MEP Engineering

Energy efficiency measures reduce the long-term ownership cost of a building, in exchange for an upfront investment. However, it is possible to go wrong with energy efficiency, especially when upgrades are deployed without a proper energy audit. This article describes some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Outdoor lighting brings accessibility and safety to building exteriors, but the best results are obtained when the right type of fixture is used in each application. Also consider that outdoor lighting is often used from sunset to sunrise, and this represents an excellent opportunity to save energy with LED lamps and fixtures.

Electrical equipment performs various important functions in modern built environments. The enclosures housing this equipment must provide adequate protection, considering site conditions. Enclosures built according to standards from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association have a NEMA rating, while those built according to IEC standards have an IP rating (International Protection).

New York and New Jersey have been hit by a powerful storm in recent days, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without electricity, and roads blocked by fallen trees and utility poles. Building interiors can quickly become unsuitable for occupancy under an extended power outage, as lighting and HVAC systems are taken out of commission. However, there are many viable measures that improve the reliability of building systems when utility services are compromised.

The fast growth of New York City in recent decades has been beneficial for the regional economy, but two key challenges have emerged: there is a shortage of rental housing, and public transportation is congested and reliant on outdated control systems. In theory, these issues can be solved with new housing development and public transportation upgrades, but there are barriers preventing it: stringent zoning requirements limit the floor area of housing projects, and funding for transportation upgrades has been very difficult to obtain.

New York Engineers' founding principal Michael Tobias, shared his views in The New York Times about Trump tower fire and called for a law requiring older residential buildings to install sprinklers.The original article can be read over here.

New Jersey’s incentive programs for energy efficiency and renewable generation are getting a significant upgrade through the NJ Senate Bill 2314. Existing incentive programs will be enhanced or redesigned to drive greater investment in clean energy technologies, while the statewide renewable energy target is being raised. In addition, an energy storage target is introduced, bringing the benefits of this emerging technology to NJ.

On Monday April 9, just two days after a major fire destroyed an apartment in the Trump Tower in Manhattan, another fire was reported in Edgewater, New Jersey. The commercial building affected by the incident included a car wash, an automobile repair shop, a restaurant, a dance studio and a health spa. Thankfully there were no human casualties, but the building suffered major damage - firefighters required two hours to control the flames.

Boilers are among the main heat sources used in buildings, and they play a fundamental role in making indoor spaces suitable for humans. However, boilers are vulnerable to component failure like any piece of mechanical equipment, and disconnection may be required during building renovations or heating system upgrades. Temporary boilers can meet the heating needs of buildings under these circumstance. Note that the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development requires space heating availability from October 1 to May 31, and hot water availability during the entire year.

Having well-designed and well-installed fire protection systems is fundamental for safe indoor environments. For example, the April 7 fire incident in the 50th floor of the Trump Tower could have been prevented with automatic sprinklers, but NYC codes and laws only make them mandatory for new constructions and major renovations. Automatic sprinklers are just one of many fire protection measures used in buildings, and the NJ Administrative Code Title 5 dedicates Chapters 70 through 76 to fire protection requirements.