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Product Gallery | Case Studies | Showcase: BAS |
Factory-tested copper cabling system comes with preterminated cable assemblies in custom lengths and configurations. The QuickNet cabling system assemblies include cassettes, jack modules and plug terminations with UTP cable  for Category 6 applications or UTP/STP cable for 10GBASE-T applications. System can be used with up to 48 ports in one rack space. A 25-year warranty is available. Panduit
Soft starters include full set of knob-adjustable functions for starting and stopping 3 to 45 A, three-phase motors ranging up to 600 VAC. The PSR model units are available in three widths ranging from 1.77 to 2.13 inches. Units can be made part of an automation control system to provide closed-loop control or operator indication. ABB
Facilities benchmarking service uses database of more than 41,000 buildings to help organizations compare facility performance to those in a peer group. Comparisons of measures — such as indices of facility condition, replacement value and requirement costs — are made to a peer group based on market, region, facility type and other criteria. VFA
Capacity-modulation scroll compressor adjusts to applications with widely varying loads to maintain temperatures within a half degree Fahrenheit. Copeland scroll digital compressor for refrigeration applications changes capacity from 10 to 100 percent and achieves a linear reduction in power use as capacity decreases. Emerson Climate Technologies
Video security system provides a panoramic view to  simulate human vision, allowing security personnel to view images from multiple adjacent cameras as a complete scene. Remote viewing capabilities of Video Panorama allow multiple locations to be monitored simultaneously from a single location. Intellivision
 Exit control locks feature steel paddle with photoluminescent text available in multiple languages. Steel paddle comes with every lock in the ECL-230 family. Locks can withstand more than 2,200 pounds of outside pull force and have a 1-inch throw bolt to resist outside crowbar attacks. Locks are available in black or gray finishes. Detex Corp.
Ventilated cement-board stucco for exteriors resists moisture and includes a drainage cavity. The StoQuik Silver NExT-Ventilated system meets structural racking and fire code requirements when applied over the appropriate plywood or OSB sheathings. The system features a ready-mixed, polymer-based finish available in a variety of colors, textures and designs. Sto Corp.
Infrared camera can store up to 1,000 jpeg images on a removable memory card, allowing the photos to be inserted into e-mail messages and Microsoft documents. The 1.25-pound BCAM SD has a seven-hour battery life and a temperature measurement range between 14 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Dew point and insulation alarms help identify moisture penetration and insulation defects. Flir Systems
 Solid brass faucets with chrome finishes feature contemporary styling and vandal-resistant designs. The heavy-duty two-handle commercial faucet series has recessed aerators that can’t be removed without a special tool. ADA-compliant faucets are fitted with stainless steel Torx head screws to resist tampering. Available in centerset and widespread lavatory faucets, among others. Moen
Intercom system is designed to meet the Area of Rescue Assistance communication requirements defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Pro-Alert 480 multiplexed intercom system operates over a common category 5 cable using addressable call stations to conduct hands-free, two-way communication with the master station. System can accommodate high-rise buildings. Jeron Electronic Systems
Rack monitor detects dangers to data centers and IT equipment brought on by heat, smoke, water leaks, cabinet intrusions and other conditions. The Environmental Rack Monitor features a built-in Web server and is accessible anywhere through a standard Web browser. Product displays real-time status to a PC, Internet-ready device or network management system and automatically notifies designated recipients of out-of-range conditions, via e-mail, PDA or pager. Eaton
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Side chair features 2-inch-thick cushions resting on a solid hardwood frame of mortise-and-tenon construction. The Alia guest chair is constructed of Forest Stewardship Council-certified maple veneer and solids and includes a catalyzed lacquer finish organized in a range of light, medium and dark tones. A natural wood panel makes up the chair’s back. Cumberland Furniture
Communications system for evacuations and disaster recovery provides two-way communications between building owners and occupants through recorded voice and advanced text-to-speech options. Workspeed Notifications, which complies with New York Local Law 26, also serves as a central repository for emergency contact information and allows for full tracking and real-time response reporting. Workspeed
