construction activities resume to normal, design engineers can specify the equipment requirement much faster with digital models.
This in turn will boost sales for manufacturers.Revit family creation can also be used as a powerful marketing tool, since design professionals can add specific products to the building models.
Many clients tend to opt for the approved design components even if other vendors offer equivalent equipment.How to Use Revit Family Creation EffectivelyIn Revit modelling, the building elements are classified into 3 main family types, each with unique features:System Families: They are a part of Revit’s internal database and contain general building elements like walls, roofs and floors.
These elements are independent of a specific building model and can be loaded into multiple projects.
While many adhere to the shutdown and work-from-home rules, some US areas have begun loosening restrictions related to COVID-19.
Health professionals had estimated that the second wave could possibly hit by winter 2020, and the scary part is that it’s already happening with over 600,000 new cases reported daily worldwide in November 2020.Construction industry being characterised as a high risk and high investment sector, the second wave has disrupted the industry for the second time, and the results don’t look any good.Disruption of the global supply chains, stringent safety measures, and rising scepticism in multi-million dollar projects have been the main reasons for the disruption of construction industry.
The survey received 1077 responses and 78% of them experienced project delays or disruptions.Highlights of the AGC SurveyWhile only 22% of the survey response said no to any kind of disruption or project delays, majority of them faced issues due to a wide range of reasons.
Based on the survey, the following are the main causes of disruption:Shortage of PPE kits in contractors – 7%Limited supply of materials, equipment or replacement parts – 42%Short supply of government workers – 8%Disruption due to suspected COVID 19 case – 31%Lack of finances or restricted cash flow – 10%The challenges in construction industry have extended beyond personnel protection from the novel coronavirus.
Building projects are facing a shortage of 3 main aspects:CapitalMaterialsSkilled LabourOut of the 1025 responses regarding late or cancelled deliveries, 54% of the total contractors said that the suppliers notified them about late of cancelled deliveries.
This can be mitigated with an increased number of suppliers or by prioritizing local suppliers.
For achieving a clean energy future and cut down the greenhouse has emissions, many leading US cities have been striving hard to meet the goal.
NYC with their clean energy initiatives including local laws, building code and incentive programs were able to score 77.5 points out of 100.Boston and Seattle were tied for the second position with 73 points, and Minneapolis and San Francisco were tied for the fourth position with 72.5 points.
The scorecard found out that out of 100 analysed cities, only 63 cities have GHG reduction goals, while only one-fifth (20) cities were on track with their goal.The annual ACEEE scorecard rates the energy efficiency performance of cities based on the following 5 main areas, with the maximum achievable score of 100:Local Government Operations – 10 pointsCommunity Wide Initiatives – 15 pointsEnergy and Water Utilities – 15 pointsBuilding Policies – 30 pointsTransportation Policies – 30 pointsLet’s take a look at how NYC scored in all the 5 categoriesLocal Government Operations – 6.5 out of 10The following is the breakdown on the NYC’s total score in this categoryClimate and Energy Goals – 1 out of 4Procurement and Construction Policies – 3 out of 3.5Asset Management – 2.5 out of 2.5NYC had an impressive score in procurement and construction policies, and asset management.
However, NYC lacks in the climate and energy goals targeting government operations in particular.Austin and Boston were the top performers in Local Government Operations with a score of 8 out of 10.Community Wide Initiatives – 8 out of 15The following is the breakdown on the NYC’s total score in this categoryClimate and Energy Goals - 2 out of 8Energy and Date Reporting - 1 out of 1Equity Driven Planning - 1 out of 1.5Distributed Energy Systems - 2.5 out of 3Urban Heat Island Mitigation - 1.5 out of 1.5NYC has an intermediate score in this category with climate and energy goals being the main area of improvement.
