The COVID-19 pandemic has been upon us for several months now, and 20/20 hindsight is asking, “Why weren’t we ready for the pandemic?” So, as I sit and listen to the daily news while “sheltering-n-place,” it got me thinking of another potential pandemic: building security and safety. 

America, as well as the rest of the world, is fighting to beat a pandemic crisis like nothing experienced since the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. 

I have a feature article published in this issue of Engineered Systems magazine, on Page 28, highlighting a project at the Watergate facility. 

Having worked on both sides of the design and build business segments, I thought I’d share my own experience with how estimators and contractors, along with the in-the-field workforce, can contribute to the optimum HVAC system design when working with the consulting engineer as a team. 

This month, we at Engineered Systems magazine celebrate and highlight the winners of our 20 to Watch: Women in HVAC contest. 

This month, I will continue to discuss the forgotten skills of steam system design. 

When I started out at an HVAC consulting engineering firm back in the 1960s, our services were primarily focused on hospital design engineering. Back then, steam system engineering was standard for those building applications.

With variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC systems growing in popularity, engineering refrigeration systems can become very intimidating to many design engineers.

Almost from the start of my HVAC career, I have made it a standard practice to create checklists, use checklists, and continuously improve upon them over the years.

Last month I discussed the niche business of troubleshooting and the pertinent things to do in preparation of the data collection, data analysis, and eventually the potential solution(s) plan. This month, I’m going to continue with this topic, focusing on water-side problem solving.