March, 2013
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MEP Annual Supplement
Value Engineering vs. Energy Conservation
“World Plumbing Day”
March, 2013
by Jack Lister Two words we hear on almost every construction project in New England, value engineering, are used when the estimated price for the project has arrived and the project is over budget. Value engineering, when it comes to mechanical insulation, is not always the most cost-effective way of trimming the price of the whole project. When mechanical Continued on page 6
Jack Lister
HVAC Annual Conference
NADCA to Introduce New ACR Standard
Mount Laurel, NJ -The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), an association of HVAC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators, and HVAC inspectors, is gearing up for their 24th Annual Conference and Exposition, March 15 to 18 in New Orleans. The updated “Standard for Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration” (ACR) of
HVAC systems will be released to industry professionals for the first time at the 2013 Conference and Exposition. The revised Standard has been designed to reflect the most current industry information and best practices of HVAC inspection, cleaning, and maintenance. NADCA, also known as the HVAC Inspection, Continued on page 6
Plumbing Museum artifact Watertown, MA - In conjunction US Senate, World Plumbing Day occurs on with the World Plumbing Council’s annual March 11 “every year…everywhere,” and World Plumbing Day celebration on March promotes the importance of global access to 11, The Plumbing Museum in Watertown proper plumbing and sanitation. Natural diwill host an open house honoring industry sasters such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti professionals who contribute to the health or the subsequent tsunami in Japan were and safety of our world through plumbing Continued on page 5 and sanitation. Officially recognized by the
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March, 2013
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The BIM Journey
by Daniel Villeneuve In 2009, many of us in the industry began learning that we can utilize Revit for a better engineering product. However, this was certainly not the case at the outset! At first, we encountered more obstacles in using Revit than benefits; modeling increased time on projects due Daniel Villeneuve to inexperience and underdeveloped software, over/under modeling of projects was a common issue and an unknown at the time, and troubleshooting and problem solving took time to research due to solutions not yet available. None of this mattered. Our clients wanted their projects done in Revit, and some had even gone “cold turkey” to this new way of working. Even though it seemed like a long time already since we had made the commitment to enter our “BIM journey,”, I am thankful that RDK decided to go ahead and implement Revit to meet the evolving needs for clients now working with BIM. As with any major change, this migration didn’t come without hard work. Over the past four years we began to solve each of the Revit hurdles one by one. With each new year, RDK set a budget to roll out each improved version of Revit. We also allowed a separate budget to improve the graphical display of our plans, the intelligence of our content, and the automation of our procedures to help reduce time
spent on projects. Through the gaining of experience since the initial implementation, troubleshooting and problem solving is now a method of communicating the solution rather than searching for it. The communication of each model’s level of development (LOD) has been handled through the use of the AIA E202 document, which has helped eliminate any over/under modeling. The combination of training, experience, and enhanced content and company tools has consistently reduced modeling times with each passing year. Even our project managers, who initially perceived the process to be much more time-consuming, were soon experiencing lower RFIs and change orders due to increased accuracy and enhanced coordination. Early on, designers who felt as though they were taking too much time on design soon realized that they were actually saving time as a result of having the equipment and panelboard schedules automatically populated and that they were always consistent to the content. Our industry has not yet embraced a robust standard for shared parameters that would allow data from different manufacturer families to be used in the same schedule without requiring time spent by each engineering firm. We are working directly with manufacturers to help bridge this gap and take a proactive approach to correcting this void. The current method of creating riser diagrams in Revit is nothing more than a graphical representation of the modeled content. I see this becoming a more automated and efficient process in the near Continued on page 4
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EEC Acquires T4
Marlborough, MA - Electronic Environments Corporation (EEC) announced that it has acquired T4 Mission Critical Services, a Georgia based data center consulting firm. Jayson Attaway, former owner of T4, brings over 30 years of experience and extensive knowledge of electrical construction, critical project management, and data center consulting and is also an accredited Tier Specialist with the Uptime Institute. “The addition of Jayson to the EEC team will allow us to enhance our data center design, construction, and consult-
ing offerings,” said Electronic Environments’ president, Mike Kingsley. “Jayson’s impressive background, skills, and knowledge make him a perfect fit within our organization, and we look forward to working with him on a variety of data center projects.” T4’s expertise and experience in critical facility design, planning, implementation, and testing will add to and extend EEC’s current capabilities both in depth and geographically and will allow the company to offer new services to new clients and its extensive installed base.
