Special Instructions for Jan 13
Meeting
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| http://cenpenn.ashraechapters.org | January 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009-2010 Board
and Committee Chairs |
In This Issue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President D. Todd Postlethwait, PE, LEED AP |
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| President-Elect Mark Graybill, PE |
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| Vice
President Andrew Odell |
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| Treasurer Nathan Potteiger |
President's Message Season Greetings ASHRAE Members:
I also would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and would like to thank everyone who has come to the meetings and who has helped by giving their time to make 2009 a terrific year for the Central Pa. ASHRAE Chapter. For the New Year we have a lot more in store. For our next meeting we will be taking a tour of Johnson Controls new performance Lab. Also, Curt Eichelberger will be giving a presentation on acoustics and LEED. Coming up March 19th we will be having our family night outing at the Giant Center to see the Hershey Bears and April 14th we will be heading back to ABC for Student Night. In May we will be meeting at Carlisle SynTec to tour their PV Solar installation and hear all about the project. I hope to see you all at these upcoming meetings and wish you all a Happy New Year. Sincerely, |
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| Governors John Hayden, PE Rachel Smith Rebecca Thompson, PE, LEED AP Mark Tome, PE, HFDP, LEED AP |
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| CTTC
(Programs) Mark Graybill, PE |
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| Education
Committee Thomas Long, PE |
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| Student
Activities Rachel Smith |
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| Research
Promotion Robert Miller |
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| Refrigeration Nathan Potteiger |
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| Historian Andrew Odell |
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| Publicity (Web and
Newsletter) Mark Tome, PE, HFDP, LEED AP |
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Employment Opportunities Central PA ASHRAE will publish employment opportunities in the Pennant at a cost of $50/month. The Pennant is distributed twice each month (September through April) to approximately 500 people. Contact Mark Tome (717) 845-7654 to have employment opportunities included in the Pennant |
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The New AHU Laboratory at the Johnson Controls GRANTLEY TECH CENTER Johnson Controls recently commissioned a new laboratory for air-handling unit performance and sound measurements in York, PA. The 30,000 ft2 facility houses by far the largest air-handling unit (AHU) sound test facility in the world. The laboratory has the capability for sound power measurements of Air Handling Units (AHU’s) up to 105,000 CFM in accordance with ARI Standard 260. The facility also includes the capability for testing unit air performance in accordance with ARI Standard 430 to 100,000 CFM. These new capabilities are available for both product development testing and for customer witness testing on critical projects. This new facility will enable the development of more energy efficient and quiet air-handling equipment. More important, the test facility will also enhance the accuracy of equipment air and sound predictions that are needed for building information modeling (BIM) tools. Program – Acoustics & LEED High performance building design, construction and operation has become a significant focus for many owners, contractors and engineers. As the United States and the International community continue to focus on the impact of buildings on the environment, it must be realized that decisions based on sustainability will also impact Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). While minimizing energy consumption is essential, providing an appropriate acoustical environment for the occupants is vital to ensure worker comfort and productivity. In 2007, ASHRAE, with support from USGBC and CIBSE, initiated a special project to define the appropriate measurement protocol to quantify the performance of existing buildings. The deliverable is a document titled: Performance Measurement Protocols (PMP) for Commercial Buildings. Curt Eichelberger served as the editor of the PMP acoustics chapter and he will provide an overview of the measurements and criteria needed to define acoustic performance in "green" buildings. Curt Eichelberger Curt is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience in research, engineering, sales and marketing of products relating to acoustic & vibration technologies. Curt is presently a Sr. Acoustical Engineer at Johnson Control’s building efficiency group, where he is responsible for technology and product development relating to the acoustics of HVAC equipment. Before joining Johnson Controls, Curt was employed in a variety of positions with Emerson and Bruel and Kjaer instruments, where he was responsible for the sales, marketing and design of acoustic and vibration measurement systems to applications in basic research, product development, quality control and plant maintenance. From 1974 – 1982 Curt managed a noise control group with Gannet Fleming Environmental Engineering, where he was responsible for over seventy projects involving architectural acoustics, building noise control, building vibration control, and community noise assessment. Curt has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (1971) and a M.S. in Acoustics (1980) from Penn State. Curt is an active member of AHRI Technical Committee on Sound; ASHRAE TC 2.6 on Sound and Vibration, where he is presently the Research Chair, and the Institute of Noise Control Engineers, where he served on the Board of Directors from 1989 through 1991. Curt’s experience also extends to teaching. He was an instructor at Penn State’s Harrisburg Campus and Drexel University where he taught Engineering Noise Control and Architectural Acoustics classes.
Please be aware that the following safety and security requirements will be in effect for the AHU Laboratory Tour:
Note to all Chapter Officers and
Committee Chairs: Chapter Officers, Board Members and Committee Chairs
have standing reservations. If you do not RSVP by the deadline, you
will be billed for the fun time you missed. |
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09-10 Schedule (revised 11/25/09)
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| Member News The Chapter congratulates the following people who are new to ASHRAE membership:
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Society News
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| Interview
with Tom Long Tom Long ASHRAE Central PA Past President (1984-85) I recently sat down with Tom Long, ASHRAE Central PA Past President and Head of Mechanical Engineering at Gannett Fleming. Tom grew up in Marietta, PA and now resides in Harrisburg with his wife, Gwen. Their two grown sons, Darren and Andrew, live far from home.
