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input #1 at www.csemag.com/information
Nemours Children’s Hospital provides

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input #2 at www.csemag.com/information
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input #3 at www.csemag.com/information
MACH-ProView ™
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input #4 at www.csemag.com/information

www.reliablecontrols.com/MPV
 NEWS&BUSINESS

CAREER SMART
How to create
VIEWPOINT 11 productive working
relationships
Keeping
7 efficiency real Understanding how to properly
communicate with decision-makers is key
While some may scoff at environ-
to a successful building project.
mental change, there isn’t a big
Richard D. Miller,
downside to becoming—and making
PE, LEED AP BD+C, FASHRAE
buildings—more efficient.
Amara Rozgus

FUTURE OF ENGINEERING
37% of engineers have observed a How to establish
change in HVAC systems and integration 13 long-term client
engagement
with other systems over the past Analytics tools and data anal-
12 to18 months. ysis allows for successful, long-term client
engagement.
Source: Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2017 HVAC & Brice Kosnik
Building Automation Systems Study

Changes observed in BAS for educational facilities

over past 12 to 18 months
Budget/cost of projects
or product specified

Integration 42%
51%

M More
RESOURCES
Interoperability 42% Obtain more professional development information at
Internet of Things 36%
www.csemag.com/careersmart
Energy efficiency 36%
Find more research results at
www.csemag.com/research
Codes and standards 29%
Read about the 2017 MEP Giants at
Protocols 29%
(e.g. BACnet, LonWorks) www.csemag.com/giants.

RESEARCH
2017 HVAC, BAS
9 in educational facilities
ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES
Use the icons to identify topics of interest.
This highlights five engineering and design find- AUTOMATION & CONTROLS HVAC
ings as they relate to HVAC and BAS in educa- COMMUNICATIONS LIGHTING
tional facility projects.
ELECTRICAL PLUMBING
Amanda Pelliccione
FIRE, SECURITY & LIFE SAFETY

www.csemag.com CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 5

 is building a higher standard
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input #5 at www.csemag.com/information

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 NEWS&BUSINESS
VIEWPOINT
CONTENT SPECIALISTS/EDITORIAL
AMARA ROZGUS, Editor-in-Chief/Content Strategy Leader
630-571-4070 x2211, ARozgus@CFEMedia.com
EMILY GUENTHER, Associate Content Manager

Keeping efficiency real

EGuenther@CFEMedia.com
AMANDA PELLICCIONE, Director of Research
APelliccione@CFEMedia.com
MICHAEL SMITH, Creative Director
MSmith@CFEmedia.com While some may scoff at environmental change, there isn’t
ELISA GEISHEIMER, Production Coordinator
630-571-4070 x2213, EGeisheimer@CFEMedia.com a big downside to becoming—and making buildings—
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD more efficient.

A
PETER ALSPACH, PE, LEED AP BD+C,
Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Arup, Seattle
t the end of a recent confer- (architect, engineer, contractor, interior
JERRY BAUERS, PE,
Vice President, NV5, Kansas City, Mo. ence, I had an interesting designer, etc.) do to make the building
MICHAEL CHOW, PE, LEED AP BD+C, conversation with a gentle- as efficient as possible from cradle to
Principal, Metro CD Engineering LLC, Columbus, Ohio
man who ran conferenc- cradle? How do we work within existing
TOM DIVINE, PE,
Senior Electrical Engineer, es for a living. The education sessions buildings to retrofit for more sustain-
Smith Seckman Reid Inc., Houston and trade show expo were over, and ability while still meeting occupants’
CORY DUGGIN, PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP,
Energy Modeling Wizard, TLC Engineering for
manufacturers, engineers, and build- needs? Can technology be leveraged to
Architecture Inc., Brentwood, Tenn. ing experts were slowly leav- eliminate inefficiencies?
ROBERT J. GARRA JR., PE, CDT, ing the city. While waiting for The conference manag-
Vice President, Electrical Engineer,
CannonDesign, Grand Island, N.Y. our flights, we chatted about er I was chatting with saw
JASON GERKE, PE, LEED AP BD+C, C X A, how different this confer- different aspects of the con-
Mechanical Engineer, GRAEF, Milwaukee ence was from others he had vention that I didn’t see. He
JOSHUA D. GREENE, PE,
Vice President, JENSEN HUGHES, Framingham, Mass.
attended or managed. realized that many of the
RAYMOND GRILL, PE, FSFPE, His first impression: This expo materials were reused,
Principal, Arup, Washington, D.C. was the most energy-efficient donated, recycled, or other-
DANNA JENSEN, PE, LEED AP BD+C, event he had ever attended. wise found a second life. He
Senior Vice President, WSP, Dallas Amara Rozgus,
WILLIAM KOFFEL, PE, FSFPE,
Waste from exhibit booths marveled at the dedication
Editor-in-Chief
President, Koffel Associates Inc., Columbia, Md. was either recycled or donat- of the volunteers and attend-
WILLIAM KOSIK, PE, CEM, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP, ed. Attendees walked, used ees in making the experience
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Mission Critical,
exp US Services Inc., Chicago ride-share options, or took public trans- both appealing and planet-friendly.
KENNETH KUTSMEDA, PE, LEED AP, portation to get from their hotel to the While not a building designer himself,
Engineering Manager, Jacobs, Philadelphia
convention center (and I’ll bet many he appreciated the deep dives present-
JULIANNE LAUE, PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP,
Senior MEP Engineer, Center for Sustainable Energy, offset their flight’s carbon emissions). ers took to discuss energy efficiency, cli-
Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis Consumer waste during the education mate change, and smart buildings and
DAVID LOWREY,
Chief Fire Marshal, Boulder (Colo.) Fire Rescue
sessions and on the convention floor cities.
BRIAN MARTIN, PE,
was carefully recycled, composted, or We both wondered the same things
Senior Electrical Engineer, Buildings and Places, properly disposed of. as we discussed the various experi-
AECOM, Portland, Ore.
If you’ve been to this event, you ences we’d had at the conference: Why
DWAYNE G. MILLER, PE, RCDD, AEE CPQ,
Chief Executive Officer, NV5, Las Vegas know exactly which one I’m talk- didn’t all conferences, expos, educa-
RODNEY V. OATHOUT, PE, CEM, LEED AP, ing about. You’ve carried around your tion sessions, and events do this? Could
Principal, Regional Engineering Leader,
DLR Group, Overland Park, Kan.
reusable water bottle. You know that all event planners acquire food locally
FREDDY PADILLA, PE, ATD, you can compost certain things, while to cut down on transportation? Why
Principal/Senior Electrical Engineer, Page, Austin, Texas other items go into the landfill. (Note: weren’t all industries working smarter
GREGORY QUINN, PE, NCEES, LEED AP,
Principal, Health Care Market Leader,
I had no idea gum goes into the land- to achieve greater efficiencies in reduc-
Affiliated Engineers Inc., Madison, Wis. fill. That may change my gum-chewing ing waste? How could each of us, no
BRIAN A. RENER, PE, LEED AP, habits.) You know that everyone at the matter our background or job descrip-
Associate, SmithGroupJJR, Chicago
conference is as sustainable as humanly tion, become less wasteful?
SUNONDO ROY, PE, LEED AP BD+C,
Vice President, CCJM Engineers Ltd., Chicago possible—or at least tries to be. There A lot more than I know or hear
RANDY SCHRECENGOST, PE, CEM, are no naysayers trying to push climate about occurs at professional events, in
Austin Operations Group Manager and
Senior Mechanical Engineer,
change as a “myth.” building projects, and at the person-
Stanley Consultants, Austin, Texas Building engineering rises to a al level. While many practices in place
MARIO VECCHIARELLO, PE, CEM, GBE, whole new level in conference discus- don’t allow all of us to be as efficient as
Senior Vice President, CDM Smith Inc., Boston
RICHARD VEDVIK, PE,
sions. How do we design a new build- possible, I’m still going to try. First on
Senior Electrical Engineer and Acoustics Engineer, ing to be net zero? What can all parties my list: Switch to mints.
IMEG Corp., Rock Island, Ill.
MIKE WALTERS, PE, LEED AP,
Campus Energy Market Leader, MEP Associates, Verona, Wis.
JOHN YOON, PE, LEED AP ID+C,
Lead Electrical Engineer, McGuire Engineers Inc., Chicago

www.csemag.com CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 7

Cooling & Humidification
for Mission Critical Applications

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input #6 at www.csemag.com/information
 NEWS&BUSINESS
Total annual value of fire,
life safety systems specified

$1.1 million to Less than RESEARCH

$3.0 million $500,000

24%
32% 2017 HVAC & BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS STUDY

18%
HVAC, BAS in
26%
educational facilities

More $500,000
than $3.0 million to $1.0 million
Figure 1: One-quarter of engineer-
ing firms specify fire and life safety
systems valued at more than $3
million into new and existing build-
ings annually. Source: Consulting-
Specifying Engineer 2016 Fire and
Life Safety Study
53: Average age of an engi-
neer responsible for specifying,
designing, or making electrical or
power system selections. Source:
Consulting-Specifying Engineer
2016 Electrical and Power Study
T
he Consulting-Specifying Engi-
neer 2017 HVAC & Build-
ing Automation Systems Study
indicated that 57% of engineers
specify, design, or select products for
educational facilities—and eight in 10 of
these engineers are responsible for deter-
mining the requirements/writing specifi-
cations for these projects. Below are five
HVAC and BAS findings as they relate to
educational facility projects:
1. Design value: Engineering firms
are specifying $2.8 million annually, on
average, in HVAC and BAS products for
new and existing educational facilities,
with 28% specifying more than $5 mil-
lion. The top revenue-generating systems
include air handlers and fans/air move-
ment products.
2. HVAC challenges: Six out of 10
respondents agree that energy efficiency
3. BAS challenges: More than 40%
of respondents reported interoper-
ability/ complementing systems and
inadequate budgets as top challenges
when designing BAS for educational
facilities.
4. Products specified: HVAC con-
trols (78%), air handlers (77%), and
fans/air movement (76%) are the top
three HVAC equipment types or con-
trol systems being specified into edu-
cational facility projects.
5. Specifications: For education-
al facilities, mechanical engineers are
most frequently writing performance
(77%) or prescriptive (74%) HVAC and
controls specifications. cse
M More
RESEARCH
View more information at

24% of engineers agree

that having inadequate budgets
and an inadequate budget for good design
are affecting the future of HVAC systems
in educational facilities.
www.csemag.com/2017HVACBAS.
Amanda Pelliccione is the research director
at CFE Media
for good design pose an extremely
difficult challenge with lighting
Changes observed in BAS for educational facilities
engineering and design. Source:
Consulting-Specifying Engineer
over past 12 to 18 months
2017 Lighting & Lighting Controls
Budget/cost of projects
Study or product specified 51%

42%
6 in 10
Integration

engineers are
responsible for recommending the
Interoperability 42%
brand of HVAC systems, equip-
Internet of Things 36%
ment, and controls used in projects.
Source: Consulting-Specifying Engi-
Energy efficiency 36%
neer 2017 HVAC & Building Auto-
mation Systems Study
Codes and standards 29%

More research
Consulting-Specifying Engineer
covers several research topics each
year. All reports are available at
www.csemag.com/research.
Protocols 29%
(e.g. BACnet, LonWorks)
Figure 2: Reflecting on the past 12 to 18 months, engineers have observed
significant changes to restrictive budgets, integration capabilities, and
interoperability requirements for BAS in educational facilities. Source:
Consulting-Specifying Engineer

