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input #1 at www.csemag.com/information
Baldor-Reliance®
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input #15 at www.csemag.com/information

 Engineering is personal.
So is the way you use information.
CFE Media delivers a world of knowledge to you.
CFE Media is home to some of the Personally.
most trusted names in the business.

www.controleng.com www.csemag.com www.plantengineering.com

MAY 2017
Inside:
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the ART of Building HVAC

Sustainability e
ART

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input #3 at www.csemag.com/information
 Vol. 57, Number 4

MAY 2020

40 | Using a hybrid design approach

to stairwell pressurization
While the design process for a stairwell pressur-
ization system should account for many building
specific variables and is anything but simple, the
system used to achieve the performance criteria
doesn’t have to be complicated

45 | Case study: Aircraft hangar

ON THE COVER: Read about the 2020
fire protection
40 Under 40 winners on page 7.
Taking a performance-based approach to the
protection of a membrane roof aircraft hangar
NEWS &BUSINESS 47 | Changing
airport firefighting
5 | Viewpoint
Engineering superheroes
foam suppression
systems
7 | 2020 40 Under 40 Winners If aqueous film-form-
These 2020 40 Under 40 winners have what it ing foam is not good for
takes to lead the building industry to a higher level the environment or our
21 | Converting alternative structures
health, why is it still in
use?
for COVID-19 patients
Converting structures such as hospitals, arenas, 49 | Designing power systems in
convention centers and other large-scale buildings mission critical environments
in the wake of COVID-19 is a challenge, but per- Learn about the choices and criteria for the plan-
haps a necessary one as the pandemic continues ning and design of mission critical facility switch-
gear, transformers and UPS
BUILDING SOLUTIONS 54 | How to design for transformers,
switchgear and UPS
26 | Best practices for designing It is critical for electrical engineers to be involved
smoke control systems early in the programming of a facility to meet
By incorporating NFPA 92 with best practices, end users’ needs and cost constraints in facility
fire protection engineers can successfully design construction
smoke control systems for buildings

34 | Three tips for legacy hospital ENGINEERING INSIGHTS

smoke control systems
There are three considerations for working with 60 | MEP Roundtable
existing smoke control systems in hospitals Warehouse, manufacturing facilities go high-tech

CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER (ISSN 0892-5046, Vol. 57, No. 4, GST #123397457) is published 11x per year, monthly except in February, by CFE Media, LLC, 3010 Highland Parkway,
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www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 3

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www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 7

 Congratulations to the
40 Under 40 Winners

We are proud to be a sponsor of Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s 2020

40 Under 40, honoring the rising stars of an industry that’s enhancing lives and shaping
the future. Your professional skill, passion and drive are making a positive impact and the
honor you’ve earned reflects the industry’s appreciation for the innovation and leadership
you’re providing at a crucial time.
Our industry is undergoing an accelerated demographic shift. The workforce is aging,
creating openings that will need to be filled. Add to that the upheaval to the workforce
and the industry caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and the need for educated,
skilled professionals has never been more urgent.
These changes present unprecedented opportunities for young professionals to contin-
ue building rewarding, meaningful careers as they adapt to working digitally and through
online collaboration. At Eaton, we’re doing our part to help you take advantage of these
opportunities by partnering with educational institutions and organizations to prepare
tomorrow’s engineers, consultants and electricians to lead the industry into the future.
On behalf of everyone at Eaton, I congratulate you on this achievement, and look
forward to seeing how your leadership will guide our changing industry.

Douglas A. Dillie
Industry Manager,
Electrical Consultants
Eaton
 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40

2020 Winners
Jennifer Alley . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dana Al-Qadi . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Caitlyn Angelini . . . . . . . . . 10
Brian Binkley . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Katy Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Neil Bulger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Christopher Crivello . . . . . 11
Marie Curatolo . . . . . . . . . 11
Alex Engelman . . . . . . . . . 12
Mo Fahim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Giuliana Galante . . . . . . . . 12
Alexej Goehring . . . . . . . . 12
Nina Harvey Schatmeier . . 13
George Howe . . . . . . . . . . 13
Julia Ingersoll . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Elizabeth Joyce . . . . . . . . . 13
Tracey Jumper . . . . . . . . . . 14
Luke Karels . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Nicholas Long . . . . . . . . . . 14
These 2020 40 Under 40 winners have what it takes
Sheikh Rafik to lead the building industry to a higher level
Manihar Ahmed . . . . . . . . 14
Charlie Marino . . . . . . . . . . 15
Fiona Martin McCarthy . . . 15 BY CHRIS VAVRA, Associate Editor, and
Timothy J . McGuire . . . . . 15 AMARA ROZGUS, Editor-in-Chief
Andrea Mulvany . . . . . . . . 15

I
James M . Newman . . . . . . 16 f the technical expertise, breadth of experience and confident
Shona O’Dea . . . . . . . . . . . 16
attitudes don’t impress you, then the dedication given to men-
Erin Pasold . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Michael Radio . . . . . . . . . . 16
toring, the community and family certainly will. The 2020 40
Deborah Reider . . . . . . . . . 17 Under 40 winners are more creative, focused and passionate
Ben Ries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 than most professionals at the early phases of their career, lead-
Luis Rivera Jr . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ing them to succeed in their respective professions. They’ve had
Josh Rizzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
an impact at their own firms and within the building industry as a
Karen Schulte . . . . . . . . . . 18
Marzia Sedino . . . . . . . . . . 18 whole. Projects they’ve touched are better because of their influ-
Nathan A . Short . . . . . . . . . 18 ence. And they’re definitively well-rounded and down-to-earth
Josh VandenEnde . . . . . . . 18 people. Meet some wide-ranging travelers, outdoor enthusiasts
Jason Witterman . . . . . . . . 20
and imaginative thinkers.
Johnathan Woodside . . . . 20
Christopher Wysoczanski . 20
Noah Zallen . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 9