Wireless synchronization system distributes updated time to network clients, analog and digital clocks, and any medical devices, surveillance equipment and access control systems on the network. The NetClock WiSync system includes a GPS-based network time server, a variety of analog and digital clocks, and management software. System requires no special licenses to ensure interference-free operation. Spectracom
Exterior light fixture is adaptable for fluorescent, incandescent or HID lamps. The 11-1/2-foot tall Linear Post FCW5024, classified as a bollard, is constructed of heavy gauge extrusions and die-cast aluminum. A polyester powder-coat finish is available in standard black or white. Custom colors are available. FC Lighting
Rubber flooring installation tape system requires no adhesive mixing or waiting for glue to set or cure. The nora dryfix system allows flooring and welding to be done the same day, can be installed over smooth surface flooring and requires no mechanical preparation when installed over non-porous surfaces. Product is Greenguard indoor air quality certified. Freudenberg Building Systems
 Wireless technology identifies open-circuit events caused by short circuits or overloads and then notifies facility personnel by phone, e-mail or fax of the circuit’s location and what fuses and personal protective equipment may be necessary to close the circuit. InVision communicates through a secure Internet-based application that displays the status of circuits and allows monitoring of trend reports. Cooper Bussman
 Compact dimmers feature wireless DMX option, LED digital display, four- and six-channel capacity, and 600 and 1,200 watts per channel. The XC Series of dimmers also has an architectural interface and lightweight design with rounded edges and a black finish. A five-year warranty is available. Litetronics
Wall-switch occupancy sensor uses passive infrared detection technology to automatically switch lights on once occupancy is detected. The Decora wall switch sensor switches lights off after a user-specified time interval. The company’s wall switch vacancy sensor switches lights off after determining a room is unoccupied. Both models feature a 180-degree field-of-view with approximately 1,200 feet of coverage. Leviton
Cigarette receptacle features oxygen-restricting design to extinguish cigarettes in seconds. Capable of holding 1,000 cigarette butts, the Pig Butt Catcher smoke-free column’s polyethylene construction can be cleaned with soap and water. The unit is available in black and dark brown color combinations and can be filled with 45 pounds of sand or gravel for added stability. New Pig Corp.
Network recorders capture video from up to 16 IP network cameras and allow users to set resolution, motion detection characteristics and alarm recording features for each device. The IPR Series supports megapixel IP cameras and operates on a Windows-based platform. On-board software allows for simultaneous recording, playback and remote streaming of live video images retrievable on a PC. Toshiba America Information Systems
Correction:
The article “REIT Makes Efficiency Its Business” in the April issue incorrectly reported the number of water leaks in AFR properties and the savings achieved in one building. AFR actually identified 91 water leaks in 2006 for a total savings of $139,402. |
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| Sound Masking Solves Monstrous Acoustical Problem
Modern open-plan office spaces, such as Monster.com’s Maynard, Mass., workspace, often pose real problems for acoustical privacy. Monster.com wanted to keep the style of the 100-year old former mill building, but the exposed brick, wooden beams and large windows combined to create an acoustical challenge.
To foster acoustical privacy for employees, the Oasis Qt sound masking system was installed. The system uses small speakers installed directly in the workspace as opposed to speakers located in the ceiling plenum. Because Monster.com’s modern office does not have a drop ceiling, a direct-field system was necessary.
The system is pre-programmed to emit an airflow-like “whoosh” that blends into the office environment. The sound’s frequency spectrum is the same as the human voice, reducing distractions and helping to ensure speech privacy.
Employees at Monster.com say they don’t notice the sound masking system until it’s accidentally turned off and they can hear conversations from across the room.
CAMBRIDGE SOUND MANAGEMENT
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| Creative Agency Gets Creative Ceiling
Using specialty ceilings as an artistic element is one of the latest trends in commercial design. By integrating materials as diverse as wood, metal, plastic, acrylic and glass into unusual forms and shapes, these unconventional ceilings not only make visual statements, but also enhance the emotional feel of a space.
Case in point: An advertising agency in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile wanted to modernize its 600-square-foot boardroom to fit with the company’s advertising visions — bold colors  and cropped images. Designers for the project decided one way to add the “pop” factor the agency, DRAFT FCB, wanted was to use a specialty ceiling that incorporates three-dimensional shapes, cool colors and creative lighting.