www.csemag.com CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 9

input #7 at www.csemag.com/information
 NEWS&BUSINESS
CAREER SMART
How to create productive
working relationships
Understanding how to properly communicate with decision-makers
is key to a successful building project.
I
n 1930, a major construction proj-
ect was started on the island of
Manhattan in New York City. It
was completed in 1 year and 45
days, and finished ahead of sched-
ule. The reported height of the build-
ing to its tip is usually given as 1,250 ft
(not including the lightning rod). It took
57,000 tons of steel to construct the steel
skeleton. The building has 6,500 win-
dows, more than 100 floors, and at peak
times, as many as 3,400 workers at one
time. The total cost of this iconic build-
ing—the Empire State Building, if you
haven’t already guessed—was approxi-
mately $24 million.
The question is how was it possible
to complete a project of this magnitude
‘
There is a much better chance of reducing the cost
or eliminating a chance order via a site visit, where
you can talk it out and work it out in the field.
in little over a year? Perfectly issued con-
struction documents? Not likely. Mobile
phones? Not in 1930. Internet access? No
such thing. It wasn’t around yet.
The answer may lie in an old photo-
graph showing the contractor’s general
superintendent next to the project’s struc-
tural engineer in the field office as they
stood over an inclined work table covered
with drawings. It is pretty obvious from
the photo they were heavily engaged in
conversation rather than just shooting
www.csemag.com
PE, LEED AP BD+C, FASHRAE;
construction-engineering consultant,
the breeze. This is the first step to a proj-
ect’s success: communication.
All the technological tools that are
available now provide incredible benefits
in the construction industry. But getting
out in the field and meeting one-on-one
with the constructors of a project is vital
and invaluable to the project’s success.
Improving the line
of communication
Consider a scenario with a contrac-
tor and consultant. Solving an issue via
mobile, text, or email isn’t the best solu-
tion— going out to the job site is.
There is no good substitute for visiting
the site and walking the project with the
field engineer, general superintendent,
’
and/or the subcontractor’s project repre-
sentative and discussing the construction
problems that inevitably come up. Inter-
ferences, substitutions, the inspector’s
notices of correction, and value-engineer-
ing options are a few of the many differ-
ent matters that are best talked out and
viewed in the field.
Here are three tips for fostering a
more productive working relationship
with the contractor that can contribute
to achieving a successful project.
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
By Richard D. Miller,
Las Vegas
1. Upon request for input in a matter
dealing with field issues, volun-
teer to visit the site and meet with
the contractor’s personnel who are
involved with the issue.
2. Encourage field staffing to offer
recommendations to resolve any
construction problems. This input
may result in a low-cost or no-cost
change order.
3. Reiterate your willingness to visit
the site on an as-needed basis and
commitment to work with the con-
tractor’s field people to meet the
mutual goal of satisfying the own-
er’s expectations for the project.
Pesky change order requests add dol-
lars to the project and make for an unhap-
py client. There is a much better chance of
reducing the cost or eliminating a change
order via a site visit, where you can talk it
out and work it out in the field.
Get out in the field, walk through the
project, and talk out the issues with those
constructing the project. The more com-
munication and collaboration there is
with the contractor, the better. By taking
the initiative of going onsite and collab-
orating with everyone involved with the
project, you can improve the process and
the ultimate outcome. cse
Richard D. Miller is a construction-
engineering consultant in Las Vegas. His
expertise is in the design, construction,
and management of projects within pri-
vate and public sectors.
December 2017 • 11
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input #8 at www.csemag.com/information
NEWS&BUSINESS
FUTURE OF ENGINEERING
How to establish
long-term client engagement
Analytics tools and data analysis allows for successful,
long-term client engagement.
M
oving away from project-
based work and toward
recurring revenue and
long-term client engage-
ment is a top priority for
consultants and service-oriented com-
panies. Thinking of your commission-
ing business as an ongoing partnership
between the advisor and client can help
grow recurring revenue streams by pro-
viding continuous value.
Analytics tools for client value
Brad White, a principal with energy
efficiency and engineering consultancy
company SES Consulting, based in Van-
couver, British Columbia, states that there
are two factors shaping the long-term value
that commissioning providers (CxPs) and
energy consultants can bring to clients:
The emergence of tools that liberate data
from the building automation system
(BAS) and tools that allow consultants to
analyze that data.
Powerful analytics tools enable CxPs
to transition their business beyond one-
off projects to ongoing partnerships that
place an emphasis on building long-term
value and relevance with clients.
“Looking back 10 years or so, the
BAS had the capability to get data. The
problem was that there was very little we
could do with that data. There were no
tools available,” White said. “We would
pull up the 2-week trend logs at virtually
every point in the building to figure out
what’s going on. You miss a lot of stuff
when you do that.
“The big change is having tools that
are built to take in a bunch of data and
then properly analyze that.”
www.csemag.com
CxPs can best leverage data from
these platforms and grow revenue
through improved tactical execution and
more strategic high-level communication
and consultancy.
Help clients remotely
Analytics tools provide ongoing insight
into building health and allow CxPs to bet-
ter understand trends to improve building
operations, reduce potential capital outlay,
and lower energy expenditures. This pro-
active approach is more efficient and solu-
tions-oriented than traditional methods
that involve a site visit and a manual review
of building systems.
Being able to proactively flag issues
before an enormous and unexpected ener-
gy bill arrives, for example, allows CxPs to
establish themselves as crucial participants
in their clients’ business operations, which
builds credibility and trust.
It’s impossible to stay on top of a
site’s equipment performance continu-
ously with a manual commissioning pro-
cess that depends only on the CxP’s site
visits. A cloud-based analytics platform
enables remote monitoring and enables
CxPs to deliver continuous value regard-
less of team members’ locations.
Benefits for facilities teams
Facilities teams are often short-
staffed and lacking in analytics exper-
tise, so a technology solution should be
user-friendly and intuitive—without a
need to sift through overly complicat-
ed data sets. When you are able to pri-
oritize issues and automate part of the
facility team’s workloads through ana-
lytics tools, you can help them break the
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
Brice Kosnik,
BuildPulse, Seattle
cycle of reactive maintenance so they
can achieve their goals.
Building analytics solutions
CxPs need to ask themselves the fol-
lowing questions when considering build-
ing analytics solutions for their business:
• Will this offering provide a measur-
able roadmap of solutions for my cli-
ents, based on real-time data and
ongoing analytics?
• Does it provide the ability to set up
both one-time and custom projects?
• Does it integrate and normalize exist-
ing and new BAS so clients can see all
of their data in one place?
• Does it integrate easily into client
projects?
• Will this solution help with my firm’s
ability to provide long-term strategic
counsel for my clients?
• Is this offering cost-palatable to the
market? Does it make the client’s
investment worthwhile?
Customer retention is always less
expensive than new business acquisitions.
Building analytics platforms enable CxPs
to deliver a higher-value proposition by
more efficiently investigating facilities
performance, improving client operations
with real-time monitoring, and making a
tangible impact on a client’s business. cse
Brice Kosnik is the CEO at BuildPulse and
has been working with BAS for more than
7 years. He left his position as president of a
BAS services company to create BuildPulse
after realizing his customers were struggling
with energy and building performance.
December 2017 • 13
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Vektor-MH
input #9 at www.csemag.com/information
 BUILDING SOLUTIONS

FEATURE
Designing passive and active
34 fire protection systems
Fire protection engineers should consider the
building’s construction, fire suppression sys-
tems, and smoke control when designing active
and passive fire protection systems. The Interna-
tional Building Code and NFPA standards provide
guidance on passive and active fire protection
systems.
Robert F. Accosta Jr., PE, and John Barrot, PE

COVER STORY
Developing successful Difficulty faced with frequent
16 lighting solutions
changes to codes, standards
Not difficult Extremely difficult
Successful lighting projects take many shapes,
but there are core traits that make them shine
9% 12%
regardless of the building type or scale.
Sara Schonour, LC, Associate IALD, IES, 29%
LEED AP BD+C 50%

Somewhat difficult Moderately difficult

FEATURE

22 Designing lighting systems CODES & STANDARDS

When lighting designers are brought into the archi-
tectural process early, in dialog and collaborative
exchange with the architect, it can result in a more
40
integrated and coordinated lighting design.
Anne Rainbow Savage, AIA
Dissecting NEC’s recent
changes
Changes in and additions to the 2017 edition of
NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) have an
impact on commercial and industrial facilities.
Victor Ammons, PE, LEED AP

FEATURE
How to properly integrate
28 fire alarm systems and ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES

HVAC systems Use the icons to identify topics of interest.

AUTOMATION & CONTROLS HVAC
Organizing the coordination with the
engineering team is key to a successful system COMMUNICATIONS LIGHTING