 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40
Dana Al-Qadi, D.Eng, 30
Senior Engineering Consultant,
AECOM, Chicago
Doctorate, The George Washington
University
A l-Qadi’s career in engineering began
with an undergraduate research
opportunity at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign in an environmental
engineering laboratory. Already a declared biology major, she was so
impacted by her research on safe drinking water supply, she changed to
engineering. In her continuing effort to help people, Al-Qadi’s work now
focuses on advancing communities and infrastructure to achieve their pri-
orities through innovation and technology. She is a civil and environmental
engineer with experience in electrification, carbon reduction, smart cities,
energy and drinking water treatment and design. Her current projects
include electrification planning, smart city technologies, artificial intel-
ligence, asset management, energy efficiency, urban and rural resilience,
performance metrics and stakeholder engagement. Most recently, she
has played a key role in AECOM’s work with communities to address the
recent COVID-19 pandemic. Al-Qadi’s career is rooted in community,
mentorship and youth education. She firmly believes that advancing the
engineering profession requires developing the next generation by cultivat-
ing their kills and interest in STEM. An avid runner, she is training for her
second marathon. Several of her runs have been for Team Palestine, pro-
viding support for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, a nonprofit organi-
zation that provides free medical care to children in the Middle East.
Caitlyn Angelini, PE, 35
Senior Code Consultant, AKF Group,
Boston
BS Civil Engineering and MS Fire
Protection Engineering, Worcester
Polytechnic Institute
A ngelini is a nationally recognized
building, fire, life safety and acces-
sibility code compliance expert. She is
responsible for AKF’s architectural code consulting practice in the firm’s
New York City, Boston and Philadelphia offices, using her technical knowl-
edge to see beyond potential obstacles. With an acute understanding of
the intricacies and specific code requirements for various types of con-
struction, Angelini’s portfolio includes mixed-use, multifamily, hospitality,
academic and health care facilities. Angelini has presented on complicated
code topics such as mass timber construction, health care facility design,
means of egress compliance and regional, national and international
building and life safety codes. She also has many courses registered with
the American Institute of Architects that she instructs on a regular basis.
She was recently appointed as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban
Habitat’s Fire & Risk Jury Chair for the 2019 CTBUH World Congress and
2020 Tall + Urban Conference. Outside of work, Angelini is very active in
her community and often volunteers. She volunteers with the Community
Servings’ Greater Boston Food Bank Annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser
and helped plan and execute AKF’s Women in STEAM Symposium and
believes in being a mentor to aspiring engineers. Angelini has participated
in many local 5K, 10K and half-marathon races and is an avid skier.
10 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Jennifer Alley, PE, LEED AP, 39
Project Manager, HDR, San Antonio, Texas
BS and MS Architectural Engineering,
University of Kansas
A lley is a project manager and
mechanical engineering consultant
specializing in sustainability and assisting
in the specification of building systems
such as high-efficiency HVAC equipment,
insulation, roofs and windows over the past 15 years. In her recent roles,
she proposed new technologies such as chilled beams, heat recovery
and efficient solar applications for energy reductions. In 2006, Alley was
one of the first individuals in San Antonio to become a LEED AP. These
credentials took her to new heights, engaging in the mechanical design
and energy modeling for the first LEED Gold project in San Antonio —
the Zachary Construction Corporation Headquarters. Alley also educat-
ed San Antonio architects, engineers and building owners on the process
of LEED certification and the long-term benefits of sustainable decisions.
In 2015, Alley became the sustainability engineer for Cherokee Nation
Businesses as a consultant to the U.S. Air Force. Outside of work, Alley
enjoys staying active through activities like hiking and kickboxing, read-
ing, event planning and traveling. So far, Alley has traveled to all 48 con-
tinental United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 12 other
countries. She was a gymnast for 14 years, a cheerleader at the Univer-
sity of Kansas and a professional cheerleader for the San Antonio Spurs.
Alley also enjoys spending time with her family and comes from a family
of engineers including her late grandfather and father.
Brian Binkley, PE, 40
Director of Design, Gephart Electric,
Saint Paul, Minn.
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering,
Pennsylvania State University
B inkley is responsible for the engineer-
ing, virtual design and construction
and operational aspects of the design
department at Gephart Electric. He man-
ages, supervises and performs work at all levels of electrical design
including electrical power distribution systems, lighting, fire alarm sys-
tems, load calculations, code and standards research, specifications, site
observations and quality assurance reviews. Leading by example, Binkley
never cuts corners or sacrifices the integrity of the project. While his cur-
rent focus has landed on electrical engineering (lighting, power and low-
voltage systems), he continuously is striving for improvement and honing
his skills to ensure Gephart remains on the cutting edge of the industry.
Clients love working with Binkley, valuing his open and honest communi-
cation, inventive ideas and his ability to get things done right the first time.
His professional certifications, including NICET Level 2 and Revit Certi-
fied Professional, have given him advanced industry knowledge. Recent
projects include stadiums in Minneapolis and Las Vegas and hospitals in
Minot, N.D., and Oxford, Miss. First and foremost, Binkley is a father and
a husband. As a proud Eagle Scout and Wood Badge honoree for nation-
al leadership, Binkley has the continued the Boy Scout tradition with his
sons. Binkley is cultivating the next generation of engineers by spending
endless hours in their LEGO room dedicated to creating structures.
www.csemag.com
Katy Boat, PE, 32
Associate, Electrical Engineer,
SmithGroup, Chicago
BS Architectural Engineering,
University of Kansas
G rowing up in Kansas City, Mo., Boat
has long been intrigued by the inter-
section of the natural and built environ-
ments. Boat’s experience includes the
design of lighting and electrical systems in both new construction and
renovation projects for university clients, federal agencies, the private
sector and health care clients. Boat’s responsibilities include power
system designs, exterior lighting systems, lighting and lighting control
systems. Boat’s enthusiasm for design and her strong communication
skills make her a dynamic team member who is able to make valuable
contributions at every stage of a project. She believes that an integrated
approach to design yields the best possible results. Today, she embod-
ies the true meaning of integrated design, collaborating actively with all
disciplines — both engineering and design — and always keeping an eye
toward spatial relationships and the interplay of architecture and lighting.
After moving from SmithGroup’s Washington, D.C., office to Chicago,
Boat quickly became a “go-to” engineer thanks to her finesse, atten-
tion to detail and ability to tuck engineering systems delicately into their
surroundings. Since 2015, she and her husband have tackled the chal-
lenge of restoring a 100-year-old Chicago two-flat, contributing to East
Humboldt Park’s neighborhood revitalization and preservation of existing
building stock. She and her husband fawn over their dog, Gus.
Christopher Crivello, PE, 30
Principal, RAN Fire Protection
Engineering, Albany, N.Y.
MS Fire Protection Engineering,
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
If you ask Crivello why he became a fire
protection engineer, he will say “to save
lives.” In 2017, Crivello was promoted to
partner and principal at RAN Fire Protec-
tion Engineering at 28 years old. Crivello specializes in fire suppression
and fire alarm design, having experience in a wide array of sectors.
Within the past year alone, some of Crivello’s signature projects include
a 26-story high-rise in California, an 8-story hospital in New York, a com-
plete sitewide fire protection upgrade at an industrial facility in Texas and
a 30-building luxury resort in Massachusetts. Since becoming a partner,
he has worked to double the size of the company. Crivello ensures he is
always available for the other engineers, providing guidance and sup-
port while still allowing them to find their own answer to enhance the
learning experience. He has created a reputation for himself within the
industry because of his leadership, passion and dedication. On Oct. 28,
2016, Crivello was involved in a life-changing experience while out to din-
ner, when a kitchen gas leak led to an explosion, causing the building to
become engulfed with fire. Using his knowledge of fire dynamics, Crivello
not only managed to escape unharmed, but his actions helped save the
lives of 40 people. Today, Crivello regularly teaches seminars to promote
designing fire protection the right way. Outside of the industry, Crivello’s
passions include fishing, ice hockey and sipping wine.
www.csemag.com
Neil Bulger, PE,
LEED AP BD+C, 35
Principal, Cofounder, Red Car Analytics
Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif.
BS Mechanical Engineering, California
Polytechnic State University
I n 2018, after more than a decade of
building his skills as a green building
engineering expert, Bulger and two col-
leagues launched Red Car Analytics, which is focused on making carbon
neutral buildings simple to build and easy to operate. Bulger started his
professional career as a project engineer with Rumsey Engineers and
built on his sustainable building expertise as a building performance
engineer and principal with Integral Group before taking his passion to
the next step with his own company. Bulger can often be found sketching
out ideas or making diagrams on whiteboards, working diligently to relay
both the big picture as well as the details of a project. This is nothing
new. As a student, Bulger was constantly tinkering and innovating with
friends and that passion of continually creating new things led him to
the high school’s robotics club. Bulger serves on the board of the young
professionals network as part of the Santa Rosa, Calif., city chamber
of commerce. The group helps to promote professional development
and create networking opportunities with local industry leaders and up
and coming young people in the community. Bulger, in his free time, is
working on making his home more energy-efficient through various DIY
projects. He enjoys the great outdoors and spends his time hiking and
exploring the area with his wife and their dog, Charlie.
Marie Curatolo, CEM, 30
Project Manager, ESD, Chicago
MS Sustainable Business Leadership,
Lund University, Sweden
P rofessions don’t always take a
straight path. Curatolo found a good
fit for her science background and leader-
ship aspirations in the field of building
energy management. She had to learn
how energy is used in existing buildings and how it can be optimized so
the buildings run as efficiently as possible. For building owners and oper-
ators, this means reducing their energy operating costs and their carbon
footprint. Curatolo identifies and implements opportunities for ESD’s
clients who aim to save money and reduce their carbon footprints. She
always makes sure their needs, goals and timelines are achieved in the
most productive manner. She is passionate about bringing efficiency and
sustainability to the field of building science. She joined ESD as a project
manager after working in the energy management field for several build-
ing portfolios spanning hundreds of properties. Before her work with
commercial buildings, Curatolo worked for a nonprofit supporting local
government energy-efficiency initiatives and a sustainability consulting
firm advising on resource conservation projects. She’s passionate about
spreading awareness of career paths in energy management and in the
built environment in general for students and early-career professionals.
A personal passion is outdoor activities, especially along Chicago’s lake-
front. In January 2020, after months of training after a persistent illness,
she crossed the finish line of a half-marathon.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 11
 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40
Alex Engelman, PE, CEM,
LEED AP, 37
Associate Principal, Syska Hennessy
Group Inc., New York City
BS Electrical Engineering, The Cooper
Union for the Advancement of Science
and Art, New York City; MS Construction
Management, Polytechnic Institute of NYU
E ngelman has spent his career leading
electrical design building projects noted for their complexity. He leads
Syska Hennessy Group’s effort for integrating renewable and other grid-
independent, clean energy sources into the overall design. Rethinking the
distribution of power and energy, Engelman’s team is spearheading engi-
neering for an energy-as-a-service agreement between the owner and
the provider. Key features include microgrid control, flexibility and redun-
dancy of energy use coming from these on-site and renewable sources.
His professional career started with the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey as an intern and he has gone from strength to strength, first
with Arup for seven years and now with Syska Hennessy, all with the
same goal of improving electrical design for buildings and infrastructure.
Engelman, who was born in Russia and emigrated to the United States
when he was a young man, knew he wanted to be an engineer by high
school. He has carried that focus and dedication in his career to many
other aspects of his life. He was involved with the ACE Mentor Program,
Engineers Without Borders and New York Cares Society. Outside of work,
Engelman enjoys traveling with his wife, playing basketball and playing
games like Settlers of Catan and a good game of chess.
Giuliana Galante, 30
Senior Analyst, Cost Engineering,
Arup, Montreal
BS Civil Engineering, Los Andes
University; MS Civil Engineering,
Stanford University
G alante’s career path was informed by
her family and the world she grew up
in. Her father and grandfather were civil
engineers and she quickly saw the potential to do some real good for her
native Colombia. She started her career as a cost estimator for a deep
foundation contractor in Colombia, where she delivered the estimates for
more than 100 projects. Her experience made her realize she could do
the most good in procurement and construction management. At Arup,
she had a key role in Boston’s Green Line Extension project, which had
faced overruns and delays. She performed the cost analyses that ulti-
mately led to a budget approval, enabling the reprocurement of the proj-
ect. She also provided analysis and insight on the San Francisco-Oakland
Bay Bridge Bike Path project and the repurposing of the Homestake Gold
Mine into the Department of Energy-funded Long Baseline Neutrino Facil-
ity in South Dakota. Outside of work, Galante volunteered with an orga-
nization in South Africa to prevent wildlife poaching, activity that remains
very close to her heart. As for hobbies, she can often be found on the
dance floor. She’s been dancing ballet since she was 4 and regularly
takes dance classes. Galante is learning to play the piano and is hoping
to master the instrument soon. She’s also a passionate baker, particularly
when it comes to desserts, which are a hit with all her friends.
12 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Mo Fahim, FMP, EIT, 38
Practice Leader | Intelligent Building
Technologies, ESD, Chicago
BS Electrical Engineering and BS
Computer Engineering, University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor
F
ahim’s career has been about rising to
the occasion when a challenge comes
along. When ESD tasked him with moving
from Chicago to Abu Dhabi in 2011 to establish its first international office,
he leapt in and succeeded. Fahim, who grew up in Saudi Arabia and is of
Syrian descent, had a background in technology and electrical disciplines
back in Chicago. As project field engineer in Abu Dhabi, he quickly adapted
to different disciplines such as HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm
and automation. It wasn’t long before Fahim was able to lead all technolo-
gy-related consulting, design and construction services as well as help lead
MEP project management and field operations for millions of square feet
concurrently. Fahim returned to Chicago in 2017 as a senior project manag-
er and has continued his career progression. Upon his return he helped in
implementing the vision of “The Living Lab” at the company’s new Chicago
headquarters. In his current role as practice leader, he shapes the vision
of the connected workplace, intelligent buildings and the future of com-
mercial real estate properties through use of technology and smart building
solutions. Fahim has given back to Chicago as a volunteer for Habitat for
Humanity. He also works on ways to help people, especially displaced chil-
dren, from his native Syria. Fahim’s favorite recreational activities include
cycling, go-karting, off-road driving, hiking and cooking.
Alexej Goehring, PE, 39
Associate, America’s Skills Leader,
Arup, San Francisco
MS Engineering, Warwick University, U.K.
A
constant in Goehring’s career has
been his desire to learn as much
as he can about a topic and sharing that
knowledge with others. Goehring started
his career with Arup working in research
and development in its London office in 2004. His expertise in multiple
languages made a perfect fit and it helped him specialize in building
physics, fluid flow, thermal comfort, energy use and passive design — all
with a strong analytical focus. Goehring joined the Advanced Technol-
ogy & Research team in San Francisco and has worked on projects with
Apple and has been an adviser with Google. Goehring is passionate
about passing on his knowledge and his project expertise to his fellow
engineers and helping them grow. In 2016, he was named Arup’s Skill
Leader for the Americas, which has allowed Goehring to developed best
practice guides and trainings for junior staff in the areas of thermal analy-
sis, climate analysis and fluid dynamics. He also conducts competitor
skill and market analysis, connects with the global Arup network of prac-
titioners and fosters greater internal communications. Goehring’s pas-
sion for education goes beyond the workplace. He has conducted train-
ing courses for AIA and lectured at Stanford University and the California
College of Arts. Outside of work, Goehring enjoys spending time with his
family, especially his 2-year-old daughter. Hobbies include hiking, biking,
skiing and surfing and spending time with his friends.
www.csemag.com
Nina Harvey Schatmeier,
AICP, 40
Associate, Arup, Los Angeles
BA Mathematics, University of Virginia;
MUP Urban and Regional Planning, Uni-
versity of Michigan; MS Transportation
Engineering, University of California at
Berkeley
H arvey Schatmeier has been involved
interna
in transportation projects throughout the United States and interna-
tionally. In every project she pursues, her focus is on prioritizing the user
experience by looking for creative ways to encourage sustainable urban
transportation and to activate streets and neighborhoods through place-
making and wayfinding. This goes back to her days growing up in the
suburbs and the allure of cities, how they work and how public transit can
provide access and mobility to everyone without need for a car. A few of
her notable projects include developing new station design guidelines to
improve the passenger experience for the Los Angeles MetroA, an urban
air mobility policy framework for Los Angeles Department of Transporta-
tion to guide future drone and air taxi operations, a pedestrian wayfinding
system in Pittsburgh and a masterplan for the Houston Theater District
in Texas. As a teacher and mentor, she is passionate about sharing her
knowledge of the transportation consulting practice and industry. One
of her favorite pastimes outside of work is improv comedy, which has
helped her in the workplace in thinking creatively and being open to new
ideas. She also enjoys spending time with her two children and riding
them around the city on their cargo bike.
Julia Ingersoll, PE, CDT, 32
Project Manager, Senior Mechanical
Engineer, McGuire Engineers, Chicago
BS Mechanical Engineering, University
of Wisconsin-Madison
Ingersoll has led several mechanical sys-
tems design for various space renova-
tions including hospitals, manufacturing,
educational and corporate facilities. She
has experience in commissioning major mechanical systems and certain
process systems including: chiller plants, air handling units, exhaust sys-
tems and clean rooms. As a project manager for McGuire Engineers, she
has led the Dayton’s Project, which is an historic 1.2-million-square-foot
renovation in downtown Minneapolis. The project is designed to include a
roughly 50,000-square-foot food hall, retail spaces and commercial office
spaces. Ingersoll’s creativity and design innovation has been crucial as
she collaborates with many different people to achieve these goals while
preserving the historic fabric of the building. She also has extensive expe-
rience in health care design and was a key player of the design for the
27-story Rehab Institute of Chicago (now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab). She
was responsible for mechanical systems design and coordination for the
impressive multidisciplinary revolutionary health care facility and helped
ensure the production quality. Ingersoll is passionate about encouraging
young students, particularly women, to pursue engineering. To that end,
Ingersoll has volunteered for several events and STEM programs. When-
ever possible, Ingersoll commutes to the office by bicycle and also enjoys
golfing. Her favorite indoor activities are cooking and baking.
www.csemag.com
George Howe, PE, 38
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Affiliated
Engineers Inc.
BS Mechanical Engineering, University
of Massachusetts Amherst
H
owe is more than an engineer. He’s
a collaborator, mentor and innovator
all rolled up into one. As a collaborator,
Howe has demonstrated his ability to
work with a variety of team members on a variety of projects. As a men-
men
tor, he’s worked to support and share knowledge with junior engineers
and project team members alike. As an innovator, he’s contributed to
overcoming project challenges to help clients meet or exceed their proj-
ect goals. Since joining Affiliated Engineers Inc., Howe has been the
driving force on important energy and utility infrastructure projects and
master plans. He has contributed to the planning and design of many
efficient energy plants. Howe is a reliable resource for expertise on
underground chilled water and steam distribution systems, chilled water
plant modeling and optimization and thermal energy storage systems.
Howe often serves as the project manager and lead engineer in his
projects and he is able to lead by example and share the knowledge he
has gained over the years with his fellow engineers. Outside of work,
he’s served as a judge for the Odyssey of the Mind competition multiple
times, which allows him to share his knowledge and advice with young
and aspiring engineers. In his free time, Howe focuses his leisure activi-
ties around beer brewing, working on diesel pickup trucks and running as
well as spending time with his wife, infant daughter and two dachshunds.
Elizabeth Joyce, PE,
LEED AP O+M, 34
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Arup,
Seattle
MS Civil and Environmental Engineering:
Atmosphere/Energy Program, Stanford
University
I n her career and personal life, Joyce
has worked with organizations and com-
munities to combine energy resource management, energy poverty and
climate change adaptation and mitigation. She believes that thoughtful
programs and policies — when paired with technical expertise — can
achieve real change in the built environment and create a more sustain-
able and just future for all. Joyce has a diverse skillset and experiences
providing mechanical, energy and sustainability consulting services for
commercial building clients, public entities and humanitarian agencies.
Her services include innovative HVAC system design, energy policy and
program development, audits and analysis of existing building systems
and delivery of energy services in international development context. In
addition to commercial building design, she has worked with cities, utili-
ties and private clients to develop innovative policies, pilot new programs
and build analysis tools to help policymakers and end-users save energy
and other resources. Joyce has been engaged with Engineers Without
Borders-USA for more than a decade, first as a volunteer and then as
staff during 2017-2019. A lifelong musician, Joyce enjoys singing, playing
the piano and banjo, social dancing, doing triathlons and enjoying the
natural beauty of her Pacific Northwest home.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 13
 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40
Tracey Jumper, CCP, 38
Corporate Director of Commissioning,
EMCOR Services/Mesa Energy Systems,
Las Vegas
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering,
Pennsylvania State University
J umper is transforming the way we fix
buildings and maintain performance.
She is trained in the engineering, con-
structing, testing, maintenance and improvement of building systems.
As a corporate leader, she regularly consults with building owners and
facilities teams on energy system performance, resilience and opera-
tional upgrades. She has built three companies by working with facility
teams in both private and public sectors, on institutional, industrial and
entertainment projects across the U.S. She often works with clients to
achieve high-performance requirements and fix facilities with particularly
challenging performance issues. Examples include clients like NBC/Uni-
versal, Los Angeles MTA, Arizona Cardinals, Hershey, Geisinger, Bridon,
Grow West and Verizon. She’s active with ASHRAE and especially the
Building Commissioning Association, where she is on the International
Board and lead instructor for the association’s Existing Building Commis-
sioning training course. Jumper gives back by volunteering; one example
is with disaster prep and response. Originally from the East Coast,
Tracey and her partner Marc are particularly proud of having installed
solar panels to power their house, much like other Southwesterners. At
one time terrified of flying, she has overcome that fear and is a member
of the U.S. Parachute Association.
Nicholas Long, PE, LEED AP
BD+C, CEng, MCIBSE, 33
Associate, Arup, Hong Kong
BS Architectural Engineering (SMEP),
Kansas State University
L ong’s goal early on was to be a global
engineer. And so far, his engineering
career and projects have taken him all
over the world including the Americas,
Middle East, Asia and Australasia, now currently residing in Hong Kong.
Long is a dedicated engineer and is quite cognizant of differences in
culture, and blends his characteristics with the values of each culture
he encounters. In addition to having in-depth technical knowledge as a
building service engineer with specialties in electrical design, Long has
experience in successfully leading multidiscipline projects throughout
Asia. His experiences in delivering and leading overall engineering
teams across a wide range of projects allows Long to bring cross disci-
pline solutions, innovations and coordinated engineering designs. Long
has also been pivotal in implementing advanced technology in new
markets such as DRUPS in India for the Statue of Unity. His professional
skills are just as strong as his technical ones and he takes the time to
help and mentor his fellow engineers during a project and leave them
with lessons they can carry to their next project. Long has also been a
local mentor for the University of Surrey’s professional training place-
ments. In his downtime, Long enjoys traveling and seeking adventures in
new and familiar places. He is a fan of dragon boat races and is looking
to become fluent in Spanish and Mandarin.
14 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Luke Karels, PE, 36
Project Delivery Department Manager,
Stanley Consultants, Minneapolis
MS Infrastructure Systems Engineering
Management, University of Minnesota
A few years ago, the University of Min-
nesota College of Science & Engi-
neering sought out Karels to champion
its Technological Leadership Institute in
a recruitment video. It selected Karels as its spokesman, realizing there
was something special about him. Ambitious yet personable, he’s a pro-
fessional that accomplishes more in a day than most can in a week. This
is due, in part, to his ability to multitask and his ability to relate with col-
leagues and clients. Karels is an experienced senior project manager for
a variety of power delivery projects. He has great organizational skills,
is a skilled communicator and a positive team leader for multidiscipline
engineering teams across multiple offices. Karels is responsible for busi-
ness development, scope/fee development, contract negotiation and
execution, schedules, budgets, resource loading, sequencing plans and
project financial performance oversight. In addition to being one of the
market’s top senior project managers, Karels currently wears two other
hats at Stanley Consultants. As the department manager, he manages
the top power delivery project and program managers in the company.
He is driven to succeed in his career, yet he takes the time to teach his
children how to hunt and fish — even in Minnesota winters. When not in
the woods or on the lake, Karels also enjoys volunteering at church and
coaching multiple local youth sports teams.
Sheikh Rafik Manihar
Ahmed, 27
Control Systems Engineer and Innova-
tion Catalyst, Fluor Daniel India Pvt. Ltd.,
Gurugram, Haryana, India
Bachelor’s, Electronics & Instrumenta-
tion, Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand
Technical University
A hmed chose engineering because he
believed it was a path that helped solve complex problems with an
impact on people’s lives. He has always been curious about how things
work and has a keen mind for applying what he learns to solve real-world
problems. Thus far, he has worked across the oil, gas and petrochemical
industries, supporting instrumentation engineering across all phases of
execution at Fluor Daniel. As Innovation Catalyst at Fluor’s New Delhi
office, he leads a team of colleagues in developing innovations to improve
project execution. Currently working on the Fawley Strategy “FAST” proj-
ect in the hydrotreater and hydrogen unit, he is responsible for prepara-
tion of various instrument datasheets, instrument index updating including
vendor packages and mechanical vendor package document review.
Ahmed is deeply involved in the field of plant digitization. Ahmed also
has been an active volunteer and champion of various corporate social
responsibility activities such as blood donation camps, assisting with
“eye camps” for those needing eye care, tree planting drives, education
outreach programs and other community outreach programs focused on
sustainability, society development, STEM and youth mentorship. Outside
of work, he likes listening to music, singing and running.
www.csemag.com
Charlie Marino, CEA,
LEED AP O+M, 36
Co-director, Energy + Performance,
AKF Group, New York City
BS Mechanical Engineering, Manhattan
College
A leader in energy services recognized
by clients and industry colleagues
for his expertise, Marino exudes passion,
drive and creativity. From acting as a key contributor to visionary city
plans and speaking at international conferences to performing portfolio-
wide energy optimization analyses and serving as co-director of AKF’s
Energy + Performance team, he provides an invaluable link between
AKF’s design team and clients that drives efficient solutions. Many
upgrade projects are largely driven by improving reliability and energy
efficiency of building systems and Marino began concentrating on the
energy aspects of these projects. As a result, he recognized a need to
form a team specifically dedicated to analyzing building energy use and
providing solutions for affordable energy optimization. In 2013, Marino
formally established AKF’s Energy Services group, a team that merged
with AKF’s high-performance building lab in 2019 to form AKF Energy +
Performance. As co-director of the newly formed group, Marino continu-
ally evaluates ways to serve clients through ongoing benchmarking and
remote energy management services. His No. 1 priority remains his wife
and young son. He’s a music enthusiast who enjoys spinning vinyl on his
record player and going to concerts. Marino also is active outdoors and
spends time cycling and running.
Timothy J. McGuire, PE, 35
Senior Project Engineer, H2M architects
+ engineers, Melville, N.Y.
BS Chemical Engineering,
Clemson University
F rom a young age, McGuire has
always enjoyed problem-solving and
helping the community, which is part of
what led him to become an engineer.
Since joining H2M, McGuire has spent his time applying his experience
in water resources, which includes but is not limited to, groundwater well
construction, well rehabilitation, well head treatment, transmission and
distribution. Specifically, McGuire’s project with the Water Authority of
Western Nassau County, made a priority by WAWNC, consisted of the
treatment of five wells — four for volatile organic compounds and one
for nitrate. Before treatment, these wells had been out of service for
several years due to concentrations above the state’s maximum con-
taminant levels, which means they’re not allowed to be used as a drink-
ing water source. McGuire was also instrumental in the company’s rapid
deployment of the emerging treatment technology advanced oxidation
processes for the treatment of the emerging contaminant 1,4-dioxane.
For volunteer work, McGuire has been involved with the Leadership
Huntington Foundation, is chairman of the Long Island Water Taste
Contest and has been a booth speaker for the Long Island Water Con-
ference at the SUNY Farmingdale Earth Day Fair. In his free time, he
enjoys spending time with his two children, whether at the beach, park,
library or somewhere new. He’s an avid Clemson Tigers fan.
www.csemag.com
Fiona Martin McCarthy,
PE, QCxP, BEAP, LEED AP
O+M, 34
Project Manager, Grumman/Butkus
Associates, Evanston, Ill.
BS Mechanical Engineering,
MS Renewable & Clean Energy,
University of Dayton
M artin McCarthy is a mechanical engi-
neer specializing in energy efficiency and sustainable design work.
She works on energy and resource benchmarking, energy conservation
studies, U.S. Green Building Council LEED consulting, Environmental
Protection Agency consulting and commissioning and retro-commission-
ing projects. She pursued engineering and music in college, and while
her passion for sustainability and making buildings better won out, music
continues to be a key part of her identity. As an engineer, Martin McCar-
thy has been involved in new construction commissioning and functional
testing of equipment and systems. She also participated in retro-commis-
sioning projects, implementing energy savings measures and conducting
measurement and verification. She’s become an expert in the developing
field of monitoring-based, or continuous, commissioning. Martin McCar-
thy has taught a local community college energy audit course and an
online course for her alma mater, the University of Dayton. She currently
sits on the University of Illinois-Chicago Master of Energy Engineering
program advisory board. Martin McCarthy’s passion for singing continues
to this day — whether it’s at her church or with her baby daughter. During
the summer, Martin McCarthy can be found sailing with her family.
Andrea Mulvany, PE, 39
Vice President/Director of Kansas City
Operations, Henderson Engineers,
Kansas City, Mo.
BS and MS Architectural Engineering,
Kansas State University
F rom Mulvany’s early days as an elec-
trical engineer, she taken her natural
skills in leadership, efficiency, productiv-
ity and hard work to the next level. Not only does she manage the opera-
tions and efficiency of her team, but she also wears several hats in the
engineering field — professional engineer, vice president and director
of the company’s arts and culture practice. Mulvany knows how to lead
employees to deliver on client expectations, ensuring each project will
satisfy the end-users as intended. She is responsible for the design of
facility electrical systems that are both innovative and cost-effective and
specializes in performing arts centers, commercial interiors, retail, health
care and educational facilities. Mulvany thrives in taking responsibility for
staffing, business development, marketing, operations and anything else
that comes her way. She is deeply involved in the Kansas City commu-
nity with Centurions, a young professionals’ network in the region, which
is a two-year leadership development program. Mulvany also serves as
a mentor for Lead to Read KC, the largest literacy volunteer corps in the
city. She and her husband are the proud parents of a daughter and a son.
Her favorite activities outside of work include cooking, softball and work-
ing on her house. The family enjoys exploring and spending time at the
library or zoo or visiting the Science City interactive children’s museum.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 15
 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40
James M. Newman, PE, CEM,
LEED AP, WELL AP, 34
Division Manager,
RMF Engineering Inc., Boston
BA, Architectural Engineering,
Kansas State University
N
ewman was recently tasked with his
most difficult career challenge to
date with opening a new branch engineer-
ing office. He is the youngest division manager at RMF Engineering and
is positioned in a very challenging office location due to immense MEP
competition and geographic size of the New England market. In the first
two years, he has grown his staff to a five-person team and established a
downtown Boston office location. He has worked to build a new client base
with 10 clients of which many have created opportunities for repeat work.
He credits his growth and success to his continued focus on expanding
skillsets and continuous education, which he feels are very important piec-
es of being an engineering leader. Newman has remained very involved
with continuing to grow his technical design knowledge with a primary focus
within sustainable and high-performance design. He also believes that
strong leadership skills have to be the core ingredient for growing, operat-
ing and sustaining a successful office. He grew up on a Midwest farm,
where he was taught to take ownership of everything he did. In mentoring
junior team members, he has found the more this mode of thinking can be
instilled into young staff, it enhances their ability to grow and prosper. Out-
side of business, Newman plays golf, renovates his house and travels. He
also enjoys traveling and exploring with his wife and young children.
Erin Pasold, PE, LEED AP, 37
Senior Project Manager,
BG Buildingworks, Fort Collins, Colo.
BS Architectural Engineering,
Kansas State University
P asold has a broad base of expertise
working on projects across different
market sectors where she brings a level
of knowledge that is helpful not only to her
clients, but to her BG Buildingworks team members. She brings in efficien
efficien-
cies and design know-how in forced-air systems, radiant in-floor heating,
snowmelt, variable refrigerant flow systems, ground-source heat pumps
and plumbing systems in office buildings, hospitality and health care. She
started her career designing mechanical systems for large-scale custom
homes in well-known getaways such as Aspen, Colo., and Jackson, Wyo.
She learned valuable lessons; she applied these lessons learned from
collaborating with homeowners, who had specific goals of comfort and
aesthetics, to larger-scale projects in the civic, commercial, educational,
health care and hospitality markets. Pasold has developed a broad base of
technical design in engineering elements and equipment while working with
a diverse clientele such as architects, developers, owners, facilities staff
and general contractors. Pasold gives back by volunteering in her local
ASHRAE chapter and serving in a volunteer group for the ArchE PE test
panel for the Architectural Engineering Institute at American Society of Civil
Engineers. Outside of work, Pasold recharges her mental batteries partici-
pating in activities such as 5Ks, softball and CrossFit. She’s an avid Kansas
State fan along with her husband, Eric. She has a rescue dog, Riley.
16 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Shona O’Dea, LEED AP,
WELL AP, 31
High Performance Design Leader -
Senior Associate, DLR Group, Chicago
BS Building Services Engineering, MS
Sustainability, Innovation and Technol-
ogy, Dublin Institute of Technology; MS
Technology, Purdue University
O ’Dea leads the high-performance
design team at DLR Group to help design better buildings. Through
Through-
out her career, O’Dea has been dedicated to energy efficiency and indoor
environmental quality, providing innovation and technical excellence in
sustainable building design and operation. Her side-by-side mentorship-
style leadership has a way of challenging people to think differently about
the way they design and operate buildings. O’Dea advises clients about
sustainable goal-setting and uses building simulation to help designers
quantify energy savings and understand the interactions of building design
with the mechanical systems and with the environment. Beyond building
simulation, O’Dea brings her passion to holistic building performance mas-
ter planning with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint and water use
of building portfolios, while also ensuring occupants can thrive in healthy
spaces. While sensors are her expertise, by combining three data types,
O’Dea and her team provide holistic building performance grades to help
owners make business decisions. O’Dea has been involved in many STEM
outreach projects in the Chicago area and has been the junior vice chair
of Young Engineers in ASHRAE. Outside of work, O’Dea is an avid rider of
mopeds and bicycles and rides anything with more than two wheels.
Michael Radio, PE, CEM,
BEMP, LEED AP BD+C, 36
Associate Principal, Ballinger,
Philadelphia
BS Mechanical Engineering and
Mechanics, Drexel University
R adio stands out for his data-driven
approach to guiding high-profile
clients toward their sustainability goals,
developing in high-performance buildings and engaging in mentoring and
improving interdisciplinary collaboration. He has designed solutions for
systems-intensive buildings including central plants, academic research
facilities and health care institutions. He developed unique mechanical
systems for many projects including the high-profile Pennovation Center,
a business incubator and laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania.
Radio also helped higher education facilities such as the University of
Michigan and Swarthmore College develop frameworks to meet their
long-term net-zero, carbon neutral targets. Radio uses advanced energy
modeling tools as a predictive measure for informed decision-making
throughout the design process. He has applied unique building energy
modeling and on-site power synergies to assist in developing major plan-
ning efforts. Radio has actively engaged the engineering community
through his work with ASHRAE. In 2016, his commitment was recognized
with the ASHRAE Philadelphia Chapter’s Young Engineer of ASHRAE
Award. Outside of work, Radio is a fitness enthusiast with more than 100
pairs of sneakers. He also enjoys his “cheat meals” of wine and pizza as
well as spending time with his partner and two daughters.
www.csemag.com
Deborah Reider, PE,
LEED AP, 39
Partner, AKF Group, Minneapolis
BS Mechanical Engineering, MS
Management Technology, University
of Minnesota
R eider is a design leader who started
as a mechanical engineer at AKF
before growing into a project manage-
ment role, supervising all MEP design on assigned projects and eventu-
ally becoming the partner in charge of AKF’s Midwest presence. Reider
gained respect for remaining diligent and detail-oriented with each client
through project completion and offering tailored solutions across sec-
tors. One of Reider’s most notable projects was managing the renovation
and expansion of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. She
succeeded in ensuring MEP systems supported the vision and intended
uses for the space while maintaining the splendor of the church’s original
gothic architecture. Because Reider was a former high school participant
in the Society of Women Engineers’ student camp, she has volunteered
with SWE’s day camp and Girls Excelling in Math and Science program,
leading activities and giving presentations. Reider also has been on the
ACE Twin Cities Advisory board, Board of the American Council of Engi-
neering Companies Minnesota since 2018 and is a member of the ACEC
Workforce Development Committee. She also greatly enjoys devoting
her free time to volunteer opportunities, especially when she can mentor
a young engineer or student. Outside of work, she loves spending time
with her husband and three daughters.
Luis Rivera Jr., PE, 39
Associate Director, Harris Design Studio,
Oakland, Calif.
BS Architectural Engineering,
University of Texas; MS Sustainable Design
& Construction, Stanford University
R ivera is an experienced engineer-
ing professional in HVAC design,
sustainable building science, design
and construction and BIM. His engineering odyssey started as an
avionics technician with the U.S. Air Force. He’s built on those initial
experiences, along with his education, to become dedicated to green
engineering of the built environment after learning around 40% of the
U.S.’s total end-use energy is consumed by the built environment; a
statistic that has not significantly changed. This has led Rivera to seek
out the most innovative design projects he could find that pushed the
boundaries of energy efficiency. Rivera has honed and broadened his
design and collaboration skills in many low-energy mechanical designs
and installations such as underfloor air distribution, radiant heating and
cooling, natural ventilation, mixed-mode systems and engineering within
the BIM environment on high-profile projects for tech firms. He enjoys
socializing and learning what motivates others, evident from his years of
experience as a bartender. These learned people skills have served him
well as an engineer and as a person. Rivera likes staying active by hik-
ing, cycling, running and snowboarding. He also enjoys spending family
time with his wife and twin boys playing games and sports, and reading
books.
www.csemag.com
Ben Ries, PE, LC, MBA, 34
Electrical Project Engineer,
LEO A DALY, Omaha, Neb.
BS and MS Architectural Engineering,
University of Nebraska
R ies has performed lighting design
and modeling across a wide range
of applications, including exterior canopy
lighting, daylighting modeling and stud-
ies and multiple interior space types. He is an expert in designing for
energy reduction. He loves engineering because he likes solving puzzles
and providing solutions to problems. It’s the second half of the equa-
tion — providing solutions to problems — that has informed his engi-
neering career and provided a positive influence. His creative lighting
designs reflect his empathy with building occupants. For example, as
the lighting designer for a pediatric hearing lab at Boys Town National
Research Hospital, Ries empathized with the occupants and fulfilled a
client request for a creative display in a highly visible space. In another
project, his lighting design for a tribal government headquarters earned
an award of merit from the Illuminating Engineering Society. Ries also
worked closely with architects to deliver an integrated lighting solution.
The round building pays tribute to the heritage of the Sisseton-Wahpeton
Oyate Tribe. Among its cultural features inside, the Tribal Chambers
Room showcases tribal heritage with 28 coves of light imitating the 28
ribs of a buffalo. Outside of work, Ries enjoys spending time with his wife
and two daughters and their Wheaten Terrier, Yoshi. Hobbies include
golf, DIY projects at home and cooking.
Josh Rizzo, 39
Director of Jobsite Safety and Security,
WernerCo, Bend, Ore.
BS, System Engineering, U.S. Military
Academy at West Point
A s the director of jobsite safety and
security at WernerCo, Rizzo is
responsible for leading a team of 40 safety
specialists across North America. His
main responsibilities include leading, training and developing subordinate
leaders while converting business across five major product lines and
brands. He believes diversity helps organizations thrive and success is
built upon three equal pillars: preparation, communication and fun. His
exceptional abilities to lead teams and push the company’s efforts to its
limits likely stem from his time in the military. He is a decorated combat
veteran and served in the U.S. Army for nine years. In 2006, he was
awarded the Bronze Star Medal, an honor bestowed to members of the
U.S. Armed Forces for meritorious service and heroic achievement in a
combat zone. These leadership skills have helped his employer increase
revenue, improve safety and enhance training programs. Rizzo has spear-
headed multiple safety initiatives. In 2015, Rizzo received the Invisible Dis-
abilities Association’s Invisible Heroes Award for his work as the founder
of PTSD United, an organization that creates a safe space for those going
through similar experiences. As the award recipient, Rizzo was granted
the opportunity to moderate a panel of brain health experts at the 2015
Brain IDEAS Symposium. Along with all his professional and community
service, Rizzo finds time to be outdoors with his wife and two dogs.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 17
 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40
Karen Schulte, PE, CPD,
LEED AP BD+C, 37
Mechanical Project Engineer, Mueller
Associates, Linthicum, Md.
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering,
Pennsylvania State University
W hile Schulte has developed a high
level of competency in diverse
aspects of mechanical engineering dur-
ing her 14 years at Mueller Associates, she was drawn to the design of
plumbing systems in particular. From her start at Mueller as a college
intern, she aided in a wide variety of tasks, while also advancing her
BIM skills. She focuses on HVAC, plumbing, piping and fire protection
systems design for all types of facilities including cultural buildings,
office buildings, college and university facilities and historic properties.
She is primarily responsible for the design and specification prepara-
tion of plumbing and fire protection systems, including domestic water
distribution, sanitary wastes, stormwater piping, medical gases, vacuum
systems and sprinkler systems. Schulte’s expertise includes carefully
researched modernization designs for historic buildings as well as cut-
ting-edge sustainable strategies for the conservation of natural resourc-
es. Schulte is adept in complex renovation projects including those that
involve the preservation and restoration of notable historic structures.
Schulte has a competitive and focused personality and these attributes
extend to her longtime interest in sports. For many years, she played
competitive ultimate Frisbee and now plays recreationally. Schulte and
her husband also enjoy travel, from Paris to Vermont.
Nathan A. Short, PE, 37
Electrical Engineer, Vice President, Ener-
gy Systems Design Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz.
BS Electrical Engineering, Western
Michigan University
S hort is a professional electrical engi-
neer and project manager who serves
as the Energy Systems Design Inc. liaison
for multiple architects. He has overseen
hundreds of projects including a 2-million-square-foot, five-building office
improvement project. He continues to be involved in numerous special-
ized designs, including a recent 300,000 square-foot office with a large
four-story atrium that uses only indirect lighting with daylight-responsive
dimming, plug load control and robust electrical distribution systems with
N+1 and/or 2N redundancy. Short has developed internal methods to
reduce design times and deliver projects under budget, including stream-
lining product schedules, notes and drafting techniques. His entire career
has been with the same firm where he has grown from an entry designer
to vice president in 12 years. Short works hard to remain approachable
and continues working with other designers through their challenges
and makes quick, educated decisions. Furthermore, he has mentored
several electrical designers/engineers within the department and assists
consistently on bringing up the next generation of designers. Short is an
avid volunteer and has worked with Habitat for Humanity, is former vice
president of his local IES chapter and has worked with annual charity
events. In addition to spending time with his wife and two children, Short
is a devoted runner and has participated in many races.
18 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Marzia Sedino, PE,
LEED AP BD+C, 38
High-Performance Team Leader,
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago
Master’s, Environmental Engineering,
University of Pavia, Italy
A research career in the physics of
building for the Italian government
began in 2006, where Sedino subse-
quently was invited to work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Sedino joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in 2008 where she works as a
leader, an advocator, an educator and an innovator, committed to high-
level environmental engineering design. She has worked on some of the
most iconic buildings in the world, including the U.S. Air Force Academy’s
Center for Character and Leadership Development, One World Trade
Center, Lotte Super Tower and the Pertamina Energy Tower. Her work
spans the globe, from the United States to Korea to the Middle East to
China. Sedino completed the design of dozens certified green buildings
that have received or are targeting certifications such as U.S. Green
Building Council LEED, WELL, China Green Star and Australian Green
Star rating systems. She is also currently involved in the design of one
of the largest net-zero master plans in the U.S. covering 8 million square
feet and achieving net zero through a district-scale approach. Since 2016,
she has been mentoring high school interns during the summer and has
recently started to work on the development of an environmental educa-
tion plan for students. Her favorite pastimes with her husband and two
children are camping, hiking, swimming and ballet.
Josh VandenEnde, PE,
PMP, CxA, 32
Senior Electrical Engineer, Apogee Con-
sulting Group P.A., Fort Collins, Colo.
BS Construction Engineering & Manage-
ment, North Carolina State University
V andenEnde is an avid learner when
it comes to building design, and likes
to jump into new and challenging tasks.
resi
His career choice was pretty well set when he started working on resi-
dential construction for a family friend when he was 11. That interest and
passion carried over when he started working for Apogee as a drafter
doing computer-aided design when he was 16. VandenEnde has been
with the company ever since and has been accomplishing many firsts
for the firm. For example, was the first to complete a commissioning
project. He passed the fundamentals of engineering exam, professional
engineering exam and commissioning agent exam all on his first attempt.
VandenEnde’s drive to help people and be a better engineer leads him
to volunteer for projects that have not been previously encountered. For
example, following a system failure in a hospital power system, he led the
effort to study the comparative reliability of several replacement systems.
He is very proficient at arc flash studies and his expertise within the
field of building power systems is strongest with critical power systems
design. Outside of work, VandenEnde spends his time renovating their
mountain home, which also doubles as a workout routine. He also likes
skiing with his wife, and traveling all over the world with her and their
infant daughter.
www.csemag.com
 #43

