In This Issue: "Chilled Beams" A Different Approach to Cooling Shedding the Light on Photovoltaics Creative Engineering Provides Flexible Control While Saving Energy 8 Things to Consider When Designing a Fire Detection and Alarm System The Art of Daylighting Contact Us Jack Sargent Editor-in-Chief Diana Volovelskay Editor    "Chilled Beams" A Different Approach to Cooling Bob Schroeder, P.E., LEED® AP, Portland Associate Principal Chilled beams are increasingly being used to provide comfort cooling in both new and refurbished buildings. Using proven technology, they are flexible, simple to install and maintain, and provide an energy efficient, cost effective alternative to traditional cooling systems.         Shedding the Light on Photovoltaics Herb Knieriem, P.E., LEED® AP, Sacramento Principal  Glumac was asked to examine the possibilities and associated cost and payback for installing a Photovoltaic (PV) Generating System at Norman Glick Middle School. The system would be mounted on the roof of the new gymnasium and on an outdoor shade structure.  The system would connect directly to the 277/480 VAC electrical system for the campus.  Excess power generated would be "sold" back to Modesto Irrigation District by use of "net" metering. Creative Engineering Provides Flexible Control While Saving Energy Glenn Claycomb, P.E., LEED® AP, San Francisco Associate Principal Glumac has provided full engineering services for the new 20,000 square foot public library now bidding in Hercules, California.  The single story structure designed by Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA) with Will Bruder Architects has a split-angled roof that rises to forty-three feet.   8 Things to Consider When Designing a Fire Detection and Alarm System Herb Knieriem, P.E., LEED® AP, Sacramento Principal and Lee Fleming, P.E., Associate Electrical Engineer  Recent code revisions and a higher concern for life safety have resulted in increased requirements for fire alarm systems. These requirements can have a significant impact on the cost of a construction project. When renovating an existing facility, new devices may be needed and devices may need to be relocated. This of course affects the aesthetics of the space. To learn more about this, click on the link below to view the article written by Herb Knieriem and Lee Fleming in our Sacramento office. This article will appear in an upcoming issue of Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine.    The Art of Daylighting Jack Sargent, P.E., LEED® AP, San Francisco Associate Principal In creating sustainable building environments, the use of natural light, daylighting, as a resource can enhance the functionality and aesthetics of a space, and provide lighting at no cost. Of course, being near a window or having a "window office" has long been a coveted benefit in the working world.  People feel more comfortable when they have a sense of what is going on outside of the building.  To optimize this effect, there are many considerations in designing for daylighting.  As natural lighting is variable, methods of allowing the users of a space to control the quality and quantity of light entering the interior environment are important.  Contact Us! Contact us at the numbers below or via email at: info@glumac.com Seattle - 206.262.1010 1325 4th Avenue, Suite 1515 Seattle, WA, 98101 Portland - 503.227.5280 320 SW Washington Street Suite 200 Portland, OR 97204 Sacramento - 916.362.9394 10419 Old Placerville Road #250 Sacramento, CA 95827 San Francisco - 415.398.7667 150 California Street, 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA, 94111 Los Angeles - 949.833.8190 16735 Von Karman Ave., Suite 250 Irvine CA, 92606     We want to keep you up to date on relevant engineering news that may affect the way you design, build and maintain your buildings. We value your privacy. If you choose not to receive future newsletters from us, simply click here to unsubscribe and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you may click here to subscribe.