In 1973, an energy crisis led to the development of ASHRAE Standard 90. This event served as a catalyst for the creation of building design efficiency requirements, which eventually led to the creation of what is now known as the energy code for buildings.

This month’s Facility File focuses on the March Back2Basics retrofit of a campus-wide hot water boiler system covering 40 buildings with primary-, secondary-, and tertiary-pumping based on a performance lease agreement to retro-commission the system with a guaranteed operating savings. The university will hire an owner representative to work with a design-build-operate-maintain performance contractor (PC).

Boilers are closed pressure vessels that are used to heat fluids -- either water or steam. They range in size, fluid to be heated, temperature of fluid, and design configurations. This paper is the first in a series to explain total system efficiency with a focus on condensing hot water boilers used for space heating, process applications, and/ or domestic hot water heating.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — The 2019 American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) Annual Meeting afforded met at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Jan. 18-21 for its Annual Meeting.

Since 1914, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME’s) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) has served as a worldwide model for assuring the safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of boilers. In July, ASME will release the 2019 version of its BPVC code, updating each of the “living document’s” 12 sections.

Industrial plants need steam for heating and other processes. Boilers are commonly used to provide this steam, and you may be called on to operate the boilers in your plant. The first step toward the safe and productive operation of boilers is a good working knowledge of boiler fundamentals.

This month’s Facility File will focus on the B2B December test for the energy retrofit of a commercial office building hot water heating system conversion from a utility company steam system to a new, high-efficiency condensing boiler system.

Over the next three months I’ll be taking you on a walking tour.

The following are some common mistakes and tips to avoid problems on commercial boiler projects.

Why is NOx such a major concern in the U.S. and elsewhere? NOx consists of roughly 90% to 95% NO and perhaps 5% to 10% NO₂.