Thursday, September 30, 2010

Seattle Energy Code Update - September 30, 2010

In late August, the Mayor forwarded the 2009 Seattle Energy Code ordinance to the Seattle City Council. This afternoon, the Seattle City Council (SCC) Committee on the Built Environment began consideration of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code ordinance. However, the Committee on the Built Environment was not able to complete their review, as the meeting was cut short.

Consequently, the Committee on the Built Environment will continue their discussion of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code at a future meeting later this fall. However, no date has been set yet. For additional information on the full Seattle City Council and for the Committee on the Built Environment, the meeting calendar can be viewed at http://www.seattle.gov/council/calendar/default.htm# and agendas can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/council/com_assign.htm .

In terms of implementation dates:
- For nonresidential spaces, as a result of today’s continuation, the effective date of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code is unknown.
- For residential spaces, the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) requirements would take effect on the date specified by the Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC). Since the 2009 WSEC requirements for residential spaces were finalized on 20 November 2009 (more than ten months ago at this point), there would not be any additional grace period. It is expected that the WSBCC would make a decision on the effective date at their meeting on 15 October 2010.

New Faces of Engineering












ASHRAE Asks Chapters and Regions to Nominate Young Members for New Faces of Engineering for 2011 National Engineers Week
September 2010


NOMINATE NOW
ASHRAE Information for New Faces
and to access applications
ASHRAE Application for New Faces (Word)
ASHRAE Application for New Faces (PDF)

Did you know ASHRAE is the lead society for 2011 National Engineers Week?
Help open doors for one of your colleagues by nominating him or her for the 2011 New Faces of Engineering for ASHRAE. The recognition program, started by ASHRAE in 2003, is part of National Engineers Week, sponsored by the National Engineers Week Foundation, a coalition of engineering societies, major corporations and government agencies. Member societies nominate colleagues 30 years old and younger who have shown outstanding abilities and leadership. Engineers Week promotes New Faces to provide incentive to those in college and inspire even younger students to consider engineering careers. And ASHRAE is the lead society for 2011 National Engineers Week, so it is a really special year to be the ASHRAE New Face.
What a great way to recognize some of our young chapter leaders!
The top New Face from each society will be featured in a full page ad in USA Today during Engineers Week, February 20-26, 2011. Each photo will be captioned with the engineer's name, name of the engineering society providing the nominee, employer and a brief statement of that individual's accomplishments as they relate to the public welfare.

Engineers 30 years of age or younger as of December 31, 2010, are the focus of the recognition program.

Nominees must have a degree in engineering from a recognized U.S. college or university, or from an equivalent international educational institution. Degrees in engineering technology, science, computer science, and similar disciplines do not qualify, though a degree in computer engineering is acceptable.

Complete nominations including a photo must be submitted to ASHRAE by Monday, October 18, 2010. The nominations should try to tie at least one achievement to something the non-engineering community can appreciate.

Engineers Week is celebrated throughout the year, though the specific dates for Engineers Week 2010 are February 20-26, 2011. For more information on Engineers Week, visit: eweek.org.

Aaron Smith, Selected As ASHRAE's 2010 New Face of Engineering

Aaron Smith, selected as ASHRAE's 2010 New Face of Engineering continues to work with HVAC design and energy performance simulation of green buildings. He is excited to be involved with the commissioning of a recent building design that involves natural ventilation, wind, solar and geothermal energy.

Aaron is a Mechanical Engineer with M&R Engineering Ltd. and lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is the Membership Promotion Chair for his local ASHRAE chapter and is helping organize the Chapter Regional Conference (CRC) for Region II, to be held in Halifax this summer.

ASHRAE member applications and questions should be directed to Ashley M. Pruett, CAE, at apruett@ashrae.org with the subject line: New Faces of Engineering Application.

Monday, September 27, 2010

September Chapter Activities

Thank you for attending!

More than 60 members and guests attended our first meeting of the year featuring ASHRAE Society President Lynn Bellenger’s presidential address Modeling a Sustainable World.