Washington DC, by adopting many GHG mitigation and clean energy goals, was the leading city in this category with a score of 11.5.Energy and Water Utilities – 10.5 out of 15The following is the breakdown on the NYC’s total score in this categoryEfficiency Efforts – 6 out of 8Renewable Efforts – 1 out of 3Water Services – 3.5 out of 4Based on recent studies, NYC has been adopting enhanced energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative measures which could potentially improve the ranking in these aspects.
Boston, Chula Vista, San Diego and Minneapolis were all tied at the first spot with an impressive score of 13.5 points.Building Policies – 28.5 out of 30NYC excelled in this category with an almost perfect score.
Transformers are fundamental for electricity distribution, stepping the voltage up and down as it travels from power plants to individual buildings.
Transformers are among the most efficient electrical devices, with a typical efficiency rating above 97%.
However, consider that transformers are always operational, even when the load connected to them is small.
Even greater savings are possible if you measure the total harmonic distortion (THD) of your electrical system, and add the corresponding filters.
Transformers become less efficient when their loads have a high harmonic content.DOE 2016 Efficiency Levels for LVDT TransformersLVDT transformers are very common in facilities that handle different voltage levels, such as 480/277 V and 220/127 V. With the DOE 2016 standard, the minimum efficiency for three-phase models was increased.
However, significant savings are possible when upgrading three-phase transformers, especially in buildings with many of them.Efficiency Requirements for Three-Phase, Dry-Type, Low-Voltage TransformersCapacity (kVA)TP-1 Efficiency (Previous)DOE 2016 Efficiency15304575112.5150225300500750100097.0%97.5%97.7%98.0%98.2%98.3%98.5%98.6%98.7%98.8%98.9%97.89%98.23%98.40%98.60%98.74%98.83%98.94%99.02%99.14%99.23%99.28%If you have single-phase transformers that meet the previous standard (TP-1), upgrading to DOE 2016 efficiency units will save little or no energy.
Building retrofits can greatly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Since each building is unique, the same technology can have very different results when used in multiple properties.
Energy consultants recommend deploying several measures at once, since those with a quick payback can help pay for measures with a longer payback.The NYC Urban Green Council analysed the typical payback period of various energy efficiency measures:Lighting retrofits, ventilation upgrades and building controls tend to have the quickest payback periods in office buildings, 2-3 years on average.Motor replacements, heating upgrades and air conditioning upgrades have a slightly longer payback period, typically around 5 years.Major HVAC upgrades, renewable generation and building envelope improvements have the longest paybacks, 7-8 years on average.These are just average values, based on data from NYC buildings that benchmark their energy consumption.
In actual projects, some energy efficiency measures may achieve a payback period of just a few months, while others require more than 10 years to recover the initial investment.What Is a Blended Payback Period?The payback period of energy efficiency measures is often calculated individually.
However, you can also add all their upfront costs and annual savings, to determine the payback period of an overall energy efficiency project.
This is called a blended payback period.With a blended payback period, measures with a longer payback period can be justified financially.
MEP engineering is the art of planning, designing and managing the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing systems of a building.
MEP engineers specialize in key aspects of construction projects like decision making, cost estimation, building management, construction administration, etc.Picking an experienced MEP engineering firm will not only help building owners dramatically improve the building performance, but also create a much comfortable and safe environment for the occupants.
MEP engineers also play a key role in improving energy efficiency of all kinds of buildings.Importance of Including MEP Engineers in your ProjectMEP engineers analyse individual building systems within the overall context of the project for maximizing the building performance, while keeping the costs to a minimum.
In essence, MEP engineers can bridge the integration gap between the most efficient building systems and the building architecture.Below are some of the technical challenges that MEP engineers can effectively tackle:Improve factors like lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and environmental performance, while maintaining the design integrity and aesthetics.Reduce maintenance and operation costs during the entire life cycle of the building systems, while ensuring optimal performance.Minimize energy costs.Adhere to environmental requirements and promote water and energy conservation.Solve plumbing problems and wastewater management.The MEP engineering market has been growing rapidly over the years, but only a few have the expertise to cover all the aspects.
It is important that you do your research before your pick a MEP engineering firm.