ELECTRICAL
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 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40
Jason Witterman, PE,
LEED AP BD+C, 35
Associate Director of Mechanical,
NV5, Las Vegas
BAE and MAE, Architectural Engineer-
ing, Pennsylvania State University
W itterman is responsible for the
design of HVAC and plumbing
systems at NV5 from conceptual design
through construction. His responsibilities include project calculations,
system and equipment selection, production of construction drawings
and specifications and construction administration. Witterman serves
as the project manager on a variety of large-scale projects, coordinating
efforts across disciplines and working closely with clients to ensure suc-
cessful project delivery. He has extensive experience with on-premise
and co-location data centers. Along with his experience in different
market sectors and geographical regions, his diverse background allows
him to integrate closely with other systems and the building architecture.
Witterman has been responsible for a range of projects with a focus on
data centers, aviation and resort hotels. He has been the engineer of
record or lead designer for most of NV5’s notable data center projects
since 2012. He encourages the team he mentors to take a fresh solu-
tions approach, and he offers them a solid background to inform their
own decisions. Witterman’s community outreach includes working with
Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas to design the mechanical and plumbing
systems for their latest residential prototypes. Outside of work, Witter-
man enjoys hiking, mountain biking, backpacking and camping.
Christopher Wysoczanski,
PE, LEED AP, 35
Associate, Mechanical Group Leader,
Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates Inc.,
Woburn, Mass.
BS Mechanical Engineering Technology,
Wentworth Institute of Technology
A rising engineer with a wide range of
experience, Wysoczanski has the
ability to work directly with clients to ensure the company delivers techni
techni-
cally superior products that meet or exceed client expectations. He has
developed relationships with clients at the School of the Museum of Fine
Arts at Tufts University, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Har-
vard Club of Boston that have resulted in repeated project opportunities.
Wysoczanski began his career as a design engineer supporting senior
engineers. It wasn’t long before he started leading HVAC design of proj-
ects. His rapid career growth has led him to becoming an HVAC expert
and a thought leader with his company. Wysoczanski continues leading
the HVAC standards meetings within the company to ensure that design
standards are continuously improved, and the company stays at the
forefront of emerging building technology. With his influence, both Fitze-
meyer & Tocci’s technical standards and its HVAC staff have improved.
He has written technical blogs, coauthored an upcoming guide, been
on the mechanical engineering Industry Professional Advisory Council
board at his alma mater. Outside of work, Wysoczanski likes cooking and
grilling with his wife and two children. His hobbies including gardening,
cycling and fishing.
20 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Johnathan Woodside, PE,
LEED AP O+M, CxA, CEM,
GGP, GBE, 37
Senior Mechanical Engineer,
Gresham Smith, Nashville
BS Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee
State University; MBA, Tennessee
Technological University
W oodside had originally considered
a career in manufacturing until an HVAC class made him realize his
real passion was in mechanical engineering. His initial assignments in U.S.
Green Building Council LEED projects put him on the path to becoming a
sustainability expert. His keen understanding of sustainability and his busi-
ness development and management skills quickly made him an authority
on energy modeling, code compliance and green building ratings. In addi-
tion to being a commissioning leader and a driving force for the company,
he is a sustainability leader and helps integrate sustainability into the firm’s
culture, processes and outcomes by using a framework to identify, measure
and communicate progress. Woodside helps teams track data and analyze
building performance from design through construction and into operations
to prove energy performance. Woodside also educates employees on ener-
gy code updates, sharing how to make design decisions that will improve
building performance even when codes don’t require it yet. Outside of work,
Woodside enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He’s
a skilled guitar player and for many years was the frontman for Nashville-
based band Alan’s Folly. He still enjoys writing music in his free time, as
well as building furniture and toys for his family.
Noah Zallen, PE, 32
Associate Principal, Integral Group,
Oakland, Calif.
MS Sustainable Design and
Construction, Stanford University
S
pecializing in zero net energy build-
ings, radiant heating and cooling and
geothermal and central plants, Zallen has
designed energy-efficient HVAC systems
for projects ranging from a low-cost ZNE office building with pioneering
radiant design to a central plant serving a 1.1-million-square-foot technol-
ogy campus. Zallen strongly believes that energy-efficient design done
right is simple and affordable. He prides himself on the ability to com-
municate complicated ideas to everyone to foster team coordination and
solutions. In college, Zallen heard a statistic that 40% of the energy in
the world was spent on heating and cooling buildings. This statistic, com-
bined with his love of nature, inspired him to pursue sustainable engi-
neering. One of Zallen’s biggest strengths is in solving a problem where
the answer — and how to get there — is not known, such as answering
the question, “How do we accelerate the adoption of radiant heating and
cooling?” A true weekend warrior, he can often be found hiking and rock
climbing. An experienced and passionate climber, he has completed
many 500-feet-plus multipitch climbs and in 2019 he completed his first
multipitch in Yosemite National Park, a major personal achievement. He
and his wife enjoyed a monthlong honeymoon in South America in early
2020. They got married at a venue Zallen helped design, making the
event even more personal.
www.csemag.com
 NEWS&BUSINESS
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
By Mark Chrisman, PE, PhD; Jake Katzenberger, PE, HFDP, LEED AP; and Russ Murdock, PE, Henderson Engineers
Converting
alternative structures
for COVID-19 patients
Converting structures such as hospitals, arenas, convention centers and other
large-scale buildings in the wake of COVID-19 is a challenge, but perhaps a
necessary one as the pandemic continues.
O M More
ur health care system
has been pushed beyond
capacity by the ever-grow-
ing number of COVID-19
patients. The need for hos-
pital beds, ventilators, personal protective
equipment and isolation rooms has vastly
outstripped the available supply and the
country is looking for spaces to repur-
pose into health care service.
The Henderson Engineers health
care experts, along with design experts
across diverse building types and engi-
neering disciplines, help convert exist-
ing buildings such as hotels, convention
centers and arenas into temporary
health care facilities. We understand not
only the infection-control requirements
needed to convert these spaces, but also
the existing infrastructure and function-
al layout of them. Having knowledge of
both is crucial for success when making
modifications to repurpose these envi-
ronments to care for the sick among us.
Many of these building types are not
an obvious fit for a health care space.
There are specific airflow requirements
in place to minimize the chances of
cross-contamination to caregivers and
other patients when designing infra-
structure serving an infectious patient.
Supporting patients suffering from
COVID-19 requires even further design
consideration since many patients may
need ventilators.
www.csemag.com
Ventilators require oxygen piped
from a medical gas system and must
have electrical systems provided by
emergency power circuits to ensure they
will continue to operate in the event of a
power failure. The typical requirements
for negative isolation rooms, medical
gas and emergency power are not always
easy to implement in alternative build-
ing sites, but it is possible.
Below we will discuss the follow-
ing building types being converted into
temporary hospital spaces and address
some of the challenges and opportuni-
ties that exist in each. In all situations,
discussions with the owner-operator
and design/construction team will be
critical to understand the patients who
will be in these types of facilities and
their needed level of care.
Hospital conversion space
Converting hospital spaces to serve
infectious patients may seem more
straightforward than other building types
discussed below; however, there are still
many considerations to think through.
Patient isolation room conversions:
Most patient rooms return air back to the
main heating, ventilation and air condi-
tioning system — typically an air handling
unit — in lieu of exhausting directly to the
exterior as is required in isolation rooms.
In single-story buildings, intercepting a
return air main and connecting it to an
consulting-specifying engineer
SOLUTIONS
Read more about the coronavirus and COVID-
19 coverage online at www.csemag.com/
covid19newsletter. Top articles include:
Climate-informed HVAC increases in
relative humidity may fight COVID-19 and
other pandemics
Indoor relative humidity is a function of
seasonal climate and building HVAC. The
range of 40% to 60% relative humidity may
reduce contagion and help those who are
infected
Preparing for COVID–19: Strategies for
creating isolation areas with existing hospital
infrastructure
Hospitals and clinics will need to find ways
to support an increase in patients who test
positive for the virus. Strategies for creating
isolation wards and using underutilized
space can help
Weekly updates on the coronavirus’ impact
on the architectural/engineering community
exhaust fan can be relatively simple if the
return is only serving patient rooms. Even
in this arrangement though, the patient’s
restroom exhaust would need to be modi-
fied to remove any exhaust from noniso-
lation spaces. If patient restroom exhaust
modifications are not possible, a decision
should be made regarding the risk of not
exhausting the toilet room against the
possibility of cross-contamination should
the fan shut down.
May 2020 • 21
 NEWS&BUSINESS
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
Negative pressure rooms: Maintain-
ing a room at negative pressure is one of
the most critical factors to minimizing
cross-contamination. If the retrofit is in
an exterior room, the airflow will most
likely be close to 12 air changes per
hour with no modifications. In these
cases, the supply air would be reduced
to provide the room negative pres-
sure if the return cannot be increased
appropriately.
‘
Even though infectious disease is on the top
of everyone’s mind right now, it is important to
remember that other medical conditions require
continued treatment throughout this time.
Air flow considerations: If a room is
cooled using a recirculation room unit,
such as fan coils or induction units, the
room exhaust should be isolated from
all other spaces and increased to the
largest amount possible to create the
negative pressure. Alternative technol-
ogies to sanitize the space should be
considered in spaces with recirculating
room units.
Figure 1: This is a schematic layout of HVAC in a modular space with open
beds. The HVAC is supplied in the entrance and walkway of the modular space
with exhaust near the patient bed. Exhaust may be out the side of the space
and route on grade for easier installation. Courtesy: Henderson Engineers
22 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Typically, an existing AHU is not
sized to accommodate the quantity of
outdoor air necessitated by exhausting
all rooms served by the AHU. Addition-
ally, the existing HVAC system cannot
always be replaced or upgraded (to add
increased capacity) in a cost-effective
or quick manner. If the system is not
able to adequately cool the air humidity,
issues may present themselves in sum-
mer months, creating additional chal-
’
lenges in the healing process. Providing
a dedicated outdoor air unit to precool a
portion of the outdoor air can help alle-
viate these concerns.
Electrical and med gas infrastruc-
ture: If an existing patient room is being
converted, the electrical and medical
gas infrastructure should be able to be
reused in most cases. That said, high
ventilator usage in a facility could, poten-
tially, tax the oxygen system sizing due to
diversity factors typically assumed in the
design of health care spaces.
Even though infectious disease is on
the top of everyone’s mind right now,
it is important to remember that other
medical conditions require continued
treatment throughout this time. Taking
precautions to separate these patients
from patients with infectious diseases
is critical to ongoing health. Separating
wings or units of the hospital for stan-
dard patient use by using air locks to
prevent transition of viruses is crucial.
We must also limit access to these
areas to specific staff and visitors (when
necessary). Increasing filtration or
using alternate technologies in air han-
dling equipment can help prevent cross-
contamination to other parts of the
building.
Temporary modular space
design/conversion
Using temporary or modular strw
uctures to increase patent care areas
has several advantages because it sepa-
rates the infectious patients from other
patients. These spaces can also be cus-
tomized for a specific region or patient
population and as modular structures
they can be quickly disassembled and
reassembled to change location as need-
ed. These spaces can range from a trail-
er with individual pods for patients to a
larger open room with beds and sepa-
rate work areas for caregivers.
Air flow considerations: If infec-
tious patients are in these spaces, they
would not typically have rooms sized
as large as a standard patient room or
the individual occupant HVAC, lighting
or entertainment controls. These spac-
es should be provided with a 100% out-
side air unit to allow all interior air to
be exhausted to the roof of the structure
with high-efficiency particulate air fil-
tration. Air flow will be critical to keep
cross-contamination at a minimum.
In an open room with beds and a
central walkway, the clean supply air
should be delivered over the walkway
and near where caregivers enter the
patient treatment space. The exhaust
should duct to the exterior and termi-
nate low on the wall near each bed. This
arrangement will encourage airflow
patterns that keep contamination near
www.csemag.com
the source and draws the conditioned
air to the patient to maintain comfort.
The outdoor air unit should be sized
to dehumidify the outdoor air so the
space conditions encourage the cleanest
environment.
Electrical and med gas infrastruc-
ture: Medical gases also will need to
be extended to the facility to provide
patient care. If this temporary facili-
ty is near an existing hospital, the bulk
oxygen tank may provide a connection
point for the temporary facilities. The
existing vaporizers and size will need
to be evaluated and frequency of fill
increased to account for the increased
number or patients. Using medical gas
cylinders for patients may be an option
if a bulk oxygen plant is not available.
Other utilities will also need to be
provided to the temporary facility.
Power, with generator backup, support-
ing the HVAC and life safety equipment
is necessary, as well as technology (often
network fiber) to provide communica-
tion with family members and health
care providers.
Hotel/dorm conversion
Hotels provide perhaps the most fea-
sible locations for temporary health care
facilities because they offer individu-
al rooms with private restrooms, which
can help prevent cross-contamination.
Hotels also have an existing technology
infrastructure to allow communication
with family and health care providers
and they have food service functions
to provide a staging area for patients’
dietary needs.
College dorms and housing have
similar infrastructure already in place
as well. However, there are still several
hurdles to overcome when converting
these spaces into a safe environment for
the health care provider.
Air flow/exhaust system consid-
erations: These facilities do not have
the capability of exhaust air at the level
required for infectious disease rooms
and typically use recirculating room
units with minimal outdoor air. The
exhaust systems at these facilities like-
ly needs to be upgraded to provide the
required airflow to maintain a negative
pressure in the space.
If this cannot be accommodated due
to the existing infrastructure, an exhaust
www.csemag.com
Figure 2: This shows a typical layout of an infections area exhaust fan with
HEPA filter and upward directed exhaust to protect surrounding areas. Cour-
tesy: Henderson Engineers
fan with HEPA filter could be extended
out of the sidewall or window and bal-
anced to maintain a negative pressure in
the room. If a fan is added to the room,
proximity to the patient should be con-
sidered to contain contamination near
the source.
Electrical and med gas infrastruc-
ture: Medical gas is another obvious
deficiency in hotel occupancies. These
systems and the storage of bulk materi-
als should be located and protected per
NFPA codes and standards to provide
safety to surrounding people and struc-
tures. If piped oxygen is used, a bulk
tank, vaporizer and pipe system should
be provided on the site and into the
building. Routing this pipe in the cor-
ridor and into each space would provide
the quickest turn around on construc-
tion. If a piped system is not feasible, a
bottled oxygen system may be provided.
The bottle storage will need to meet
the requirements of NFPA and the
International Fire Code to safely store
the bottles. Electrical infrastructure
does not typically include an emergency
generator in hotels. This system would
need to be provided and integrated as
required to maintain a safe environment
and critical patient support functions.
Convention center/arena/
auditorium conversion
Convention centers and similar
high-occupancy venues (enclosed are-
nas and auditoriums) are well-suited to
convert to temporary health care facili-
consulting-specifying engineer
ties or command/control centers. Con-
vention centers by nature are flexible,
convertible spaces and the architectur-
al and systems infrastructure decisions
made during design and construction
are typically done to provide adaptabili-
ty for the needs of a yet undefined clien-
tele. There are several components of an
urban convention center that might be
repurposed in various ways to suit the
needs of the temporary facility.
Entry/lobby/pre-function: An urban
or community focused convention cen-
ter is most often provided with multiple
points of entry at varying corners of the
same city block or perhaps across several
city blocks. The entries may be adjacent to
bus drop offs or mass transit, allowing for
convenient ambulatory access. If repur-
posed to a temporary health care facility,
entries could be zoned or tiered to focus
on a particular patient need, relying on
signage at the city corners and building
exterior to direct the public or emergency
personnel to various entry points.
One entry point might be fam-
ily access/registration, another may
be emergency responder/staff/private
access and a third could be more med-
ically focused and be configured as a
screening/triage station. These spaces
are typically open, provided with gener-
ous power provisions and connected to
all other portions of the center in such a
way that an organized “traffic” pattern
could be created from the point of entry
to the next stop needed for a particular
occupant.
May 2020 • 23
 NEWS&BUSINESS
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
Restrooms: Convention centers are
generally designed (in the large public
spaces noted herein) at nominally 7 to 10
square feet per person, so the accompany-
ing infrastructure must be able to accom-
modate that density. Large banks of public
restrooms are typically accessible from
both the public side (lobbies/pre-func-
tion) and the event side (exhibit halls) of
the facility. While these restrooms aren’t
personal or isolated, they do offer needed
capacity if isolation is not required.
Exhibit halls: The centerpiece of
most convention centers, exhibit halls
can be expansive open areas with soar-
ing ceilings, flat floors and a flexibil-
ity that is not available in most other
commercial/public spaces. Exhibit
halls come in varying sizes and shapes,
but as an example, might be a large,
200,000-square-foot open space that is
sub-dividable with air walls into four
smaller 50,000-square-foot spaces. In
a conversion to a temporary health
care facility, each of those sub-divid-
able spaces could be assigned a different
level of acuity.
Exhibit halls are typically provid-
ed with access to a loading dock, con-
figured with ramp access for direct
drive in or perhaps accessible via over-
Figure 3: Shown is a schematic layout of HVAC to infected patient pods locat-
ed in a convention center or arena. This arrangement would use the existing
HVAC and keep the patient pods negative to protect caregivers. Courtesy:
Henderson Engineers
24 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
sized freight elevator. Most access is
maintained, even when the halls are
sub-divided.
Exhibit halls are often provided with
an electrical infrastructure that can
adapt to whatever need may be pres-
ent — a common configuration pro-
vides utility floor boxes at 30 to 60 feet
on center across the open floor of the
exhibit hall. The utility boxes are high-
ly customizable, but often are provided
with 100 amperes of power at 208Y/120
volt 3-phase. Utility boxes may be pro-
vided with water service (though it
is generally classified as nonpotable),
drains, compressed air and low-voltage
(copper/fiber) connectivity. In addi-
tion, utility boxes may be provided with
a “bail-out” system of empty conduits
(perhaps 4 to 6 inches) that provide
connectivity to each box and out to the
loading dock.
Configured as a temporary health
care facility, the utility boxes would be
the “hub” for the electrical needs, with a
capacity to serve significant numbers of
patient stations or bed line-ups depend-
ing on the configuration. Similarly, the
fiber/copper connectivity in each box
can be used to create local monitor-
ing and networking capability, as could
the presence of Wi-Fi and distributed
antenna systems throughout the facility.
If a bail-out system is available, it
could be used to pull temporary medi-
cal gas hoses or water lines from infra-
structure located at the loading dock.
There is the possibility that if the water
connections were all extended above
the flood rim of the utility box that
the water could be classified as pota-
ble and used for local handwashing and
sanitation.
The HVAC systems are often zoned
by divisible space as well, providing
some measure of isolation between
adjoining rooms and the occupant den-
sity of the spaces typically introduces
the need for the HVAC to accommo-
date significant outside air volumes.
In a conversion scenario, the electrical
distribution is well-suited to accom-
modate local exhaust or filtration units
as needed to create isolation or neces-
sary pressure relationships, even if the
mechanical infrastructure itself may
need to be provided.
In some cases, exhibit halls are also
outfitted with catwalk systems and
“mega columns” that can deliver the
same flexibility of services afforded by
the utility boxes, perhaps even more so
as “bail-out” services could be strung
along the catwalks and dropped down
to the areas of the floor where they are
needed below.
Meeting rooms/ballrooms: The
desired flow of convention centers typi-
cally pushes/pulls event attendees from
the exhibit halls to smaller breakout or
plenary sessions in blocks of meeting
rooms or a larger ballroom/multipur-
pose space. Though smaller in square
footage and volume than the exhibit
halls, the meeting rooms and ballrooms
are designed with the same flexibility
and sub-divisibility in mind.
Power is generously provided in a
combination of floor and wall outlets.
Though not typically provided with
the same power capacity as the exhibit
halls, meeting rooms and ballrooms still
generally have permanent power pro-
visions (and temporary power provi-
sions via company switches) to support
a multitude of functions in a tempo-
rary conversion. Meeting rooms could
be dedicated to high- or low-acuity
patients, used as command and control
www.csemag.com
‘Converting existing buildings to
serve the health care needs of our
communities can help expedite the
demand for additional patient beds