The next evening, a group of 20 participated in the TEGA tour of Georgetown Brewery led by brewery partner, mechanical engineer, and Chopper’s Red Ale namesake Bret Chopp.

Thank you for attending these events and we look forward to your participation throughout the year. Remember to invite your coworkers and friends to join us at upcoming Chapter events!


What’s happening behind the scenes?

In addition to meetings, there is a tremendous amount of “behind the scenes” committee activity. While visting Seattle, Lynn Bellenger met with AIA Seattle board member Rico Quirindongo and AIA+2030 Program Manager Cassandra Delaune to discuss partnership opportunities between ASHRAE and AIA to support the 2030 Challenge.

In September David Landers, Chapter President, and Kathi Shoemake, TEGA Committee Chair, attended the Puget Sound Engineering Council’s Inter-Society Officer’s Workshop and connected with local leaders of many engineering societies to exchange ideas and work toward joint meetings and partnerships.
Board of Governors member Tamas Bencsik will soon be attending the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) fall leadership retreat at Society headquarters in Atlanta.

Additionally, we have a new Chapter Historian: Luna Michael. We welcome Luna as she takes on the role of documenting our chapter’s legacy and resurrecting relics from the past for our enjoyment in Punch List articles and at history-themed meetings.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Building Energy Metrics Basics Workshop

Building Energy Metrics Basics Workshop. Click on the image below to access registration:





2009 Seattle Energy Code Update

The latest from John Hogan:

The 2009 Seattle Energy Code ordinance will be considered by the Seattle City Council (SCC) Committee on the Built Environment (COBE) at their meeting on Wednesday, 29 September 2010.
  • The Committee on the Built Environment meeting starts at 2:00 pm, however, it is estimated that discussion of the Energy Code ordinance would take place at approximately 3:00 pm. The meeting will take place in the SCC Council Chambers, Second Floor, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle.
  • Copies of the proposed ordinance and a summary of the changes can be downloaded from the “2009 Seattle Energy Code Update” page of the Seattle Energy Code website at: http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Codes/Energy_Code/Overview/2009_ecupdate.asp

Following an SCC committee recommendation, the full Seattle City Council must then take action at one of their subsequent meetings. Then, after a vote by the full Seattle City Council, the Mayor has ten days to sign an ordinance.

As noted in my last e-mail:

  • For nonresidential spaces, the intent is to have a grace period for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code that would end so as to coincide with the end of the grace period for other Seattle code updates. The last date on which DPD will be accepting applications using the 2006 codes will be 22 November 2010.
  • For residential spaces, the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) requirements would take effect on the date specified by the Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC). Since the 2009 WSEC requirements for residential spaces were finalized on 20 November 2009 (ten months ago at this point), there would not be any additional grace period. It is expected that the WSBCC would make a decision on the effective date at their meeting on 15 October 2010.

I’ll send out another e-mail as additional information becomes available.

John

Monday, September 20, 2010

Natural Ventilation on Campus

click on the picture below to get more information and to register:


Thursday, September 16, 2010

ASHRAE 2011 Winter Conference and AHR Expo

ASHRAE holds all the sustainability cards- Winter Conference to be held in

La$ Vega$

ATLANTA—Las Vegas, Nevada continues to build upon its reputation as a vibrant showcase for the extraordinary by offering the grandest hotels, the biggest stars in entertainment and, of course, the brightest lights. It’s no wonder that the world’s biggest HVAC Expo and the largest membership-based HVAC&R engineering society have chosen the city as the site of the ASHRAE 2011 Winter Conference and AHR Expo.

The extravagant setting of Las Vegas serves as a unique contrast to ASHRAE’s Winter Conference theme of A Safe Bet: Zero-Energy Design. It is sure to highlight the importance of finding the balance in design. The 2011 Winter Conference takes place January 29-February 2 at the Las Vegas Hilton. The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Expo®, held in conjunction with the Winter Conference, will run January 31-February 2. The Expo is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a short distance from the Hilton, the Conference headquarters hotel.