So how do you pick one?Below are the main MEP services required in all kinds of building projects:Mechanical Engineering (HVAC)Air-Handling SystemsHot Water SystemsChiller and Boiler PlantsDirect Digital Control SystemsExhaust Systems Electrical EngineeringElectrical Wiring and ConduitOn-site Power GenerationLighting Systems and ProtectionsFire Alarm SystemsArc Fault Services Plumbing EngineeringDomestic Cold and Hot Water SystemsStorm Water SystemsWater Conservation SystemsDomestic Waste and Vent SystemsAutomatic Sprinkler SystemsChoosing A MEP Engineering FirmThe planning and decisions taken at early stage of any projects heavily impacts the success or failure of the project.
Opting for both the services is often beneficial for most buildings, since consulting engineers can get all the relevant data about building system operation and energy performance in a single inspection.In simple words, both the terms can be explained as follows:Building commissioning involves keeping all the building systems operational as specified in the design documents and technical specification.Energy audits aim to identify measures that effectively improve the energy performance of the building.In some cases, commissioning can also be thought as the follow-up to an energy audit.
In these cases, energy audit identifies opportunities that would need commissioning as the follow-up.In an attempt to cut down the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, New York City came up with Local Law 87 which mandates commissioning and energy audits of buildings larger than 50,000 sq.
Commissioning is also often carried out after major renovation.
Since there are no major expenditures involved, the payback period is less than 1 year.Terms like recommissioning and retro-commissioning often cause a lot of confusion.
Both the terms refer to commissioning of existing buildings.Energy AuditEnergy audit aims to understand the current energy consumption profile of the building and identify upgrades to reduce the energy consumption without compromising performance.
Energy audit involves building inspection just like commissioning, but the goal is to improve the energy efficiency by exceeding the operating conditions specified in the design documents.The most common energy efficiency measures are:LED lighting retrofitsHVAC upgradation or replacementVariable speed drives for pumps and motorsAutomatic controlsBuilding envelope upgradesApart from building equipment upgrades, building energy inputs play a vital role in improving efficiency.
We all know that hospital buildings represent many lives, and is known to have a high levels of traffic throughout the day.
Since most of the building facilities are operational 24/7, MEP services play a vital role in ensuring that the facilities operate as intended throughout the life cycle.
For better understanding, an electrical fault can only cause mild disruptions in commercial buildings.
Depending upon the differences in the types of hospitals, the requirements vary for each healthcare facility.
As we all know, research suggests that COVID-19 can be transmitted through air, which imposes a serious threat in hospitals.Dehumidification or humidification systems must function as required as some spaces in hospitals require humidity control.
These systems must be optimized for all climate zone and season of the year.Many healthcare applications require steam, which introduces an additional system to the MEP design.HVAC systems are intended to create a comfortable environment.
Many companies have instructed their collaborators to work from home, and this reduces the demand for office space.
Of course, this had a negative impact on developers who focus on office buildings.Lake Mary Corporate Center is the first office building of its type in Florida, implementing many design features to protect occupants from COVID infection.
The project has an area of 300,000 square feet, and 5 parking spaces for every 1,000 sq.
These designs have a competitive advantage in the post-COVID world, compared with conventional office buildings.
Of course, building design features that prevent infectious diseases should be combined with recommendations from health authorities: using personal protective equipment, frequent handwashing, and social distancing.Even when contact is avoided fully, there are still risks.
ASHRAE has published many recommendations for building owners, which include an increased ventilation rate with outdoor air.
Also, health experts believe that virus transmission, including COVID-19, is much easier during winter.
It is important to inspect the construction site for removing all the snow from working spaces so construction activities can be carried out without any hurdles.To cut down the risk of falling during winter, it is recommended that everyone on the project site are using adequate footwear.
Typically, soles that are made of rubber and neoprene help with a much stable footing and resistance.
Additionally, salt or sand can be used to improve traction on icy patches.When walking on snow or ice patches is unavoidable, it is advised to take small steps and carry the body weight with the front foot.
