Equipment is procured in response to a needed function. Once an equipment is purchased, then what? This question is not even raised when there are full staff and maintenance crew at the facility. Their function is simply continuously monitored and insure the operation of that equipment is nearly the same as the original installation. They also understand adjustments are made for decay, impact of the ambient weather (sun, snow, rain …), age, entropy, friction, corrosion, erosion, fatigue, and other factors will be considered during the life expectancy of the equipment. In short, dedicated maintenance staff’s position is to prolong the life of the equipment and insure homogeneity in the specifications and operations of the equipment.
Lack of such staff in a facility means, the original installation must accommodate and minimize the impact of the maintenance issues raised. This action can come at some cost. Then the question of the cost to benefit ratio is raised for every preventive maintenance action taken versus the dollar spent. On the plus side (or the pros) of this ratio, the extension of life expectancy and insuring the homogeneity in the specification has secondary benefits. If the unit is not operating at ideal condition, it is working in the non-ideal condition, which means that in order to compensate for its lack of performing to the task, the components of the unit must work harder, longer duration, more stress to meet its demand specified.
In the case of the air conditioning unit, water heaters, or boilers, the thermostats request the operation of the unit, and unit must deliver proper btu’s to the space as requested. The higher efficient units will satisfy the thermostat at a rapid rate as designed by original engineer. However, the less efficient unit will require more time to satisfy the heating or cooling of the space. This increase in time of operation can translate to:
• Longer operation of the unit
• Overstressing the unit beyond original manufacturer recommendation
• Higher personnel maintenance requirement
• Higher cost of electricity
• Higher maintenance annual budget for the facility
• Higher aggravation and occupant calls for heat or cool to the facility managers
• Faster replacement cost of the unit and
• budgetary constraints on the capital investment of the facility
Based on this discussion, the need for preemptive detection and solution for enhancement of operation is very necessary. One such discussion is the insulation of the piping that carries and transports the energy via the fluids. Whether the pipe is carrying the Freon, hot or cold water, poor installation will cost financial damage to the facility. During the maintenance of such pipes, the insulation is often non-existent, brittle, poorly reinstalled, and subject to damage to the weather. A means and methods of insuring the reinstallation is always meets the original intent of the designer is to create a protocol and proper reinstallation material for the facility maintenance workers.
The use of adhesives, tapes and similar are nearly one time disposable systems. During unwinding of the adhesives, the entire insulation is jeopardized or torn. Patching such system is nearly pernicious to the entire system. This is when the repackaging of the insulation receives its highest importance. The repackaging must be easy and allow the least time or effort on the installers under any weather conditions.
One can easily calculate the heat loss of any pipe with fluid with inside temperature of Ti and pipe wall temperature of Tw and the outside ambient temperature of To for various pipe sizes. This is seriously amplified when in a facility or in an apartment complex with 220 units with 5 ft Freon line sets all exposed to arid condition and weather. The dollar and energy of such units is significant. In the world of high energy cost, geo-political ramifications of energy, green and sustainable earth concerns, absolutely any energy savings achieved will be a blessing to the facility managers.
An insulation guard that is easily removed and reinstalled becomes ideal in such circumstances. In addition, such covers will provide further insulation, and protection from the weather to the actual insulation within.

The standards are used to provide uniformity in design, construction, theories, and implmentations. However there are many standards for different applications and there are standards that are predominately exclusive to one field.

United States has adopted many of the home grown standards that deal exactly as stated, and manufactured products Near twenty years ago United States manufacturing realized that in order to compete in the global economy and to provide uniformity of their products adopted two components. First the British units was accompanied by metric units on all products, hence the two liter bottles of drinks were produced and second, adopting an international standard for product lines to have reciprocity with other world manufacturers. Hence the ISO 2000 and later ISO 9000. Many manufacturers did not follow this guideline, since the ISO standards was only considered as product management standard as oppose to standard of manufacturing and safety. In fact the emphasis of ISO was primarily for interaction among world manufacturer’s.

Th intent of this brief is not to belittle the ISO 9000, yet to address that there are many equivalent stadards that meet same standard and are unique to each products. is standard is generic and equivalent standards that were tailored to unique products for up to near 75 years are valid

The OSHPD based on the AC156 is considering the repeatability in manufacturing process. Nearly most standards in United States address this issue. The underwriters of insurance companies use this standards as basis, foundation, and guidelines to their insurers. The ICC standards are used in the construction industry, and the electronics are primarily governed by the Underwriters Laboratory.

Majority of construction industry are not ISO 9000, and California Building Code, and OSHPD agrees with their use and people and properties live and work in the buildings built by the non-ISO 9000 standards.