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Electrical Contractor for UMass Bio-Safety Lab
March, 2013
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EASTERN NEW ENGLAND SETS ITS SITES ON QUALITY AND SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL AND TELECOM CONSTRUCTION. NECA and IBEW set the standard for excellence in electrical, telecom, and renewable energy projects throughout Eastern New England.
Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
MFA Boston, The Art of the Americas Wing
Courthouse Station, Silver Line, Boston, MA
Leonard P. Zakim Bridge
In the world of construction, quality and safety are critical to every project. Which is why leading architects, general contractors, building owners, and facility managers throughout Eastern New England rely on the skilled union electricians of Local 103 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the professional electrical contractors of the Greater Boston Chapter of the National
Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). For more than a century, IBEW and NECA have literally helped build our region. From our most cherished historical sites and renowned educational institutions, to major transportation projects, leading technology companies, community schools, and libraries, our landmarks shed light on a century of electrical construction unsurpassed in quality.
Center for Life Sciences, Boston, MA
JATC Training Center/Wind Turbine, Boston, MA
Take a close look at just a few of the recently completed projects by NECA Greater Boston Chapter members. It will tell you where to turn for the highest standards in electrical, telecom, and renewable energy construction. Rely on the power of quality electrical work. Call 1-877-NECA-IBEW for a complete directory of NECA Greater Boston Chapter Members, or visit us at www.bostonneca.org
The future of renewable energy and green buildings is here.
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March, 2013
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High-Profile: MEP Annual Supplement
TG Gallagher Provides Services for Harvard Hall William Rawn Architect
Harvard Business School’s new Tata Hall
Cambridge, MA - TG Gallagher, a leading provider of mechanical construction and maintenance services, has begun work on Harvard Business School’s new Tata Hall. Continuing its 70-year relationship with the university and construction manager BOND, TG Gallagher will install a new HVAC system in the 160,000sf building that will complete the school’s executive education quad. When completed later this year, the seven-story Tata Hall will provide additional housing for Harvard Business School’s growing executive education pro-
gram. The program prepares established and emerging executives from around the world for leadership excellence through developmental training. Using a designassist procurement strategy, the contractor’s team will be able to address constructability concerns early in the project’s design phase, preventing costly and timeintensive delays during construction. Working closely with architect William Rawn Associates, mechanical engineer AKF, and BOND, TG Gallagher will assist with mechanical design and will install a complete HVAC system,
The BIM Journey Continued from page 2
William Rawn Associates
including four pipe fan coil units in the 179 bedrooms with associated living group lounges, to maximize individual comfort and temperature regulation. The company will also install a displacement air system in the two 100-seat classrooms to ensure the large spaces are cooled effectively, and a high-efficiency gas boiler heating plant to provide hot water to the building. A membrane waterproofing system, triple-glazed windows, and an eco-friendly and sustainable green roof will contribute to the building’s expected LEED Gold certification.
future. Steps towards automating specifications into the project based on the content used in the model are already available and will continue to improve with more time. These are just a few areas where we will see improvements and changes in the years to come. That being said, we are still at the beginning of a new era, which most of us have realized is inevitable for the building industry. As an industry, we have taken the first steps towards a more efficient platform than we have ever imagined, and we have many more steps to climb. As challenging as it is for some, it is equally as exciting. Time will continue to unfold the story of Revit. What improvements will the next version bring? What amazing add-in will someone develop to improve our designs and documents? What formula will we develop next to automate a designer’s calculations? I, for one, am looking forward to whatever story will continue to be told in the history of Revit, and I look forward to our continued journey of implementing and embracing the tool within our industry. Daniel Villeneuve is design technology manager at RDK Engineers of Andover.