integration project. ELECTRICAL PLUMBING

Wayne D. Moore, PE, and Larry D. Rietz, SET FIRE, SECURITY & LIFE SAFETY

www.csemag.com CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 15

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
COVER STORY
By Sara Schonour, LC, Associate IALD, IES, LEED AP BD+C, CDT, CannonDesign, Boston
Developing successful
lighting solutions
Successful lighting projects take many shapes, but there are core traits that
make them shine regardless of the building type or scale.
W
hat makes a lighting design suc-
cessful? The answer may vary
slightly from project to proj-
ect, but the basic traits are the
same—and every successful
project requires a client with clear lighting goals
who asks the right questions.
With more than 140 years of experience in the
insurance industry, Zurich North America believes
smart investing begins with placing value on their
people. The design of its new, 750,000-sq-ft head-
quarters located in Schaumburg, Ill., embodies this
notion, providing an entire campus of
L Learning amenities and people-centric work-
ing environments all geared toward
OBJECTIVES optimizing their employees’ expe-
• Understand the basic traits of a rience, satisfaction, and productiv-
successful lighting design. ity. The project’s program offers a
• Review a case study of a bit of everything—open and private
building’s successful lighting office spaces, a luxurious dining café,
design, taking several factors
into consideration. state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a
full-service auditorium, and a vari-
• Learn about the codes and
standards that offer guidance to ety of knowledge hubs and gathering
the lighting designer. zones—each with unique character
and purpose.
From the start, lighting was identi-
fied as a design element that would be integral to the
realization of Zurich’s employee-focused goals as they
constructed the building. To support the success of
Zurich’s people and their mission, the lighting design
team defined the word “success” in lighting terms and
set out to deliver functional, visually comfortable,
efficient, affordable, and maintainable lighting solu-
tions that visually enhance their environments. There
are many traits to successful lighting design, many of
which can be achieved by asking the right questions:
Functionality and lighting design
Functionality is perhaps the obvious starting
point for measuring the success of a lighting design.
16 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
Lighting serves a purpose, and successful light-
ing needs to do its job. However, jobs can be com-
plex and multifaceted, and there’s often a right and
a wrong way to get a job done. To start off on the
right path, ask the following questions:
Q: Does the lighting serve the people who use it?
To create purpose behind the lighting being
designed, a lighting designer needs to understand
the needs and preferences of the people the light-
ing will benefit as well as the concerns of those who
will install and maintain the equipment. Consider-
ing the human aspect of lighting throughout the life
of a lighting design is critical to ensuring a success-
ful overall outcome.
Q: Are the right lighting tools being used
for the job?
Functional lighting is more than just lights that
turn on or off. A well-designed system accounts for
the myriad people using the space and the tasks they
perform, and ensures the lighting conditions are best
suited to those tasks. Key questions to ask include:
Which surfaces are important to light, to what level,
and from where? How important is color render-
ing? What about luminaire quality? Is ample day-
light available to perform some (or all) of the lighting
tasks? How much flexibility is needed for each user?
What controls are needed to make the space’s light-
ing intuitive?
Once the functional parameters are understood,
appropriate design criteria, like illuminance targets,
lighting quality metrics, and control schemes, can be
established to set up the design for success. Products
with qualities that meet these criteria (gleaned from
manufacturer data sheets, the Illuminating Engineer-
ing Society (IES) files used for calculations, etc.) can
then be selected and included in the design.
www.csemag.com
Q: Is the lighting design code-compliant?
It may sound rudimentary, but the basic lighting
requirements outlined in applicable code manuals
that prescribe light levels for safety (such as NFPA
70: National Electric Code, NFPA 101: Life Safety
Code, International Building Code, and any local
jurisdictional adoptions) and standards that dic-
tate energy conservation and control requirements
(such as ASHRAE Standard 90.1: Energy Standard
for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Build-
ings and the International Energy Conservation
Code) represent the baseline for lighting systems in
terms of occupant safety and energy performance.
These codes should always be taken into consid-
eration as fundamental components of a functional
lighting design. References, such as the U.S. Depart-
ment of Energy, are useful to understand which codes
are in effect for a given project. As these codes contin-
ue to be shaped by technology—and to increase ener-
gy efficiency, stronger prescriptive requirements, such
as daylight harvesting, multilevel/dimmable lighting,
and automatic shutoff during non-occupied hours,
force lighting designers to be intimately familiar with
the code requirements applicable to each project.
While not required by code, if the project is tar-
geting the U.S. Green Building Council LEED cer-
tification or other sustainable certifications, there
may be other prescribed energy efficiency require-
ments to incorporate into the design.
www.csemag.com
Figure 1: Large expanses of treated fenestration allow natural light to pour into
perimeter spaces in a controlled way, with electric lighting organized into day-
lighting zones outfitted with separate controls to take advantage and save energy.
All figures courtesy: Christopher Barrett, CannonDesign
Q: Has everything been properly coordinated,
installed, and commissioned?
Lighting technology is complicated, and as we
move into a more digital world, the opportuni-
ties—and the complexity of designs—continue to
increase. As the functionality of lighting and con-
trol systems expand, there are more elements to
understand and manage, which sometimes require
education on behalf of users, facility maintenance
teams, and sometimes even the installer.
As designers in the architectural, engineering,
and construction (AEC) world, it’s likely we’ve all
heard stories about complex lighting or control sys-
tems that do nothing but cause headaches because
either they weren’t commissioned correctly or the
responsible groups weren’t properly trained. Dili-
gence on behalf of the designer as a project com-
pletes construction and is turned over to the
client—in the form of providing sequence-of-oper-
ations intent and other commissioning information,
issuing punch lists, and assisting with coordination
of user training—is an essential element in ensuring
the envisioned design achieves its functional goals.
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 17
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
COVER STORY
For example, Zurich’s headquarters had such a
wide variety of space types and people who would
use them, it was important to consider each space
individually in terms of function and the task that
would need to be accommodated. For instance, the
dining and service area have food-preparation zones
with strict safety guidelines dictating illuminance
levels and prohibiting equipment using lamps or
lenses that can shatter and make their way into food.
As a result, the luminaires and their character-
istics had much different selection criteria than the
lighting intended to entice employees shopping for
their lunches on the other side of the counter. For
these customers, who are most concerned with how
well-displayed and appetizing the food appears, the
lighting needed to consider visual-quality markers
like the color rendering of the food, contrast lev-
els to make the merchandise pop, and visual cues to
help organize and navigate the space.
Visual comfort
Visual comfort is closely related to functionality
and can make or break a successful lighting design.
Things can look just fine on paper, but the occu-
pants’ comfort is an important factor to consider.
The link between light and health is an expanding
area of study, but it’s already well-known that too
much unshielded light (direct glare), lighting that
doesn’t take geometries of reflective surfaces into
account (indirect glare/veiling reflections), and
high-contrast ratios in the field of view can cause
Figure 2: LED lighting approaches were specified with maintenance and longevity in mind.
18 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
extreme visual discomfort, which can in turn lead
to all sorts of headaches—both for those living in
those conditions and for those trying to fix them
retroactively. A few good questions to consider:
Q: Do the specified products address
visual comfort?
Quality luminaires take visual comfort into
account, and more attention has been focused on
this issue with the rapid rise of LED technology.
“Flicker” and stroboscopic effects perceived with
poor-quality luminaires are not just visually annoy-
ing, they can trigger seizures or interfere with laser-
scanning devices operating at a similar frequency.
The efficiency of compact LEDs, compared with
high-intensity discharge, incandescent, and fluores-
cent lamps, allows for smaller form factors for many
luminaires while producing the high lumen outputs
of their legacy sources. Select products with caution.
While a lensed 6-in. recessed slot using a T8 fluores-
cent source (around 400 delivered lumens per foot
at the lens) would usually be considered acceptable
in terms of visual comfort, standard options for LED
recessed slots range up to and beyond 1,000 deliv-
ered lumens/foot in apertures as small as an inch—a
combination that can feel blindingly bright. Regard-
less of the technology, without careful consideration
of product quality, appropriate shielding, and visual
geometry of people to the source, it’s easy to make a
“glaring” mistake.
www.csemag.com
Q: Does the design achieve appropriate
contrast ratios?
Visual comfort is somewhat subjective as the
visual experience is personal, but the IES Lighting
Handbook and associated IES Recommended Prac-
tices for various applications outline maximum,
average, and minimum illuminance ratios for dif-
ferent scenarios that are generally acceptable from
a visual-comfort perspective. These guidelines
take into consideration adaptation capabilities
of the human eye when comparing the task areas
with the surrounding field(s) of view. Verification
that a lighting design adheres to these parame-
ters is a good step toward avoiding visual-comfort
problems.
Q: Are daylighting strategies a concern
for visual comfort?
As energy codes and energy conservation ini-
tiatives push for the inclusion of more daylighting
strategies, too much unmitigated daylight can be a
visual-comfort concern. It’s not uncommon for a
lighting designer to be asked to weigh in on build-
ing massing/siting, glazing/fenestration selections,
and shading solutions to optimize visual comfort
when a client is looking to capitalize on daylight-
ing opportunities.
The understated, minimalist style of Zurich’s
interior design aesthetic drove the lighting team
toward small-scale apertures and lines of light inte-
grated into architectural elements wherever possi-
ble. While there was a vision to enhance the design
throughout the project, the occupants’ visual com-
fort was never sacrificed.
The team paid attention to “dwell time” of
employees in different spaces as we developed light-
ing strategies, with the understanding that the more
time occupants spent in a space trying to focus, the
less tolerance they would likely have for visual “dis-
traction”—another contributor to visual comfort. In
workstation areas and meeting rooms, we opted for
more regular lines of continuous light in an orga-
nized pattern to promote focus and productivity.
For more transient, energy-intensive areas like the
fitness center, collaboration areas, and grab-and-go
cafés, energetic, playful designs were used that acti-
vate the spaces and create points of visual appeal.
Efficiency
Traditional lighting systems burn around 30%
to 40% of a typical commercial building’s energy,
according to the U.S. Energy Information Admin-
istration, so it’s no surprise that today’s clients place
a high priority on efficient lighting systems. Capi-
talizing on available natural light is a focus in sus-
tainable design, and LED technology and advanced
www.csemag.com
lighting controls have pushed the envelope on
energy efficiency. Successful lighting designs are
obviously energy code-compliant, but high-perfor-
mance designs that save beyond code-prescribed
allowances are often within reach by employing
daylighting techniques and advanced lighting tech-
nologies. The following questions can help to opti-
mize lighting efficiency:
Q: Are we taking full advantage of available
natural light?
Daylight is free light, and when optimized, can
offset significant lighting energy costs. Several ver-
sions of ASHRAE 90.1 require a building’s lighting
design to take advantage of daylight harvesting in
certain perimeter zones and in spaces with skylights
‘
Regardless of the technology, without careful
consideration of product quality, appropriate
shielding and visual geometry of people to the
’
source, it’s easy to make a ‘glaring’ mistake.
or clerestories. Building owners who want to get an
even bigger energy benefit will take their site-spe-
cific sunpath into account when considering their
building shape, programming, and design of the
façade, making glazing selections that allow sun-
light in while also reducing solar heat gain (to avoid
taxing the mechanical systems).
Measures include shading or sunlight-redirect-
ing devices, like louvers or light shelves, and colo-
cating daylit areas with appropriate space types. As
mentioned previously, it’s always important to con-
sider glare and other aspects of visual comfort when
integrating daylight into architectural spaces.
Q: Is efficiency maximized in the design of the
electric lighting?
With LED and other lighting technologies
becoming more common, there are more lumi-
naire choices than ever before, and source efficacy
(lumens of light produced per watt of energy) has
quickly increased. In many (if not most) cases, there
are high-quality LED options that will save more
energy than traditional luminaires.
Furthermore, luminaire designs are advancing
to optimize the properties of LED optics and per-
formance, introducing new form factors for highly
efficient products that are changing age-old para-
digms and guidelines for output and spacing. Often,
these more efficacious sources are paired with
advanced optics to allow larger distances between
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 19
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
COVER STORY
luminaires, resulting in not only less energy inten-
sity, but also fewer required fixtures (an installation
cost efficiency). Adding in advanced lighting con-
trols can further reduce energy consumption and
result in dramatic energy savings through automatic
sensing, time scheduling, task tuning, load shedding,
and daylight harvesting.
At one point in Zurich’s building design, a value-
engineering option was introduced to reduce costs
by using fluorescent slots instead of LED. After dis-
cussing the increased costs for fluorescent dimming
ballasts in daylight zones (which were being pur-
sued for energy benefits as well as code compliance),
the value engineering was reconsidered. Around
the same time, a high-efficiency slot-style product
came on the market that could increase spacing and
achieve the target illuminance levels and contrast
ratios using fewer fixtures and less energy.
‘
While LED technology offers longer life than many
alternatives and several other maintenance benefits, it’s
important to understand which lighting components will
’
fail and when, and how to best respond.
Affordability and maintainability
Cost is always a significant design factor, and
while pricing for quality lighting systems is coming
down, it’s important to keep the budget in mind to
avoid redesign and value-engineering work down the
road. Lighting system maintenance can also be dif-
ficult if neglected in design. While LED technology
offers longer life than many alternatives and several
other maintenance benefits, it’s important to under-
stand which lighting components will fail and when,
and how to best respond by asking these questions:
Q: What is the budget for the lighting system?
It’s always a good idea to have an understanding
of what the client’s budget is for the lighting system
design. Lighting equipment costs often vary based
on quantity, location of the project, particulars
of the local market, and even timing of the order.
Working with lighting agents and factory represen-
tatives to help determine budget pricing at multiple
stages of the design process can help keep a project
on track, cost-wise, and provide options if lower-
cost alternatives need to be considered.
Q: What are the expected lifetimes of the
components?
For LED products, the weakest link is usu-
ally the driver. Understanding the driver’s life-
cycle and whether the driver is covered under the
20 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
fixture’s warranty are key to developing a mainte-
nance strategy. LEDs, unlike other source types, don’t
usually “burn out” or catastrophically fail at end of life;
instead, they slowly lose output until they are too dim
to see (and if they do fail, it usually happens shortly
after energization, therefore they’re easy to spot).
The industry term “L70” represents the gen-
eral end of useful life of an LED module, which is
at the point where the output is only 70% of the
original source lumens. It’s common for an LED
L70 rating to be 50,000 hours, with some cresting
100,000+ hours. If the rated life of the luminaire’s
driver or the lumen maintenance information for
the module aren’t readily apparent on the prod-
uct’s cutsheet, these are good questions to men-
tion to lighting agents or factory representatives.
Q: What is the maintenance plan/future-proofing
strategy to keep the system operational?
Let’s say the components are both rated for 50,000
hours—which seems like a long time. But their life-
cycle depends on the operating hours and the light-
ing control system. With dimming, automatic sensors,
daylight harvesting, and scheduled shutoff, that 50,000
hours could be stretched for quite a few years of oper-
ational life. Many facilities will accept that, in 15 to 20
years, an even more efficient system will make a good
case for a retrofit upgrade. Many 24/7 applications
common in hospitals, schools, industrial facilities,
parking garages, etc. exceed 50,000 hours in 7 years.
How to find replacement components and whether
they are easy to install are other necessary questions to
ask when considering products for these types of proj-
ects, particularly for those responsible for maintaining
the system. Sometimes, because the advancement of
LED technology is so rapid, it’s recommended to pur-
chase “attic stock” of certain components, especially
for specialty LEDs for decorative elements, to ensure
availability when it comes time for replacement.
Q: Is the lighting equipment accessible?
Because lighting components may eventually
need service, it’s important to keep access in mind.
For applications that present challenges to fixture
access, many products are made with remote driv-
ers that allow the component most likely to fail to
be located in a more easily maintainable area. Plan-
ning for access—remote drivers, motorized mount-
ing points, lifts, or good old-fashioned ladders—is
always a good idea.
Zurich’s all-LED lighting system is paired with
a robust, web-based lighting control system that
includes central and local overrides, multizone dim-
ming, automatic sensing, and daylight harvesting
throughout the complex. The high-quality products
installed in the facility were vetted for appropriate
www.csemag.com
lifespans, and with the benefit of the energy-saving
and life-extending control system, Zurich shouldn’t
have to plan for major lighting maintenance for at
least 10 years.
Visual enhancement of the
environment
The final component of successful light-
ing is a sense that the lighting “works” with the
environment—the quality of light and the char-
acter of the fixtures help achieve the space’s aes-
thetic goals. In some cases, those goals may not
be as lofty as others, but truly successful light-
ing is well thought out and balanced, especially
when the visual experience of a space is impor-
tant. The best lighting solutions are achieved as
an integrated team: architect, interior designer,
electrical engineer, and the other assorted team
members whose work will need to be coordinated
working closely with the lighting designer to cre-
ate a cohesive visual concept.
Lighting approaches might enhance aspects
of the architecture or materiality, reinforce hier-
archy, provide visual cues and other points of
focus, extend a design motif, or support particular
visual sensations to create a feeling of atmosphere
or mood. Once the visual idea is understood and
a lighting concept to support it is created, the rel-
evant questions that have been previously outlined
can be posed to the appropriate team members
to ensure the design will be a success not just in
terms of aesthetics, but also as a balanced, well-
designed system.
The lighting team benefitted from close col-
laboration with the design team throughout the
www.csemag.com
Figure 3: Lighting approaches are integrated into the architecture for a
seamless, cohesive design aesthetic while also achieving the functional
lighting goals of the client.
process of designing Zurich’s new facility. By
understanding the architectural direction, style,
and material palate and collaborating with the
interior designers and electrical team, coordinated
lighting details could be created to hide fixtures in
clever locations by integrating them with architec-
tural elements, which reinforced the minimalistic
yet progressive aesthetic of the client.
The result? A state-of-the-art system of high-
performance luminaires and advanced controls
with lighting power density of 0.43 w/sq ft that
deliver to Zurich and its employees all the hall-
marks of a successful design for its 750,000-sq-ft
facility: functionality, visual comfort, energy effi-
ciency, affordability, and maintainability artfully
coordinated to support the project’s aesthetic and
branding goals.
By working with clients to ask and answer
the right questions, it sets the project up to be
a success. cse
Sara Schonour is a vice president and head
of the Lighting Studio at CannonDesign. She is a
2017 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40
award winner.
M More
SOLUTIONS
Find more resources at www.csemag.com, including:
The 2017 Lighting and Lighting Controls Report
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 21
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
ILLUMINATION STRATEGIES
By Anne Rainbow Savage, AIA, WSP, Seattle
Designing
lighting systems
When lighting designers are brought into the architectural process early,
in dialog and collaborative exchange with the architect, it can result in a
more integrated and coordinated lighting design.
L
ighting design for architecture is one of
the most critical and impactful design
components within a building sys-
tem—though it is a skill that is often
underused and improperly applied.
Using light as an additive tool to communicate
and reinforce an architectural idea—to elic-
it a feeling within the space—is one of the main
goals. By controlling light and shadow, evoking
22 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
emotion, enhancing the built environment, sup-
porting movement, and activating spaces, we
begin to see the benefits of a successful architec-
tural lighting design.
Architectural lighting design is a complicated
process that accounts for myriad requirements
and conditions. Design considerations include:
• Most important, how does the lighting impact
the human occupants in the space? Does the
lighting support the goals of the project?
• How can functional requirements be met while
enhancing the experiential qualities of the
space?
• What kind of activity does the space serve?
• How much light, and what degree of lighting
uniformity, is required for those activities?
• What materials are used, and how can the
color of the light and the color rendering of the
source impact those materials?
• What areas/materials are being highlighted?
Where should light be applied?
• What is the optimal distribution of the lumi-
naire and source for desired coverage and
effect?
Figure 1: This shows a light-level calculation
and study of a multistory connecting stair and
adjacent wood-slat ceiling and wall, as ren-
dered in the software program AGi32. Cour-
tesy: WSP Lighting
www.csemag.com
 L Learning
OBJECTIVES
• Review several considerations for lighting design
approaches and specifying lighting systems.
• Understand the importance of lighting fixture
mock-ups.
• Assess a case study that highlights a successful
lighting design.
In addition to these design considerations,
there are a host of technical issues that also need
to be addressed in a successful architectural light-
ing design, including:
• What are the recommended industry-standard
light levels for the space type?
• What local and national code requirements
must be met within the jurisdiction?
• What are the special energy, municipal, or
space code requirements?
• What are the hours of operation, and what type
of daylight exposure does the space have?
• What light-source types best support the
design and performance criteria?
• Where can luminaires be mounted, based on
the limitations of the architectural envelope
and finish palette?
• What kind of lighting controls are required
to achieve the desired balance of light and
shadow?
• What kind of lighting controls are required for
building use and occupancy patterns?
• What is the lighting budget? How can the
designer achieve the maximum result for a
minimum cost outlay?
• What is most effective way to coordinate with
other disciplines?
What constitutes successful lighting design? Illu-
mination that supports the architecture, and acti-
vates the space.
Successful design is integrative. Lighting, more
than any other kind of design, embodies this. The
most beautiful, award-winning lighting projects
have thoughtful and interesting architecture, sys-
tems, or art pieces. Conversely, these forms lose
www.csemag.com
Figures 2 and 3: The archi-
tectural design concept
was “Layer 1, Layer 2,”
as illustrated by a street
art project created by
Dih Zahyners in the Mar
Mkhayel neighborhood of
Beirut, Lebanon. Layer 1
is the typical open office
and all the standard spaces
that repeat project to proj-
ect. Layer 2, overlaid onto
Layer 1, is the applied ele-
ment that infuses a unique
character to the space. Layer 2 crosses every surface and material:
lines delineated on the concrete floors (in natural finish or stained
black), transition to an accent color of carpeting, then extends up
the wall surface (in accent paint color), and continues across ceiling
elements. The applied layer is not flat or slapped on, but rather, it
becomes a 3-dimensional evolving expression to shape and differ-
entiate unique spaces and amenities. The applied layers were color,
line, shadow, and reflection. Courtesy: Anne Rainbow Savage
much of their impact without light to bring them
to life. Breathtaking spaces and experiences are the
results of a careful dance between form and light.
The truth is lighting, when properly applied,
draws the eye. It can enhance simple materials and
disassociated volumes, improving even the most
mediocre architecture. For the lighting design
to sing, to reach the zenith of its impact, it needs
structure and material to enhance. The better those
items are, the better the overall results.
Light and shadow
Just as light and form need each other, so do light
and shadow. In some cases, what is lit up is often
not as important as what remains in darkness. An
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 23
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
ILLUMINATION STRATEGIES
object or space lit to uniformity becomes flat and
loses drama. Imagine an afternoon under a tree or an
evening on the beach. These images are so universal
and often ingrained in our minds because of the way
light and shadow play through the treetops or off the
waves. The outlines of the leaves become distinct to
the eye as form, light, and shadow come together.
Allow for darkness. The most successful lighting
designs are often a blend of the edges where science
meets art. One of the most critical aspects of a well-
considered lighting design is the balance between light
and shadow. Architectural lighting design, much like
painting, uses light as a painter might use white—both
are additive. Light can bring attention, create patterns,
and influence movement. But it is most impactful
when paired with its opposite, darkness; chiaroscuro.
Designs that provide harmoniously disparate
levels of illumination impact biological, visual,
24 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
and emotional mechanisms in both animals and
humans. The move from daylight to darkness is
one of the main triggers for our circadian systems,
while dappled light illustrates an emotional con-
nection to the sun and nature. The purposeful
use of darkness in lighting designs often provides
much-needed visual relief, and the use of varying
lighting intensities allows the designer to create
a visual hierarchy. Processional lighting schemes
with pools of light and dark encourage movement
and wayfinding. Low levels of illumination in an
otherwise darkened space feel intimate and invite
time for pause and reflection. High levels of uni-
form illumination create a feeling of alertness and
focus—suitable for the workspace.
Inspiration for solutions
The challenge: to take the concept of design
vision and translate it to the built environment.
The design must communicate the idea. Lighting
illuminates architectural surfaces and materials.
Layers of light articulate a sequential or experien-
tial hierarchy through space. Lighting animates the
texture of surfaces. The expression of lighting is
entirely dependent upon the architectural finishes
and material properties. How dark or light, specu-
lar or diffuse, glossy or matte, opaque or transpar-
ent? What are the colors and textures? How does
light render material? Are we putting light on a
surface or grazing light across?
One of the most important tools in a lighting
designer’s arsenal is the use of mock-ups. Look-
ing at, touching, and focusing the luminaires
being considered for a project solution is critical
to successfully vetting a lighting solution. Light-
ing designers use many calculation tools (AGi32,
ElumTools, DIALux, and other software programs)
to evaluate the lighting performance of specific
luminaires (see Figure 1).
But understanding the lighting effects, mount-
ing configurations, and aiming angles to achieve
this performance is often best done in a mock-up
installation (see Figure 4). Though some projects
have budgets for a full-scale mock-up of com-
plicated architectural spaces and details, many
smaller projects do not. Working with rudimen-
tary tools like foam core and paper, the begin-
nings of most lighting detailing can be started
with at least a cursory understanding of the effect
and cutoff that can be expected with the installa-
tion. This method also allows for a true apples-to-
apples comparison of different products that may
make the same performance claims. Understand-
Figure 4: A hands-on mock-up with the archi-
tect explored ceiling materials, luminaire
mounting heights, and resulting shadow pat-
terns. Courtesy: Donna Williamson
www.csemag.com
ing the fit, finish, and appearance of the mounted
luminaire goes a long way in helping the lighting
designer to refine their choices and preferences in
a desired fixture type.
Environmental graphic design
Lighting coordination with environmental
graphic design (EGD) for projects typically lags
behind the architectural design schedule. How-
ever, it’s essential the lighting is provided where
appropriate for the EGD element. The EGD team
indicates where graphic elements will be locat-
ed, and together, we discuss what the appropri-
ate lighting strategy should be for the various
elements.
For example, for a large-scale graphic applied
to an entire wall, we’d want the even top-to-bottom
illumination of wall-wash fixtures. Where graphics
are more discreet or need dramatic accentuation,
designers would use track head luminaires to spot-
light the EGD elements. Where lighting is inte-
gral to the EGD element, such as neon or backlit
panels, the designer would omit external lighting
altogether.
By involving lighting design early in the pro-
cess, architectural design and coordination with
other systems, such as mechanical, electrical, and
plumbing (MEP), is enhanced. This is particu-
larly important both with an open ceiling, where
all systems are visible, as well as where there are
ceiling systems with limited plenum space. Col-
lectively, the building systems can establish a “ceil-
ing sandwich,” or zoning for various systems at
different heights, which helps to facilitate clash
detection and reduce changes required for clash
resolution.
Case study:
South Lake Union Office Tower
The South Lake Union Office Tower in the
South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle
encompasses approximately 866,000 sq ft of a
37-floor office tower. The owner is a large Seattle-
based company. Floors 2 to 5 and 16 are amenity
floors. Floors 6 to 15 and 17 to 37 are open offic-
es and support spaces. The lighting design team
worked with Interior Architects (IA), the WSP
design team for the tenant-improvement spaces of
Floors 6 to 37.
Standards: While working with the owner on
previous projects, the design team helped to devel-
op a set of “standards”—lighting solutions for typ-
ical spaces that are repeated project to project
within the tenant-improvement spaces. Typical
spaces include open offices; small, medium, and
large meeting rooms; audio/video (A/V) meet-
ing rooms; small video-teleconferencing meeting
rooms; team rooms; copy/communication; and
www.csemag.com
‘
Our visual world is made of light. We light
to see and to communicate. We light for
security, to create mood and atmosphere,
to enhance and entertain. Where natural
light fails, man has learned to improvise,
constantly developing new technologies to
illuminate art and architecture. Our visual
experience and emotional reaction to build-
ings is shaped by the control of light and
shadow. Light is increasingly integrated into
the fabric of buildings and becomes a part
’
of the architecture.
— Jonathan Speirs and Mark Major, authors of
“Made of Light: The Art of Light and Architecture.”
other back-of-house spaces, such as intermediate-
distribution frame (IDF), electrical, and mechani-
cal rooms.
Together with the owner, the WSP team
reviewed luminaire samples, and in some cases
full mock-ups, for approval of all the standard
fixture types. The open-office spaces used a
direct/indirect pendant fixture, based on Ledalite
Chopstick (30% direct light/70% indirect light)
with a wide, even (batwing) distribution. The
luminaire layout accommodated a corridor row
of full-height partition-shared offices, while the
rest of the layout was low partitions and desks.
This accommodated future expansion of shared
offices as well as layouts with varied-height parti-
tions when floors were reconfigured for specific
user groups.
Codes: The Seattle energy code is among the
most stringent in the country. The project was sub-
mitted under the 2012 Seattle Energy Code, which
allows a lighting power density (LPD) of 0.90 W/sq
ft for office space. By using integral LED-source fix-
tures, and LED replacement lamps where applicable
in decorative fixtures, the energy consumption for
combined tenant-improvement spaces of Floors 2 to
37 was 0.49 W/sq ft. The project received a rebate
from Seattle City Light for exceeding savings on
energy consumption by a significant margin. The
project is also on target to obtain U.S. Green Build-
ing Council LEED Gold certification.
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 25
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
ILLUMINATION STRATEGIES
Lighting controls: All standard and AV meet-
ing rooms have separate dimming for wall-wash
fixtures on various walls, in addition to the direct/
indirect pendant fixtures over the meeting-room
tables. Large dividable AV rooms have five- and
six-scene control panels with scenes for vari-
ous AV scenarios. Per local code, vacancy sen-
sors (manually on, automatic off) are required in
numerous spaces throughout. Open offices and
other larger spaces use dimming for fixtures with-
in daylight-harvesting zones. Circulation and open
offices are controlled by a building management
system timeclock, while smaller spaces have indi-
vidual controls.
‘
Because the architectural design was so
conceptual in nature, the integration and
implementation of the lighting design had to be
carefully, meticulously detailed and executed for
full and legible effect. The lighting design had to
convey the concepts; it had to communicate,
’
not just look pretty.
The lighting team had the unusual and fortu-
nate experience to be brought into the design early
in the process for the tower floors. The group had
weekly lighting design meetings with the IA archi-
tectural team, during which every architectur-
al gesture and element was addressed. The team
examined how the lighting could not only support
the architectural design, but also act as an exten-
sion of the design concept. The design for lighting
and the design for architecture developed symbi-
otically and was fully integrated to every detail.
Because the architectural design was so concep-
tual in nature, the integration and implementation
of the lighting design had to be carefully, metic-
ulously detailed and executed for full and legible
effect. The lighting design had to convey the con-
cepts; it had to communicate, not just look pretty.
See Figures 2 and 3.
Visual and experiential hierarchy: Figure 3
elements overlaid onto large floor plates in large
sweeping gestures; the use of angles and curves
created a direction toward amenity spaces, such
as the kitchenette and breakout spaces. As a cul-
mination of focus into those spaces, the lighting
had to support the overall expression of movement
while also giving identity to these gathering spac-
es. On floors where the layers of color transitioned
to large elements of perforated metal to define a
26 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
zone—such as layers of angular and overlapping
floating perforated-metal ceilings over the kitch-
enette or angular perforated-metal enclosure sur-
rounding a breakout area—the lighting forms were
simple linear (Pinnacle Edge EX2B with T5 fluo-
rescent lamps, using Lee Filters color gel tube on
the indirect lamp and no color on the direct lamp)
or drum pendants (Resolute Prosperity pendants)
that put saturated colored light onto the perforat-
ed-metal elements but white (usable) light onto
the task surfaces.
The lighting accentuated the architectural lan-
guage while still providing light for the visual
tasks within those spaces. Luminaires in minimal-
ist forms, such as large-scale arcs of illuminated
light (custom fixtures using LED neon, fabricat-
ed by Eastbay Lighting), respond as an expres-
sion of form that is integral to the concept, rather
than as an object within and separate from the
space. Likewise, we explored patterns of shadow
and reflection for additional “Layer 2” concepts on
other floors.
Because Figure 3’s elements crossed a multi-
plicity of surfaces and materials, we had to explore
the design from all angles, through elevations and
3-D modeling. We had to evaluate in-person light-
ing effects with material samples. In fact, much of
the lighting design was developed by experiment-
ing with luminaire samples and finish materials
to determine scale, effect, and installation details.
For example, by aiming a track head through a
mocked-up perforated ceiling panel, we were able
to determine the size and pattern of perforation,
angle of fixture (to minimize glare), and appropri-
ate mounting height to achieve the desired effect.
It also helped to determine, in select areas with
intentionally lower light levels, that the shadow
pattern was legible through contrast.
The IA team not only brought lighting design
early into the process, but they brought in the
MEP engineers as well. This allowed for early dia-
logues in how all systems could best work togeth-
er, where there was room for flexibility, and where
there were steadfast constraints. By being cogni-
zant of the constraints, we could look for creative
lighting solutions that adapted to the constraints
while still being consistent with the architectural
language. Coordination between disciplines was
fluid and adaptable between trades so that the
final installation of all systems was harmonious
and intentional. cse
Anne Rainbow Savage is a senior lighting designer
at WSP. As an award-winning lighting designer and
architect, she has brought creative, integrated, and
technologically proficient designs to more than 2 mil-
lion sq ft of tenant-improvement commercial space
in Seattle.
www.csemag.com
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To learn more, visit www.ruskin.com.

BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
By Wayne D. Moore, PE, Warwick, R.I. and
Larry D. Rietz, SET, Denver; JENSEN HUGHES
How to properly
integrate fire alarm systems
and HVAC systems
Organizing the coordination with the engineering team is key
to a successful system integration project.
F
or engineers, coordination is a term that
is critical when integrating a fire alarm
system with an HVAC system or build-
ing automation system (BAS). Although
for contractors installing the systems,
this can be difficult. However, coordination at the
design stage of the project can help ease the pro-
cess for everyone involved.
The reason for any fire alarm to connect with
an HVAC system or a BAS is strictly to control the
spread of smoke from the fire source on a floor (or
given area) to all of the other floors (or areas) in
a building. For example, a small fire occurred in
a newly opened 5-floor apartment
L Learning building in the state of New York.
OBJECTIVES While a building tenant was washing
clothes in the laundry room located
• Explain the purpose of fire alarm- on the 1st floor, the clothes dryer was
HVAC system integration.
not drying clothes to the tenant’s satis-
• Recognize how the electrical faction. The tenant decided to place a
and mechanical engineers and
contractors work together for towel above the dryer to cover an air
successful system integration. intake into the dryer plenum. As the
• Understand NFPA 72: National tenant waited in their apartment, the
Fire Alarm and Signaling Code towel heated, crystalized, and pro-
to ensure code compliance with duced a sizable amount of smoke,
system integration. although without much actual flame.
The smoke entered the HVAC
ductwork, activating the smoke detectors on the
4th- and 5th-floor corridors, which then caused
total evacuation of the building. By the time the fire
department arrived, the smoke in the corridors on
the upper levels had dispersed and neither the fire
department nor the tenants could locate the source
of the smoke. At about the same time, the tenant
on the 1st floor found the burned towel and other
minor damage from the now self-extinguished fire
and told the fire department what happened. (The
fire was not large enough for sprinkler activation, and
28 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
there was only heat detection in the laundry room.)
The building owner replaced the faulty dryer and
repaired the minor damage. However, in this exam-
ple, the transmission of smoke to the upper levels
could have been avoided with properly installed
and maintained duct-type smoke detection. In this
case, the building was small. High-rise and other
complex buildings offer different challenges.
As another and more tragic example, on Nov.
21, 1980, a fire on the 1st floor of the MGM Grand
Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas sent smoke through
the stair and elevator shafts, resulting in signifi-
cant smoke and loss of life on multiple floors of the
building stairwells. Whether on a small or grand
scale, smoke movement through HVAC system
ductwork presents a significant risk to building
occupants.
Coordination at the design stage
While model building codes and installation
standards have attempted to adequately address
this issue, much of the real “coordination” is still
left to installing contractors who are often forced
to address integration issues that they either know
little about, have little direct control over, or even
worse, have not budgeted for appropriately. It is
important to remember that the engineers involved
in the design of these two systems have the respon-
sibility to do the same. Coordination at the design
stage will help the installation stage go smoother.
Traditionally, integration between fire alarm sys-
tems and HVAC systems has been limited to dry-
contact-type relays. This approach allows the fire
alarm system to do what it does best (detect, notify,
and activate emergency controls) while allowing an
HVAC system or BAS to do what it does best (man-
age the air quality of the building). It also allows
individual skilled contractors to focus on their
www.csemag.com
own specialty with fairly limited coordination and
interface.
In many ways, NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm
and Signaling Code reflects this traditional inter-
face view. The code requirements for emergency
control of HVAC systems is found in Section 21.7
of the 2016 edition of NFPA 72, where it states that
the “provisions of Section 21.7 shall apply to the
basic method by which a fire alarm system interfac-
es with the heating, ventilating, and air condition-
ing (HVAC) system.”
As such, many long-standing code requirements
remain. For instance, any listed appliance or relay
connected to the fire alarm system used to initiate
control of protected-premises emergency control
functions must be located within 3 ft of the con-
trolled circuit or appliance (NFPA 72-2016, Section
21.7.2). Installing the wiring between the fire alarm
control unit and the relay or other appliance must
be monitored for integrity.
This requirement can be avoided if the fire safety
function is wired in a fail-safe fashion. For example, if
the fan that needs be shut down when the fire alarm
system smoke detector actuates shuts down auto- Figure 1: This is an HVAC control switchgear with fire alarm control
matically if the circuit wiring controlling the fan relays located directly adjacent. Proper installation of control relays
is cut, then the system is wired in a fail-safe mode in accordance with NFPA 72 is critical to proper HVAC interface.
and the circuit wiring controlling the fan does not All graphics courtesy: JENSEN HUGHES
have to be monitored for integrity. This is another
instance where coordination between the design engi- As previously noted, the construction process
neers is important. traditionally requires that each of the specialized
Also, a contractor is allowed to program smoke construction trades complete their tasks essen-
detectors mounted in the air ducts of HVAC sys- tially independently of each other. However, close
tems to initiate either an alarm signal at the pro- coordination between the responsible contractors
tected premises or a supervisory signal at a is required to ensure that the BAS will do what it
constantly attended location or supervising station is supposed to do. The wiring is the backbone of