’
and isolation rooms.

space or perhaps even as a respite zone for staff and emergen-

cy personnel.
These spaces do not generally have the same ease of access
to a loading dock and are typically connected to the dock
through the vertical transportation systems. These spaces are
often provided with carpet or similar sound absorbing materi-
als on the floor, so provisions might be needed to temporarily
remove those materials during a conversion.
Kitchen/commissary: Given the frequency of banquet
events in convention centers, many are provided with full
cooking kitchens and commissaries. The benefit being they
are well-suited to provide nutrition and meals to patients,
families and staff/caregivers as needed. Most kitchens/com-
missaries are connected via back-of-house service corridors
and vertical transportation to the exhibit halls and meeting
rooms/ballrooms, allowing for efficient and isolated delivery
lanes to all parts of the facility.
Emergency power: Convention centers are typically pro-
vided with emergency power in the form of diesel generator
systems and most are designed in accordance with NFPA 70:
National Electrical Code Articles 700, 701 and 702. However,
they generally are designed to support only emergency egress
from the facility, not ongoing support of operations, especially
for the HVAC systems and most often only have enough diesel
fuel on-site for nominally eight hours of operation or less.
The loading docks do afford the opportunity to place
mobile/temporary generators at the dock and provide tempo-
rary connections to the existing normal services as a means
of ensuring continued operations on-site in the event of util-
ity power failure.
Converting existing buildings to serve the health care
needs of our communities can help expedite the demand for
additional patient beds and isolation rooms. While this may
not be easy, we believe that getting our health care system
the capacity that it needs to meet this challenge is critical
to the success of managing this pandemic. Remembering the
core purpose of a space will help guide and direct design and
construction teams as we dive into creating the best healing
spaces possible in a wide variety of locations. cse

Mark Chrisman is the health care practice director/vice

president at Henderson Engineers. Jake Katzenberger is the
health care technical leader at Henderson Engineers. Russ Mur-
dock is the convention center practice director/vice president at
Henderson Engineers.

This article originally appeared on Henderson Engi-

neers’ website. Henderson Engineers is a CFE Media content
partner.

consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 25 input #7 at www.csemag.com/information

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
By Nathan B. Wittasek, PE, CFEI, LEED AP, CASp, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Los Angeles
Best practices for designing
smoke control systems
By incorporating NFPA 92 with best practices, fire protection engineers
can successfully design smoke control systems for buildings
T
he 2018 edition of NFPA 92: Standard
for Smoke Control Systems provides
guidance pertaining to the design,
installation, acceptance testing, oper-
ation and ongoing periodic testing of
smoke control systems. Since the inception of the
NFPA Technical Committee on Smoke Manage-
ment in 1985, there has been a steady evolution in
the approaches, tools and imple-
L Learning mentation of smoke control sys-
tems in buildings.
OBJECTIVES This progress has been fed by
• Learn about common challenges readily available computation-
that arise in the design of smoke al resources, new data for design
control systems. fires and materials, as well as the
• Identify approaches that may collective experience derived from
be taken to address design designing, installing and operating
fundamentals, smoke management
calculation procedures, building such systems around the world.
equipment and controls As a result, best practices relat-
and smoke control system ed to design and implementation
documentation and testing. of smoke control systems have
• Review how best practices were emerged.
applied on a case study high-rise The Construction Industry
building.
Institute defines a best practice as
a process or method that, when
executed effectively, leads to enhanced project
performance. To qualify, a practice must be suffi-
ciently proven through extensive industry use and/
or validation. Smoke control systems that benefit
from the application of best practices are charac-
terized by:
• Clear and concise documentation that is tai-
lored to the design professionals involved in
developing, checking, building and operating
the system.
• A high level of robustness, i.e., passive and
active systems that are not susceptible to single
points of failure.
26 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
• Hazard appropriate capabilities, i.e., the abil-
ity to address a variety of likely challenging fire
conditions over the life of the building.
• A balance between simplicity of use and respon-
sive to a variety of environmental conditions and
operational configurations within the building.
• The ability to convey accurate and timely infor-
mation about the system status to facilitate
maintenance and emergency operations.
• Appropriate durability, i.e., safeguards for
equipment and controls that will enable the
system to continue to operate during a fire or
similar emergency.
• Architectural, electrical, mechanical and con-
trols systems that are readily constructed and
field-verifiable.
The following is an overview of common chal-
lenges and corresponding practices related to design
fundamentals, smoke control calculation procedures,
building equipment and controls and smoke control
system testing and documentation.
Design fundamentals
Chapter 4 of NFPA 92 includes discussion and
guidance pertaining to design objectives, design
basis, design approaches, design criteria, system
operations, stairwell pressurization systems, elevator
pressurization systems, zoned smoke control, com-
bined systems and vestibules.
CHALLENGE: The project is of sufficient size or
complexity that the manner in which the elements
of the smoke control system operate and interact
with one another is unclear on design documents
or is poorly conceived.
www.csemag.com
‘ The duration of system operation
needs to be tied to the evacuation
scenario for the affected smoke zone
and, in some cases, for the building

’
as a whole.

BEST PRACTICES: The fire protection engineer

needs to develop clear diagrams depicting the build-
ing smoke zones. The smoke zone diagrams may be
complimented by drawings that depict types and
locations of fire resistive assemblies, informing such
requirements as types of fire and/or smoke damp-
ers, penetration limitations, etc. The description of
smoke zones is the basis upon which system capaci-
ties and the sequence of operations are built.

CHALLENGE: Striking the balance between devel-

oping a sequence of operations that is simple
enough to understand but sufficiently detailed to
implement is often difficult to achieve.

BEST PRACTICES: A sequence of operations

should be provided for each smoke zone to reflect
the actions that occur when a fire or smoke is detect-
ed in that zone. Although a conceptual sequence is
useful to communicate design intent, the complex-
ity of most buildings warrants a zone-specific set of
smoke control actions and initiating events.
Within the sequence, system startup procedures
must reflect interlocks that prevent damage to equip-
ment, such as avoiding pressurizing ducts before
dampers are properly configured. The sequence
also should reflect sensitivities to the limitations of
system elements under dynamic pressure, such as
whether automatic closing doors and smoke damp-
ers can operate when subjected to design pressures.
The duration of system operation needs to be tied
to the evacuation scenario for the affected smoke
zone and, in some cases, for the building as a whole.
Best practices include conducting evacuation simu-
lations or occupant flow calculations that inform the
total system operation time and the corresponding
requirements for secondary power.
CHALLENGE: Stairwell pressurization systems
must be able to protect the stair enclosure from
contamination by smoke during occupant evacua-
tion and firefighter operations.
BEST PRACTICES: Although many building
codes do not mandate the number of doors in a stair-
well to be considered open during a fire event, the
Figure 1: This view of the Wilshire Grand Center atrium in Los Ange-
les from the first floor is looking up toward exhaust outlets. Furnish-
ings and built-in elements were used to quantify design fire criteria.
Courtesy: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
author of the smoke control report needs to consid-
er the reality that multiple doors may be open at any
one time, allowing smoke to enter the stair enclo-
sure. The system can be designed to accommodate
such challenges through the use of barometric or
relief dampers that normally provide an excess flow
such that when one or more doors is opened, the
flow through the relief is reduced and instead flows
through the open door(s).
Best practices entail modeling excess flows at
relief openings that frequently exceed those required
by the applicable codes. Alternatively, the use of
modulating dampers to increase mechanical flow
into the stair when a pressure drop is detected may
be used, though such approaches are characterized
by greater complexity.
Another way to ensure that robust stair pressur-
ization is achieved is to provide pressurization inlets
with fixed grilles within one to three floors verti-
cally. Such approaches increase the likelihood that
uniform pressure gradients will be maintained even
while doors are opening and closing by minimizing

www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 27

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Figure 2: A fire dynamics simulator computational
fluid dynamics model at the top of the atrium shows
temperature and position of design fire plume during exhaust
operation. Courtesy: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
the likelihood that the pressurization system will be
short-circuited as a result of a disproportionate flow
in a single location.
Where the differential pressure is such that
the forces required to operate the doors exceed 15
pounds force, automatic door operators should be
considered. Such ADOs should be listed and inte-
grated with the door hardware to the extent possible.
Sometimes ADOs are required at the stair doors that
are farthest from the neutral plane.
A best practice entails adding ADOs at doors that
open from pressurized enclosures to the exterior of
the building to allow such doors to close properly
while the stair pressurization system is operating (so
that the door will latch after use and not deplete the
stair pressurization capacity).
CHALLENGE: Single points of failure that can ren-
der key portions of a smoke control system inop-
erable or ineffective are possible even when the
applicable codes and standards are followed.
BEST PRACTICES: The author of the smoke
control report should aim to use approaches that
have built in redundancy. For example, stairwell
pressurization systems can be enhanced by floor
(de)pressurization systems by virtue of the fact that
both systems result in a condition wherein the stair is
maintained at a positive pressure relative to the floor
when the floor is kept at a negative pressure.
If the stairwell pressurization fan were to fail or
not operate at full capacity, the floor fan would still
cause the smoke zone of origin to be at a lower pres-
sure relative to the stair than it otherwise would be
if no depressurization on the fire floor was provid-
ed. Such combined systems can also help compen-
sate for changes that may happen over time to the
28 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
passive barrier systems in buildings as tenants move
in and out and penetrations are made between floors
(for example, for power and signaling lines to extend
through the building).
Smoke management
calculation procedures
Chapter 5 of NFPA 92 includes discussion about
algebraic, scale modeling and compartment fire
modeling approaches, design fires and scaling laws
as well as calculations for mass consumption, smoke
layer, rate of smoke mass production, number of
exhaust inlets, volumetric flow rate, density of smoke
and opposed airflow.
CHALLENGE: The scale and geometry of the
building or area that the smoke control system is
intended to protect is sufficiently complex that
use of algebraic equations will not yield accurate
results.
BEST PRACTICES: Algebraic equations that
“bound” the problem and help the engineer deter-
mine a likely range of system capacities should be
used in conjunction with other tools such as compu-
tational fluid dynamics or zone modeling. CFD can
be employed to optimize the system or model par-
ticular conditions that hand calculations cannot ade-
quately address.
On the one hand, the use of algebraic equa-
tions can serve as a useful check against what some
authorities having jurisdiction may otherwise see as
a “black box,” helping to instill confidence that the
results of computational analyses are valid. On the
other hand, the equations are inherently limited in
their application and so may not be appropriate for a
particular geometry or fire condition.
In instances where significant differences between
the fire models and algebraic equations exist, best
practice is to document the comparative approaches
and explain as possible the variances.
CHALLENGE: Design fires used as the basis for
analytical approaches are pulled from a relatively
small data set and limitations that may exist rela-
tive to those design fires can be difficult to under-
stand and communicate to the building owner
and operator.
BEST PRACTICES: The author of the smoke
control report should standardize the approach to
selecting and quantifying design fires to the extent
possible.
When quantifying the fire heat release rates and
temperatures, the engineer may either use idealized
values (e.g., t-squared heat release rates) or values
derived from test data. Either way, the development of
the design fire itself should address the expected com-
www.csemag.com
CASE STUDY:
Super-tall building
smoke control system

T
he Wilshire Grand Center owned by Hanjin Corp.
and designed by AC Martin Partners is the tallest
building west of the Mississippi River. The tower
comprises 890 hotel rooms with related amenities
and 18 office levels above a retail and parking podium.
At the base of the 73-story tower, there is an atrium
that extends from the first floor to the seventh floor. Ten
pressurized stairs with pressurized vestibules serve neg-
atively pressurized corridors in the hotel and negatively
pressurized floors on the office levels. The subterranean
parking garage is provided with an air change system
that is integrated with the carbon monoxide ventilation
and methane systems.
Figure 3 shows the atrium, highlighting combustible
fuel loads, balcony conditions and modeling outputs as
well as construction photos of stair and floor pressuriza-
tion components.
The project embodies many of the best practices in
smoke control that start with the analyses of smoke con-
tainment systems using the networked airflow model
CONTAM from NIST to track air movement through the
entire building, as well as fire dynamics simulator to ana-
lyze the requirements for smoke management within the
atrium. Tenability criteria and evacuation times were cal-
culated in the context of available safe egress time ver-
sus required safe egress time. Specific design fires were
quantified from a possible roster of design fire sce-
narios and ultimately vetted by the authorities having Figure 3: In this view of the Wilshire Grand Center atrium
jurisdiction. from seventh floor looking toward the first floor, second-
Smoke containment and smoke management model- ary balconies with minimal fuel loads into which smoke
ing approaches were compared to the NFPA 92: Stan- could migrate to and from are shown. Courtesy: Simpson
dard for Smoke Control Systems algebraic equations and Gumpertz & Heger
capacities were ultimately verified through a yearlong
commissioning process. tate detailed inspection and troubleshooting of smoke
The smoke containment systems were designed using control components — provides control over each active-
complimentary pressurization approaches. The stair pres- ly managed damper and fan in the building. The smoke
surization system pressurizes the stair shaft, which cas- control panel is designed with responding firefighters in
cades into the vestibules on each floor via cracks under mind, providing an intuitive interface that allows for con-
and around the doors or via transfer grills where larg- trol over a single smoke zone and all stairwell pressuriza-
er quantities of air are required to achieve the required tion fans simultaneously.
pressure gradients. While the system is entirely automatic based on the
In turn, portions of the first smoke zone in which activation of a sprinkler waterflow or smoke detector, the
smoke is detected are depressurized such that the pos- manual mode allows for zoned control over each of the
itive pressure gradient across the stair and vestibule 10 podium and subterranean smoke zones and any of the
doors in such a way that the requirements for the individ- office or hotel smoke zones. As per the system configura-
ual systems is minimized. In this way, in the unlikely event tion, the smoke control panel will not allow the system to
that any one fan were to fail, there would still be sys- execute conflicting commands that could cause damage
tems capable of generating a pressure gradient to resist to the system or result in other failures to contain smoke
smoke movement into the means of egress. To provide or maintain tenability.
maximum flexibility for future tenants of the office, each The system operation, inclusive of the configuration
floor was provided with an independent smoke exhaust of automatic closing doors throughout, works the same
fan that can be separately controlled and balanced. way under emergency/standby power as is it does when
The firefighters’ smoke control station is housed in on normal power. In this way, there can be a seamless
the fire command center — a protected and conditioned transition if the building were to lose normal power and
space. A mechanical test and inspection panel — a outcomes for system commands would be the same,
requirement of the City of Los Angeles intended to facili- thereby reducing the likelihood of unintended outcomes.

www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 29

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Figure 4: A makeup
air door with auto-
matic door opera-
tor addresses pres-
sure differentials.
Motors are located
in the floor and a
manual operation
button is adjacent
to the door on the
post. Courtesy:
Simpson Gumpertz
& Heger
bustible fuel loads and interaction with sprinkler sys-
tems. Special care needs to be taken for those design
fire scenarios where sprinkler control is not expected;
additional analysis related to the spacing and composi-
tion of fuel packages is frequently warranted to assess
the likelihood of igniting adjacent items that will con-
tribute to the design heat release rate.
In some instances, it may be appropriate to intro-
duce fuel-controlled conditions, i.e., limitations on
the types and locations of combustible fuel pack-
ages within the smoke zone of interest. When this
path is taken, it is incumbent upon the engineer
to clearly communicate the limitations, which will
often require translating heat release rate data into
practical guidelines related to the materials that may
be used in groupings of furnishings and spacing
between such groupings.
Best practice is to include any such limitations in
the operations and maintenance manual.
Building equipment and controls
Chapter 6 of NFPA 92 focuses on the interactions
between heating, ventilation and air conditioning
equipment, smoke dampers, smoke control systems
and energy management systems. Chapter 6 contains
additional requirements for materials used in smoke
control systems and electrical services installation.
CHALLENGE: The firefighters’ smoke control sta-
tion is intended to be used by first responders who
may not be intimately familiar with the capabili-
ties and limitations of the system and who likely
have minimal input during the design and con-
struction process.
30 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
BEST PRACTICES: It is helpful to imagine fire-
fighters responding to an incident at 2 a.m. The
panel layout should be intuitive enough that fire-
fighters with minimal building-specific training can
understand and operate the smoke control system
in the midst of a potentially chaotic event. In prac-
tical terms, this forces simplicity. The panel should
be graphical in nature and show representations of
where key equipment is located as well as what such
equipment serves.
For example, if a building contains pressurized
and nonpressurized stairs, it is helpful to show which
stairwells are not pressurized so that firefighters can
know the limitations of the system.
Grouping of controls such that single operations
will turn on and off equipment in a zone should be
considered first so that conflicts of operation are
avoided all together. The manual controls provided
for firefighter use should achieve the same outcome
as automatic controls. This will help to avoid out-
comes where the system is pushed into an operation-
al configuration that inadvertently spreads smoke or
that could result in damage to system components.
The FSCS, also referred to in the 2018 Interna-
tional Building Code as the firefighters’ smoke control
panel, must have the highest priority over the vari-
ous systems, followed by methane ventilation, carbon
monoxide ventilation in parking garages and finally
building automation systems. In no case should the
FSCS take precedence over fire suppression, electrical
protection or personnel protection devices.
Where screen-based controls for the FSCS are
selected (e.g., computer or touch screen) the designer
should consider also having a manual backup panel
with basic functionality in the event that the screen is
compromised by smoke, heat, moisture or other envi-
ronmental conditions that may exist at a fire scene.
CHALLENGE: Power and ventilation equipment
are susceptible to premature failure during a fire if
adequate separations between system elements are
not provided.
BEST PRACTICES: Electrical systems for nor-
mal and emergency power that serve the smoke
control system fans, dampers and controls should
be separated from one another by fire-resistant
rated construction. This will require considerable
pre-planning to address locations of such equip-
ment as generators, transformers and automat-
ic transfer switches as well as the location of bus
ducts and/or other circuits that provide normal and
emergency power.
With respect to fans, stair pressurization fans
that rely upon a supply of clean outside air should
be isolated in rooms separated by fire-resistive con-
struction equal to that of the space that they serve.
For example, if a fan located within the building is
www.csemag.com
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input #8 at www.csemag.com/information
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

used to pressurize a high-rise stairwell, that fan
should either be located within the stair or within
a separate room that is isolated in the same man-
ner as the stair, e.g., 2-hour construction.
In addition to meeting the basic requirements
for separating inlets and exhaust points for smoke
control systems (e.g., 10-foot separation), consid-
eration should be given to how likely wind flow
may cause contamination of stair pressurization or
similar systems that rely on outside air. Frequent-
ly, application of a 10-foot separation alone is not
sufficient to prevent smoke-laden air from being
introduced into a pressurization system intake
opening.
CHALLENGE: Smoke control equipment that is
not used on a regular basis can stop functioning
well ahead of a fire event without anyone knowing.
BEST PRACTICES: The designer should adopt
equipment safeguards including the following:
5
Locking controls should be provided on vari-
able frequency drives to prevent fan settings
from being altered after the system has been
balanced.
5
Monitoring of power faults for all smoke con-
trol/stairwell pressurization type fans should
include monitoring of service disconnects at
fans (IBC 909.12.1).
5
One and a half times the number of normal
duty belts required for all smoke control fans
(including continuously operating fans at toilet
exhaust or similar) with minimum number of
belts being two (IBC 909.10.5).
5
Providing positive verification of fan status by
way of differential pressure switches or prop-
erly adjusted current sensors. Metallic tubing
outside of metal boxes is recommended for DP
switches.