In keeping with ASHRAE’s goal of continuing education the Conference offers over 200 Professional Development Credits, as well as Continuing Education Units, which can be applied toward a Professional Engineering license.

The technical program features more than 90 programs and 300 speakers addressing the efficient use of energy in new and existing buildings, refrigeration updates, applications including data centers, laboratories, healthcare facilities, the real cost of zero-energy design and other topics related to design, standards, codes and professional skills. Nearly all of the technical program sessions will be approved for NY PDHs and by USGBC for GBCI CE hours for LEED professionals. The Las Vegas Virtual Conference, included with paid attendees’ registrations, will be available to non-attendees.

Six Professional Development Seminars and 14 Short Courses are offered to help industry professionals stay up-to-date on industry trends. ALI offers a new course on building energy modeling that focuses on HVAC&R systems and updates to courses covering Standards 62.1 and 90.1 to reflect changes in the 2010 versions of these standards from previous versions.
Additionally, ASHRAE continues to listen to the market and launches a sixth certification program in conjunction with the 2011 Winter Conference. This new program targets Energy Assessors/Energy Auditors and is appropriate for those individuals who perform energy assessments or audits for commercial, industrial or residential buildings. More information can be found at www.ashrae.org/certification.

This winter’s technical tours spotlight how technology developed by ASHRAE members is practically applied to buildings and include the central plant at Planet Hollywood and MGM Center and Springs Preserve.

When members are not attending courses at the Conference, observing the technological advancements featured at the AHR Expo or touring the local sustainable buildings there are numerous general tours such as Hoover Dam, Springs Preserve, the Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes, the Bodies and Titanic exhibits and the Las Vegas Strip.

Those who take part in the early-bird registration before December 31 have the opportunity to save up to $195. Complete information is available at www.ashrae.org/lasvegas.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

Amanda Dean
Public Relations
678-539-1216
adean@ashrae.org

CLIMATE ANALYSIS - Education Series

CLIMATE ANALYSIS FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

ASHRAE Puget Sound, AIA Seattle, the Integrated Design Lab in Partnership with BetterBricks are offering an education series this fall to provide a deeper level of understanding about the key topic of climate analysis. For more information and registration click on the image below.

Monday, September 13, 2010

2009 NREC forms

The 2009 Washington State Non-Residential Energy Code Compliance forms are now available on the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) website. They are located on our Energy Code page at www.NEEC.net.

Note that the implementation date for the 2009 Washington State Energy Code has been delayed. As such, the 2006 NREC is still being enforced. Use the 2006 versions of the compliance forms until the yet-to-be-determined implementation of the 2009 WSEC is established. Note that the 2009 NREC, when implemented, will also cover multi-family residential buildings.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Council
605 1st Ave Suite 401
Seattle, WA 98104
v 206.624.0283
f 206.292.4125

Questions? Contact lisa@putnamprice.com

Saturday, September 11, 2010

September 15 Chapter Meeting


ASHRAE Society President Lynn Bellenger to Visit Seattle

Lynn Bellenger, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, and 2010-2011 Society President will present "Modeling a Sustainable World" at Puget Sound Chapter's September 15 lunch meeting.The meeting will be at Rock Bottom Brewery, 1333 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. Registration opens at 11:30 AM with program starting at noon. This meeting is open to the public.

"Modeling a Sustainable World" highlights the role ASHRAE members play as leaders in sustainable design. In energy simulation, daylight analysis, CFD, and BIM software, we have powerful modeling tools that enable us to create and redefine our vision of a building -- it's appearance, systems, operation, and performance. Those resources, used effectively in an integrated design process for new buildings and in analyzing retrofit opportunities in existing buildings, will help gude building owners, architects, developers, and contractors in building orientation, shading, and shape in selecting materials, windows, equipment, and systems that optimize building performance.