It might seem funny, but the US CDC actually recommends the penguin walk to avoid from falling.
The recommendations mentioned above can reduce the normal pace of walking, but it prevents you from injuries.Weather MonitoringWinters are prone to sudden gust of wind and this can be very dangerous while conduction constriction activities like lifting activities and working at heights.
With the increasing effort to protect the environment and reduce the carbon footprint, New York City took the matter into their own hands by way of local legislation.
A study in 2016 stated that NYC buildings contributed to 67% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions representing over 35 megatons of CO2 released into the atmosphere in the city.To fight against the negative impact of buildings on the environment, The Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP) was enacted in 2009 for improving the energy efficiency of large buildings in NYC.
This resulted in introduction of new regulations, and among these regulations was Local Law 87 (LL87), the energy audit and retro commissioning law.According to Local Law 87, buildings larger than 50,000 sq.
ft. are required to perform energy audit and retro commissioning every 10 years.
The intent of LL87 is to inform building owners of their energy consumption through energy audits and achieve the sustainability goals by improving the building’s overall efficiency if needed.Building’s That Must Comply with LL87Based on the ownership information records, the building with the following characteristics must comply with LL87:Building over 50,000 gross sq.
ft. that are help in a condominium form of ownership.Energy Audit ExemptionsBuildings covered under LL87 are exempted from performing the energy audit if any of the following criteria are met:The building has received ENERGY STAR label from the US Environmental Protection Agency for at least 2 of the 3 years preceding the report delivery year.LEED certification from the US Green Building Council for existing building within 4 years prior to the report delivery year.Energy performance of at least 25 points above the average building of its type and validated by a NYC registered design professional.When Should I Submit the Report?The building owner is required to submit all the required information in an electronic Energy Efficiency Report (EER), which consists of professional certification forms and data collection tools.The EER should be submitted once in every 10-year period by 31stThe due date is indicated by the last digit of your tax number.
Transformers are fundamental for electricity distribution, stepping the voltage up and down as it travels from power plants to individual buildings.
Transformers are among the most efficient electrical devices, with a typical efficiency rating above 97%.
However, consider that transformers are always operational, even when the load connected to them is small.
Even greater savings are possible if you measure the total harmonic distortion (THD) of your electrical system, and add the corresponding filters.
Transformers become less efficient when their loads have a high harmonic content.DOE 2016 Efficiency Levels for LVDT TransformersLVDT transformers are very common in facilities that handle different voltage levels, such as 480/277 V and 220/127 V. With the DOE 2016 standard, the minimum efficiency for three-phase models was increased.
However, significant savings are possible when upgrading three-phase transformers, especially in buildings with many of them.Efficiency Requirements for Three-Phase, Dry-Type, Low-Voltage TransformersCapacity (kVA)TP-1 Efficiency (Previous)DOE 2016 Efficiency15304575112.5150225300500750100097.0%97.5%97.7%98.0%98.2%98.3%98.5%98.6%98.7%98.8%98.9%97.89%98.23%98.40%98.60%98.74%98.83%98.94%99.02%99.14%99.23%99.28%If you have single-phase transformers that meet the previous standard (TP-1), upgrading to DOE 2016 efficiency units will save little or no energy.
Building envelope of enclosure is created with the main function of protection the indoor spaces and occupants from external barriers.
The idea of ‘shelter’ has been around since the history of mankind and the same concept applies to a building envelope.
The need for an improved and sturdy building envelope comes into the picture when external factors like natural calamities or terrorism are considered.Currently, the 2 most common threats for the integrity of a building envelope are rainwater penetration and moisture infestation.
Based on the wall specifications, the drainage plane can be specified as waterproof and vapour-impermeable or water resistant and vapour-permeable.Air BarrierIt consists of elements that are designed to control the air movements across an exterior wall system.