5
Smoke control wiring, regardless of voltage,
requires metallic raceways (IBC 909.12.2).
5
All active smoke control components must be
on standby power (IBC 909.11).
5
Equipment selection should include consid-
eration of specifications that allow for easier
verification, e.g., use external end switches on
dampers that are easier to verify than internal
end switches.

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input #9 at www.csemag.com/information
Smoke control system NFPA 92: Standard for Smoke Control cussed herein may not be applicable to all
documentation and testing Systems serves as a key tool in the appli- system designs. cse
Chapter 7 of NFPA 92 primarily cation of best practices for smoke control
describes what is required in the design systems. The document provides the min- Nathan B. Wittasek is a principal and vice
report and operations and maintenance imum requirements but may not address president at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger.
manual. In many cases, the develop- all challenges. While best practices are Wittasek is a fire protection engineer who spe-
ment of the design report represents the discussed in a general sense, it should be cializes in tall building fire life safety design
first opportunity to coordinate the many noted that each smoke control system is with more than 20 years of experience in
trades that must interact in the devel- unique and some of the approaches dis- North America, Asia and the Middle East.
opment of an effective smoke control
system. The report may be used to coordi-
nate and develop the design drawings and
ultimately informs the development of the
operations and maintenance manual.
Chapter 8 of NFPA 92 describes pre-
liminary building inspections, component
system testing and acceptance testing for
smoke management and smoke contain-
ment systems. Additional requirements
pertaining to documentation requirements,
periodic testing and building modifications
are provided.

CHALLENGE: The smoke control

report must be simultaneously able
to speak to several audiences at once,
including AHJs, contractors, engineers
and owners/facilities managers who all
interact with the system in different ways
and have different responsibilities.

BEST PRACTICES: Project stake-

holders benefit from a clear understand-
ing of the system. To achieve this, a clear
statement of design objectives needs to
precede the analysis in the report. Nota-
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The smoke control report needs to less total installed horsepower, providing cost savings and
reflect the concerns and points of view of unparalleled reliability and efficiency.
all the stakeholders, including the AHJs
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input #10 at www.csemag.com/information
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
By J. Alex Harwell, CHC, Dewberry, Raleigh, N.C.
Three tips
for legacy hospital
smoke control systems
There are three considerations for working with existing smoke
control systems in hospitals
H
ospital-based smoke control systems
are a critical component of a facili-
ty’s life safety systems. Maintaining
these systems in functional condition
requires a basic understanding of the
existing systems installed in a health care facili-
ty, including original design intent, major compo-
nents and applicable regulatory requirements at the
time of installation and those retroactively required
based on current standards.
1. Individual air handlers with
purge, evacuation sequences
Many existing hospital air handling units dat-
ing back to the 1960s were designed and equipped
with a means of switching from standard ventila-
Figure 1: A graphical representation shows a typical purge/evacua-
tion heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It is a typical
system representation for a purge/ evacuation equipped air handling
unit serving multiple hospital floors. Courtesy: Dewberry
34 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
tion modes to a smoke emergency mode of oper-
ation, often referred to as either purge/evacuation
or smoke vent. This system design was a com-
mon means of complying with either the NFPA 99:
Health Care Facilities Code windowless inhalation
anesthetizing requirements, the older model build-
ing code mechanical smoke vent requirements or,
in some cases, both.
This typically consisted of a shift from modulat-
ed return and supply air flow to 100% exhaust via
the return air system and a relief air section and
100% outdoor air via the supply air system. Where
units were already 100% outdoor air and exhaust,
the mode switch was typically an increase in air
volume via fan speed or volume dampers and fully
opening intake and relief dampers.
System performance was limited by the maxi-
mum air changes the existing ventilation system was
designed to provide with a typical overall minimum
of six air changes per hour based on older model
building code language. In practice, using the ven-
tilation system to flush areas with fresh outdoor air
and pulling the contaminated air out via the return
air system often provides marginal results.
In field testing using smoke bombs in individ-
ual spaces with the system operating in full purge/
evacuation mode, smoke would mix thoroughly in
the space and would take hours to remove entirely.
Evaluating the necessity and efficacy of these sys-
tems and deciding prudent action to take based
from the results of these actions is recommended.
Coordinated smoke vent systems
A more complicated version of the individual
purge/evacuation AHU were coordinated purge/
evacuation systems where AHUs serving entire
zones, floors or buildings were programmed to
www.csemag.com
‘In practice, using the ventila-
tion system to flush areas with
fresh outdoor air and pulling
the contaminated air out via
the return air system often
’
provides marginal results.
act singularly. All AHUs in the coordinated sys-
tem would respond to purge/evacuation or evacu-
ation only, globally based on any initiating event in
the entire system. These systems were sometimes
referred to as engineered smoke control systems,
typically designed to provide compliance with the
pre-2000s model building codes for mechanical
smoke vent systems.
Global system response was less common, pos-
sibly due to the complexity of coordinating these
systems in pre-digital systems, the lack of direct
language to this effect in older model codes and the
impact these systems had on hospital operations
due to singular detection events.
Coordinated zone
pressurization systems
Found most commonly in high-rise hospital tow-
ers dating from roughly 2000 on (a major rewrite
of the smoke control language in the 2000 edition
of the International Building Code), a coordinated
approach to smoke migration control and removal
often using the hospital AHU ventilation system.
Buildings are divided into zones, most com-
monly a floor or smoke compartment and equipped
with dampers on the supply and return/exhaust
main trunks serving these zones. Smoke detected
in any zone may initiate an evacuation sequence in
the zone of origin and a pressurization sequence in
the surrounding zones. Smoke is then isolated and
removed from within the zone or compartment of
origin, inhibited from movement by the relative
pressure differential between the zones.
In practice, where a sufficiently high-pressure
differential can be achieved, these systems are effec-
tive against smoke migration outside of the zone of
origin and less effective at smoke removal as it was
reliant on the same ventilation rates of the source
system as noted previously.
Stair and elevator shaft
pressurization systems
Many code-designated high-rise hospital struc-
tures were equipped with either smoke-proof enclo-
sures — stair vestibules on each floor that are open
to the outdoors or vestibules that are mechani-
www.csemag.com
Figure 2: This shows a mid-2000s roof-mounted multistory atrium
pressurization fan. The fan is used to pressurize an existing three-
story atrium communicating a hospital and ambulatory care facility.
Courtesy: Dewberry
cally ventilated — or a mechanical pres-
surization system. Stair pressurization L Learning
systems are typically dedicated fan sys- OBJECTIVES
tems ducted to pressurize either a series • Understand the primary types of
of vestibules or the stair itself. The stair is legacy smoke control systems
protected against smoke accumulation by encountered in hospitals.
the positive pressure differential, allow- • Gain an understanding for how
ing its function as a safe egress path to be smoke control codes have
changed over time..
maintained.
Many stair and elevator shaft pres- • Develop strategies for
addressing legacy smoke control
surization systems are equipped with a systems as part of renovations
means of maintaining a set differential and additions.
pressure by varying air volume at the fans
or relieving air from the shaft. A minimum and
maximum differential pressure are maintained to
minimize smoke migration without resulting in
excessive door opening and closing pressures.
Atrium purge and
exhaust systems
Large open spaces in main entry areas were and
still are a popular architectural design in hospi-
tals. Where these openings communicated multiple
floors’ egress paths, active smoke control systems
were often required and installed. These typical-
ly consisted of a dedicated exhaust system draw-
ing from the atrium ceiling and makeup air intake
system of dampered louvers drawing outdoor air at
low points in the atrium.
Due to the dedicated design nature of these sys-
tems, even before the more specific performance
requirements laid out in the 2000 edition of the
IBC, atrium smoke control systems are relatively
effective compared to their nondedicated AHU-
based counterparts.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 35
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
2. Smoke control codes over time
It bears noting that NFPA 92: Standard for Smoke
Control Systems is largely not referenced in this arti-
cle except as a basis for testing standards for existing
systems. This is due to other standards being the pri-
mary reference point for most legacy systems (e.g.,
NFPA 99 and the local state building codes).
Anesthetizing location systems: 1960 to 2012
— All hospitals under the jurisdiction of Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services and/or a state
agency adopting the NFPA codes, including NFPA
99 and NFPA 56: Standard for Fire and Explosion
Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flam-
mable Gas Piping Systems, are likely to have been
required to provide active smoke control systems to
serve all inhalation anesthetizing locations installed
roughly from 1960 to the adoption of the 2012 edi-
tion of NFPA 99 by state and local authorities having
jurisdiction and the adoption of the 2012 edition of
NFPA 101: Life Safety Code by CMS.
This came from past editions of NFPA 56 and
NFPA 99 back to the 1960 edition of NFPA 56, to
the expansion of text in the 1978 edition of NFPA
56A: Inhalation Anesthetics. From the 1978 edition
of NFPA 56A Section 3-1.1 to the 2005 edition of
NFPA 99 Section 6.4.1, the code language remained
largely the same. This required all windowless,
inhalation, anesthetizing locations to be arranged
to automatically vent smoke and products of com-
bustion. In the 2012 rewrite of NFPA 99, this lan-
guage was removed.
Vintage building smoke control systems: 1970s
to 2000 — State building codes are, by their nature,
more difficult to completely research with the
numerous historical model code bases. However,
from collected research in older building codes,
active smoke control system references largely
Figure 3: A typical stair and elevator pressurization system is graphi-
cally represented. It shows a typical system representation for a stair
or elevator shaft pressurization system. Courtesy: Dewberry
36 • May 2020 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
entered model code texts in the early to mid-1970s
and were centered on high-rise structures and atri-
ums. This would appear to correlate with the focus
on high-rise fire safety of the same timeframe
nationally.
The earliest specific language the author has
found regarding active smoke management systems
is from the 1975 edition of the North Carolina State
Building Code, Section 521 for high-rise buildings.
This was based on the National Building Code of
Canada 1973 edition, and the NBC Measures for
Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings. Earlier editions
of the building codes in North Carolina reference
nonmechanical smoke control measures such as
smokeproof vestibules for stairwells, but no active
mechanical system requirements that the author has
observed.
From 1975 through the 2000 edition of the IBC,
there were references to smoke control systems to be
installed in high-rise structures for general smoke
management, in stair and elevator shafts and in
open atrium whether in a high-rise structure or not.
The specifics vary based on the model code and the
year, but largely include the following up until 2000.
Between the 1970s and late 1980s, hospitals
could be designated high-rise structures as low as
three stories and 36 feet in height, requiring smoke
venting via panels or windows or by using the
mechanical air handling equipment to accomplish
smoke removal on each floor. The specifications for
these systems were limited, generally requiring that
return and exhaust air be moved directly to the out-
side and the supply system providing 100% outdoor
airat a minimum of six to 10 air changes per hour
(e.g., 1978 North Carolina State Building Code, Sec-
tion 506.5).
Most, if not all, elevator shafts were required to
be pressurized such that two hours following a fire
event, they would not contain more than 1% of con-
taminated air by volume.
Stairwells were required to be smokeproof
(vestibules vented to the outdoors) or they were
allowed to be pressurized meeting the same 1%
contamination requirement after two hours as the
elevator shafts.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, the high-rise thresh-
old generally shifted to 75 feet, more detailed
requirements were added for stairwell pressurization
systems including specified air volumes and maxi-
mum differential pressures. Otherwise the smoke
vent requirement language stayed much as it was.
The term engineered smoke control system came
into parlance roughly in the 1990s, but significant
details on what was an acceptable engineered system
were not mandated in the code until 2000.
In 2000, the IBC included a significant rewrite to
the requirements for high-rise smoke control sys-
tems for general floors, stairs and elevator shafts
www.csemag.com
under IBC Section 909. For general floor smoke
management, pressurization across smoke barriers
(zone pressurization) was designated as the prima-
ry compliance means. Specific and highly detailed
requirements were laid out for zone pressurization,
airflow method, exhaust method, stair and elevator
shaft pressurization and atrium smoke control. IBC
Section 909.6.1 included specific pressure differen-
tial requirements and IBC Section 909.6 pressuriza-
tion method was the designated primary method of
controlling smoke.
3. Approaching legacy systems
in hospitals
There are several items to note for engineers
working in hospitals that may be equipped with
these systems.
Existing system analysis,
documentation
A complete inventory including location, ser-
vice areas, major components, sequences of opera-
tion, access and controls should be developed for all
existing smoke control systems. Equipment inven-
tories, computerized maintenance management
system data, local technician knowledge, fire alarm
and building automation system point lists and user
interface screens and, of course, flipping through
old plan room drawings are all good resources for
identifying existing systems. Be sure to field-check
stair and elevator shafts and atriums for the exis-
tence of pressurization equipment.
Look for purge-evacuation and smoke vent
sequences in 2012 and older AHUs serving anesthe-
tizing locations. Check fire command centers and
fire alarm control rooms for smoke control panels.
Check any high-rise tower HVAC systems for evi-
dence of smoke vent sequences in the ventilation
systems and for zone pressurization in newer build-
ings, especially post-2000. Always field verify the
physical condition and existence of systems identi-
fied from plans and other data sources.
Compliance requirements
at time of construction
As important as understanding what is out
there is, equally important is understanding what
was and is required based on the original and cur-
rent requirements for these structures. Knowing
the dates of original construction or major reno-
vation for each tower or building, the height and
high-rise classification of each major separate struc-
ture, tower or atrium will allow you to determine
the applicable codes and standards for the systems
identified and for those that may be missing.
A useful clue on tower age are elevator inspec-
tion placards; these will often indicate the origi-
nal installation date of the cab (which are not often
www.csemag.com
replaced in their entirety) and may correlate to the
original construction date.
From here, code research will be required to
determine the specific editions of the local building
codes, NFPA editions and state licensure require-
ments that were in place at the time of original con-
struction or major renovation. Spots to focus on are
the high-rise sections, nonflammable inhalation
anesthetizing location requirements, stair and ele-
vator shafts and open atriums.
Additionally, determining if structures would
qualify as high-rise under the current requirements
(typically 75 feet) is a good context point to deter-
mine if systems would be required under today’s
codes or only under historical requirements.
‘
As important as understanding what
is out there is, equally important is under-
standing what was and is required based
on the original and current requirements
’
for these structures.
Current system conditions
Once you have a clear picture of what systems
exist and what they were and are required to do,
physical testing and inspection is needed to verify
baseline condition and performance. Thesesystems
are highly prone to inadvertent debilitation, con-
firming whether the system is still functioning as it
was intended will be a critical data point in future
decision making on what to do with the system.
The first step should include visual inspection
of the individual system components, fans, motors,
belts, dampers, ducts, required to support the basic
system functions. Documenting and addressing
any physical deficiencies should occur before test-
ing begins.
After the system is confirmed to be physically
in place, point-to-point testing should be imple-
mented to confirm each sequence step against the
original system design. Additionally, performance
testing should include verification of system-
intended functions, checking differential pressures
and air flow rates to confirm they fall within design
parameters, required compliance thresholds and
rational expectations.
Testing and inspections should be thoroughly
documented including both the required and mea-
sured metrics and the reference design and compli-
ance standards. This documentation helps greatly to
substantiate existing system performance for future
design decisions and authority having jurisdiction
review and decision-making.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 37
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Figure 4: In this 1960s-vintage rooftop elevator pressurization fan,
the existing pressurization fan system is serving a hospital elevator
shaft. Courtesy: Dewberry
Modifying or replacing
When approaching a project affecting older
facilities equipped with vintage, but still function-
al, smoke control systems, it can be tough to decide
what direction to take. Maintain or expand the
existing system, demolish and design a new retro-
fit system or something in between, these decisions
can have major implications on cost and scope.
However, with good documentation and sys-
tem baseline testing in hand, the process may be
approached with more clarity and logic. Items to
assess beforehand:
• What existing systems are present or may be
affected by the project scope of work.
• The original design documentation and stan-
dards at the time of construction for these
systems.
38 • May 2020 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
• The functional condition of these systems.
Good questions to ask are:
• Is a smoke control system still required in this
facility type and, if so, what requirements are
they and how do they differ from the existing
system?
• Are the existing infrastructure systems capable
of complying with modern requirements with-
out major modification or replacement (e.g.,
are the existing fire alarm and mechanical con-
trol systems capable of UL 864 compliance)?
• Does the scope of the new work affect a suf-
ficiently significant portion of the structure to
warrant assessment against current code? This
can go either way with respect to smoke control
systems. In some cases, structures equipped
with older systems would no longer require
active smoke control if under current code.
Once sufficient clarity is achieved on the above
aspects, a logical approach can be determined bal-
ancing the impact to the facility and patients, proj-
ect scope of work, budget and overall compliance. It
may be that the existing systems are too far gone to
recover or the facility has evolved past their effec-
tive functionality.
Stair, elevator, atrium
pressurization systems
Stairwell, elevator and atrium pressurization
systems are relatively easy to maintain functional-
ity and performance due to the simplicity of fan,
louver, controls sequences and functional perfor-
mance. Additionally, pressurizing these shafts is a
highly effective means of minimizing smoke con-
tamination of critical egress paths in hospitals.
Atrium exhaust systems are also relatively simple
and effective smoke management systems. Main-
taining these systems where found is recommend-
ed when possible and certainly where they remain a
requirement from current or existing code.
Anesthetizing location
smoke control systems
Anesthetizing location smoke control systems
(simple purge-evacuation sequences for AHUs)
are no longer mandated by most state AHJs where
the 2012 or later edition of NFPA 99 has been
adopted and no longer mandated via CMS refer-
enced code text via NFPA 101-2012 and NFPA
99-2012. Individual state licensure rules may still
contain references to anesthesia smoke control and
should be confirmed as part of the decision-mak-
ing process for these units.
www.csemag.com
 Air handler-based purge-evacua-
tion systems in the experience of the
author are minimally effective in con-
trolling smoke accumulation and present
an often misunderstood and difficult to
protect sequences of operation for facili-
ties long-term. Without the current man-
date for this function, a decision may be
made to either maintain these sequenc-
es or switch to the more manageable and
reliable shutdown response sequence.
Buildingwide egress and
tenability systems
Determining an appropriate approach
to these systems is inherently more dif-
ficult than stair-elevator pressurization,
atrium exhaust and anesthesia locations
due to the wider operational impact, rel-
ative complexity and broader code impli-
cations. Where existing systems rely on
purge-evacuation sequences with exist-
ing AHUs, as is the case in anesthetizing
location systems, this approach gen-
erally is less effective than a zone pres-
surization system relying on pressure
differentials across smoke barriers.
Functioning and well-maintained
zone pressurization systems may be
highly effective in preventing smoke
migration from the compartment of ori-
gin to adjoining areas. However, as pre-
viously noted, they are typically complex
and where good documentation and
testing practices are not in place, often
found to be in dysfunctional condition.
It is always recommended to approach
these systems in their entirety of original
and/or current service area rather than
through the lens of a renovation area
barrier. Where a tower is equipped with
a zone pressurization system, this con-
sistent approach for the entirety of the
tower should be maintained or if modi-
fied, done so globally rather than local-
ly. Depending upon a structure’s overall
height and the total percentage of ren-
ovation, it may be that a buildingwide
smoke management system is no longer
required. In such a case, designers may
reconsider the necessity and benefits of
maintaining existing systems.
Passive barriers and smoke
control systems
Another common problem is what
to do with existing purge-evacuation
or zone pressurization systems using
May 2020 • 39
existing duct systems affected by mod-
ern renovations. In many cases, duct-
mounted smoke dampers were omitted
from penetrations of smoke barriers
and shaft enclosures where the system
was designed as part of an engineered
smoke control system.
Language to this effect has been
included since 2000 in IBC text where
dampers would inhibit the operation
of compliant smoke control systems
designed to this code. During renova-
tions of these older systems, especial-
ly before the aforementioned language
existing, installing dampers in passive
barriers such as smoke compartment
boundaries and shafts is often mandat-
ed by code, but could result in duct sys-
tem damage and inhibition of existing
system operation where existing purge-
evac sequences exist.
In this case, a good approach would
be to assess the necessity and effec-
tiveness of the existing system and
decide whether advocating for main-
taining the existing system without
dampers or controlling dampers in
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coordination with the sequence is the
better approach, or decommissioning
the system and using the passive barrier
approach is more beneficial.
In all cases, before making the deci-
sion to decommission, maintain or
replace any existing smoke control sys-
tem, consider having a discussion with
the owner and local and state AHJ to
confirm the solution. Most every edi-
tion of NFPA and building codes has
had language requiring existing life
safety systems to be maintained in
place unless they exceed that which is
required for new construction.AHJs
would be the appropriate decision-mak-
ers to assist with determining wheth-
er smoke control systems ought to be
maintained or replaced. cse
J. Alex Harwell is an associate and proj-
ect manager at Dewberry. Harwell has
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engineering, including five years as a for-
mer North Carolina Division of Health
Services regulation inspector and plan
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BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
By Zach Ataiyan, PE, Burns & McDonnell, Minneapolis
Using a hybrid
design approach
to stairwell pressurization
While the design process for a stairwell pressurization system should account
for many building specific variables and is anything but simple, the system used
to achieve the performance criteria doesn’t have to be complicated
W
hile advances in building sys-
tem technologies have provid-
ed opportunities for smarter
stairwell pressurization sys-
tems, a simplified design
approach can deliver a more reliable solution. A
smoke pressurization system using tried-and-true
design principles coupled with elements of new
technology can create a building life safety system
capable of easily being calibrated during commis-
40 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
sioning and require minimal long-term mainte-
nance, thereby providing dependable performance
long after system acceptance.
Of the many design considerations and features
addressed in high-rise and tower construction, the
ability for occupants to safely egress during a fire
event with minimal exposure to harmful com-
bustion products is paramount. In these types of
buildings, the time required for the occupants to
travel from the higher floors to the exit discharge
Figure 1: Pressurization of the smoke-
proof enclosure restricts the passage of
smoke across the enclosure boundary,
maintaining a tenable means of egress.
Courtesy: Burns & McDonnell
may be substantial and drive the need for
additional safety precautions.
As adopted in many states and local
jurisdictions, the International Build-
ing Code requires vertical exit
enclosures (stairwells) to be
constructed as smokeproof
enclosures where classified as
high-rise or where the lowest
occupied level is more than 30 feet
below the level of exit discharge. The
IBC requires access to smokeproof
enclosures via an open exterior balco-
n y or ventilated vestibule designed
to prevent the infiltration of
smoke into the stairwells.
www.csemag.com
‘
In jurisdictions where NFPA
101 is adopted, such as across
select federal agencies, require-
ments for smokeproof enclosures
’
are also provided.
In the terms of building egress, these protect-
ed smokeproof enclosures are considered building
exits. Once an occupant has entered the stairwell,
even if on the 40th floor, the occupant is considered
as having exited the building.
When selected by the designer, the code allows
for a few alternatives to these requirements. Alter-
natives include: natural ventilation alternative in
2015 IBC Section 909.20.3, mechanical ventila-
tion alternative in 2015 IBC Section 909.20.4 and
stairway and ramp pressurization alternative in
2015 IBC section 909.20.5. This article will discuss
design approaches for one of these alternatives,
which mitigates the infiltration of smoke via posi-
tive pressurization of the stairwell enclosure.
NFPA codes and standards
In jurisdictions where NFPA 101: Life Safety
Code is adopted, such as across select federal agen-
cies, requirements for smokeproof enclosures are
also provided. Per NFPA 101, smokeproof enclo-
sures are required in airport traffic control tow-
ers and in high-rise buildings. In these scenarios,
NFPA 92: Standard for Smoke Control Systems
becomes applicable when the designer elects to pro-
vide enclosure pressurization as the means of main-
taining the smokeproof enclosure.
Pressurization of the smokeproof enclosure
maintains a tenable environment for occupants
during evacuation by creating a pressure differen-
tial across the enclosure boundary. This restricts
the migration of smoke from the fire event into the
stairwell, allowing occupants additional time to
safely travel through the protected enclosure.
Stairwell pressurization
analytical process
In its simplest form, a stair pressurization system
uses a supply fan to blow outside air into a stairwell,
creating a positive pressure differential across the
enclosure boundary. However, the design of these
systems can depend greatly on the codes and stan-
dards used in design. Per IBC Section 909.20.5, the
differential pressure limitation between the stair-
well and the egressing level when all stairway doors
are closed and when the building is under maxi-
mum stack effect and wind effect conditions shall
not be less than 0.10 inch water gauge or greater
than 0.35 inch water gauge.
www.csemag.com
Figure 2: Commissioning agents perform a walkdown of a smoke-
proof enclosure in a new high-rise office building. Courtesy: Burns
& McDonnell
When NFPA 92 is used, the stairwell
pressurization system design criteria L Learning
requires specific minimum pressure dif- OBJECTIVES
ferential limits based on building design • Identify some of the variables
factors including ceiling heights, and that can impact the design
whether automatic sprinklers are provid- and performance of stairwell
pressurization systems.
ed. Further, the maximum pressure differ-
ential limit is determined as required to • Understand the pros and cons
of different smoke pressurization
maintain the smokeproof enclosure door system configurations.
opening forces to less than 30 pounds-
• Become familiar with the
force, the maximum permitted by NFPA benefits of designing systems
101. Additionally, NFPA 92 requires that for commissionability and
this criterion be achieved with both zero reliability with reduced lifetime
and the design number of doors open maintenance requirements.
during system operation.
There are challenges associated with achieving
these requirements. The primary challenge is deter-
mining the correct volumetric flow rate of the sup-
ply fan, without knowing all the static and dynamic
leakage conditions that may be present in the stair-
well during an emergency. If the pressure differen-
tial across the enclosure boundary is too low, smoke
may begin to infiltrate the stairwell. If the pressure
differential across the enclosure boundary is too
high, the egress doors into the stairwell may be
pressurized closed, making it difficult for egressing
occupants to open the doors.
During an engineering analysis of the stair pres-
surization system, the system designer should con-
sider many building conditions including: shaft
construction type, normal and reverse stack effect,
wind and climate effects, interior and exterior walls,
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 41
 BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
openings between floors, the anticipated number of
stairwell doors open during egress, system commis-
sioning and long-term system maintenance, among
other factors.
As mentioned above, the designer should con-
sider how the occupants will egress the building
to identify the number of open doors assumed in
the system design. The designer should not only
ask how many doors will be open simultaneously
during egress, but which doors. Will it be a door
‘
In some cases, small floor plates or tight
construction, such as windowless floors,
can create conditions where the floor itself
’
becomes overpressurized.
on the fire floor and one level above, or maybe just
the door at the level of exit discharge? Do we design
around one, two or even three doors open?
Additionally, the designer should consider if the
doors open during evacuation should be considered
partially or fully open. During evacuation of a mod-
erately occupied floor, will the average free area of
the door opening be only one-third that of a fully
open door? Does the designer consider the occu-
pants egressing through the door as an obstruction
to the airflow?
While some of the doors may be considered
open or partially open, the designer should also
evaluate and manage the effects of the system when
all the doors are closed. These door variables alone
create an ever-changing dynamic effect on the air-
flow requirements to meet the performance criteria.
Another variable often forgotten is pressurized
stairwells in a small footprint building, such as an
Table 1: Pros and cons of design options
EARLY SYSTEMS MODERN SYSTEMS
PROS: Constant volume airflow into the PROS: Ability to increase and decrease airflow as
shaft with a damper to bleed off excess the leakage rates in the shaft enclosure change
pressure; simple. over time.
CONS: Airflow selection limited to fan CONS: Highly dependent on calibrated sensors to
model and sheave selection. Can’t achieve criteria after acceptance testing. Sensors
always achieve specific airflow for as- are prone to falling out of calibration, affecting sys-
built shaft conditions. The need for a tem performance.
larger fan can result in a domino effect of Modulating airflow doesn’t happen instantly due to
construction phase issues. fan blade inertia — the slow rate of change of the
air into the shaft can cause temporary overpres-
surization, limiting egress.
Table 1: This shows a summary of the pros and cons of each stairwell pressurization system design configuration.
Courtesy: Burns & McDonnell
42 • May 2020 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
air traffic control tower. In these cases, the designer
should evaluate if the leakage from the floor plate
is enough, or if exhaust off each floor is required
to maintain the required differential pressuriza-
tion over a several minutes of system operation. In
some cases, small floor plates or tight construction,
such as windowless floors, can create conditions
where the floor itself becomes overpressurized dur-
ing extensive system operation and the differential
pressure across the stairwell enclosure can no lon-
ger be maintained.
Arguably one of the more important factors the
designer should consider is how the system will be
commissioned to demonstrate system performance
and pass final acceptance. The designer should bear
in mind the potential variables that may shift during
construction, resulting in impacts to the final accep-
tance test. Additionally, any variables may affect the
required maintenance over the life of the system.
Early system design approach
Traditionally, a supply fan would pressurize the
stairwell enclosure and any excess pressure would
be relieved through leakage paths in the shaft enclo-
sure or a barometric relief damper. These baromet-
ric relief dampers are often found near the top of
the shaft and are used to maintain the pressure dif-
ferential across the enclosure below the specified
limit. Earlier stairwell pressurization systems typi-
cally included a constant volume supply fan to pres-
surize the enclosure and a weighted barometric
relief damper to relieve the excess pressure.
While a relatively simple and robust system,
this approach sometimes ran into pitfalls dur-
ing installation and commissioning. When these
types of systems were designed, much of the infor-
mation available on leakage rates through various
wall, floor and door assemblies was not readily
available. This resulted in the overdesign of supply
HYBRID SYSTEMS
PROS: Variable frequency drive fan and weighted
damper allows for a great degree of flexibility during the
commissioning and final acceptance testing process.
Achieves performance criteria with a robust, low-main-
tenance system, which responds quickly to dynamic
changes in enclosure leakage rates over time.
www.csemag.com
fans to account for the degree of uncertainty in the
design, often leading to potential headaches during
commissioning.
With a constant volume fan, changes in airflow
were limited during commissioning by the avail-
able fan and motor sheave selection. Adjusting fan
and motor sheaves often would allow for the system
performance to be close to what it needed to be, but
not necessarily provide the exact airflow required to
achieve the performance criteria. If other unforeseen
conditions arose, such as a very leaky shaft enclosure,
a larger fan may have been required, resulting in a
larger power supply than planned, causing a poten-
tial domino effect of construction phase issues.