(NFPA 72-2016, Section 21.7.4). Design engineers
performing this work should be aware of this allow-
ance and not specify that an alarm should occur from
a duct-type smoke detector. However, beyond these
and a few other requirements, NFPA 72 code is rather
silent on fire alarm and HVAC interfaces. This is par-
ticularly true when an integrated BAS will be used.
Building automation and integration
Building automation is not a new concept, but it is
experiencing difficulties in becoming the norm rather
‘
successful coordination. This is why
a contractor must truly understand
the operational requirements of the BAS appeals to
BAS before the first cable is installed.
Here is where the engineer must
building owners be-
ensure that the BAS operational cause they can visualize
characteristics are explicitly spelled
out to ensure everyone involved in the potential for the
the project (including the owner)
understands the BAS operation. BAS to save money and
As with any complicated wiring

than the exception. BAS appeals to building owners
because they can visualize the potential for the BAS
to save money and create efficiencies. BAS can pro-
vide savings in the initial installation and in future
updates. The future updates may become necessary to
take advantage of future savings. However, it is often
the future updates that can cause difficulties where the
BAS has been integrated with the fire alarm system.
’
system, it’s important to understand create efficiencies.
the details. Unlike most signed con-
tracts, a contractor should not take an agreement
to wire a BAS lightly. It is important that both the
engineer and the contractor follow a few key rules,
which are outlined below:
• The contractor should ensure he or she under-
stands how the engineers want the system to

www.csemag.com CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 29

 BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Figure 2: A typical work and determine whether or not they have
fire alarm system developed an operational matrix to aid in that
duct smoke detector understanding.
on a return air HVAC
duct. Such duct • The engineer and the contractor need to
detection is the most research the specified products that will be
basic form of HVAC supplied to ensure the products will actually
interface, providing perform as the manufacturer’s marketing and
shutdown of the air sales people say they will.
handling unit upon
detection of smoke. • Inevitably, contractors are going to submit a
different vendor if the specifications allow for
an “or equal” product. The engineering team
must decide whether or not it is in the own-
er’s best interest to allow for substitutions,
and they must verify that the chosen vendors,
and even the specific technicians for the job,
can make the specified or substituted product
meet the operational requirements. Addition-
ally, the engineering team and the contractors
must be in attendance for the required accep-
tance testing, balancing, and commissioning
to ensure the integration has been completed
according to expectations.
While current practice involves the installation
of separate building systems for fire alarm, HVAC
control, security, lighting control, and building
process automation, the long-term goal of BAS
is to seamlessly integrate all of these systems into
one BAS. The major drawback to this concept is
the suppliers of these systems must maintain their
own systems. In the fully integrated BAS scenario,
someone must have sole responsibility to ensure
interoperability of all of the systems. Some sup-
pliers have recognized the need for interopera-
bility of their systems with other manufacturers
30 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
and have developed software solutions. Electrical
contractors with a strong background in commu-
nications may hold an edge when installing BAS,
and the engineer may want to include those qual-
ifications as a requirement in the specifications.
But inevitably, providing specific training for the
contractors for more efficient installations will
become imperative.
BAS installation and code compliance
Installing a BAS takes a team effort. This effort
requires that the electrical or fire protection engi-
neer and the electrician have some understanding and
knowledge of how the electrical work interfaces with
the other trades. The design engineer also must ensure
that the electrician possesses an understanding of the
function and operational design of the BAS.
In addition to the technical knowledge neces-
sary to design and install the BAS, engineers and
contractors must always keep code compliance
in mind. Unfortunately, conflicting requirements
exist within the applicable codes, and as noted,
fire alarm codes remain firmly rooted in more
traditional methods of integration. NFPA 72 and
the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) work in
concert to regulate the design, installation, main-
tenance, testing, and use of the fire alarm system.
Some AHJs do not want the fire alarm system
integrated with any other system. They do not
want the non-fire alarm systems to interfere with
the proper operation of the fire alarm system,
which is addressed by NFPA 72. It is incumbent,
therefore, on the engineering team to ensure that
the AHJ understands the operational characteris-
tics of the integrated systems and the fact that a
fire alarm signal will not be lost with the systems
that are integrated.
Thus, the fire alarm system presents certain
inherent obstacles for the engineering team and
the contractor. NFPA 72 allows the fire alarm
system to interface with other building systems
as long as the integrated system meets certain
requirements. These include being certain that,
when other building systems share the fire alarm
system signaling-line circuits, the integrated sys-
tem meets the requirements established for combi-
nation systems. Essentially, this means that the fire
alarm system operation takes precedence over all
other BAS. NFPA 72-2016 Section 23.8.2.6.1 also
requires the following:
“ … all signal control and transport equipment
(such as routers and servers) located in a critical
fire alarm or emergency control function interface-
device signaling path shall be listed for fire alarm
service, unless the following conditions are met:
(1) The equipment meets the performance
requirements of NFPA 72-2016 Section
www.csemag.com
 10.3.5 (Voltage, temperature, and humidity
variation requirements).
(2) The equipment is provided with primary
and secondary power and monitored for
integrity as required in NFPA 72-2016 Sec-
tions 10.6, 10.6.9, 10.18, and 12.6 (Power
supply requirements).
(3) All programming and configurations ensure
a fire alarm system actuation time as required
in NFPA 72-2016 Section 10.11.1. (All alarm
functions must actuate within 10 seconds
after the activation of an initiating device.)
(4) System bandwidth is monitored to confirm
that all communications between equipment
that is critical to the operation of the fire
alarm system or emergency control function
interface devices take place within 10 sec-
onds; failure shall be indicated within 200
seconds.
(5) Failure of any equipment that is critical to
the operation of the fire alarm system or
emergency control function interface devic-
es is indicated at the master fire alarm con-
trol unit within 200 seconds.”
In addition, the fire alarm system must have a
listed barrier gateway integral, or attached, to each
fire alarm control unit or group of control units,
as appropriate, to prevent the other interfaced sys-
tems from interfering with or controlling the fire
alarm system. Such requirements can be difficult
to comply with and sometimes even more difficult
to maintain over time.
Guidelines for specifying a BAS
As with any complicated system like a BAS, the
engineering team and the contractor must recognize
the inherent risks. First, these types of projects can-
not be specified without a good working knowledge
of how the equipment will work. And the contrac-
tor should not bid these types of projects without
understanding the dependence they will have on
the suppliers and their technicians and program-
mers. The suppliers must provide the contractor with
the necessary training and technical assistance to
ensure an efficient installation. And the engineering
team must specify that the specified manufacturers
will participate in the final acceptance testing of the
integrated systems. These types of integrated systems
may require negotiation with the AHJ. But the wise
engineer will control substitutions and realize that
buying the systems based only on price is a mistake.
By taking some practical steps, the engineer-
ing team and contractors can navigate these
www.csemag.com
challenges. Due to system com-
plexity, the engineering team
should be aware of the neces-
sary testing that is required and
specify the details of the test-
ing approach to ensure the
contractors involved are aware
of the detail expected for the
testing process. In addition,
contractors may experience
additional costs due to deliv-
ery delays, extensive pro-
gramming, or lengthy testing
and balancing time frames. In
large systems where the BAS
will be integrated with the
fire alarm system, the engi-
neering team should obtain
expected shipping informa-
tion and guaranteed technical
assistance with every manu-
facturer specified for the inte-
grated systems.
The contractor, on the other hand, must make Figure 3: This is a
sure purchase orders and agreements are written poor example of fire
with specific guaranteed delivery schedules and a alarm control unit
guarantee that technical assistance will be available wiring, including a
during construction and during acceptance testing. wired relay provid-
Early in the design and construction process, the ing HVAC shut-
engineering team and the contractor must address down and off-site
the addition of the communication structure for the supervising station
BAS, addressing this from a contractual and opera- connection. Poor
tions point of view. The engineering team should workmanship results
ensure that the bidders for the project are profi- in poor emergency
cient enough to install and maintain the integrated control interfaces.
systems while still meeting all code requirements.
Again, a contractor cannot approach this kind of
project like they do other projects.
The engineering team faces many challenges
to ensure they understand the integrated systems
operation. Contractors who intend to enter this
sophisticated market face many of the same chal-
lenges. For both the engineer and the contractor,
challenges include understanding diverse and com-
plicated systems, unique communication schemes
and infrastructure, and the additional, and often
time-consuming, process for system testing, com-
missioning, and acceptance. The engineering team
must both specify and participate in the commis-
sioning of the integrated systems.
After the contractor tests the integrated sys-
tems, the engineers also must ensure that the con-
tractor also participates in the commissioning of
the individual systems in accordance with NFPA
3: Standard for Commissioning of Fire Protection
and Life Safety Systems and NFPA 4: Standard for
Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System
Testing. The contractor must verify that the systems
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 31
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
will perform together as specified. To accomplish
these goals, the engineering team must ensure that
the specifications provide the contractors with clear
responsibilities for the implementation of the inte-
grated systems, to avoid poor or noncomplying sys-
tem performance.
After the project has been installed, the details
of the integrated design must be recorded. We
know it is rare for any of these integrated sys-
tems to be installed exactly as specified. That is
why ensuring all of the information about the
‘
When integrating a fire alarm system with
an HVAC system or BAS, stay focused on
the goal of limiting the spread of smoke
with a coordinated approach to keep things
’
simple, where possible.
“final” integrated system is documented in accor-
dance with Chapter 7 of NFPA 72-2016. Providing
responsible and correct documentation is probably
the single most important item that, when com-
pleted, will ensure ease of troubleshooting as well
as ease of upgrading the integrated system in the
future. NFPA 72, Chapter 7, requires that evalu-
ation documentation include a signed statement
by the person responsible for the design, attesting
to the evaluation and the resultant technical deci-
sion and deeming it reliable and acceptable for the
application, which means the installed integrated
system is in compliance with the design specifi-
cations. And NFPA 3 requires that the evaluation
documentation (commissioning information) be
retained for the life of the system. The informa-
tion retained must include the system operation
information, which is generally in the format of an
input/output matrix.
It is advisable for the engineering team to
enforce the requirements of NFPA 72-2016, Sec-
tion 7.5, regarding completion documents. This
section should be referenced in its entirety to make
sure the contractors bidding the project under-
stand the importance of documenting the system
installation. The importance of these requirements
cannot be overstated. NFPA 72-2016 Section 7.5.3
requires all systems to include the following doc-
umentation, to be delivered to the owner or the
owner’s representative upon final acceptance of the
system:
“(1) An owner’s manual and manufactur-
er’s published instructions covering all system
equipment.
32 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
(2) Record (as-built) drawings.
(3) A completed record of the completion form.
(4) For software-based systems, a record of the
site-specific software.”
If the engineering team specifies these require-
ments upfront, there is a better chance the contrac-
tors will know that all features and components of
the integrated system will need to be recorded for
review. Obviously, it is important for the engineer-
ing team to assign a competent engineer to review
the drawing submissions. Preferably, this engineer
will be intimate with the design and will participate
in the commissioning process.
As with any specialty market, success will
depend on how well one understands the market
and how well one plans the design process. When
integrating a fire alarm system with an HVAC sys-
tem or BAS, stay focused on the goal of limiting
the spread of smoke with a coordinated approach
to keep things simple, where possible. And when
that integration involves a fire alarm and BAS
interface, the engineering team must make the
specifications clear in terms of both system oper-
ation and contractor responsibility. This pro-
cess will help to avoid a nightmare installation by
ensuring all contractors involved have a complete
understanding of what is expected, allowing them
to plan accordingly. cse
Wayne D. Moore is a vice president with the fire pro-
tection engineering and code-consulting firm JEN-
SEN HUGHES, located in the firm’s Warwick, R.I.,
office. He currently serves as a member and former
chairman of the NFPA 72-2016 Emergency Commu-
nications Systems (ECS) Technical Committee and is
the editor/co-editor of five editions of the National
Fire Alarm Code Handbook.
Larry D. Rietz, a National Institute for Certification
in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Level IV-certi-
fied fire alarm designer, is the director of the JENSEN
HUGHES Denver office. Rietz currently serves on the
Automatic Fire Alarm Association (AFAA) Board of
Directors, as a principal on the NFPA 1616 Techni-
cal Committee, and as an alternate on the NFPA 72
Chapter 24 ECS Technical Committee.
M More
SOLUTIONS
Find more resources at www.csemag.com, including:
• The 2017 HVAC and Building Automation Systems
Study
• The 2016 Fire and Life Safety Studies for various
building types.
www.csemag.com
input #11 at www.csemag.com/information
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
By Robert F. Accosta Jr., PE, and John Barrot, PE, Arup, New York City

Designing passive and active

fire protection systems
Fire protection engineers should consider the building’s construction,
fire suppression systems, and smoke control when designing active and passive
fire protection systems. The International Building Code and NFPA standards
provide guidance on passive and active fire protection systems.

T
he design of fire protection systems
should be project-specific, cohesive,
and consider the building lifecycle from
the design to construction and oper-
ation. Passive fire protection systems
include structural fire resistance, compartmen-
tation (fire-rated walls, floors), and protection of
the openings through them (fire doors, fire damp-
ers, firestop systems). Active fire protection systems
include sprinkler systems, alternative automatic fire-
extinguishing systems, standpipe sys-
The design phase is just the beginning of the
building lifecycle. Fire protection systems must be
designed with the construction and operational phases
of the building in mind. Constructibility, field condi-
tions, and construction phasing are just a few of the
items to consider before and during construction.
Post-construction, the owner must then under-
stand and meet their responsibilities for operating,
inspecting, testing, and maintaining these systems
over the life of the building.