For optimal performance, some key aspects of the air barrier are:Must reside within the wall, and be continuous from roof to wall to foundation.Should have high quality materials that provide high resistance to air pressure without compromising their performance.Must be durable with ability to maintain the structural integrity throughout its life cycle.
The element that controls and limits vapour flow across the exterior wall systems is called an vapour retarder.A vapour retarder must meet the building codes, and the designers must consider factors like material selection, occupancy, local climate and building location.Insulating ElementAn insulating element regulates and controls the heat transfer across the exterior wall system.
Building retrofits can greatly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Since each building is unique, the same technology can have very different results when used in multiple properties.
Energy consultants recommend deploying several measures at once, since those with a quick payback can help pay for measures with a longer payback.The NYC Urban Green Council analysed the typical payback period of various energy efficiency measures:Lighting retrofits, ventilation upgrades and building controls tend to have the quickest payback periods in office buildings, 2-3 years on average.Motor replacements, heating upgrades and air conditioning upgrades have a slightly longer payback period, typically around 5 years.Major HVAC upgrades, renewable generation and building envelope improvements have the longest paybacks, 7-8 years on average.These are just average values, based on data from NYC buildings that benchmark their energy consumption.
In actual projects, some energy efficiency measures may achieve a payback period of just a few months, while others require more than 10 years to recover the initial investment.What Is a Blended Payback Period?The payback period of energy efficiency measures is often calculated individually.
However, you can also add all their upfront costs and annual savings, to determine the payback period of an overall energy efficiency project.
This is called a blended payback period.With a blended payback period, measures with a longer payback period can be justified financially.
The COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the building sector and made healthy building interior one of the most important safety factors.
In residential buildings, indoor air quality has gained the utmost importance for stopping the transmission of coronavirus.
To create safe indoor spaces, the MEP design plays a critical role.The requirements of every building might be the same as each building is unique.
However, the most common requirements that must be met for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses are:High ventilation rates for preventing accumulation of harmful viral particles in the air.Smart ventilation layout for ensuring that the air pollutants are eliminated at the source and not distributed to nearby building areas.Efficient filtering for eliminating viruses up to 0.3 microns.Reliable disinfection methods for destroying germs that aren’t removed with ventilation and filtering.One of the common concerns with building system upgrades is the higher associated costs due to increased energy consumption.
The above mentioned measures can be compensated with effective energy efficiency measures.COVID Prevention with Effective Ventilation DesignFor an optimal ventilation system design, ASHRAE has 2 main recommendations:Increased outdoor air ventilation for displacing any contaminated indoor air.Minimum to none recirculation of indoor air for stopping transmission of viruses and germs.Even in absence of viral particles, an effective ventilation design can greatly improve the indoor air quality and promote comfort.Keep in mind that patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms are often instructed to recover at home until medical attention is needed.
However, there are ways how the excess requirement can be compensated:In favourable weather condition, residential ventilation systems can use airside economizer for achieving free cooling as the outdoor air is cool enough for replacing the need of air conditioning.HVAC systems coupled with Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) can further reduce the heating and cooling costs without sacrificing indoor air quality and comfort.Role of Filter Ratings in COVID PreventionAir filters have the ability of trapping harmful air particles.
MEP engineering is the art of planning, designing and managing the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing systems of a building.
MEP engineers specialize in key aspects of construction projects like decision making, cost estimation, building management, construction administration, etc.Picking an experienced MEP engineering firm will not only help building owners dramatically improve the building performance, but also create a much comfortable and safe environment for the occupants.
MEP engineers also play a key role in improving energy efficiency of all kinds of buildings.Importance of Including MEP Engineers in your ProjectMEP engineers analyse individual building systems within the overall context of the project for maximizing the building performance, while keeping the costs to a minimum.