Modern system design approach

Over the past few decades, the introduction of
empirical leakage rate data for engineering analysis
and design, along with variable frequency drive fans,
have allowed for more modern design approaches.
Using VFD fans in a system design introduces the
ability to modulate the airflow into the shaft based
on changing conditions through differential pressure
sensors located throughout the enclosure.
In some cases, VFD fans have eliminated the
need for a barometric relief damper to prevent
overpressurization within the shaft enclosure.
This technology allows the system to increase and
decrease airflow as the leakage rates in the shaft
enclosure change over time. However, this design
approach is not without its weaknesses.
When used in building heating, ventilation and Figure 3: Commissioning agents measure the airflow across a closed
air conditioning applications, pressure sensor-con- smokeproof enclosure door during system testing. Courtesy: Burns
trolled systems increase the efficiency of the sys- & McDonnell
tems. When these pressure sensors fail or fall out
of calibration in HVAC applications, it is quickly
noticed and reported by uncomfortable building doors into stairwell, and in restricting egress until
occupants and the problem is corrected within a the pressure in the stairwell is reduced.
reasonable timeframe.
However, in a stairwell pressurization system, Hybrid system design approach
where the system ideally never operates outside of Considering the advances in empirical leak-
system testing, the performance of the system and age rate data, industry research, system technolo-
impact of a failed or out-of-calibration sensor is sel- gy and the potential pitfalls highlighted in the early
dom identified. As a result, the fans may not per- and modern approaches above, a hybrid approach
form during an emergency as originally designed, of traditional methods and new technologies may
resulting in under- or overpressurized stairwell present an optimal stairwell pressurization solution.
enclosures. The required supply and relief airflow for a dynam-
Another weakness of modulating airflow with ic system can be determined during design with a
a VFD fan is the impact the centrifugal fan blade fair amount of precision when using modern mod-
inertia will have on the pressure within the stairwell eling packages such as CONTAM by NIST.
enclosure. As an example, when a door is closed in With these airflows identified, specification of
the stairwell enclosure the system sends a signal to a VFD supply fan and a weighted barometric relief
reduce the airflow of the supply fan. This change is damper can accomplish the design criteria with a
not instantaneous, due to the inertial energy of the desirable level of precision. The difference with a
spinning fan blade, thereby causing excessive air- VFD fan in this approach is the VFD fan would be
flow and momentarily overpressurizing in the stair- tuned to a specific frequency during commission-
well enclosure. This overpressurization may result ing to provide a constant, specific flow rate into
in egressing occupants not being able to open the the shaft enclosure. The weights on the barometric

www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 43

 BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

‘
Because of the relatively steady-state
nature of a system using this hybrid ap-
of a system using this hybrid approach, the stair-
well pressurization system will require little, if
any, maintenance to achieve the same repeatable
system performance five, 10 and 15 years after
commissioning.
proach, the stairwell pressurization system As a result of this hybrid approach, the smoke-
proof enclosure will be pressurized to meet the

’
will require little, if any, maintenance.
relief damper would then also be configured dur-
ing commissioning to relieve excess pressure in the
shaft enclosure and maintain the pressure differen-
tial within the allowable limitations.
This approach allows for a great degree of flex-
ibility during the commissioning and final accep-
tance testing process. If as-built conditions of the
shaft vary slightly from the original design, system
components can be easily adjusted as needed. The
airflow provided from the VFD supply fan can be
adjusted as needed by modulating the frequency
setpoint of the VFD.
Additionally, the weighting of the damper can
be increased or reduced as necessary to bleed off
excess shaft pressure and appropriately balance
the pressure differential within the limits. Final-
ly, because of the relatively steady-state nature
pressure differential performance criteria with a
robust, low-maintenance stair pressurization sys-
tem, which is quick-acting to dynamic changes in
stairwell enclosure leakage rates over time.
While the design process for a stairwell pres-
surization system should account for many build-
ing specific variables and be anything but simple,
the system used to achieve the performance criteria
in the enclosure doesn’t have to be complicated. A
stairwell pressurization system designer should bear
in mind that in addition to designing to meet the
performance criteria, the system should deliver the
required functionality with a high level of flexibil-
ity, reliability and low long-term maintenance. cse
Zach Ataiyan is a fire protection engineer at Burns
& McDonnell. He specializes in life safety, fire
alarm, and fire suppression system design for nucle-
ar, aviation, federal, commercial and mission criti-
cal facilities.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer
webcasts help you obtain educational
information on specific topics and
webcasts learn about the latest industry trends.

Check out some of our webcasts on

topics like:
• Critical Power
• Electrical Room Design
• HVAC
• Lighting
• Fire & Life Safety
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BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SPECIALTY FIRE SUPPRESSION
By Affiliated Engineers Inc.
Case study: Aircraft
hangar fire protection
Taking a performance-based approach to the protection
of a membrane roof aircraft hangar
A
ffiliated Engineers Inc. was retained
to provide mechanical, electrical,
piping/plumbing and fire protec-
tion design services for two 10-story,
90,000-square-foot hangars (north
and south) and 24,977 square feet of adjoining
maintenance and office space. The 100-foot high
hangars are classified as Group IV Hangars under
NFPA 409: Standard on Aircraft Hangars, meaning
that the structures are constructed of a membrane-
covered (fabric) steel frame, not a standard design
for the majority of large hangars.
Both hangars accommodate the Boeing 747 and/
or Airbus A380 wide-body aircraft. Key facility fea-
tures include a high-expansion foam system for fire
protection and an extensive electrical system support-
ing in-floor hatches, grounding and hangar lighting.
High-expansion foam system
This system serves each hangar and features:
• Two diesel engine-driven fire pumps rated at
3,000 gallons per minute each.
• Two deluge systems consisting of 15 foam
generators per system. Each generator weighs
720 pounds and requires 203 gpm at 50
pounds per square inch. Fan motors pull air
through the generators to transform the foam
concentrate and water solution by passing
through the attached, 5-foot diameter foam
dispenser. Each fan is powered by the flow of
water eliminating the need for any electrical
connection to power the generator.
• Dedicated foam supply for each hangar versus
a primary and secondary supply due to hangar
proximity to foam concentrate vendor.
• Two 1,000-gallon foam concentrate
bladder tanks.
www.csemag.com
• A 12-minute system discharge duration with a
discharge rate of 3 feet per minute across the
entire hangar floor resulting in approximately
36 vertical feet of foam per discharge.
• Infrared flame detectors are located within
each hangar along the perimeter walls. Oper-
ation of the foam system occurs only after a
detector and one of its adjacent detectors both
move into alarm mode, preventing a false dis-
charge from the failure of any single detector.
The detector design also includes adjustable
sensitivity. This measure excludes extraneous
arcs from welding or other flashes resembling
flame from activating the detector.
• Total water output of 3,278 gpm at 115½ psi.
Trench drains are located in the hangar floors
to route any spilled fuel and foam solution to a
50,000-gallon underground tank via an automatic
diverter valve. As phosphorous levels are too high
in the fuel/foam per the Illinois Environmental Pro-
tection Agency regulations, this measure prevents
the solution from entering the city sewage. Follow-
ing a discharge event, the tank contents are pumped
into a truck and treated off-site.
Before acceptance testing of the high-expansion
foam system, AEI witnessed two tests and provided
pressure setting adjustments to ensure only one fire
pump started while the other pump was maintained
as a backup. Each pump has its own controller and
pressure settings are manipulated there. A water-
only test was also performed to ensure all genera-
tors turned on and had the appropriate water supply.
Acceptance testing involved a two-minute test of the
high-expansion foam system in each hangar.
Design challenges
Adjacency concerns — The Rockford, Ill.,
Fire Department had hangar adjacency concerns.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 45
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SPECIALTY FIRE SUPPRESSION
Figure 2: Two-minute acceptance testing of the high-expansion foam
system demonstrated a discharge rate of 3 feet per minute across
the entire hangar floor. Courtesy: Affiliated Engineers Inc.
AEI demonstrated that a fire in one hangar is not
intended to start a fire in the other hangar. The
design implemented automatic safety locks with-
in the programming of the system releasing panel.
This prevents simultaneous operation of both
foam systems, preventing manual operation of
the second system after the first system has been
deployed. Abort switches are also in place to stop
a system discharge.
46 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
Figure 1: Increasing the percentage of foam
concentrate in the mixture compensates for the
reduced production of foam using smoke- and
combustion-contaminated inside air. Courtesy:
Affiliated Engineers Inc.
Aggressive schedule — The layout of the pump
room was time-consuming as space was tight and
equipment had to be configured for easy access for
service and future equipment replacement. In addi-
tion, the pump room size was contingent on the final
size of the hangars as this informed all equipment
sizing and calculations.
Generator air source — The generators were
designed to draw in air from within the hangar
instead of outside air as required by code, which
necessitated approval from the city of Rockford.
AEI added a safety factor to the system calcula-
tion that compensates for reduced foam produc-
tion based on contaminants in the hangar air such
as smoke and particles of combustion. cse
This article originally appeared on the Affiliated
Engineers Inc. website. Affiliated Engineers Inc. is a
CFE Media content partner.
www.csemag.com
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SPECIALTY FIRE SUPPRESSION
By Steve Dryden, PE, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, Kansas
Changing airport
firefighting foam
suppression systems
If aqueous film-forming foam is not good for the environment
or our health, why is it still in use?
I
f you specify firefighting foams, you have
probably heard acronyms like PFAS, PFOS
and PFOA recently, but what do they mean?
Why are they so bad for the environment
and our health? Why can’t we just switch to
another option for firefighting?
The primary firefighting foam for airports and
aircraft has been aqueous film-forming foam.
Unfortunately, AFFF contains perfluoroalkyl and
polyfluoroalkyl substances and may contain per-
fluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid,
the alphabet soup of firefighting foams.
PFAS is classification of chemicals that includes
PFOA, PFOS and other chemicals. PFOA and
PFOS are dangerous to the environment and to
our health because they don’t break down. Instead,
they accumulate over time in the environment, the
food chain and in humans. The Environmental
Protection Agency indicates that exposure to PFAS
can lead to adverse human health effects, includ-
ing chronic health conditions.
The health impacts of these chemicals are still
being studied, but the Agency for Toxic Substanc-
es and Disease Registry notes that studies have
shown these chemicals can interfere with the
body’s natural hormones, increase cholesterol lev-
els, affect the immune system and increase the risk
of some cancers.
Health and environmental risks
Currently, the Department of Defense requires
the use of AFFF for aircraft rescue and firefight-
ing because of its firefighting performance on
petroleum-based fires such as aircraft fuel. The
Military Specification, known as a MILSPEC, for
firefighting foam does not require fluorine foams.
However, the performance requirements for these
www.csemag.com
firefighting foams cannot currently be met by
nonfluorine-based foams.
MILSPEC 24385 F is the performance speci-
fication for AFFF for the military. The specifi-
cation has requirements for film formation and
sealability, stability, compatibility and fire perfor-
mance. The fire performance requirements include
a 30-second extinguishment and a burnback time
of 360 seconds. Burn-back requirements include
removing a portion of the foam coverage and
igniting the foam while observing the time it takes
to spread to cover 25% of the pan size.
‘
The Department of Defense requires
the use of AFFF for aircraft rescue and
firefighting because of its firefighting
’
performance on petroleum-based fires.
In 2018, MILSPEC 24385 was updated. One of
the changes in this update was the specification
no longer requires the foam to contain fluorine.
However, at this time, there is not a fluorine-free
AFFF that has met the performance of the MIL-
SPEC requirements.
The importance of
MILSPEC requirements
The Federal Aviation Administration requires
that all airports that adhere to Part 139 Airport
Certification use foams that meet military specifica-
tions. Part 139 certified airports include most of the
commercial airports in the United States. There-
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 47
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SPECIALTY FIRE SUPPRESSION
fore, since a fluorine-free foam will not
meet the MILSPEC requirements, the
foams used at the commercial airports
around the country still contain PFAS
chemicals.
However, in January 2019, the FAA
issued a CertAlert on AFFF. The issued
recommendation requires that testing
of vehicles’ AFFF systems be performed
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FIRE SUPPRESSION
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• Clean agent • Water mist
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with alternative methods that do not
require discharge of AFFF. This guid-
ance allows maintaining and testing the
equipment without the expense or envi-
ronmental impact of an AFFF foam
discharge.
The FAA has also set a mandate to
stop requiring the use of fluorinated
foam no later than Oct. 4, 2021. Research
• Wet chemical
• CO2 systems
kiddefiresystems.com
508-881-2000
© 2020 Carrier. All Rights Reserved.
continues on the development of fluo-
rine-free foams that will meet the fire
performance required by MILSPEC for
these petroleum-based fires.
The fire suppression
foam transition
When a foam is developed that is free
of the harmful chemicals, the transi-
tion can occur, but it is not that simple.
Because the chemicals are contaminants,
they may have been deposited inside the
AFFF systems. Retrofitting ARFF vehi-
cles with new firefighting foam technol-
ogy may require a minimum cleaning of
the system components before introduc-
ing new foam. However, conversions in
Europe have required extensive remedia-
tion. The Department of Defense PFAS
Task Force estimates the cost of retrofit-
ting vehicles to range from $30,000 to
$200,000 for each vehicle.
Knowing that the United States mil-
itary has approximately 3,000 vehicles
and most airports have at least one vehi-
cle, the cost and effort to retrofit these
fire trucks is enormous.
What do we do now?
There is a need to replace fluorine-
based foams, however the environmen-
tal and health issues with AFFF is not
an easy problem to solve. The issue
is widespread because AFFF is used
almost exclusively for aircraft firefight-
ing by the military and commercial air-
ports in the United States.
Currently, there are no fluorine-free
foams that meet the firefighting perfor-
mance required for petroleum-based
aircraft fires by the MILSPEC. How-
ever, once an acceptable foam is devel-
oped, the contamination of the AFFF
systems in the ARFF trucks will need to
be addressed.
When the contamination has been
mitigated, then we can retrofit the exist-
ing ARFF trucks with new foam. While
we are not quite there yet, the industry
is taking positive steps to create safer
conditions for the health of humans and
the environment alike. cse
Steve Dryden is a senior fire protection
engineer for Henderson Engineers. He is
responsible for providing fire and life safe-
ty design services, facility assessments and
code consulting.
48 • May 2020
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
By Brian Rener, PE, LEED AP; and Brandon Stanley, PE, LEED AP BD+C; SmithGroup, Chicago