L Learning tems, fire extinguishers, fire alarm and Client goals

OBJECTIVES detection systems, emergency alarm
systems, and smoke control systems.
Design professionals might assume that the con-
struction cost is the top priority for their clients. In
• Understand active and passive
fire protection systems along
Fire protection systems must reality, clients typically have a range of goals and
with select requirements from the meet the client’s goals. At a min- priorities.
International Building Code. imum, buildings must be code- Fire/life safety goals will include life safety,
• Learn important considerations compliant, but owners and develop- property protection, and business continuity. The
when selecting and designing fire ers will consider construction and importance of the latter two goals will depend on
protection systems. operational costs, the construction
schedule, quality, design excellence, Passive fire protection Active fire protection
property protection, business continuity, and sus- • Fire-resistant-rated con- • Automatic sprinkler
tainability goals when seeking out design solutions. struction (walls, floor/ceil- systems
ing, roof, barrier, partition)
Projects often have various end users including cus- • Alternative automatic fire-
• Fire-resistance rating of extinguishing systems
tomers, tenants, staff, user groups, maintenance, structural members
• Standpipe systems
and facilities teams who influence these factors. • Fire-resistant joint systems
Fire protection systems must be cohesive. The • Portable fire extinguishers
• Penetration firestopping
best-designed buildings have a fire strategy that • Fire alarm and detection
• Opening protectives (fire systems
guides the selection of passive and active fire pro- door or window assem-
• Emergency alarm systems
tection measures in response to the particular haz- bly, fire shutter, fire-rated
ards and objectives of that project. Each system glazing) • Smoke control systems.

must be designed to meet the client’s goals, the fire • Duct and air transfer open-
ings (combination fire/
strategy, and the applicable codes. Fire protection smoke damper, fire damp-
systems have interdependencies with each other er, smoke damper).
and with non-life safety systems. The design team
must identify and understand these interdependen- Table 1: The elements of passive and active fire
cies and ensure that they are properly coordinated. protection systems. All graphics courtesy: Arup

34 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER www.csemag.com

the project type and client. Property protection is
critically important in a museum storage facility or
a distribution facility. Business continuity is para-
mount in an air traffic control tower, a trading
floor, or a data center. (See Figure 1)
Design excellence and quality are important for
many clients. Clients increasingly want to enhance
occupant well-being and comfort. This often hap-
pens with reduced compartmentation, increased
openness, and interconnections between floors.
The model building codes facilitate this through
non-separated mixed use, access-stair/escalator-
floor opening allowances, and atrium provisions.
Traditionally considered passive systems, hold-
open fire doors and specialty doors, such as fire
shutters, with or without egress also may aid in
these goals. Unlike truly passive systems, such as
walls, these systems are interdependent on other
systems including the fire alarm system.
Designing high-performance buildings to meet
environmental goals is becoming the norm because of
client-led sustainability programs, construction codes,
or government-led climate change initiatives. Fire pro-
tection engineers can make smart decisions in the
design and specification of fire/life safety systems to
facilitate sustainability goals. For instance, a structural
system using mass timber has a lower carbon footprint
than steel, concrete, or masonry and can be sized to
provide fire resistance without applied fireproofing or
being encapsulated in gypsum.
The building envelope is a major area of focus
in high- performance buildings that must also meet
requirements for fire safety, such as combustibility,
flame-spread performance, and floor-to-floor com-
partmentation. When selecting a clean agent sys-
tem, NFPA 2001: Standard on Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems requires consideration of
the effects of the agent on the environment includ-
ing its ozone-depletion potential (ODP) and global
warming potential (GWP) as well as how well the
agent minimizes the environmental effects of the
fire itself. NFPA 2001 publishes the ODP and GWP
values for each agent, allowing engineers to evalu-
ate each product.
Construction cost is only one aspect of the life-
cycle building cost. Active and passive fire pro-
tection systems have operational costs related to
inspections, testing, and maintenance that must
be considered. Ease of maintenance is also a con-
sideration including equipment required and busi-
ness interruption, such as the type of smoke/heat
detection selected for a high-ceiling space. A ques-
tion that should be asked is “What are the opera-
tional preferences and capabilities of the facilities
www.csemag.com
• Compartmentation
• Fire
• Detection and alarm
• Suppression
• Smoke management
• Firefighting equipment
and maintenance staff?” These are important con- Figure 1: The design
siderations when selecting fire protection systems. of passive and active
Reducing the construction schedule is often fire protection sys-
a high priority and ought to be considered when tems must mitigate
selecting fire protection systems. A simple example the potential fire risk
is the use of drop-in or preformed firestop systems in a structure while
as compared with field-applied firestopping. Using still meeting the proj-
a gypsum or mineral fiberboard product for fire- ect-specific goals and
proofing may be more labor-intensive when com- challenges that may
pared with spray-applied fire-resistive material but be beyond the mini-
can eliminate a wet trade, which can be advanta- mum requirements of
geous in certain projects. Prefabricated modular the code.
construction is one area where it is critical to con-
sider these trade-offs between the material cost,
labor cost, and schedule.
‘
Designing high-performance buildings
to meet environmental goals is becoming
the norm because of client-led sustainability
’
programs.
Understanding code requirements
While considering client goals is important,
code compliance is required on all projects so the
project team must understand the requirements.
The International Building Code (IBC) is the model
code adopted in most jurisdictions in the U.S. and
will form the basis of this overview.
Passive fire protection systems are mostly cov-
ered in Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the IBC. The type
of construction required is determined using the
height/story/area tables in Chapter 5 for the pro-
posed use groups as defined in Chapter 3. The
structural materials (steel, concrete, masonry, heavy
timber, metal/wood stud) considered by the project
team will also factor into which construction type is
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 35
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Life safety Passive fire
protection
IT and communications Mechanical
Fire alarm
Fire protection Security
Architecture Other fire safety
Electrical interfaces
Figure 2: Example of select components in the “total architecture”
approach, which is applied to the design of a fire alarm system. This
graphic does not include aspects of coordination relative to owners,
end users, and stakeholders.
selected when more than one type is permitted. For
example, a building that is taller than 420 ft must
be Type I-A noncombustible construction (3-hour
columns, 2-hour floors, beams, bearing walls). How-
ever, a 5-story building has multiple options for con-
struction type. The type selected will depend on the
client goals outlined previously herein. Fully sprin-
klered buildings are permitted increased height and
floor area over nonsprinklered buildings. This is
an example of the trade-offs in the building code
between active and passive systems.
The fire-resistance ratings of structural members
for each construction type are outlined in Chapter
6. The IBC details various compliance methods for
determining the fire resistance ratings in Chapter
7. The most common methods use previously test-
ed fire-resistance rating designs such as in the UL
Fire Resistance Directory or Intertek Certification
Directory, prescriptive designs per IBC, Section 721,
or calculated designs per IBC, Section 722. In the
absence of existing tested systems appropriate to
the project, the client may elect to have fire testing
completed for their project-specific assemblies. The
IBC also permits engineering analysis and alterna-
tive protection methods.
Separated and non-separated mixed-use approach-
es, incidental use, and accessory use can be explored
36 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
in Chapter 5 to determine the compliance strate-
gy for compartmentation. If the building is mixed-
use, a non-separated-use approach reduces the
number of walls requiring opening protectives and
firestopping but may result in a higher construc-
tion type depending on the building size and use.
Chapter 5 provides required fire-resistance rat-
ings for separated occupancies. Chapter 7 provides
the detailed requirements for fire-resistant-rated
construction (fire walls, fire/smoke barriers, fire/
smoke partitions, and floors). Fire-resistant joint
systems, penetration firestopping, opening protec-
tives (fire door or window assembly, fire shutter,
fire-rated glazing), and duct and air-transfer open-
ings (combination fire/smoke damper, fire damper,
smoke damper) are all covered in Chapter 7.
Unlike passive fire protection systems, active
fire protection requires some form of action/
response in order to achieve the life safety objec-
tive of detecting a fire, notifying the occupants/fire
department, managing smoke, or controlling/sup-
pressing the fire.
Chapter 9 of the IBC outlines requirements
for automatic sprinkler systems, alternative auto-
matic fire-extinguishing systems, standpipe sys-
tems, portable fire extinguishers, fire alarm and
detection systems, emergency alarm systems, and
smoke control systems as well as identifies where
each system is required. Generally, the requirements
of Chapter 9 are based on occupancy. However, spe-
cific building areas, hazards, and applications that
require protection regardless of occupancy are also
outlined. In most instances, the IBC and Interna-
tional Fire Code reference NFPA standards for
design, installation, inspection, testing, and main-
tenance requirements of the active fire protection
systems.
The IBC sets forth the minimum requirements,
yet providing the code-minimum level of protec-
tion may not achieve all project goals. The design
team and project stakeholders should consider
the project goals to ensure that the fire protec-
tion systems are tailored to the project. Design-
ers also should consider the requirements of the
local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), the cli-
ent, and the insurer that may require fire protec-
tion systems exceeding the construction codes.
Throughout the IBC, numerous trade-offs are
recognized by using active fire protection sys-
tems. In addition to the trade-off previously noted,
another example of this is smoke-protected seat-
ing, defined by the IBC as, “seating served by
means of egress that is not subject to smoke accu-
mulation within or under a structure.” For smoke-
protected seating, either a smoke control system
complying with Section 909 of the IBC or natural
ventilation meeting the performance criteria of the
code is provided, and the trade-offs include:
www.csemag.com
 • Areas of refuge are not required (Section
1009.3).
• Reduced aisle widths (Section 1029.6).
• Extended travel distances and common paths
of travel (Section 1029.7 and 1029.8).
• Longer dead-end aisles (Section 1029.9.5).
• Increased row-length limits for aisle access-
ways (Section 1029.12.2).
Note that the above is not a comprehensive
review of the smoke-protected seating require-
ments; however, it identifies select requirements of
Section 1029 of the IBC as related to trade-offs for
providing active fire protection.
Performance-based design
Performance-based design can be an integral
part of the overall fire strategy for a building, partic-
ularly where prescriptive design may not allow the
client goals to be fully realized. The IBC allows for
performance-based design in a variety of ways includ-
ing the administrative provision in Section 104.11.
The structural fire-resistance rating can be
determined by engineering analysis that compares
a proposed design with a previously tested design
per Section 703.3, or by advanced modeling meth-
ods per Section 104.11 of the IBC.
Engineering judgments are often required for
fire-rated assemblies, penetration firestop sys-
tems, and fire-resistant joint systems, particularly
to address unique design/field conditions that vary
from tested systems but can be demonstrated to meet
the performance requirements.
In older existing buildings, there may be limited
—if any—documentation verifying that the passive
fireproofing systems meet applicable fire-resistance
ratings. In these cases, the fire protection engineer
may need to refer to fireproofing-material resources
to determine the likely fire rating, such as the Inter-
national Existing Building Code.
For active systems, performance-based design
also is an integral part of the design process.
Smoke control systems are designed using a ratio-
nal analysis by a registered design professional per
Chapter 909 of the IBC and NFPA 92: Standard for
Smoke Control Systems. This may include calcula-
tions, computational modeling, or real-world testing.
Audibility and intelligibility of fire alarm audible
-notification appliances including public address
systems can be modeled to verify and optimize per-
formance. The project team must have relevant fire
protection and acoustic expertise to complete these
simulations accurately.
Total architecture —
the integrated approach
“Total architecture,” was conceived by Sir Ove
Arup almost 50 years ago where “all relevant design
www.csemag.com
decisions have been considered together and have
been integrated into a whole by a well-organized
team.” Today, this is more commonly known as
integrated design and at its best, includes the design
team, contractor, owner, end users, and other stake-
holders working towards a common set of goals.
One aspect of the integrated approach is coor-
dination among members of the team and stake-
holders. The design team should engage the owner
and respective end users early on in the process to
inform design decisions. Understanding the client
goals and project brief is critical for a project to be
successful. It is important to recognize any changes
that may impact the design as it progresses. Many
times, end users may not be part of the design pro-
cess, which can present chal-
‘
lenges in meeting project goals
when seeking beneficial occu- The project team must
pancy. Regardless of the pas-
sive and active fire protection have relevant fire protec-
schemes, considerations that
should be addressed in the
design process may include: tion and acoustic expertise
• Does meeting the mini- to complete these simula-
mum requirements
’
of the building and fire tions accurately.
codes achieve all project
goals/objectives?
• Who are key stakeholders from the client
team? Does this include end-user groups?
• Are existing capabilities of the end user suf-
ficient to inspect, test, maintain, and oper-
ate new passive and active fire protection
schemes being designed? If not, are they
accepting of the design schemes involving
“new and unfamiliar” systems?
• Is the design too complex? Can it be sim-
plified while still effectively achieving fire
protection goals? Is there a risk of complex/
difficult usability that may ultimately com-
promise the designed fire protection?
• Will fire protection schemes be capa-
ble of operating throughout the life of the
structure?
• Are the schemes and respective changes dis-
seminated throughout the entire team?
Another aspect of total architecture is har-
monization of the various passive and active fire
protection systems to achieve the integrated fire
protection strategy. Numerous systems and ele-
ments must be coordinated to align with the fire
strategy. These elements include:
• Architecture
• Electrical systems
• Fire suppression systems
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 37
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
• Information technology and
communications
• Life safety and means of egress systems
• Mechanical systems
• Security systems
• Fire alarm and emergency communication
systems
• Smoke control and management systems
• Building infrastructure
• Fire-resistant rated construction.
Design Construct
Operate
O control systems, sprayed fire-resistance materi-
Figure 3: The design of passive and active fire
protection systems must consider the lifecycle
of a building.
Some key considerations include confirming
the relationship/coordination between the follow-
ing items:
• Architectural layout with smoke control, fire
suppression, and fire alarm layouts.
• Electrical loads of the above systems with
electrical design.
• Alignment of smoke control, suppression,
and fire alarm system zones.
• Access control with means of egress.
• Fire-rated construction with opening protec-
tives including fire/smoke dampers.
• Fire alarm with mechanical, elevator, sup-
pression systems, emergency generator, and
other fire safety interfaces. Evacuation strat-
egy with smoke control and fire alarm.
• Fire protection strategy with emergency
action and response plans.
• Division of scope between disciplines and
contracts.
• Equipment location with regards to other
building systems in terms of meeting
required clearances and accessibility for
future inspection, testing, and maintenance.
While the above list is not a comprehensive sum-
mary, it identifies select items that demonstrate a
38 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
cohesive design approach to passive and active fire
protection systems. Existing buildings present addi-
tional unique challenges that are not discussed here.
Construction process
Following approval by the AHJ and award of
construction contract(s), the robust construction-
administration process commences. The integrat-
ed approach should continue through construction
as the team grows and additional stakeholders pro-
vide input. Post-award changes need to be coordi-
nated throughout the team in the same manner as
they are during design. They also must be evaluat-
ed to confirm the fire strategy and client goals are
still met. Furthermore, geographic boundaries and
the fact that the team may be comprised of multiple
design and construction firms must not preclude
the coordination and evaluation of the fire protec-
tion strategy.
As construction progresses, various codes and
standards require acceptance testing of the pas-
sive and active fire protection systems. Chapter 17
of the IBC requires special inspections of smoke
als, mastic and intumescent fire-resistant coatings,
and fire-resistant penetrations and joints. Various
NFPA installation codes and standards also require
inspection and testing of fire protection systems.
Examples of documents that contain requirements
for acceptance testing include:
• NFPA 13: Standard for Installation of
Sprinkler Systems.
• NFPA 20: Standard for Installation of
Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection.
• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and
Signaling Code.
• NFPA 90A: Standard for the Installation of
Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.
• NFPA 2001: Standard on Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems.
Design teams also can refer to NFPA 3: Stan-
dard for Commissioning of Fire Protection and
Life Safety Systems and NFPA 4: Standard for
Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System
Testing, which offer additional guidance related to
integrated fire protection and life safety systems.
Post-construction—
operating the building
Operating the building and its fire protection
systems must be considered during the design pro-
cess. As previously discussed, involving the end
users in the design process becomes increasingly
important as the building is prepared for handover.
Two aspects of this preparation include training and
documentation.
www.csemag.com
 The extent of training required on the new pas-
sive and active fire protection systems will vary
from project to project, depending on the complex-
ity of systems and familiarity of end users/main-
tainers with the new products/technologies. The
cost and willingness of the end user/maintenance
team to train on using the new fire protection sys-
tems should be discussed during design. Long before
post-construction operation, the end users should
be aware of the requirements, roles, and responsi-
bilities for long-term operations, inspection, testing,
and maintenance of the new fire protection systems.
The scheduling and scope of training must con-
sider the operational readiness of the systems and
end users/maintainers for the specific project. New
and maintain the performance set forth in the orig-
inal design.
One size does not fit all when it comes to using
passive or active fire protection systems. The fire
‘ Various NFPA
installation
protection and life safety systems for each project codes and
should be based on the client’s goals and specific
fire hazards for that building. A fire strategy will standards also
help align fire protection system selection with the
client’s goals. require in-
Fire protection systems have myriad interdepen- spection and
dencies between them and other non-life safety sys-
tems. The design team must understand them and testing of fire
ensure they are coordinated across the contract
documents. The contractor must install these sys- protection
tems correctly and in conformance with the con-

