ENGINEERING RESOURCES

Explore the following articles, all related to engineering.

NYC Special Inspections
by Evan Parganos

The New York City Buildings Department requires that Special Inspections be conducted for a variety of construction projects. These inspections are required prior to closing out a project and getting a DOB sign off. Read more >

Energy Star – What is it and how do you get certified?
by Al Spinelli

Energy Star is a United States government program originally designed to identify and promote energy efficient products. The Energy Star label is now an international symbol of energy efficiency. Read more >

NYC Progress Inspections
by Al Spinelli

The adoption of the NYCECC has meant that projects are required to indicate the progress inspections and their descriptions on the construction documents, as they are required per the scope of work. Read more >

Backflow Prevention
by Evan Parganos

Most buildings in New York City are connected to the city water supply system, which is normally pressurized up to about 40 psi. Even if your building does not have a pump, the water coming into the building from the city is under enough pressure to allow it to flow freely from the street into the building's water piping network. Read more >

Local Law Deadlines Approaching
by Evan Parganos

If you are a building owner, here’s a reminder of two approaching Local Law deadlines which may affect your facility: Local Law 84 – Energy & Water Benchmarking, and Local Law 26 – Sprinkler Compliance. Read more >

NYC Energy Conservation Code
by Evan Parganos

The NYC Energy Conservation Code went into effect on July 1, 2010. The new code incorporates the existing New York State Energy Code with several “amendments,” known as Local Laws. Highlights of each local law are summarized below. Read more >

HVAC Commissioning 101
by Evan Parganos

Why Commission? HVAC Commissioning is a thorough and comprehensive testing of a mechanical system’s performance. Many owners question why they should spend more money to "fix" a system the contractor is being paid to build. Commissioning can reduce operating and maintenance costs, improve the comfort of a building's occupants, and extend the life of equipment. The onetime investment in commissioning can result in major costs savings. According to a report titled “The Cost Effectiveness of Commercial-Buildings Commissioning,” (Mills E et al. 2004. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. LBNL report #56637) the average operating costs of a commissioned building range from 8 to 20 percent below that of a noncommissioned building. Read more >

Architects and Engineers, Form and Function. Working Together is the Key!
by Evan Parganos

Architects often complain that engineers couldn't care less about what the space looks like. Engineers complain that all architects care about is what the space looks like! With architects and engineers working so closely together in the construction industry for decades, why does this gap still exist? It is usually due to miscommunications in the early stages of the project. Read more >

Avoiding Change Orders: How to Keep Costs Down and Your Project on Schedule
by Evan Parganos

Change orders can be a major obstacle to the completion of a successful construction project.

Change orders in the construction industry are by no means unusual, but they typically increase the cost of and time to complete the project. Because they were not allocated for from the beginning, these unwelcome surprises can cause tension between the design team and the contractors/subcontractors on site, as well as frustration on the part of the owner. Read more >

What to Expect from Your MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) Consultant
by Evan Parganos

Whether you are an architect, building owner or engineer, a time will come when you require the services of an MEP consulting firm. Of course, you'll want the highest quality work for a great price. Keep these prerequisites in mind as you research the best team for your project. Read more >

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