In essence, MEP engineers can bridge the integration gap between the most efficient building systems and the building architecture.Below are some of the technical challenges that MEP engineers can effectively tackle:Improve factors like lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and environmental performance, while maintaining the design integrity and aesthetics.Reduce maintenance and operation costs during the entire life cycle of the building systems, while ensuring optimal performance.Minimize energy costs.Adhere to environmental requirements and promote water and energy conservation.Solve plumbing problems and wastewater management.The MEP engineering market has been growing rapidly over the years, but only a few have the expertise to cover all the aspects.
It is important that you do your research before your pick a MEP engineering firm.
So how do you pick one?Below are the main MEP services required in all kinds of building projects:Mechanical Engineering (HVAC)Air-Handling SystemsHot Water SystemsChiller and Boiler PlantsDirect Digital Control SystemsExhaust Systems Electrical EngineeringElectrical Wiring and ConduitOn-site Power GenerationLighting Systems and ProtectionsFire Alarm SystemsArc Fault Services Plumbing EngineeringDomestic Cold and Hot Water SystemsStorm Water SystemsWater Conservation SystemsDomestic Waste and Vent SystemsAutomatic Sprinkler SystemsChoosing A MEP Engineering FirmThe planning and decisions taken at early stage of any projects heavily impacts the success or failure of the project.
The holiday season is upon us and we all know what that means, a time for all the friends and families to come together and enjoy the Christmas and New Years festivities.
And the best part, with the holiday sales around the corner, you can do a whole lot of home upgrades with fewer funds.Here are the top 8 home upgrades to consider before the holiday season.Underfloor Heating (Especially the Bathroom)Its winter, no one wants to step barefoot on to a cold floor.
Additional benefits of underfloor heating are improved energy efficiency, thermal comfort and indoor air quality as compared to the forced-air heating systems.Smart ThermostatWhile you’re busy tending to your house guests, a smart thermostat will tend to your heating needs.
A smart thermostat will automatically adjust its setting based on the indoor space occupancy, which means you longer have to recall if you adjusted the thermostat.
Looking at the current emergency situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is extremely important that your home can provide a healthy indoor air quality while ensuring harmful air pollutants, including COVID-19, are eliminated.HVAC UpgradesYou’ve been meaning to upgrade your HVAC system but haven’t done it yet?
Fall is like the sweet spot since its not too hot or too cold, which should be the perfect time for you prepare for the ‘winter is here’ days.
Opting for both the services is often beneficial for most buildings, since consulting engineers can get all the relevant data about building system operation and energy performance in a single inspection.In simple words, both the terms can be explained as follows:Building commissioning involves keeping all the building systems operational as specified in the design documents and technical specification.Energy audits aim to identify measures that effectively improve the energy performance of the building.In some cases, commissioning can also be thought as the follow-up to an energy audit.
In these cases, energy audit identifies opportunities that would need commissioning as the follow-up.In an attempt to cut down the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, New York City came up with Local Law 87 which mandates commissioning and energy audits of buildings larger than 50,000 sq.
Commissioning is also often carried out after major renovation.
Since there are no major expenditures involved, the payback period is less than 1 year.Terms like recommissioning and retro-commissioning often cause a lot of confusion.
Both the terms refer to commissioning of existing buildings.Energy AuditEnergy audit aims to understand the current energy consumption profile of the building and identify upgrades to reduce the energy consumption without compromising performance.
Energy audit involves building inspection just like commissioning, but the goal is to improve the energy efficiency by exceeding the operating conditions specified in the design documents.The most common energy efficiency measures are:LED lighting retrofitsHVAC upgradation or replacementVariable speed drives for pumps and motorsAutomatic controlsBuilding envelope upgradesApart from building equipment upgrades, building energy inputs play a vital role in improving efficiency.
We all know that hospital buildings represent many lives, and is known to have a high levels of traffic throughout the day.
Since most of the building facilities are operational 24/7, MEP services play a vital role in ensuring that the facilities operate as intended throughout the life cycle.
For better understanding, an electrical fault can only cause mild disruptions in commercial buildings.
Depending upon the differences in the types of hospitals, the requirements vary for each healthcare facility.