In addition as shown in the attached article, the ISO 9000 is extremely general and ranges from foods in grocery store to heavy industrial machinery. The need for specific manufacturing standard increases as the products become extremely specific and each component within the product is subject to further standards. As stated, ISO 9000 is predominately generic for quality control and to respond to global sales and interaction of multinational sales and marketing.

AC156 standard is concerned with mass and geometric distribution of the products being tested. ISO 9000 does not guarantee that the components within the products made a year from now meets exactly the same sub-product. This is true as long as they meet the ISO 9000 guidelines. It is only concerned with the quality control of the manufacturing. This includes from accounting to sales and marketing to production.

UL508C as is used by RSD is extremely specific and concentrates on electronic motor controls. In addition, every component used within this standard must adhere to additional standards. The distances, between wires, elements, heat transfer, and all pertinent sciences within the product must meet all guidelines and safety and must be made exactly as stated based on heat transfer of the subcomponents. The product drawings for the UL listed products must match the exact specification in the factory and besides the regular inspection, the impromptu and unannounced inspection keeps the entire manufacturing in line with the standards.

UL as an organization has been one of the largest provider of the ISO 9000 certification. This certification is primarily known as quality management ….

There are other nationally recognized standards in the country. National Fire Protection Association has standards that are very unique to products. In addition, International Standard Organization has other standards that are specific and unique to the product. These standards are unique to very specific products are

Repeatability and consistency: All standards are based on repeatability, consistent, and uniformity. ICC ESR reports provide standards that the particular screw will beave the sameway regardless which store it was purchased. National Fire Protection standards and guidelines have been maintaining the life safety equipments across all hospitals. All have been uniform and consistent. The location of components and any minor variations are not permitted. The UL, NFPA, as well as ISO standards maintain the consistency in production.

To remind the reader, the Plumbing Code Fixture Unit counts required for Office environment does not correlate well for areas greater than 1501 sqft to 20,000 sqft. Details were provided in the first article. I can assure that the architects and designers, if confronted with a plan examiner who is well versed into code, will be having heartburn on this issue. The square footage spent on the plumbing fixtures are pure waste and from my point of view against all Green codes and LEED. Square footage that must be built, kept in operating condition, and air conditioned becomes a pure waste of building materials, energy, and purely maintenance upkeep for the life of the building.

To amplify major code issues with flaws that are heartburning in the industry, yet, it has not been solved for at least two code cycles. I intend to identify one issue a month for the duration of my position.

First and foremost issue is the number of plumbing fixture count issue in different occupancies. The issues of the Table 4-1 of the Plumbing Code are as follows:

(a) The number of fixture count within office environment is not justified.

A space of greater than 1501 square feet has to disproportional number of fixtures, where nearly 1/3 of the space may be occupied by the restrooms.

Females from 1 to 50 person require 3 water closets. This equates a space of 1501 square feet to nearly space of nearly 20,000 square feet.

(20000/2 = 10,000 sqft per gender /200 sqft/person = 50 persons). There are no justifications for this requirement.

(b) For Male, 1 to 100 person require water closet, and 1 urinal. This issue also calculates for same number of square feet.

However, given the variation in interpretation of various plan checkers, the parity rule may force a second water closet for men.

(c) In the case of veterinary office or dental office, the space allocated for specialty equipment absorbs many square feet of usable space.

Yet, the code uses the gross space. Dog kennels, lab equipment room, utility closets, and others are some of the equipment that prohibit the number of full occupant loads.

Yet, a 2500 sqft veterinary office with 50% of space allocated for dogs does not merit for number of people expected. Why would they require three water closets for female?

Hence, the mentioned table is poor in addressing real circumstances.

(d) On the other hand coffee shops across California have one unisex restrooms. Due to this condition, lines are always evident for use of the restroom. In many circumstances with older generations, or youngsters, the wait time is not suitable for hygiene space.

(e) The mandatory requirement of the one single Non-ADA spare restroom must be dimensioned ready for future ADA restroom.

On 40th anniversary of ASPE LA , I was the President of LA chapter. This Engineer in the opening ceremony with 120 participants identified this issue at length. This issue still hunts the architects and owners. To alleviat this issue, there are many legislative work to be done. All comments are appreciated and a dialogue in a forum format will be a great medium for all issues.