Designing power
systems in mission
critical environments
Learn about the choices and criteria for the planning and design
of mission critical facility switchgear, transformers and UPS

M
ission critical facilities typical-
ly require electrical engineers to
design and specify significant
amounts of power to increase
reliability, limit outages and pro-
vide for redundancy. Common examples of mis-
sion critical facilities include hospitals, laboratories
and data centers. With the need for extensive power,
these facilities often require the engineer to design
medium-voltage primary services, primary service
transformers, low-voltage distribution gear and
uninterruptable power supplies. In some smaller
mission critical facilities, the local utility may fur-
nish primary medium-voltage equipment, leaving
the engineer to focus on low-voltage systems design.
IEEE defines voltage classifications High-voltage
is anything above 69 kilovolts. Medium-voltage sys-
tems in the United States typically range from 69 to 5
kilovolts. The most specified and installed medium-
voltage equipment within a mission critical facility is
either 15 kilovolts or 5 kilovolts rated. Low-voltage
in the United States typically ranges from 480 to 120
volts. Most recently, data center equipment has been
using 415-volt power to racks.

Medium-voltage primary equipment
In smaller to medium-size facilities, the utility
company often provides medium-voltage equipment
where required. These maybe located in a special
utility vault inside the building or located outside the
building. In addition, many owners lack the main-
tenance personal or contractors qualified to operate
medium-voltage equipment.
However, in larger mission critical facilities, it can
be advantageous to the facility owner from a cost,
maintenance and reliability standpoint to own and
operate their own medium-voltage equipment. In
Figure 1: The utility’s 69 kilovolts switchyard is adjacent to the
owner 69 to 15 kilovolts transformer yard. Courtesy: SmithGroup
L Learning
OBJECTIVES
• Determine options for mission critical switchgear,
transformers and uninterruptible power supplies.
• Understanding voltage levels and standards.
• Review transformer types and the trade-offs of
different specifications.

www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 49

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
selecting primary medium-voltage switchgear there
are basically two types of equipment that can be
specified: metal clad and metal enclosed.
Metal-clad switchgear is defined in ANSI
C37.20.2-2015 IEEE Standard for Metal-Clad
Switchgear as metal clad switchgear with the fol-
lowing features:
• Removable draw-out protective devices
(breakers).
• Completely enclosed grounded sheet metal
compartments for each protective device or
control section.
• Stacked protective devices in each vertical
section; typically two breakers.
• Automatic shutters to isolate the breaker
connections (stabs) from the rear bus.
• Insulated bus and connections.
Metal-enclosed switchgear is defined in ANSI
C37.20.3-2013 IEEE Standard for Metal-Enclosed
Interrupter Switchgear as metal enclosed switchgear
with the following features:
Figure 2: This illustrates metal enclosed load interrupter switchgear.
Courtesy: SmithGroup
50 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
• Fixed mounted switches with power or load
interrupter fuses.
• Noncompartmentalized single vertical
sections (one fused switch per section).
Metal clad switchgear is generally viewed as the
preferred selection for most mission critical opera-
tions due to the safety of enclosed compartments and
ability to remove breakers for servicing. The ability
to automate breakers and reclose after trips is also an
advantage. Metal enclosed switchgear offers simplic-
ity of operation, fast acting fuses, low maintenance
and often costs half as much as metal clad switchgear.
Primary transformers
For projects receiving primary service from the
utility company, local use power will need to be
derived from medium-voltage transformers. Trans-
formers are available in multiple types, ratings and
packages, and have advantages depending on the
location installed and intended use.
The two main types of transformers are dry-type
and liquid-filled. Dry-type transformers are typical-
ly installed indoors and liquid-filled transformers
are typically installed outdoors, but both types can
be installed in either location with proper consider-
ation of the installed environment.
Dry-type transformers are available in multiple
types. Generally ordered by increasing cost and resil-
iency, these types include open wound, vacuum pres-
sure impregnated, vacuum pressure encapsulated and
cast coil. These configurations are called dry-type
because they use air to cool the windings. An open
wound transformer only has a baked varnish coat-
ing to protect the windings from its environment.
VPI and VPE transformers start out as open wound
but then are either impregnated with a polyester resin
or fully encapsulated with a silicone resin under vac-
uum pressure to draw the material into the windings.
These two methods offer increased resistance to dusty
or humid environments in the case of VPI or harsh
and hazardous environments in the case of VPE. Cast
coil transformers take things one step further and cast
the windings in an epoxy resin using a mold to fully
encapsulate them. Cast coil transformers are recom-
mended for extreme environments.
Liquid-filled transformers use an insulating liquid
such as oil or dielectric fluid to cool the coils instead
of air. For these, the windings are enclosed in a tank
and submerged in the liquid. The tanks are sealed,
but can leak or rupture due to age or excessive stress.
As such, when used within a building, nonflammable
liquids shall be specified and spill containment such
as drains or curbs should be used when appropri-
ate. The 2020 edition of NFPA 70: National Electrical
Code Article 450 requires that a “liquid confinement
area” be provided when less-flammable or non-
www.csemag.com
flammable liquid-filled transformers are installed
indoors. It should be noted that only transformers
rated 35 kilovolts or less can be installed indoors per
NEC 450.23. When installed in transformer vaults
meeting the requirements of NEC 450 Part III, drains
shall be provided to collect any accumulated liquid.
When specifying transformers, the first thing to
consider is its load rating. This is typically rated in
kilovolt-amperes and can be determined by load cal-
culations. Some transformers may list multiple load
ratings. This usually includes a base rating when
cooled by ambient air and then possibly an increase
rating between 20% and 50% higher when cooled with
the assistance of fans. It should be noted that fans can
fail so loading a transformer consistently to its fan-
assisted rating may cause extra stress on the trans-
former and may lead to decreased equipment life.
The second thing to consider when specifying
transformers is the insulation class. This is described Figure 3: Shown are uninterruptible power supply and power distri-
as the maximum allowable winding (hot spot) tem- bution equipment. Courtesy: SmithGroup
perature of a transformer to have a normal life
expectancy and is listed as a temperature in degrees
Celsius. The insulation class is also often described as
the temperature rise above ambient.
For example, a transformer with an insulation
class of 130°C will have a temperature rise of 80°C
over an ambient of 40°C. The extra 10°C is a factor
to account to local hot spots. Exceeding this temper-
ature is possible and won’t necessarily result in an
equipment failure, but it will likely impact the ser-
vice life of the transformer. Dry type transformers
are typically rated with 80°C, 115°C or 150°C rise.
Liquid-filled transformers are typically rated for
55°C or 65°C rise.
At a fixed insulation class, higher temperature rise
will yield a longer life for your transformer, but will
also be more expensive. Most dry-type transformers
are constructed with 220°C insulation regardless, so but larger transformers can be installed in direct con- Figure 4: A typi-
the opposite is true. For critical applications, going tact with primary overcurrent protection or isolation cal arrangement
with a lower temperature rise dry-type transformer and secondary switchboards or switchgear in one long of uninterruptible
can extend the life of the transformer. lineup. Called unit or unitized substations in this con- power supply com-
Where to locate a transformer and in what figuration, the primary and secondary connections of ponents is shown
arrangement is heavily impacted by site conditions. the transformers can be close-coupled to the busing in in this one-line
When space inside the building is a limiting fac- the primary and secondary equipment (see Figure 6). drawing. Courtesy:
tor, pad-mounted installations are common, and This arrangement is both a cost savings and space sav- SmithGroup
an underground vault is also an option. Clearanc- ings option and can offer increased reliability.
es, accessibility and maintainability should be con- Every mission critical application will have differ-
sidered when locating a transformer outdoors. For ent demands of a transformer. Where extra capacity
critical applications, the engineer should pay careful maybe needed for peak load demand such has N+1
attention to accessibility as damage could be caused failure or future load growth the addition of fans
by vehicles, intruders or nature depending on acces- can allow for up to 33% increased capacity. For hos-
sibility of the location. pitals, airports or other critical civil or institution-
For indoor locations, liquid-filled transformers al locations, cast coil may have a shorter life than a
are typically installed in transformer vaults, but dry- VPI as the regularly load variability can cause deg-
type transformers are regularly installed directly in radation of the encapsulating epoxy over time. For
the main electrical room. Small- and medium-sized critical industrial applications, VPE or cast coil
transformer are typically installed on concrete pads offer increased resilience to overloads and harsh
adjacent to the low-voltage distribution equipment, environments.

www.csemag.com CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER May 2020 • 51

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
Low-voltage switchgear
Engineers, architects, contractors and facil-
ity owners often use the terms “switchboard” and
“switchgear” interchangeably when referring to
480-volt (600-volt class) circuit breaker distribu-
tion equipment. But there are notable differences
in configurations, components, standards, applica-
tions, reliability and selection criteria between these
two types of power distribution equipment (see
Table 1). While switchgear is the typical choice for
primary services in mission critical facilities, it is
important to understand the differences and where
switchboards might be used.
A major difference between switchboards and
switchgear is the type of breakers used. The basic
types that we are concerned with are: sealed, semi-
open and open types. Specifically, these are called
molded case, insulated case and power circuit
breakers.
Molded case circuit breakers: MCCBs are the
most common, used in all types of low-voltage
switchboards and panel boards. One will find these
breakers in ratings from 15 to 3,000 amperes. The
breaker mechanism is totally sealed within external
molded case. If the breaker has a failure or prob-
lem, it must be replaced. These breakers are typical-
ly bolted onto the bus or may have plug-in designs.
The removal or addition of MCCBs to a switch-
board should only take place with the switchboard
power turned off.
Insulated case breakers: ICCBs are a type of
MCCB designed to provide features typically avail-
able in power circuit breakers. Typical ratings range
from 400 to 5,000 amps. These breakers are avail-
able as options in switchboards and can be fixed or
draw-out design. Designed to the same standards
as MCCBs, they provide access to replaceable parts
such as contacts.
Power circuit breakers: Typical ratings range
from 800 to 5,000 amps. PCBs are designed and
tested under much different standards from
MCCBs or ICCBs. PCBs are connected to the bus
in a draw-out design, allowing the breakers to be
withdrawn partially or fully while the entire switch-
gear is powered on. PCBs have numerous compo-
nents that can be inspected and replaced, such as
contacts, pole assemblies and arc chutes.
Table 1: Standards of distribution equipment
SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS STANDARDS
Switchboards, molded case circuit breakers
and insulated case circuit breakers
UL 489 and UL 891
Switchgear with power circuit breakers ANSI C37 (UL 1066) and UL 1558
Table 1: A summary of applicable standards is for the design of appli-
cable distribution equipment and overcurrent protective devices.
Courtesy: SmithGroup
52 • May 2020 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
Switchgear, switchboards and associated break-
ers are designed and tested to different standards as
shown in Table 1, resulting in different capabilities
and application considerations.
Application considerations
How much continuous current can you put on a
400-ampere circuit breaker? It depends on the break-
er. With MCCBs and ICCBs, the breaker is typically
rated for only 80% of its capacity within a switch-
board or panel board. In this case, you could put no
more than 320 amperes continuously on that break-
er. This is a limitation not everyone is aware of. It is
possible to specify optional 100% rated MCCBs and
ICCBs in some frame sizes. PCBs are 100% rated as
standard (see 2020 NEC Article 210-20).
Beyond continuous current there are impor-
tant differences when considering short circuits and
faults. While beyond the scope of this article, we will
identify two key issues for the three types of circuit
breakers. The first issue is a breaker’s interrupting
rating, which is the maximum short circuit current
the breaker can handle safely and still operate. This
is the rating most often discussed as the short circuit
rating or withstand. The three types of circuit break-
ers are available in a wide range of interrupting rat-
ings. However, it is important to note that PCBs are
tested and rated to higher level of initial (or asym-
metrical fault) than MCCBs or ICCBs. Depending
on the engineer’s detailed calculations using resis-
tance and impedances, MCCBs or ICCBs listed fault
rating may need to be de-rated.
However, beyond a circuit breakers ability to with-
stand and interrupt a maximum short circuit, there
are trip levels or regions. Circuit breakers will open
based on various magnitude and durations of current.
These trip levels are expressed as a curve on a graph of
current versus time. There are three regions to consid-
er: long-time faults (continuous current range), short-
time faults and instantaneous fault.
The area of difference between MCCBs, ICCBs
and PCBs is in the short time regions. Essentially,
PCBs have higher short time ratings, which along
with the ability to eliminate the instantaneous range,
allows PCBs to “wait” for breakers further down-
stream in the distribution system to trip and isolate
faults. This is of particular use in large distribution
systems where one doesn’t want main circuit break-
ers to trip when a fault occurs on a smaller down
breaker. This is referred to as a selective or fully coor-
dinated system. This type of coordination is more
readily achieved with the use of PCBs at main ser-
vice points.
Another consideration is space. Switchgear is
larger and requires front and rear access. In addition,
the NEC recently changed the clearances require-
ments to take into account the space needed to
accommodate access doors and draw-out racks. Sim-
www.csemag.com
ilarly, rear connected switchboards, depending on
specified options, may also require similar space
considerations. Front accessible switchboards
have the least space requirements and one may
be able to locate it against a wall.
Both switchboards and switchgear are code-
compliant and proven in the industry. But there
are some advantages to switchgear and rear-con-
nected switchboards that can reduce downtime
and failures making them the best choice for
mission critical facilities. First, there is the idea
of individual compartments for breakers. In the
event of a short circuit on a breaker, the resulting
energy will be contained and isolated from other
breakers and from bus and cable compartment.
Second, the ability to have draw-out breakers
also permits repair, inspection and replacement
of a breaker while the rest of the switchboard or
switchgear continues to operate. Third, PCBs
and, to a lesser extent, ICCBs, have exposed and
accessible parts that can be regularly inspected
and replaced without having to buy an entirely
new breaker. Lastly, PCBs have a more rugged
construction and can handle more closing and
opening operations, including faults and pro-
vide for automatic remote control for transfer
schemes.
Switchboards have a place in mission critical
facilities, most typically downstream in the elec-
trical distribution system feeding mechanical sys-
tems such as pumps and precision cooling units
found in data centers. A benefit to switchboard is
their ability to have ratings of 1,600 amperes and
higher where typical panel boards are limited to
1,200 amperes, making them a good choice for
localized high power demands in mission critical
projects such as UPS systems.
UPS
An in-depth discussion of UPS systems is
beyond the scope of this article, but several fun-
damental characteristics should be understood for
their applications in mission critical systems.
The most basic configuration of a UPS con-
sists of a rectifier that converts alternating current
power to direct current power, batteries that pro-
vide backup DC power upon loss of AC and an
inverter that converts DC back to AC Power. Also,
a static bypass is usually included for any failures
in the rectifier or inverter components.
In mission critical applications, additional
features are considered for UPSs. These include
maintenance bypass systems, multiple AC inputs
and multiple paralleled rectifier/inverter modules.
These parallel modules are often configured in
what’s called an N+1 configuration where any one
module can fail yet still provide the capacity need-
ed for continuous power.
www.csemag.com
Figure 5: An example arrangement of modular uninterruptible power
supply equipment and its associated input and output buses and bat-
teries are contained within a common lineup. This arrangement allows
for additional UPS units to increase capacity. Courtesy: SmithGroup
The typical battery choices for UPS systems
include flooded cells, valve regulated lead acid and
lithium ion batteries.
Flooded cell batteries (or wet cell batteries)
have a long history in UPS systems; they usually
have very long life, but require frequent mainte-
nance such as fluid replacement, spill containment
provisions and present off-gassing issues and spe-
cial ventilation systems. Because of these issues
they have faded from popular use in UPS systems
Valve regulated lead acid batteries are sealed
and considered maintenance-free. The electrolyte
in the battery is immobilized using either gel or
absorbed glass matt. VRLA AGM batteries are the
current default standard for data center UPSs due
to improved safety and low maintenance. How-
ever, the battery life is often in the 5- to 10-year
range and the batteries required a very stable
room temperature around 77°F to avoid reduced
lifespan.
Lithium ion batteries are a newer technology
that offers significant improvements over VRLA
batteries, including longer life and tolerance to
higher room temperatures. When first introduced,
the cost increases where notable but have steadily
decline. One area of debate with lithium ion bat-
teries is their safety, and new standards such as
NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Sta-
tionary Energy Storage Systems address the spe-
cial accommodations for lithium ion batteries.
Mission critical facilities require numer-
ous considerations for designing and specifying
switchgear, transformers and UPS. This article
highlights some of the primary types, choices and
criteria for the engineer to review during planning
and design stages. cse
Brian Rener is a principal and mission critical lead-
er at SmithGroup. He is a member of the Consulting-
Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board.
Brandon Stanley is an associate and electrical disci-
pline leader at SmithGroup.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 53
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
By Mario Vecchiarello, PE, CEM, CDM Smith, Boston; and Timothy King, AIA, LEED AP, CDM Smith, Pittsburgh
How to design
for transformers,
switchgear and UPS
It is critical for electrical engineers to be involved early in the programming of
a facility to meet end users’ needs and cost constraints in facility construction
E
lectrical engineers should be involved
early in the programming of a build-
ing to meet occupants’ needs and to
understand the cost constraints of con-
struction. There are multifaceted inter-
disciplinary coordination issues that need to be
considered in the early planning stages.
Although the architect typically leads the devel-
opment of the new building’s design, the electrical
and mechanical engineers need to provide the archi-
tect with early input on the facility pro-
L Learning gramming to ensure that the electrical
and mechanical spaces are not only suffi-
OBJECTIVES ciently sized to accommodate the electri-
• Grasp multidiscipline design cal and mechanical equipment, but also
coordination awareness. consider certain code provisions related
• Understand that electrical design to large electrical equipment.
decisions may initiate a building
code requirement for other Design coordination
disciplines.
with the architect
• Provide awareness of the size The design of any building requires
of electrical equipment and the
spatial requirements around close coordination between all dis-
them. ciplines; electrical equipment space
needs to play an important role in that
design. All buildings, especially those with large
electrical loads and demand require well-thought-
out space needs that can often be overlooked dur-
ing the early design phase, resulting in inadequate
space allocation for the electrical equipment and
equipment of other trades.
During the early design, the architect will balance
many owner-driven requirements for space needs —
or programming of spaces — critical space functions
and adjacencies, the building and life safety codes,
adequate clearance and equipment access and long-
term operations of the facility. While the architect
is developing the building layout, the electrical and
54 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
mechanical designers are progressing through their
system and equipment selections, approach and
evaluation.
This early phase is challenging and critical to
developing a facility and that meets the owners’ bud-
get and functional requirements. At this point in the
design, involving the client in electrical equipment
selection and getting the client’s sign-off on the type
of equipment to be used will help to expedite the facil-
ity programming and coordination with the architect.
The architect will require input from the other
disciplines, including equipment layout for the elec-
trical room, type of equipment, equipment clearanc-
es, access requirements for the equipment and other
information. Factors that typically need to be coordi-
nated among design disciplines include several items.
Room location:
• Electrical room location within the overall
building footprint and other critical room adja-
cencies; consider vertical and horizontal con-
duit runs in and out of the electrical rooms.
• Number of rooms needed for electrical equip-
ment and the proximity of the electrical rooms
to each other.
• Utility power supply and relationship to utili-
ty-provided switch, transformers and possible
generators.
Layout, space needs and access:
• Electrical room equipment layout including
equipment size, configuration, access width
and depth.
www.csemag.com