standard operating procedures and guidelines should
be implemented, or existing ones revised as needed,
to accommodate the new fire protection systems.
Documentation of the fire protection systems is
also an important tool for end users. Complete and
accurate operation and maintenance manuals as
well as as-built drawings for all fire protection sys-
tems are essential for maintaining operations over
the system’s life expectancy. The fire and life safety
strategy encompassing all systems also should be
outlined in this documentation to confirm future
system upgrades and/or building modifications
’
tract drawings and specifications. systems.
Design and construction represent a small per-
centage of the building lifecycle. Post-construction,
the owner must perform their responsibilities for
inspection, testing, and maintenance. cse
Robert F. Accosta Jr. is a senior fire engineer with
Arup. He serves as an alternate member of the NFPA
72 Technical Committee on Notification Appliances
for Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems. John Barrot
is an associate principal with Arup. He leads the fire/
life safety practice in New York.

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BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
By Victor Ammons, PE, LEED AP, Jacobs, Philadelphia
Dissecting NEC’s
recent changes
Changes in and additions to the 2017 edition of NFPA 70: National Electrical
Code (NEC) have an impact on commercial and industrial facilities.
D
o engineers need to know NFPA 70:
National Electrical Code (NEC)? Cer-
tainly; NFPA 70 is adopted into law in
every state in the country, as well as in
many foreign countries.
In Article 90.1, the first paragraph of the NEC, it is
clearly stated that it is not a design document. How-
ever, it is the basis of every electrical design and is the
minimum standard that will provide a safe and legally
acceptable design. While the NEC may allow an engi-
neered system that goes beyond the requirements of
the code to provide more efficiency and convenience,
it does not require efficiency or convenience.
The NEC assumes the user has some training in
and at least a basic understanding of electrical prin-
ciples. This typically is not a concern for electrical
engineers, but it may present a challenge for those
40 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
expanding into areas of design and construction in
which they are not familiar.
The NEC is a consensus document with chang-
es proposed, evaluated, and reviewed by numerous
members along with additional public input for each
change that appears in the document. Every 3 years,
the NEC introduces new safety concepts. Sometimes, it
even forces the industry to bring new products to mar-
ket that are in development but proceeding more slow-
ly than the NFPA consensus feels is reasonable. These
new products will cause development of new proce-
dures for installation and new requirements for design.
New NEC articles
The 2017 edition of the NEC has introduced five
new articles. These include some interesting and
sometimes confusing requirements that affect elec-
trical design. The new articles are briefly discussed
below:
Article 425—Fixed Resistance and Electrode
Industrial Process Heating Equipment: Previous
versions of the NEC included requirements for space
heating, pipeline heating, and deicing/snow melting,
but did not address electric boilers or other process
heating. This new article fills this void. Now there are
requirements that provide the minimum for a safe
installation.
Article 691—Large-Scale Photovoltaic (PV)
Electric Power Production Facility: Large PV sys-
tems have unique safety and operational features
because the power source (the sun) is not controlla-
ble. This new article addresses these complications in
large PV arrays not controlled by a utility.
Article 706—Energy Storage Systems: With the
proliferation of nonutility energy-production facili-
Figure 1: Facing switchgear is shown with an
aisle in between. Because the working space
for 4,160 V gear is not in accordance with cur-
rent requirements, this gear is being demol-
ished. All graphics courtesy: Jacobs
www.csemag.com
ties, there also has been an increase in energy storage
to supplement the production, so the time of energy
use can be coordinated with the cost of power. This
new article addresses the safety concerns for having
a large number of storage batteries in close proximity.
Article 710—Stand Alone Systems: Most places
in the U.S. now have access to utility-provided elec-
tricity, but not everywhere. Where utility power is not
available, or where someone chooses not to connect
to the utility, the electric installation now has criteria
directed specifically to it.
Article 712—Direct Current Microgrids: Dc
microgrids connect dc power supplies and loads. The
sources may be solar systems, wind power systems,
fuel cells, or batteries. Many types of loads now have
dc versions, including lighting and motors. Because
of the limited effective transmission distance of dc
power, these microgrids are limited to small areas.
Changes to existing articles
Along with the new articles, there were more than
4,000 public inputs (requests for changes) and more
than 500 changes to existing requirements. Some of
these changes include:
A change to the definition of “readily accessible”
clarifies that it is permissible to lock electrical equip-
ment or electrical rooms to limit access by unauthor-
ized personnel (Article 100).
Article 110.16(B): Service equipment rated 1,200
amp and larger must be marked with arc flash data.
The data required will require arc flash calculations,
and it should be clear in the contract who must pro-
vide this data. Some owners want to see the data prior
to the end of design so changes to the design can be
made to lessen the arc flash.
Calculations not based on the actual equipment
installed and actual conductor types and lengths are
always an approximation. But waiting for the contrac-
tor to install equipment and conductors that do not
meet arc flash requirements can result in large change
orders. Arc flash labels can be factory- or field-
applied. The label contents are defined along with the
new Article (110.16(B)).
Continued expansion of ground-fault circuit inter-
rupter (GFCI) protection includes single-phase recep-
tacles up to 50 amp and 3-phase receptacles up to 100
amp. This expanded protection is required for non-
residential installations nits where voltage doesn’t
exceed 150 V to ground and in locations listed in
210.8(B). GFCI is also required for lighting outlets in
crawl spaces, the reason being there is little possibility
of falling away from an electrical fault while in a crawl
space. Also, any person in a crawl space is most likely
well-grounded.
www.csemag.com
Figure 2: Access to electrical equipment is an NEC requirement, but
this access is hard to maintain in many industrial facilities.
The locations requiring arc fault and tamper-
resistant receptacles also have expanded. Arc fault
receptacles have the ability to reduce fires that
result from arcing at conductor connections. The
locations where they are required have been slow-
ly increasing since their inclusion in the code.
Tamper-resistant receptacles protect people, par-
ticularly children, from electric shock and arcing
flash burns by reducing the possibility of inserting
metal objects into a receptacle. Locations where
they are required, usually where children might
not be closely supervised, have been increasing
each code cycle.
When conduits are run across a rooftop, previ-
ous editions of the NEC had a table listing derating
factors based on their height above the roof. The
reason for this was a study showing that the con-
ductors in the conduits were exposed to
higher temperatures because of the heat
L Learning
radiating from the roof. More recent
studies have shown the initial study was
OBJECTIVES
flawed and the conductors are not sub- • Understand the basics of NFPA
70: National Electrical Code
jected to an appreciable temperature (NEC).
gradient. The 2017 edition has removed
• Know that NEC is updated every
the table and the requirement for derat- 3 years, and understand the
ing, except if the conduit is less than changes to the 2017 edition.
7/ in. above the roof.
8 • New articles were introduced
Many types of power distribution recently; learn about them here.
and control equipment must now be
marked with the short-circuit rating,
and documentation must be available to inspect-
ing authorities showing the available short-circuit
current at the installation location. Making sure
all equipment is capable of withstanding available
short-circuit current provides a measure of per-
sonnel protection and prevents extreme damage
to equipment. Having the documentation, calcu-
lations, and equipment submittals on hand may
require much more extensive calculations than pre-
viously. This may require more expensive versions
of the calculation programs.
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 41
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
CODES AND STANDARDS
Figure 3: Part of a large solar application is shown. Facilities 5 MW
and larger must comply with NEC-2017’s new Article 691.
NEC chapters
The NEC is divided into nine chapters; chap-
ter nine is tables. Each has different functions and
addresses different aspects of electrical installation.
Chapter 1—General is the basis for the applica-
tion of the code. Terms that are used by more than
one article are defined in Article 100; terms that are
in common use and not given special meanings with-
in the electrical trade are not defined. Also included
in Chapter 1—in Article 110, Requirements for Elec-
trical Installations—are requirements for listing and
marking, working space, and guarding of live parts.
A strong working knowledge of this chapter is funda-
mental to understanding the code.
Chapter 2—Wiring and Protection contains the
requirements for branch circuits including identifica-
tion, protection of conductors, GFCI protection, arc
fault protection, and bonding and grounding. Proper
grounding and bonding is one of the most important
items in the code for the protection of wiring, equip-
ment, and most important, people. Nothing else does
as much to channel voltage from faults away from
people and equipment and provide stable power for
the operation of equipment, particularly electronics.
It is interesting that surge arrestors and surge protec-
tive devices are included in Chapter 1 and not Chap-
ter 6—Special Equipment. The reliance on proper
grounding for these devices to perform their function
is a big consideration in this location.
Chapter 3—Wiring Methods and Materials con-
tains requirements for physical protection of conduc-
tors inside buildings and structures, underground, and
outside aboveground . It has the most used table in the
code: 310.15(B)(16), Conductor Ampacity Up to
M More
ONLINE
2,000 V. The values in this table have to be mod-
ified by application of derating and correction
factors elsewhere in Article 310.15.
Read more at www.
csemag.com about NEC: Chapter 3 also describes conduit and con-
• Chapter 5 ductor types and gives requirements for their
• Chapter 6 use. It contains requirements for raceways,
• Chapter 7 Critical- support structures, and miscellaneous mate-
operations power rials and equipment for carrying current or
systems (COPS). conductors.
42 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
Chapter 4—Equipment for General Use includes
requirements for flexible cables, distribution and
control panels, switches and receptacles, lighting,
electric heating, motors, air conditioning, genera-
tors, transformers, and similar equipment. The arti-
cle on motors is long and detailed, as it covers a large
portion of the work in commercial and industrial
establishments.
Chapter 5—Special Occupancies includes Articles
500 through 506, which provide important details for
determining if an area is a hazardous (classified) loca-
tion and identifying the particular classification. These
details are supplemented by information from other
NFPA standards, which are referenced in these articles.
Included are requirements for wiring, equipment, and
safety features necessary to prevent fires and explosions
in hazardous areas. Like the grounding requirement in
Chapter 2, these articles contain requirements critical
for the protection of facilities and people.
Chapter 6—Special Equipment covers a vari-
ety of equipment: signs, office furnishings, cranes,
elevators and lifts, vehicle, truck-charging stations,
welders, audio equipment, information technology
equipment, pipe organs, x-ray equipment, swimming
pools, PV, wind, and fuel cell power production, plus
other similar equipment. There are different require-
ments for the installation of specific varieties of
equipment, but all are based on the general require-
ments of Chapters 1 through 4.
Chapter 7—Special Conditions also covers a
variety of items, but these are systems and cables:
emergency systems, standby systems, interconnected
power production, energy storage, small power-pro-
duction systems, various specialized cable systems,
and fire alarm systems. Emergency systems and fire
alarm systems have obvious importance for personnel
safety and building protection, but other systems also
have a considerable impact on safety .
Chapter 8—Communications Systems stands
alone. None of the requirements in Chapters 1
through 7 apply to Chapter 8 installations unless they
are referenced in Chapter 8. Chapter 8 covers require-
ments for communications systems, TV and radio
systems, and broadband communications systems.
Many of the requirements of Chapters 1 through 7
that are not referenced are actually copied into Chap-
ter 8 with modifications to fit communications cir-
cuits. For instance, grounding of raceways and cable
sheaths is more detailed than similar requirements in
the grounding article in Chapter 2. Some are stricter
and others are more relaxed; i.e., raceway-fill require-
ments do not apply to Chapter 8 installations. cse
Victor Ammons is a senior electrical engineer and elec-
trical discipline leader at Jacobs. Ammons started work
at an early age in a family-owned contracting business
and now has more than 50 years of contracting and
engineering experience.
www.csemag.com
 ENGINEERING INSIGHTS

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MEP ROUNDTABLE 50 for Engineers
The science behind
44 laboratory and research
facility projects
Engineers need to consider many factors for a lab
or research facility so it can perform as needed.
Engineers with experience on such facilities offer
advice on how to pass the test.