May 3rd, AIA California Residential Green Code Class
Greetings,

This time we have passed the introduction stage and we are rolling into a formal classroom. The Green Code is alive and well and slowly impinging on the construction industry. There are some surprise moments by the architect and contractors when they submit their plans for the frst time in 2011. They are either passive or active surprises. Some cities require clear design drawings during the plan submittals (active requirement) and some cities are requesting their green code requirement via the plan check correction (passive requirement). The unfortunate issue is that the passive requirement will impact every sheet and every consultant involved. The modification of the drawings may impact a complete design change which is not considered billable hours and hence loss of time and income for the design professionals.

The attachment below (see Feb 2nd blog) contains massive level of data to protect the design professional. The design professional must have an active action on all issues of the green code and implement them from the inception of the design. This will mpact all parties, specially the general contractor. An error or omission on behalf of the design professional can be extremely costly if caught during construction by the inspector. This is enhanced greatly in the residential buildings, since the level of plan check and quality control is minimal with espect to commercial facilties. This is highlighted on areas such as grading, elevations, storm drainage, water retenstion, etc.

In the Feb 2nd blog, a set of design, a sample house is presented with all the requiremehts highlighted as blocks. The activity of the plan checker as well as the inpector is noted. In the PDF article noed as “Residetial Checklist” all of the code requirements with the associated details, intent, examples, etc. are detailed. The printing must be on 11×17 colored pronter for better read.

Documentations that are needed to be printed and brought to the meeting are:

Dave Walls (BSC) and Doug Hensel (HCD) Power Points:

http://greenerade.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/02/OC-Forum-Dave-walls-Doug-Hensel.ppt

County of Orange Residential Cal Green Forms

http://greenerade.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/02/OC-PW-CA_GreenBuildingCode_Residential.pdf

Cal Green Residential Checklist Guides in Chart format 11×17 format

http://greenerade.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/01/Residential-checklist.pdf

Sample Water Use Work Sheets: Commercial Building

http://greenerade.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/02/WS-Sample-Worksheet.pdf

The following information are not required for the meeting, however, the6y are good references:

Plan Check and Inspection verification of Cal Green- A personal View

http://greenerade.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/02/2011-01-24-CalGreen-Verification-Measures-_2_.pdf

LDBS Forms for Cal Green Code

http://greenerade.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/01/LADBS-forms.pdf

Some of the Northern Cities Cal Green Forms

http://greenerade.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/01/Northern-Ca-Cities-Cal-Green-Forms.pdf

Earlier blogs cover the download of the codes, guides, sample worksheets, specially commissioning, and other useful power points and presentations.

Of course, the accuracy of all data in the blog must be verified by the state web sites (both BSC as well as HCD).

Saum

Given the position of the energy in the society, it was inevitable that the data center world would also be overtaken by this issue. In fact the magnitude of the energy consumption by the data centers across the united states has has risen from 1.5% to 3% of the total energy consumed. The magnitude of this number is is large enough that it impacts quite number of concerns up and down the Silicon Valleys of the world. To put this in perspective. The United States consumes more that 12 GW of power annually (near 25% of the entire world). In 2006, the 3% data center power consumption amount of 4 GW of power is no longer insignificant. It is highly likely that this number will be still rising significantly, due to population increase, complete and total dependency on computers (internet/intranet), and mirror storage of data in multiple locations, and bulging of normal files due to higher resolution films, etc.

There are multiple factors in energy viewing the data centers, the actual housing, the heat producing componehts, the thermodynamics of the building, the actual energy consumption of the equipmet racks, the efficiency of heat dissipation from the racks, and the efficiency of earch rack from power consumption as well as heat dissipation of the individual equipment. Recently, the greenining of daa centers has become hot topic and units of carbon footprint is widely used on thie endeavor. There are number of papers on different componets of this subject, however, no single complete wholistic paper can be seen to cover.

The parameteric study of a typical data center can be grouped into the following:
• The building structure housing and location
• The Cooling system and distribution of the building
• The equipment rack system and equipment

The building structure housing and location

The building that houses the data center controls number of parameters in energy consumption of the data center. The newer buildings, depending on locationwere designed based on either state or federal energy laws. State of California has energy governing laws that dictates the maximum energy loss per square feet per year of the data center building. In most states, a department of energy energy software programor ASHRAE standard software is used in designing the heat loss on the building. In addition, better construction standard gives additional assurance for minimum energy loss through the building.

The location of data center, type of buildings, and exact location within a complex building data gives insight for better design f the building by the engineer. Given the asset value each data center, the liability for location selection increases dramatically. Generally, basements or dungeons of the building has become economically pleasing for the IT managers. However, given the 24 hour operation and the electrical cost of each data center, cenIn scanning the climatology of the location. Given the extreme variations where the entire population is becoming a totally paperless society and the data content are