• Provide adequate access aisle width for
electrical equipment installation and
replacement.
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
exhaust and/or cooling needs including duc-
twork, dampers and louvers.
• Electrical conduit and wiring from and
between equipment to reduce wiring cost.
Egress width and number of exits:
www.csemag.com
Figure 1: This graphic illustrates
how the single-line electrical dia-
gram translates into equipment
space needs, location and intercon-
nection. Courtesy: CDM Smith
‘ This early phase is challenging and critical
to developing a facility and that meets the
’
owners’ budget and functional requirements.
• Egress per building code, NFPA 101: Life
Safety Code and NFPA 70: National Electrical
Code. Provide the number and size of egress
doors.
• Distance between exits, egress path and point
of exit from the space or building.
Fire-rated walls and construction materials:
• Fire ratings and separation requirements
per the building code.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 55
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
• Wall materials, gypsum board or concrete
masonry block.
• Wall support capability for large electrical pan-
els or equipment support from the floor.
Planning-level code considerations around cer-
tain large electrical equipment will guide some of the
planning decisions in the programming of the facil-
ity. Below we will discuss various code requirements
that need to be considered when applying the above
factors during facility programming.
Electrical equipment selection
During the conceptual and preliminary design
phases of the project, when the facility program-
ming is being developed, it is critical that the electri-
cal engineer identify the type of electrical equipment
that will be specified for the project. Transformers,
switchgear and uninterruptable power supplies are
typically the three major pieces of electrical equip-
ment that drive the size, location and the adjacencies
of the electrical spaces that need to be considered
during programming.
However, sometimes the electrical engineers
overlook the unique electrical code provisions
applicable to the specific configurations in which
these pieces of equipment can be specified. Each of
these pieces of equipment is available in different
variations and ratings, which may drive the facility’s
size and configuration, the materials of construc-
tion, separation requirements and the fire protec-
tion methods.
56 • May 2020 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
Because it is typically the NEC that identifies
these specific provisions, it is imperative that the
electrical engineer work closely with the architect
and building mechanical engineer to ensure the elec-
trical code-driven requirements are understood and
incorporated into the architectural and mechanical
designs.
During the conceptual phase of a project, it is
important for the electrical engineer to develop a
preliminary single-line diagram depicting the antic-
ipated electrical distribution equipment needed to
supply the facility’s loads, identifying the type of
equipment to be specified and their corresponding
ratings. The equipment rating and number of loads
to be supplied by the equipment will have a direct
impact on its physical size.
Additionally, the type of transformer, switchgear
or UPS specified will also impact the physical size
and working space required around the equipment as
required by the NEC. The single-line diagram should
be shared with the architect with an explanation from
the electrical engineer describing the types of large
equipment, space needed and how the equipment is
interconnected. The coordination between the two
designers will provide a high-level understanding and
reduce the chance to undersize the needed space to
meet code and operational needs.
There are several code-driven requirements that
can impact the size, layout and construction meth-
ods required by the facility to accommodate trans-
formers, switchgear and UPS equipment.
Transformers
A facility’s electrical distribu-
tion system will typically include
multiple transformers to step util-
ity voltage down to more use-
ful voltage levels. The main
transformer(s) within a facility
may step the primary utility volt-
age down from 23 kilovolts to
4,160 volts to power large mechan-
ical equipment such as chillers and
large ventilation fans.
A second tier of transformers
may again step the voltage down
further from 4,160 volts to 480
volts to power intermediate sized
mechanical loads and a third to
step from 480 volts to 208/120 volts
to provide power to use equip-
ment. These transformers come in
Figure 2: This shows a 3D
model of a transformer room
and switchgear room. Cour-
tesy: CDM Smith
www.csemag.com
a wide variety of types and sizes. As such, each has
very specific code provisions that may affect building
construction materials and space requirements. Part
II of NEC Article 450 identifies these “Specific Provi-
sions Applicable to Different Types of Transformers.”
We will discuss each type (dry and liquid) and how
they may affect the building size and the fire ratings
of the rooms.
NEC sections 450.21(A) through (C) define
the provisions applicable to dry-type transformers
installed indoors. The transformer’s kilovolt-ampere
rating, voltage rating, insulation class and construc-
tion dictate which provisions apply. Table 1 summa-
rizes some of the code provisions that drive spatial
requirements and fire ratings.
Although dry-type transformers are the most
common type of transformer installed indoors, there
may be instances where a liquid insulated transform-
er is installed within a building or on the roof. These
types of transformers have much more stringent code
requirements than that of dry-type transformers.
Sections 450.23 through 450.27 of the NEC
address the code requirements for the various types of
liquid-insulated transformers. Except for nonflamma-
ble fluid-insulated and askarel-insulated transformers
rated 35 kilovolts and less, the code requires liquid-
insulated transformers to be installed within a trans-
former vault in accordance with NEC Article 450 Part
III “Transformer Vaults.”
Even when a nonflammable liquid-insulated trans-
former is not required to be installed within a vault, it
is still required to have liquid containment and pres-
sure relief venting that carries the gases to an environ-
mentally safe area. Below is a summary of some of the
code provisions for transformer vaults:
• The vault must be located with access to
outside ventilation air.
Walls, roof and floor to be constructed for:
• Structural integrity.
• Minimum fire resistance rating of three hours
(except for a one-hour rating where protected by
an automatic fire protection system).
• Drives the types of construction materials
permitted.
Doorway construction requirements include:
• The type of door construction and its
fire rating.
• The sill design must contain a spill of
transformer insulating oil.
• Personnel doors shall open in direction of egress
and be equipped with listed fire exit hardware.
• Locking hardware required to prevent unau-
thorized access.
Vault ventilation openings with respect to:
• Location from other building features and com-
bustible materials.
• Arrangement of the opening to allow
adequate natural ventilation.

Table 1: Understand spatial requirements

CODE REFERENCE DESCRIPTION EXCEPTIONS

NEC Section 450.21 (A)
Dry-Type 112.5 kilovolt-amperes
and less, installed indoors
NEC Section 450.21(B)
Dry-type more than 112.5 kilo-
volt-amperes, installed indoors
NEC Section 450.21(C)
Dry-type transformer more than
35,000 volts, installed indoors
GENERAL RULE:
Transformer shall have a separation of 12 inches from
combustibles unless separated from combustibles by a
fire-resistant, head-insulated barrier.
GENERAL RULE:
Transformer shall be installed in a transformer room
having a minimum of one-hour rating.
Install in transformer vault per NEC Article 450 Part III.
General rule does not apply if transformer is rated 1 kilo-
volt nominal and below and completely enclosed except for
ventilation openings.
• Transformer with Class 155 or higher insulation and either
separated from combustibles by a fire-resistant, heat-insu-
lating barrier or by not less than 6 feet horizontal and 12 feet
vertical.
• Transformer with Class 155 or higher insulation and com-
pletely enclosed except for ventilation openings.

NEC Section 450.22 Transformers exceeding 112.5 kilovolt-amperes shall

Dry-type transformer, installed not be within 12 inches of combustibles of building
outdoors unless insulation is rated Class 155 or greater and is
completely enclosed except for ventilating openings.

Table 1: Several NFPA 70: National Electrical Code provisions drive spatial requirements and fire ratings. The trans-
former’s kilovolt-ampere rating, voltage rating, insulation class and construction dictate which code provisions apply.
Courtesy: CDM Smith

www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 57

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
• Size of ventilation openings.
• Ventilation opening coverings.
• Fire-rated dampers that respond to a
vault fire.
• Fire-resistant ventilating ducts.
• HVAC equipment duct work and associated
piping.
It is important for the electrical engineer in
conjunction with the architect and the structural,
mechanical and fire protection engineers to eval-
uate the code requirements based on the specific
transformer(s) being specified.
Switchgear
Like transformers, switchgear and switchboards
come in a variety of configurations and ratings. The
specific provisions applicable to different types of
switchgear have a significant impact on the size of
the electrical space and materials of construction.
NEC Article 408 addresses the specific provisions for
switchgear installation.
• Section 408.18(A) stipulates that for other than
totally enclosed switchgear, a space of not less than 3
feet shall be provided between the top of the switch-
gear and any combustible ceiling unless a noncombus-
tible shield is provided between the switchboard and
ceiling. This could affect building height and the types
of materials of construction to be specified.
• Section 408.18 (B) addresses the broader
requirements of clearances around the switchgear
with compliance in accordance with the provisions
of NEC Section 110.26. Section 110.26 addresses the
clearances required for equipment operating at 1,000
volts nominal or less to ground, if medium voltage
equipment operating above 1,000 volts nominal to
Figure 3: This
displays medium-
voltage switch-
gear, which dem-
onstrates how
significantly larger
medium-voltage
equipment is
compared with
low-voltage equip-
ment. Courtesy:
CDM Smith
58 • May 2020 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
ground is being considered, sections 110.32 through
110.34 shall apply.
• The general rules of section 110.26(A)(3)
address the minimum height requirements of the
working space about electrical equipment, which
requires the height of the work space to extend from
grade, floor, etc. to a height of 6 ½ feet or to the
height of the equipment, whichever is greater.
• For switchgear operating 1,000 volts nomi-
nal or less, section 110.26 (A) requires the depth
of the working space, in the direction of live parts,
to be not less than that specified in NEC Table
110.26(A)(1).
• For switchgear operating above 1,000 volts
nominal, section 110.34 (A) requires the depth of
the working space, in the direction of live parts, to be
not less than that specified in NEC Table 110.34(A).
There are significant variations in the distance
requirements for clear working space depending
on nominal voltage to ground and the conditions
of installation which directly impact the size of the
electrical space. Figure 3 shows the comparison
between medium-voltage switchgear and low-volt-
age switchgear/switchboards, which demonstrates
that medium-voltage equipment is significantly
larger, and the type of low-voltage equipment spec-
ified also varies in size significantly.
Additional electrical code provisions that will
have an impact on the electrical space requirements
and the limitations imposed on the installation of
equipment by other trades are:
• Sections 110.26(C) and 110.33: Address the
minimum requirements for the entrance to and
egress from working space for electrical equipment
operating at 1,000 volts nominal or less and greater
than 1,000 volts nominal, respectively.
• Section 110.26(E): Dedicated equipment space
to a height of 6 feet above the electrical equipment
shall not have equipment foreign to the electrical
installation and shall not be installed in a way above
www.csemag.com
the dedicated space that could damage the equip-
ment from condensation, leaks, etc.
While the above code sections drive the mini-
mum spatial requirements around electrical equip-
ment, consideration must also be given to adequate
aisle width and height to allow for equipment installa-
tion or removal. The designers must also ensure that
doors, corridors and elevators that provide access to
the electrical spaces are adequately sized and specified
to accommodate equipment access.
For medium-voltage switchgear, it is common
to have station batteries to provide control power to
operate the electrically operated breakers. These bat-
tery systems typically consist of a battery charger,
direct current distribution equipment and several bat-
tery cells connected in series to make up a battery sys-
tem rated for 125 or 48 volts DC.
In addition to the spatial requirements associat-
ed with the switchgear, the design team also needs
to pay attention to the code requirements associat-
ed with the installation of batteries per NEC Article
480 “Storage Batteries” and the accompanying codes
and requirements with regard to battery storage type
UPS systems.
Uninterruptable power supply
UPSs for use in emergency systems, as defined
by NEC Article 700, typically consist of an invert-
er with storage battery. As with the transformers
and switchgear, these systems have specific provi-
sions applicable to the type of system selected. When
these systems are used as life safety systems, they are
required to be located within two-hour fire rated
rooms or to be installed in spaces fully protected
by approved automatic fire suppression systems per
NEC Section 700.12(B).
For battery storage type UPS systems, NEC Arti-
cle 480 would be the primary code that applies to the
battery installation. However, the informational note
under NEC Section 480.1 references several IEEE
recommended practices and UL standards related to
the sizing and installation of the various types of bat-
teries that the facility designers must become famil-
iar with. Also, the battery installation shall comply
with Chapter 52 (“Energy Storage Systems”) of NFPA
1: Fire Code. There are various requirements per-
taining to location, ventilation, battery type, means
of egress, fire rating, etc.
Emergency/standby generators
Although generator-based emergency standby
systems are beyond the purview of this article, it is
necessary for readers to understand the standards
associated with the installation and operation of
these systems because of their significant impact on
facility programming.
For generator-based emergency standby systems
installed indoors, the design team needs to consid-
www.csemag.com
er supply air for combustion, ventilation systems to
remove heat dissipated from the generator, exhaust sys-
tem installation and the fuel storage requirements for
on-site fuel. In applying these factors, the design team
must consider additional standards that will influence
design decisions. For instance, NFPA 110: Standard
for Emergency and Standby Power Systems contains
requirements for the performance of the emergency
power supply and environmental considerations.
NFPA 37: Standard for the Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines
establishes criteria for minimizing fire hazards asso-
ciated with the installation and operation of station-
ary combustion engines and gas turbines. Like the
NEC, these standards drive clearances around the
equipment, materials of construction and fire pro-
tection measures that need to be applied.
Coordinating efforts
The numerous code and design considerations
that should be evaluated during the early design
phase of the project for large electrical equipment
including transformers, switchgear and UPS can be
summarized with the following:
• The architect is concentrating on the building
program and layout of the entire building and
needs help understanding the electrical room
requirements.
• The electrical engineer should explain the sin-
gle-line electrical diagram to the architect so
they can understand the relationship of the
large equipment to each other, the site and the
electrical room.
• The electrical engineer should provide simple
electrical room layouts with key equipment,
clearance and space needs considering HVAC
and exhaust needs.
• The architect and structural engineer should
ensure the building walls and floors meet the
fire ratings and can support the equipment
structural loads, including seismic supports.
• The electrical engineer should be prepared to
study the various code requirements in detail
and communicate your findings to the archi-
tect and the mechanical leads. cse
Mario Vecchiarello is a senior vice president and technical
delivery manager at CDM Smith. He is a member of the
Consulting-Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board.
Timothy King is an architect and vice president at
CDM Smith with 28 years of experience in planning
and design of buildings.
consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 59
ENGINEERING INSIGHTS
MEP ROUNDTABLE
Warehouse, manufacturing
facilities go high-tech
Warehouse, manufacturing and logistics buildings are more than simple boxy
structures used to make products and store them before they move onto their
next destination. Engineers working find these facilities can be as complex
and advanced as any other building
CSE: What’s the current trend
in warehouse, manufacturing and
logistics facilities?
Leonard Belliveau Jr.: One of the
strategic accounts I am responsible for is
working with a very large corporation that
ships packages throughout the U.S. and
Canada. Due to the nature of the work
involved, this client has more than 600
strategically located different sized distri-
bution facilities and warehouses to get the
packages to where they need to go.
The biggest trend that I see in this
industry is the want, desire and need to
be the fastest and most accurate shipping
mechanism out there. The industry play-
ers have been offering the free two-day
shipping option and many of them are
looking into the free one-day shipping as
a possibility. Seven-day package sorting
and shipping is also a trend that is taking
over this industry.
Jason R. Gerke: Our firm is seeing a
request for manufacturing facilities that
were once considered heavy industrial
and dirty processes to be high-tech and
clean. This request is being addressed
with special filtration systems, integrat-
ed control systems connecting process-
Leonard Belliveau
Jr., PE, SET
Vice President, Strate-
gic Accounts
Jensen Hughes
Framingham, Mass.
60 • May 2020 consulting-specifying engineer
es not otherwise interacting and a high
level of design phase coordination for
system layouts.
George D. Halkias: Multistory
warehouses are not just a trend — they
are occurring in more densely popu-
lated areas. To reduce the distance and
therefore the cost, of the “last mile” of
deliveries, warehouse spaces are reenter-
ing larger suburbs and sometimes urban
areas. Multistory warehouses and auto-
mated storage systems, like automated
storage and retrieval systems, are also
becoming more common and the call
for more dense storage solutions will
continue to increase due to the projects
occurring in more populated subur-
ban and urban areas. Additionally, this
trend is increasing due to the operation-
al needs of fulfilment activities being
included in distribution operations.
Moving small or single pieces vertical-
ly is more effective in both real estate
usage and in material handling.
Josh Meinig: Energy efficiency.
Doug Sandridge: For warehouse dis-
tribution centers, it is about turn over.
The size and use of the warehouse need
to match up with a minimum number
of days for turnover of the entire ware-
Jason R. Gerke,
PE, CxA, LEED AP
BD+C
Practice Area Leader –
Mechanical/Plumbing |
Principal
GRAEF
Milwaukee
house (days it takes to empty the entire
warehouse inventory). Manufactur-
ing facilities are being streamlined for
maximum production in the optimal
(minimal) space. Construction budgets
are tight and engineering fees are com-
petitive for warehouse and cold storage
facilities.
CSE: What future trends should
engineers and designers expect for
such projects?
Halkias: The future is here. With
unprecedented requests for shorter proj-
ect durations, more distribution net-
work capacity and a reduction in retail
real estate footprints, the demand for
reduced delivery times for online shop-
ping is outpacing the markets abili-
ty to meet the demand. Engineers and
designers (and also construction profes-
sionals) should expect to move forward
on their projects in this space without
all of the information that would be tra-
ditionally required.
Sandridge: The absorption rates of
industrial properties in most parts of the
country are very low. In states with can-
nabis, empty warehouses are rarely left
George D. Halkias,
AIA, LEED AP,
NCARB
Senior Principal
Stantec
Pittsburgh
www.csemag.com
on the market for long. New warehouse
facilities are being built with speed and
economy and are high in demand.
Belliveau: One recent trend that was
a future trend, but now in the face of the
COVID-19 pandemic is a reality, is the
no-contact drop-shipping delivery meth-
od. There is a push for more automation.
One of the more interesting concepts that
is being explored is the use of drones for
shipping and delivering packages to clients.
In the warehouses and distribution
facilities with more automation comes
a reduction in people, but an increase
in machinery, wires and cable and other
materials that may not have been origi-
nally thought of when the facilities were
first built and the fire protection and
other code compliance measures were
put in place to protect the buildings.
Engineers and designers need to take
into account whether these machines
and materials add to the combustibles
assessment of what is in the building
in the terms of additional plastics and
wires and cables, power consumption,
hydraulic fluids and other oils that are
required to make these pieces of equip-
ment function.
Gerke: Design professionals should
anticipate these types of facilities will
require more connected control systems
in the manufacturing environment. Ener-
gy use in all building types, but especially Figure 1: According to Josh Meinig of CDM Smith, a decline in brick-and-mor-
in manufacturing is receiving additional tar retailers is leading to an increase in warehouse and logistics facilities, sup-
scrutiny as the entire design and construc- porting the accompanying increase in online commerce. Courtesy: CDM Smith
tion industry works to create lower energy
use buildings. This drive for lower energy
use buildings is driven by owners’ desires Sandridge: This is called the last tics facilities are growing rapidly. As the
for long term operational savings as well mile, products arriving directly to the old saying goes, time is money holds
as corporate commitments to goals such consumer’s front door. The vast majority very true for this industry. Delivering
as the 2030 Commitment by the AIA to of the retail, pharmacy and grocery mar- the project on time and on budget is a
support the 2030 Challenge. ket sector is rapidly evolving to accom- necessity in this industry.
Meinig: Balancing thermal comfort modate and streamline the last mile. The Halkias: Immediate delivery services
and energy usage. stay at home impact from COVID-19 (less than one day) is the next large trend
may reshape or accelerate changes in the in the warehouse, distribution and fulfill-
CSE: How is the growth of imme- last mile. Will consumers return to the ment center space. We have been seeing
diate-delivery services impacting stores, like before? the impacts of this trend as well. More
warehouse and logistics facility Meinig: With dwindling brick and distribution spaces are being called for in
projects? mortar retailers, warehouses and logis- almost every geography. With a shortage
of available move-in ready leased space,
some companies are building their own
Josh Meinig, PE Doug Sandridge, networks of distribution buildings. As
Senior Mechanical PE many consumers globally have increased
Engineer Principal (and will be increasing) their online
CDM Smith RTM Engineering shopping the push for much more capac-
Maitland, Fla. Consultants ity in this space will be exponential in
Wheat Ridge, Colo.
2020 and 2021.
Belliveau: Because of the emergence
of the immediate-delivery services, the

www.csemag.com consulting-specifying engineer May 2020 • 61

 ENGINEERING INSIGHTS
MEP ROUNDTABLE

amount of throughput is increasing.
These facilities are seeing more pack-
ages come through. Shifts are being
added so that in some cases facili-
ties are running 24/7. Wear and tear
on the machines require technicians
and mechanics to keep a regular pre-
ventive maintenance routine as well as
dealing with the immediate concerns of
Temperatures So Accurate,
machinery malfunction and or break-
down that will need to be repaired to
minimize the down time.
CSE: What types of challenges
do you encounter for these types
of projects that you might not
face on other types of structures?
Belliveau: Warehouses bring a lot of
challenges that your typical rectangular
five-story office building do not bring.
A lot of times the buildings consist of
one very large space that is not subdi-
vided into smaller spaces. There can be
lots of complex machinery and/or an
interwoven menagerie of conveyers that
move products from place to place. This
equipment poses challenges
Halkias: Schedule, schedule and
schedule. Speed to market is the only
conversation. How quickly can we
design, permit and construct are the
issues on every project in this space? The

You’ll Be Steamed You Didn’t challenges of “schedule stacking” and the

risks associated with that activity for all
the project components needs to be dis-
Install One Sooner cussed at the outset of these projects, so
that all parties can manage their expec-
tations and risks. For existing structures
(especially those built under previous
codes) the additional challenges sur-
rounding air conditioning, increasing
ventilation and more stringent fire pro-
tection are the most common. For these
older structures, these issues usually add
insulation requirements and air change
requirements that are costly and time-
consuming to implement.
Sandridge: Automation systems and
robotics are changing the way these facil-
ities are being designed. It’s all about
speed, both for storage and retrieval.
Automation in fulfillment centers is in
response the last mile race.
Meinig: With maximizing storage
space, room for mechanical equipment
is at a premium. Innovative was to con-
dition the space must be used. Anoth-
er challenge for these massive spaces is
fuel source for heating. The site must be
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input #14 at www.csemag.com/information