Tom started in the co-op program at Drexel University, working in the Borg-Warner test lab in York, PA. This co-op opportunity turned into his first industry job at York International (then owned by Borg-Warner). In the lab, he helped design test blocks for all the equipment they tested – including centrifugal chillers and absorption chillers. They were ARI test labs laid out to meet ARI conditions. York was also making automotive compressors at the time. Seems like an interesting first job – but Tom was looking for something different. “I never thought much of product design engineering – seemed dull and boring to me.” In 1971, Tom was drafted in the Army. He was assigned to work at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, MD, where he spent two years testing generator sets, military A/C units, and refrigerated trailers. With this equipment, he was involved in endurance and performance testing, sand tests and salt spray tests. After his Army stint, he came back to York and got a job with Basco. “They were the first company I sent a resume to, and they sent me an offer!” Tom explains. “Basco was hiring anyone at the time.” This was his start into consulting engineering.
“I thought ‘this is the technical organization that represents the interests of our industry, so I should join.’ I wish everyone felt that way!” Tom joined ASHRAE about 35 years ago. His major influences were Bob Lezzer, who was at CC Kottcamp at the time, Jack Shuegar, and Don Miller.
What role was best? “The Education Committee. We’ve done some pretty good seminars that I think have been a benefit to people.” He mentions that others have been a big help in those efforts – including Tom McKay. As President, “we had a CRC that year, as I recall, in Hershey. That was a good experience for everyone. That was also the year I opened up my own office. I had left Filson Minnich and Associates.” That was quite a busy year for Tom!
Tom speaks with confidence about the importance of ASHRAE. “The main thing is the opportunity to meet people and communicate with people and interact with people in the same industry so we can share mutual ideas and mutual headaches. ASHRAE is a tremendous resource for people in this business. And the research, publications and training seminars are a tremendous resource.”
Everyone knows that companies and individuals usually have to submit themselves in order to win awards. Tom certainly has a sense of modesty about his work, and has never been one to sing his own praises – let alone submit himself for awards. But he recalls some interesting projects he’s worked on. “Gannett Fleming was a little ahead of their time [during his first tour of duty with the company]. Over 30 years ago, they designed a large heat recovery system that recovered waste heat from condenser water – using the system for space heating and domestic water demands. Tom also recalls a Rossmoyne Business Park project in the mid 1980s. The site “has a water source heat pump system. In the middle of the building was a data processing center. We recovered a portion of the computer heat as the source for the WSHP loop. They never had to energize the electric boiler as supplemental heat.”
About his own business, Tom says, “It went very well. You got to celebrate everything worth celebrating, but also put up with all the headaches. Once was a great experience, but I wouldn’t want to do it again.” During this time, Tom worked closely with AMP, as well as with architects in the area – including considerable time in Williamsport.
“Lots of people. The first guy I worked for at York was a very good engineer, but not a people person. He taught me a lot about the right way to do things.” About “life” influences, Tom mentions Jimmy Buffet with a smirk. His optimism, and the idea of growing older but not growing “up” appeal to Tom’s way of thinking. He also mentions his father. “He was a great guy.” “Lots of people. They say everybody you meet has an impact on your life in some way – and sometimes on what not to do.”
“Tremendous changes in technology, efficiency of equipment, changes in refrigerant, high efficiency boilers. Controls have changes tremendously over the years. The changes brought about by codes and standards have done a lot to change the way we design buildings.” Tom goes on to talk in big-picture terms about where we’ve been and where we’re headed. “As far back as I remember, Europe was ahead of us as far as energy and energy-efficient systems. Energy is cheap here, so having energy-efficient buildings wasn’t a high priority. Americans are very demanding about the buildings we live in and work in. In Europe, some buildings are without A/C; if it gets too hot, you open a window. The question is: is all this sustainable over a period of time? We’re [finally] starting to address this.”
“It’s all the same stuff. Just the components change,” says Tom. But he’ll still enjoy visiting ASHRAE shows and looking at new applications of equipment.
“The idea of dedicated outside air systems (DOAS) is a brilliant idea that someone should’ve thought of 40 years ago. Nothing new there, but tweaks to existing technology that can make a big difference on energy efficiency and air quality. An outstanding way to design a system, and to handle sensible loads in some areas – whether it’s a radiant panel system or VRF system.”
“Contrary to what many said years ago, the world has not gone the design-build route – and even when it has, engineers have been involved.” “Codes and standards have become a much bigger part of [what we do]. This puts more demand on engineers.” Tom considers ways things could improve for engineers. “A better way is to get our heads together at the beginning, as opposed to [after] picking up drawings at the architect’s office.”
Tom laughs a little, and says, “I would’ve gone to medical school, or become a professional sailor.” Then he says, “It’s a great profession. Something different every day.”
Tom mentions his family, and explains how his two sons, ages 38 and 32, live in Montana and Atlanta. “My wife complains about how far they are. But I tell her one of the goals of parenting is to raise independent, productive, contributing members of society. From that standpoint, we were pretty successful.” Tom enjoys bicycling with his wife, particularly on rail trails. He reads a lot – on a variety of topics. He also discusses his 31’ boat – he’s co-owned and operated for 20 years. He enjoys time sailing in the Chesapeake Bay. Clearly passionate about sailing, Tom says, “I hope to do more of that.” Tom would like to hit the 100 year mark someday, and to retire. “I hope the latter comes first!” Tom jokes. If you enjoy life like Tom does, that’s a great goal to have! Andrew Odell December, 2009
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