The firm decided on USG’s TOPO three-dimensional system. The 12-by-24-foot translucent ceiling features 24-inch panels that transform the flat ceiling plane into an undulating landscape without overpowering the 12-by-38-foot space. The ceiling also accents a long conference table, plasma and video screens, and tack board surfaces.
USG
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| Lamp Recycling has Minimal Cost Impact, Firm Finds
In January 2005, Trammell Crow Company began an effort to recycle fluorescent lamps in the MidAtlantic Division, reports Mark Aaron Polhemus, vice president and director of engineering. Two methods were used to recycle and dispose of fluorescent lamps in office buildings. A cost analysis based on a benchmark of 300,000 square feet of office space shows that lamp recycling had a minimal cost impact on overall operating expenses, says Polhemus.
The first option involved purchase of a bulb crusher machine mounted on a disposal drum. The drum holds about 700 pounds of spent lamps; material in each drum is disposed of twice a year. The machine cost $2,750 and the disposal cost is $580 per year.
The second option is a collection program sponsored by a licensed and permitted recycling depot that supplies boxes holding about 70 pounds of lamps each. These are shipped to the depot when full. The cost is about $70 per box for shipping and disposal, with 20 boxes shipped per year, or 1,400 pounds a year.
For a 300,000-square-foot building, 1,400 pounds of lamps comes to 214 square feet per pound. Disposal cost for option 1 is $0.81 per pound (including the cost of the machine amortized over 5 years). For option 2 the cost is $1.00 per pound.
Quantifying Costs
For a benchmark office building of 300,000 square feet, with an annual operating expense budget of $16 per square foot, and a waste management expense component of $0.10 per square foot, the cost of lamp recycling is small, the analysis found.
Option 1, including the cost of the machine, came to $0.0037 per square foot, a 3.7 percent increase in waste management expenses and a .00023 percent increase in total operating expenses. Option 2 cost $0.0046 per square foot, a 4.6 percent increase in waste management expenses and a .00029 percent increase in operating expenses.
Benefits of the program included a small savings in landfill disposal fees, a reduction in risk and liability associated with improper disposal, and a reduction in mercury disposed of in landfills, according to Polhemus. The effort also brought opportunities to participate in EPA-sponsored programs to improve operations.
Professional advisors provided regulatory guidance for each state involved. All treatment and recycling protocols are managed through EPA-approved, licensed and permitted facilities, which certify and document compliance.
AIR CYCLE
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Six Questions Can Aid in BAS Planning
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Automated Logic
WebCTRL offers graphical programming, hierarchical scheduling, and automatic setpoint optimization, along with intuitive graphical user interface and Web-based operator access. Features include learning adaptive optimal start, request-based control and demand level setpoint adjustment to control peak demand. XML/SOAP integrates system with utility systems, weather forecasts and similar applications
Johnson Controls
The Network Control Engine is a BACnet building controller listed by the BACnet Testing Labs. The product combines an IP-based supervisory controller with a Web-based user interface, an adaptive, self-tuning, DDC controller, and expansion capability for BACnet, LonWorks or N2Open devices.
 Trane
Version 17 of Tracer Summit includes features that enable easier tracking of key data. A trend viewer streamlines trend set-up and provides the ability to overlay alarms, events and overrides. The event log and expanded messaging help operators respond to alarm conditions. Animated three-dimensional graphics of HVAC units provide improved visual representation. Simplified onscreen controls let operators manually override temperatures or status.
Tridium
Niagara is a software framework that integrates building automation, energy and security functions by means of a single, scalable software platform. Connects to almost any device, including ones based on BACnet, LonWorks, ModBus, SNMP and OPC, regardless of manufacturer or communication protocol, according to the company.
Circon Systems
LonMark-certified elevator and access control solution is capable of performing individual floor-by-floor control from a single front-end interface. The number of elevator cabs and floors the system can manage is unlimited. Each floor can have unique schedules, unique access privileges, anti-tailgating and “which button pressed” feedback information.
Trend
Web-enabled IQ3xcite controller offers flexible remote access to building management systems. The controller uses Ethernet and TCP/IP networking technologies and incorporates a Web server to deliver user-specific Web pages to a PC or mobile device running Internet browser software. The controllers are also compatible with the traditional IQ system protocol.