40% of engineers specify, design,

or make product selections for research
facilities/laboratories.
Source: Consulting-Specifying Engineer
2016 Fire & Life Safety Study

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ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES
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Read online exclusives at www.csemag.com about:
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FIRE, SECURITY & LIFE SAFETY
• Integrate building systems to improve functionality.

www.csemag.com CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER December 2017 • 43

ENGINEERING INSIGHTS
MEP ROUNDTABLE
The science behind laboratory
and research facility projects
Engineers need to consider many factors for a lab or research facility
so it can perform as needed. Engineers with experience on such
facilities offer advice on how to pass the test.
CSE: What’s the No. 1 trend you
see today in the design of lab and
research facilities?
Steven Graff: The No. 1 trend we
see in the design of lab and research
facilities is the flexible use of space and
the sharing of resources. New and ren-
ovated facilities are being organized
by function rather than discipline to
allow sharing of expensive equipment
and increase collaboration. Labora-
tories are being designed as modules
with moveable casework, plug-and-play
overhead utilities, and even moveable
walls in some cases, so they can be eas-
ily changed and reconfigured to support
each research team.
Mike Lawless: We have seen a focus
on separating wet (chemistry) labs from
dry (computational) labs. Wet lab spaces
are required to be fully exhausted; there-
fore, they carry the burden of additional
energy cost and first cost for infrastruc-
ture. We have seen clients question their
users more thoughtfully to help under-
stand what spaces really need to be wet
labs. This separation of wet and dry labs
and minimizing wet lab spaces is the big-
gest opportunity to save first cost and
energy. It is cheaper to build office-type
space than a laboratory—and office
Steven Graff, PE
Senior Mechanical
Engineer
Kupper Engineering Inc.
Ambler, Pa.
44 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
spaces cost less to operate—so sepa-
rating dry functions like write-up and
computational space from the wet labo-
ratory spaces should be a primary goal
in lab design and programming.
Robert Zamudio: The strongest
push we’re seeing is a focus on energy
efficiency, primarily through reduction
of fan energy by implementing variable
air volume (VAV) control of exhaust.
CSE: What other trends should
engineers consider regarding
these projects in the near future (1
to 3 years)?
Zamudio: Over the next few years,
we’re likely to see increased demand for
flexibility and modularity that will con-
tinue to impact all trades. Ceiling ser-
vice panels and mobile casework, for
example, allow easy alteration of spaces
as compared with traditional fixed case-
work. Another trend is water reduction
and reuse, especially in drought-prone
regions. This is easiest to implement
for restrooms and landscaping, as lab
spaces are typically process-driven.
Graff: Two trends I have seen lately
are the desire to design and build net
zero energy buildings and using virtu-
al reality to aid in the design process
Mike Lawless,
PE, FPE, LEED
AP
Client Executive
IMEG Corp.
St. Louis
and help clients visualize and make
decisions about their future facility.
CSE: What are the challenges
you face when designing such facil-
ities that you don’t normally face
for other projects?
Zamudio: Understanding diversi-
ties for right-sizing equipment is a chal-
lenge. Accurate sizing of lab gas, air, and
vacuum systems require an understand-
ing of usage. Diversities of sash closures
can have a big impact on fan sizing. This
information can be difficult to confirm,
thus early discussions with stakeholders
are important.
Lawless: The challenges are what
make designing these buildings fun.
Each facility is conducting unique
research in an effort to be the first to
make a scientific discovery and change
the world. This means each lab has
unique requirements and needs. Collab-
orating with researchers to find the right
solution while also staying within budget
is a great challenge.
CSE: What are some unique
elements/considerations when
retrofitting or renovating such
facilities?
Gerry Williams,
PE, LEED AP, CxA
Senior Mechanical
Engineer
CRB
St. Louis
www.csemag.com
Figure 1: The new William H. Danforth Wing sits to the west of the original wing of the Donald Danforth Plant Science
Center in St. Louis. All graphics courtesy: IMEG Corp.
Lawless: Our Bryan Hall renovation
at Washington University in St. Louis
highlights one challenge in retrofitting
an older building: low floor-to-floor
heights. The bottom of the structure
was an approximately 11-ft waffle slab,
to which we were adding laser labs, syn-
thetic chemistry, and mass spectrome-
try. The key to fitting all the necessary
utilities into the existing envelope was
early engagement with the architect to
plan for distributed shafts to minimize
the horizontal distribution of utilities.
Zamudio: One challenge we often
see is integrating VAV into an exist-
ing constant air volume (CAV) system.
Another challenge is tying into an exist-
ing deionized water loop while main-
taining velocities and staying below
rated pressures.
CSE: There’s an increased
demand for modular labs and facili-
ties that offer the flexibility to be
readily transformed from one type
of facility to another. What unique
obstacles do such facilities present?
Graff: Sizing of HVAC equipment is
one of the biggest challenges. You must
design something that not only will
Robert Zamudio,
PE, LEED AP
Senior Design
Engineer
Southland
Engineering
Union City, Calif.
www.csemag.com
operate efficiently under its current crite-
ria, but will also operate just as well under
new criteria in the future. In addition,
with added flexibility comes added cost.
Justifying some of those costs for future
needs is difficult.
Lawless: There is a balance to strike
between budget and first cost. How
many and what utilities do you pro-
vide now that may never be used if a
lab isn’t remodeled for some time? Infi-
nite flexibility can be provided for an
infinite price. A balance needs to be
struck between what main utilities are
provided—for example, providing ample
future electrical capacity in panels dis-
tributed throughout the floor but only
providing the circuits necessary for the
first occupant. This approach can apply
to many of the utilities. Another strategy
is to focus the flexibility in certain areas
or rooms. On a recent project, we had
“platform technology rooms” that pro-
vided a wide variety of utilities and space
flexibility. These proved to be very effec-
tive, as the researchers have been able to
implement a wide variety of experiments
in these space with the utilities provided.
CSE: How are codes, standards,
or guidelines for energy efficiency
impacting the design of such build-
ings?
Lawless: Many of our clients place a
high priority on energy efficiency and sus-
tainability. Labs can use more than three
times the amount of energy used in a typ-
ical education building. Focusing on labs
for energy efficiency is, therefore, impor-
tant to any campuswide energy-reduction
strategy. These energy efficiency goals have
CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER
a very positive impact, in my experience,
because institutions that strive for these
goals are able to get away from business
as usual and become willing to implement
new system types with new technologies.
We have seen the new systems being
adopted provide significant energy sav-
ings. We also have seen new technolo-
gies implemented in a new building and,
as the staff becomes comfortable with it,
the technology is then implemented in
existing buildings to provide additional
energy savings.
Graff: All aspects of the building are
intertwined, from building envelope, ori-
entation, and internal layout to the heat-
ing, cooling, plumbing, and lighting
systems. If you want to design an ener-
gy-efficient building, you can’t work in a
bubble. All disciplines need to be consid-
ered in the early stages of design. Within
each discipline, engineers and architects
need to understand how design decisions
they are making affect the other systems.
Zamudio: They impact cost and time.
It’s important for consultants to track
trends internally to avoid underestimat-
ing either.
CSE: What unique HVAC require-
ments do lab and research facilities
have that you wouldn’t encounter
in other buildings?
Gerry Williams: Many facilities,
such as dry labs, electronics labs, clean
rooms and pharmaceutical labs, require
high amounts of airflow or filtered air
to maintain sterility, but have very low
amounts of latent load. They also are
often kept at a lower room setpoint tem-
perature—between 64° and 68°F—to
December 2017 • 45
ENGINEERING INSIGHTS
MEP ROUNDTABLE
keep from overheating occupants who
often must wear lab coats or Tyvek cov-
ers. These facilities also can have critical
high and low relative-humidity require-
ments; however, due to the high air-
change rate, they do not require the 55°F
supply-air temperature that is more com-
mon in traditional facilities.
These spaces only need supply air at
60°F or higher to control the relatively
small sensible load. Due to the psychro-
metric requirements to maintain 50°F
relative humidity in the space at 66°F, the
supply air would be cooled down to 47°F
to wring out the moisture in the air (intro-
duced by outside air). Then the 47°F air
would need to be reheated back up to 60°F
to keep it from overcooling the rooms. Or,
a dedicated outside-air system can be used.
Graff: Specialty lab equipment with
high heat loads or unique installation
requirements. One project had an exist-
ing high-performance electron micro-
scope that was being relocated. We needed
to consider acoustic noise and vibration as
well as HVAC requirements. The micro-
scope needed to be mounted on a thick
input #13 at www.csemag.com/information
concrete pad and was located in a sepa-
rate room from the ancillary equipment to
reduce heat loads and vibration issues.
The air-handling system had to be
designed to maintain a tighter tempera-
ture tolerance than usual, to not affect the
specimen being studied. Other types of
equipment we run into frequently are high-
performance liquid chromatographs and
gas chromatographs. These are also highly
sensitive instruments that have significant
heat loads and have precise HVAC require-
ments that need to be considered during
the design of these labs.
Zamudio: Once-through air systems
(non-recircuiting), exhaust valves, mini-
mum air changes per hour (ACH), low-
velocity diffusers, high filtration levels,
24/7 operation. Additionally, there is a
variety of lab equipment requiring direct
exhaust, such as fume hoods and vacu-
um-pump cabinets.
Lawless: The primary HVAC require-
ment that drives lab design is the require-
ment to exhaust labs and provide for a
minimum number of outside-air changes
in every lab. This outside-air requirement
drives the entire design, from system
capacity to air distribution, to minimize
occupant exposure to contaminants. The
goal is to first minimize the amount of
outside air that is required, then set out to
minimize the amount of energy you use to
treat the outside air. In very simple terms,
that is the path for effective HVAC design
in a lab.
CSE: Have you specified dis-
tinctive HVAC systems on any
such facilities? What unusual or
infrequently specified products or
systems did you use to meet chal-
lenging HVAC needs?
Graff: I wouldn’t consider them
infrequently specified, but we use a lot
of Venturi-type airflow valves in lieu of
the standard butterfly-type VAV boxes
that you would typically find in an office
HVAC system. The Venturi-type air-
flow valves are used to actively control
and maintain pressurization schemes
within the labs. The control of these valves
Continued on page 49
 Figure 2: A grid of outlets for electrical service, data, and gases allows benches and cabinets to be moved as needed on
each floor of the William H. Danforth Wing at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis.

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ENGINEERING INSIGHTS
Continued from page 47
is often tied into the fume hoods to maintain the proper airflows at
different sash positions and reduce energy consumption.
Lawless: Sometimes simple solutions can seem innovative to
others. On the Jarvis Hall project at the University of Wisconsin-
Stout, we asked a simple question of the faculty: How much do you
use each hood? The faculty estimated that each hood was used an
average of 5% of the year. We then collaborated with the team to
provide solutions for storage of chemicals or other uses that might
cause a hood to need to remain on. We then provided a switch on
each fume hood so it could be turned off, closing the air valve. The
most energy-efficient fume hood is one that is off. I think this is a
great example of a university evaluating how they use a space and
spending their resources efficiently.

CSE: What types of air balancing or environmental
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For example, wide corridors allow for VAV boxes and bal-
input #16 at www.csemag.com/information
ancing dampers to be accessed from the hallways. In critical-
control facilities, such as pharmaceutical
facilities, the HVAC system needs to be
rebalanced annually or even semian-
nually. HVAC equipment, VAV boxes,
reheat coils, filters, and balancing damp-
ers should be in mechanical mezzanines
or interstitial floors above the spaces they
serve. Well-lit, defined walkways that
have adequate clearance height for main-
tenance personnel should also be includ-
ed. This can be the difference between a
well-maintained, properly working sys-
tem and one that is not.
Graff: We specify air balancing on all
our projects to verify that the installed and
operating condition meets our design. For
lab and pharma projects, we calculate
door leakage or transfer air into and out
of spaces to create pressure differentials.
We then require a certified air balancer
to come in and verify that the specified
pressure differentials are being met and
maintained. cse

M More
ROUNDTABLE
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717-766-0211 x4207, Fax 717-506-7238
AKSA POWER mike.rotz@frycomm.com
GENERATION USA . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . .www.aksausa.com Maria Bartell, List Rental Account Director
Infogroup Targeting Solutions
Baldor Electric Company . . . . . . . .C-2 . . . . . . . . 1. . . . . . . .www.baldor.com 847-378-2275, maria.bartell@infogroup.com
Claude Marada, List Rental Manager
402-836-6274, claude.marada@infogroup.com
CONTEMPORARY
CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 . . . . . . . . 15 . . . . . . .www.ccontrols.com/ip Letters to the Editor
Please e-mail your letters to
ARozgus@CFEMedia.com
CSE On-Demand Webcasts . . . . . .48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.csemag.com/ondemandwebcasts Letters should include name, company, and
address, and may be edited for space and clarity.
Danfoss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 . . . . . . . . . . 5. . . . . . . .www.danfoss.us

Information
Douglas Lighting Controls . . . . . . .47 . . . . . . . . 14 . . . . . . .www.DouglasLightingControls.com For a Media Kit or Editorial Calendar:
www.csemag.com/interactivemediakit.
ESL Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . .49 . . . . . . . . 17 . . . . . . .www.eslpwr.com

Fujitsu General America, Inc . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . 3. . . . . . . .www.FujitsuGeneral.com

Reprints
For custom reprints or electronic usage, contact:
Brett Petillo, Wright’s Media
Greenheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 . . . . . . . . . 9. . . . . . . .www.greenheck.com 281-419-5725, bpetillo@wrightsmedia.com

LG Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-4 . . . . . . . 19 . . . . . . .www.lghvac.com/connectivity

Publication Sales
Publisher/Midwest
Pritchard Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 . . . . . . . . 16 . . . . . . .WWW.PRITCHARDBROWN.COM Matt Waddell MWaddell@CFEMedia.com
3010 Highland Parkway, Suite #325 312-961-6840
Reliable Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . . . . . . . . . . 4. . . . . . . .www.reliablecontrols.com Downers Grove, IL 60515 Fax 630-214-4504

West, TX, OK
RUSKIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . .www.ruskin.com Tom Corcoran TCorcoran@CFEMedia.com
Integrated Media Manager 215-275-6420
Fax 484-631-0598
Schneider Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . 2. . . . . . . .www.schneider-electric/ecostruxure-power
Northeast
Richard A. Groth Jr. RGroth@CFEMedia.com
Starline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 . . . . . . . . . 8. . . . . . . .www.StarlinePower.com 12 Pine Street 774-277-7266
Franklin, MA 02038 Fax 508-590-0432
STULZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 . . . . . . . . . . 6. . . . . . . .www.stulz-usa.com Director of Content Marketing Solutions
Patrick Lynch PLynch@CFEMedia.com
Titus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 . . . . . . . . . 7. . . . . . . .www.titus-elearning.com 3010 Highland Parkway, Suite #325 847-452-1191
Downers Grove, IL 60515 Fax 630-214-4504

Yaskawa America, Inc. . . . . . . . . . .C-3 . . . . . . . 18 . . . . . . .www.yaskawa.com Marketing Consultant

Brian Gross BGross@CFEMedia.com
3010 Highland Parkway, Suite #325 630-571-4070 x2217
Downers Grove, IL 60515 Fax 630-214-4504
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION about products and advertisers in this issue by using International
the www.csemag.com/information link and reader service number located near each Stuart Smith stuart.smith@ssm.co.uk
SSM Global Media Ltd. +44 208 464 5577
item. If you’re reading the digital edition, the link will be live. When you contact a company Fax +44 208 464 5588
directly, please let them know you read about them in Consulting-Specifying Engineer.

52 • December 2017 CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER www.csemag.com

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input #18 at www.csemag.com/information
 CONNECTIVITY°
Achieve a whole new degree
of connectivity with LG Air
Conditioning Technologies
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Discover why LG Air Conditioning Technologies

offer superior connectivity.
lghvac.com/connectivity
©2017 LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ. All rights reserved. LG Life’s Good is a registered trademark of LG Corporation.

input #19 at www.csemag.com/information