As we all know, research suggests that COVID-19 can be transmitted through air, which imposes a serious threat in hospitals.Dehumidification or humidification systems must function as required as some spaces in hospitals require humidity control.
These systems must be optimized for all climate zone and season of the year.Many healthcare applications require steam, which introduces an additional system to the MEP design.HVAC systems are intended to create a comfortable environment.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, many construction projects have taken a blow and have been slowed down.
Here’s when Revit Family Creation comes to the rescue.
When construction activities resume to normal, design engineers can specify the equipment requirement much faster with digital models.
This in turn will boost sales for manufacturers.Revit family creation can also be used as a powerful marketing tool, since design professionals can add specific products to the building models.
Many clients tend to opt for the approved design components even if other vendors offer equivalent equipment.How to Use Revit Family Creation EffectivelyIn Revit modelling, the building elements are classified into 3 main family types, each with unique features:System Families: They are a part of Revit’s internal database and contain general building elements like walls, roofs and floors.
These elements are independent of a specific building model and can be loaded into multiple projects.
Many companies have instructed their collaborators to work from home, and this reduces the demand for office space.
Of course, this had a negative impact on developers who focus on office buildings.Lake Mary Corporate Center is the first office building of its type in Florida, implementing many design features to protect occupants from COVID infection.
The project has an area of 300,000 square feet, and 5 parking spaces for every 1,000 sq.
These designs have a competitive advantage in the post-COVID world, compared with conventional office buildings.
Of course, building design features that prevent infectious diseases should be combined with recommendations from health authorities: using personal protective equipment, frequent handwashing, and social distancing.Even when contact is avoided fully, there are still risks.
ASHRAE has published many recommendations for building owners, which include an increased ventilation rate with outdoor air.
While many adhere to the shutdown and work-from-home rules, some US areas have begun loosening restrictions related to COVID-19.
Health professionals had estimated that the second wave could possibly hit by winter 2020, and the scary part is that it’s already happening with over 600,000 new cases reported daily worldwide in November 2020.Construction industry being characterised as a high risk and high investment sector, the second wave has disrupted the industry for the second time, and the results don’t look any good.Disruption of the global supply chains, stringent safety measures, and rising scepticism in multi-million dollar projects have been the main reasons for the disruption of construction industry.
The survey received 1077 responses and 78% of them experienced project delays or disruptions.Highlights of the AGC SurveyWhile only 22% of the survey response said no to any kind of disruption or project delays, majority of them faced issues due to a wide range of reasons.
Based on the survey, the following are the main causes of disruption:Shortage of PPE kits in contractors – 7%Limited supply of materials, equipment or replacement parts – 42%Short supply of government workers – 8%Disruption due to suspected COVID 19 case – 31%Lack of finances or restricted cash flow – 10%The challenges in construction industry have extended beyond personnel protection from the novel coronavirus.
Building projects are facing a shortage of 3 main aspects:CapitalMaterialsSkilled LabourOut of the 1025 responses regarding late or cancelled deliveries, 54% of the total contractors said that the suppliers notified them about late of cancelled deliveries.
This can be mitigated with an increased number of suppliers or by prioritizing local suppliers.
Also, health experts believe that virus transmission, including COVID-19, is much easier during winter.
It is important to inspect the construction site for removing all the snow from working spaces so construction activities can be carried out without any hurdles.To cut down the risk of falling during winter, it is recommended that everyone on the project site are using adequate footwear.
Typically, soles that are made of rubber and neoprene help with a much stable footing and resistance.
Additionally, salt or sand can be used to improve traction on icy patches.When walking on snow or ice patches is unavoidable, it is advised to take small steps and carry the body weight with the front foot.
It might seem funny, but the US CDC actually recommends the penguin walk to avoid from falling.
The recommendations mentioned above can reduce the normal pace of walking, but it prevents you from injuries.Weather MonitoringWinters are prone to sudden gust of wind and this can be very dangerous while conduction constriction activities like lifting activities and working at heights.