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March, 2013
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High-Profile: MEP Annual Supplement
World Plumbing Day
Continued from page 1
recent reminders of the importance of access to clean water and proper sanitation. The Plumbing Museum partnered with the World Plumbing Council to bring the poster contest to local elementary schools. Elementary school students were asked to create posters to celebrate World Plumbing Day. Winning posters from each grade level were awarded small prizes and then entered into an international competition where cash prizes will be awarded to both the winning school and student. Officially recognized by the US Senate, World Plumbing Day, started by the World Plumbing Council, occurs on March 11 “every year…everywhere.”
Last year’s winner
Elementary school students created posters to celebrate World Plumbing Day.
E n g i n e e r i n g exc e l l e n c e fo r m o re t h a n a c e nt u r y
Cheshire, MA - J.M. Electrical Company, Inc., based in Lynnfield, recently partnered to install a 495 kW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system adjacent to Hoosac Valley Middle/High School in Cheshire. The company will install the racking, panels, and metering for the PV system which sits across from the school that serves over 700 students from the communities of Cheshire, Adams, and Savoy. The experts at J.M. Electrical worked along- Aerial views of the Hoosac Valley Middle/High School side 621 Energy, LLC, the photovoltaic system Massachusetts-based developer of the project. Along with reducing the school’s carbon footprint and helping officials reinvest in infrastructure with energy cost savings, J.M. Electrical technicians also installed a security system to contribute to the security of the system and monitor the safety of construction and maintenance workers on the site around the clock. an educational tool within the school,” said “Not only will these improvements lower the school district’s Adam Palmer, project manager at J.M. utility expenditure, it will also be used as Electrical Company.
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March, 2013
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High-Profile: MEP Annual Supplement
Needham Electric Opens New Branch
Value Engineering vs. Energy Conservation Continued from page 1
insulation is eliminated or thicknesses cut back, there is a long term effect on the energy efficiency of the whole building the first day the mechanical systems are turned on and every day after. In addition to ensuring comfort control within your plant or facility, mechanical insulation can also serve as a protective barrier and improve indoor air quality. Adequate insulation can cut energy usage up to 50% or more, sav-
New Needham Electric Supply branch Canton, MA - Needham Electric stated Gregory Wilson, president of NeedSupply announced that it has opened its ham Electric Supply. With the recent acquisition of Laninth branch in New Hampshire. The new Hudson location, conveniently located conia Electric, a six-branch distributor at 13 Hampshire Drive, is a full-service in New Hampshire, Needham Electric branch including a 1,500sf counter and Supply has grown to 25 locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, 5,000sf warehouse. Walter Mycroft, who joined Need- and recently announced that it has acquired ham Electric Supply in October 2012 and the assets of GTM Electric Supply of St. has 20+ year’s experience in the industry, Albans, Vt. GTM will operate as Needhas been named district manager. He will ham Electric Supply. GTM Electric, founded by Mark be responsible for managing the day-to-day sales and operations as well as expanding Bourbeau in 1991, is a privately held electrical distributor serving primarily residenthe company’s footprint in southern N.H. “Southern New Hampshire is a target tial and commercial contractors in Northgrowth area for us, so we are very excited ern Vermont. to open our new branch and to have someBourbeau has been named branch one of Walter’s caliber and years of expe- manager and will continue to manage the rience leading our efforts in this region,” day-to-day sales and operations.