Cimetrics
Infometrics enables remote monitoring and ongoing commissioning of building systems. An Infometrics program provides algorithm-based analysis of continuously collected building automation data. Periodic reports include management information on energy consumption and mechanical system performance as well as specific recommendations. Target energy consumption and operational characteristics are identified and variances from predicted results are analyzed. Problems are identified and measures for remediation are recommended.
 t.a.c.
The Vista 5 building management system provides analysis of facility alarms; gathering and managing of data needed for day-to-day operations, energy management, and developing facility operations strategies; and a new, enhanced graphics capability. Graphical elements allow objects to be controlled by real-time data and user side scripts. Graphics library contains ready-made symbols, and graphics can be re-used in the same or new installations.
KMC Controls
WinControl XL Plus gives users control over temperature, humidity, overrides, status, alarms and logs. System can display, save and export performance data, schedule for holidays and special events, monitor and change system from remote locations, and alert operators to alarms and special conditions. Features worksheet-style entry system, custom graphic interfaces and multiple connection methods, including Ethernet, USB and remote access.
 Reliable Controls
MACH-ProCom 32-bit scalable building controller works with a variety of open and proprietary protocols, including BACnet, RCP, SMTP, and Modbus RTU and TCP. The controller’s database allows users to define up to 160 universal I/O on a single address. Points can be added using universal I/O expansion models. The controller mounts directly to equipment or enclosure.
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Alerton
BACtalk building security system is an integrated, Web-based system for access control, intrusion detection and alarm monitoring. The system integrates with BAS,  enabling users to control lighting, HVAC equipment and other BACnet-based systems in response to access events and alarm conditions. The system has three components — a security controller, remote 2-reader module and an I/O module — and can be expanded to control up to 16 card readers or entryways.
Honeywell
The Enterprise Buildings Integrator integrates HVAC, security and life safety systems and allows operators to control these functions from a single workstation. Features include Web client access and integration options for LON and BACnet devices. An upgraded diagnostic framework improves troubleshooting. System can receive automatic software updates and patches through Honeywell Service Online, a suite of online service tools.
 Fieldserver Technologies
The SlotServer ControlLogix/BACnet IP Interface Module enables the user to interface third party devices using BACnet IP to the Allen Bradley ControlLogix 1756 platform. It has a standard 1756 format that plugs directly into the rack, a BBMD-supported 10BaseT IP connection, and a trade port for advanced troubleshooting. BACnet PIC Statement also available.
Siemens Building Technologies
APOGEE wireless field-level and automation-level networks control HVAC systems. The company’s wireless field-level networks create multiple redundant paths of communication through a mesh topology that is self-healing.
 Teletrol
The eBuilding line is a BACnet-compliant, integrated set of components including network level controllers, programmable and preprogrammed unitary controllers, a modular I/O system and configuration and user interface software. HTTP and XML are used for controller data communication. Users can remotely view animated Web sites and modify control logic and operator graphics over the Internet through standard firewalls without special ports.
Computrols
CBAS Professional can communicate with an unlimited number of hardware and software points. The system comes with a server license plus two additional licenses. More workstations can be added as needed, with workstations functioning remotely via the Internet. Features include auto-tuning PID control loops, text or graphics view options, password customization and stand-alone controllers that can receive information from the head-end.
Delta
The company’s native BACnet BAS includes HVAC, lighting, card access and CCTV. The system uses card  swipes to unlock authorized areas and activate associated lighting and temperature control systems. Existing IP/Ethernet cabling can be used as a backbone for communication. The system can be accessed with a single Web-based operator workstation.
Staefa
Talon control system can integrate LonWork, BACnet, ModBus and other communication protocols. User interface allows any authorized users to control the building environment from a Web browser or wireless Web device. Control system migration options eliminate the need to replace already installed controls, according to the company.
Echelon
The i.LON server enables remote monitoring and control of LonWorks BAS and devices, ModBus equipment, energy meters, and legacy equipment. The product’s Web services interface collects real-time data and sends it to the user via the Internet. Distributed BAS systems are able to contribute to demand-response and energy-management applications.
 American Auto-matrix
The SBC-SD touch-screen local-user interface for HVAC building applications is designed to allow users the ability to access and modify live data from any of 150 configurable points. Tiered password protection. Product can be wall-mounted.
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