To make reservations, please go to the Acteva event website: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=209008ASHRAE Members $35, Guests $40, ASHRAE Student Members $15

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Seattle Energy Code Update - September 2010

The following is excerpted from an email sent out on September 07, 2010 by John Hogan with the Seattle Department of Planning & Development:

In late August, the Mayor forwarded the 2009 Seattle Energy Code ordinance package to the Seattle City Council:
- The summary included in the package is viewable at: DPD_2009_Seattle_Energy_Code_SUMMARY_.pdf.
- Seattle City Council review is likely to take place in late September. I will send out another e-mail when a specific date has been decided. (It is expected that the ordinance will be referred to the Committee on the Built Environment, as this is the committee that considered the ordinances for the other construction codes.

In terms of the text for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code, we had a detailed review from the Law Department. DPD did make a number of revisions based on the Law Department’s recommendations. I would generally characterize them as minor, most were wording changes to clarify the intent. However, I did want to highlight one change (but maybe only a process and timing change, as opposed to a substantive change):
- During the 6-month public review, we proposed and received public support to add a new Chapter 16 calling for a minimum amount of on-site renewable energy production, provided that we included two alternates (an option to use higher heating and cooling equipment efficiency, or another option to purchase renewable energy certificates in lieu of installing the renewable energy system on site). The Law Department raised some concerns about the way the alternates would work. To enable us to move forward, the Law Department assisted us in crafting language that says that DPD will develop a Director’s Rule containing alternate compliance options. The ordinance language says that the renewable energy provisions will not take effect until the Director’s Rule is published with these alternate compliance options. My hope would be that we could take the alternate compliance options developed during public review and then fold these into a Director’s Rule soon after the ordinance is adopted.

As a heads-up regarding implementation of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code:
- For nonresidential spaces, the intent is to have a grace period for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code that would end so as to coincide with the end of the grace period for other Seattle code updates. The last date on which DPD will be accepting applications using the 2006 codes will be 22 November 2010.
- For residential spaces, the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) requirements would take effect on the date specified by the Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC). Since the 2009 WSEC requirements for residential spaces were finalized on 20 November 2009 (approaching ten months ago at this point), there would not be any additional grace period.

John Hogan

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Sustainable Industries Economic Forum

Co-Sponsored by AIA Seattle

What: Sustainable Industries Economic Forum.

Where: The Hyatt at Olive 8 (1635 8th Avenue Seattle, Washington, 98101)

When: September 23 - 8AM-Noon.

Integrated Project Delivery Forum

AIA Seattle Presents

Integrated Project Delivery Forum

Save the Date!

December 13, 2010

What impact is Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) having on the architectural profession and our allied professionals? AIA Seattle will explore how the collaborative process of IPD changes the way we make projects happen.

Attendees will:
• Hear a broad, interdisciplinary perspective from owners, architects, contractors, engineers, and legal professionals
• Learn about the management techniques and tools you can use to successfully execute IPD projects
• Understand how IPD affects contractual responsibility, risk and reward; scope of work; and professional responsibility
• Obtain the knowledge, tools, and confidence to build IPD capabilities into your firm and/or projects

For more information, contact Program Director Karoline Vass.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Job Posting - Hermanson Company

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Engineering Department Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt

SUMMARY
This position will be responsible for designing and in some cases reviewing designs for Mechanical and/or Plumbing Projects. Position aids in the success of project design, marketing documents and estimating support. Design efforts include equipment sizing and selection, energy modeling, system approach, specification development and quality control reviews.
Responsible for developing HVAC and plumbing system concepts and designs for commercial, light industrial, and critical environment (lab, hospital, data center) facilities with minimal supervision.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Experience: 5-15 years experience

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Professional Development: Registered Mechanical Engineer (WA) preferred

Software Proficiency In:

• E-Quest - Energy Modeling Software
• Energy Pro – Energy Modeling Software
• Carrier E20-II – Hour load analysis program
• AutoCAD (2008, 2009, 2010 and MEP)
• Autodesk Revit MEP
• Microstation V8XM or V8i - 2D/3D and BIM (optional)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Acrobat Standard (and Reader)


Visit our website at www.hermanson.com for a complete job description. Send resumes to opportunity@hermanson.com