Electrical Electrical
ing the building owners thousands of dollars a year. Whether you are building a new building or upgrading an existing one, you should never value engineer your mechanical insulation . As the old saying goes, “You can pay me know or pay me later.” Chances are you pay a lot more later. Jack Lister is a business agent at Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 6.
Energy Savings for FSU
Framingham, MA - B-G Mechanical and ADI Energy completed a large-scale energy project for Framingham State University (FSU). B-G and ADI Energy assembled an energy performance contract aimed at improving the university’s energy efficiency and building systems infrastructure. The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance awarded the contract in March of 2012, and one year later the project is built, saving the univer-
sity money and reducing its carbon footprint. Energy conservation measures include campus-wide LED lighting and controls, premium efficiency motors, energy management system, and variable frequency drives. The central heating plant boilers and ancillary equipment were replaced, switching fuel use #6 oil to natural gas. The boiler at Linsley Hall was replaced, as was the magnetic bearing chiller at the library
HVAC Annual Conference
NADCA to Introduce New ACR Standard Continued from page 1 Maintenance and Restoration Association, will feature several training opportunities at the event, including the Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) certification exam, a requirement for all NADCA member companies. “The ASCS certification has expanded to test skills necessary for both HVAC cleaning and microbial remediation with an HVAC system,” said Matt Mongiello, president of NADCA. “At this year’s meeting, new professionals can sit for the exam and obtain their
ASCS certification for the first time and seasoned pros can earn the necessary continuing education credits for maintaining their certification.” Other featured sessions at NADCA’s 24th Annual Conference and Exposition include: • Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) Certification Training Course • The NADCA Safety Manual: Globally Harmonized Standard Requirements. • Problems and Solutions to Moisture Inside HVAC Systems
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High-Profile: MEP Annual Supplement
GEI Promotes Hoffman
Boston - GEI Consultants, Inc. announced that Ryan Hoffman, P.G., LSP has been promoted to Boston environmental division manager. Hoffman will report directly to GEI vice president and east region operations manager Patrick King, P.E., LSP. In addition to maintaining his personal practice, Hoffman’s new responsibilities include management of environmental technical staff in GEI’s Boston office with a focus on technical quality, project execution, and client satisfaction.
NECA Supports Fine Increase for Unlicensed Work Practices
An Act Relative to Penalties for Unlicensed Work
Ryan Hoffman
Northeastern University Among MCAA ‘Final Four’ WIT Receives Certificate of Merit
Boston - The Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc. (MCAA) selected Northeastern University as one of four finalist teams that will compete in the 2012-2013 student chapter competition at the MCCA convention in March. This year’s competition project involved a 50,000sf building that houses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Space Exploration Center located near Cape Canaveral, Florida. Teams were required to submit bid proposals that recommended design elements that meet or exceed LEED Platinum criteria. The project also required that the bids include a post-construction service component. Proposals were submitted by 25 MCAA student chapters from across the U.S. and in Canada. The other three finalists are from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Southern Polytechnic State University,
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and the University of Washington. Wentworth Institute of Technology is among 10 teams that will receive Certificates of Merit for their work on the competition proposal. “New England MCA is extremely proud of our Northeastern and Wentworth Student Chapters,” said New England Mechanical Contractors Association executive vice president Stephan Affanato. “They met the challenges of the Student Chapter Competition with a level of hard work and professionalism that is unmatched. The results are evidence of this. Our members recognize them as assets to our industry.” The final competition will take place March 19 at MCAA 2013, the association’s annual convention, which this year focuses on unconventional thinking: The Essential Ingredient of Success. The convention will run from March 17–21 at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas.