For achieving a clean energy future and cut down the greenhouse has emissions, many leading US cities have been striving hard to meet the goal.
NYC with their clean energy initiatives including local laws, building code and incentive programs were able to score 77.5 points out of 100.Boston and Seattle were tied for the second position with 73 points, and Minneapolis and San Francisco were tied for the fourth position with 72.5 points.
The scorecard found out that out of 100 analysed cities, only 63 cities have GHG reduction goals, while only one-fifth (20) cities were on track with their goal.The annual ACEEE scorecard rates the energy efficiency performance of cities based on the following 5 main areas, with the maximum achievable score of 100:Local Government Operations – 10 pointsCommunity Wide Initiatives – 15 pointsEnergy and Water Utilities – 15 pointsBuilding Policies – 30 pointsTransportation Policies – 30 pointsLet’s take a look at how NYC scored in all the 5 categoriesLocal Government Operations – 6.5 out of 10The following is the breakdown on the NYC’s total score in this categoryClimate and Energy Goals – 1 out of 4Procurement and Construction Policies – 3 out of 3.5Asset Management – 2.5 out of 2.5NYC had an impressive score in procurement and construction policies, and asset management.
However, NYC lacks in the climate and energy goals targeting government operations in particular.Austin and Boston were the top performers in Local Government Operations with a score of 8 out of 10.Community Wide Initiatives – 8 out of 15The following is the breakdown on the NYC’s total score in this categoryClimate and Energy Goals - 2 out of 8Energy and Date Reporting - 1 out of 1Equity Driven Planning - 1 out of 1.5Distributed Energy Systems - 2.5 out of 3Urban Heat Island Mitigation - 1.5 out of 1.5NYC has an intermediate score in this category with climate and energy goals being the main area of improvement.
Washington DC, by adopting many GHG mitigation and clean energy goals, was the leading city in this category with a score of 11.5.Energy and Water Utilities – 10.5 out of 15The following is the breakdown on the NYC’s total score in this categoryEfficiency Efforts – 6 out of 8Renewable Efforts – 1 out of 3Water Services – 3.5 out of 4Based on recent studies, NYC has been adopting enhanced energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative measures which could potentially improve the ranking in these aspects.
Boston, Chula Vista, San Diego and Minneapolis were all tied at the first spot with an impressive score of 13.5 points.Building Policies – 28.5 out of 30NYC excelled in this category with an almost perfect score.
With the increasing effort to protect the environment and reduce the carbon footprint, New York City took the matter into their own hands by way of local legislation.
A study in 2016 stated that NYC buildings contributed to 67% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions representing over 35 megatons of CO2 released into the atmosphere in the city.To fight against the negative impact of buildings on the environment, The Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP) was enacted in 2009 for improving the energy efficiency of large buildings in NYC.
This resulted in introduction of new regulations, and among these regulations was Local Law 87 (LL87), the energy audit and retro commissioning law.According to Local Law 87, buildings larger than 50,000 sq.
ft. are required to perform energy audit and retro commissioning every 10 years.
The intent of LL87 is to inform building owners of their energy consumption through energy audits and achieve the sustainability goals by improving the building’s overall efficiency if needed.Building’s That Must Comply with LL87Based on the ownership information records, the building with the following characteristics must comply with LL87:Building over 50,000 gross sq.
ft. that are help in a condominium form of ownership.Energy Audit ExemptionsBuildings covered under LL87 are exempted from performing the energy audit if any of the following criteria are met:The building has received ENERGY STAR label from the US Environmental Protection Agency for at least 2 of the 3 years preceding the report delivery year.LEED certification from the US Green Building Council for existing building within 4 years prior to the report delivery year.Energy performance of at least 25 points above the average building of its type and validated by a NYC registered design professional.When Should I Submit the Report?The building owner is required to submit all the required information in an electronic Energy Efficiency Report (EER), which consists of professional certification forms and data collection tools.The EER should be submitted once in every 10-year period by 31stThe due date is indicated by the last digit of your tax number.