Marketing Managers
by Glenn Kingsbury In an effort to deter and eliminate illegal work practices on construction sites, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Boston Chapter strongly supports a bill recently filed by State Rep. Mark Cusack (D-Braintree) “An Act Glenn Kingsbury Relative to Penalties for Unlicensed Work – House Bill No. 1279.” The bill would increase fines the Commonwealth’s Division of Professional Licensure can levy against contractors guilty of unlicensed practice. The bill would revise MA General Law Chapter 112, Section 65, M.G.L. Ch. 141, Section 5, and, MA General Law Chapter 143, Section 3L, increasing the fines that can be levied against illegal work practices to $10,000. Presently, the fines for such illegal work practices range from $2500 to $5000, and not effective deterrents, according to NECA Boston Chapter. The proposed legislation will also increase fines in other subsections of the MGL Ch. 112.
The electrical industry in Massachusetts has seen increased usage of temporary staffing agencies and workers providing electrical installations, oftentimes without having Commonwealth of Massachusetts mandated credentials to perform such electrical work. The illegal work practices are prevalent in the renewable energy sector of the construction industry, where temp firms routinely provide unlicensed laborers for the installation of conductive electrical components of solar photovoltaic arrays. NECA Boston Chapter joins with the Massachusetts Electrical Contractors Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, and Massachusetts Electrical Inspectors Association of MA and RI in urging the Massachusetts Department of Licensure to be vigilant in ensuring only licensed workers perform such electrical work, both from a public safety perspective, and also so that responsible union and non-union contractors are able to compete for projects that require skilled and licensed workers. Glenn Kingsbury is the executive manager of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Boston Chapter.
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High-Profile: MEP Annual Supplement
Carrier Announces New Program Partners with EOS
Farmington, CT - Carrier, a San Francisco-based company dedicated to protecting the environment via collection and destruction of ozone depleting substances (ODS), announced an innovative program to ensure responsible end-of-life management of chlorofluorocarbon-based used refrigerants. The program brings sustainable technology and cost savings to commercial and industrial organizations. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. Typically, when CFC-based chillers are upgraded or replaced, the refrigerant inside is extracted, reclaimed, and resold. This new program provides a sustainable alternative to this process, enabling refrigerants, such as CFC-11, 12, 113, 114, 115 and 500, to be destroyed in a controlled, effective and accountable manner. The program ensures that refrigerants will not leak with continued reuse. John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer, UTC Climate, Controls & Security, said, “Proper refrigerant destruction is another way for companies to lead the world
to a sustainable future.” Mandyck noted that the change-out of older CFC chillers to newer, more energy-efficient technologies can also save building operating costs while lowering the environmental impact of energy demand. Carrier’s partnership with EOS provides incentives that can help acquire more energy efficient solutions. Through the program, destroyed CFC refrigerants are verified by a third party and are registered under the California Air Resources Board, the agency overseeing California’s groundbreaking carbon reduction program. All completed projects receive full refrigerant destruction and carbon credit documentation. The program is part of EOS Climate’s Refrigerant Revolution, a multiindustry stewardship system revolutionizing refrigerant management at end-of-life. Under this system, organizations have the opportunity to generate economic value from used refrigerants and equipment upgrades while moving beyond compliance requirements towards complete lifecycle management.
2012 Product Guide
The updated edition of the Product Guide directory has been posted on the ASHRAE Boston website at www. ashraeboston.org The Product Guide includes a
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cross referenced list of local engineers, representatives, wholesalers, contractors and affiliated organizations engaged in the HVAC field.
ACEC Awards Sturbridge Facility
Worcester, MA - Tighe & Bond, Inc. of Worcester announced that the company earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 47th annual Engineering Excellence Awards for designing upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility serving the City of Sturbridge. The $17 million upgrade project marks the first time two cutting-edge processes—BioMag and CoMag—have been combined in a full-scale treatment facility. Both use infusions of high-density magnetite to separate biological and chemical materials from wastewater, producing effluent that far exceeds stringent discharge
standards. The processes will enable Sturbridge’s 40-year-old treatment facility to support future economic and population growth, while also improving the quality of nearby lakes and waterways. The National Recognition Award winners will be honored at the black-tie Engineering Excellence Awards Gala— known as the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry”—to be held Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C.
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