CSST Piping and Lighting Strikes

Here is some interesting info on CSST gas pipe. If you are specifying CSST in any of your projects you should be aware of this information. We have see this first hand on one project here in south florida. A bulding official just sent me photos of another instance. For the time being we are switching back to steel pipe. Here are a couple of websites to review. The Trakpipe looks encouraging. Please let us know if anyone else has experienced this condition.
http://www.gastite.com/homepage.php?pg=inspectors "

http://www.tracpipe.net/trac/why/learnmore_CounterStrike.php
http://www.tracpipe.com/trac/modules/news/upload/{AF3BE0AE-F8B2-4FB1-9628-046FD20473DF}_CounterStrike_FAQ.pdf http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocamodulechunk&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Our+Agencies+and+Divisions&L3=Division+of+Professional+Licensure&sid=Eoca&b=terminalcontent&f=dpl_boards_pl_csst_notice&csid=Eoca

Crist's Renewable Energy Plan

Charlie Crist on Friday won an important victory in his plans to slash Florida's greenhouse gas emissions and boost renewable energy. The Florida Public Service Commission unanimously agreed to require the state's utilities to generate 20% of their power from renewable resources by 2020, resisting industry efforts to weaken Crist's goal. The vote sets the agenda for state legislators, who will have the final say later this year. [Source: St. Petersburg Times]

Sulfur in Drywall Causing Copper Corrosion in Homes

I have recently heard within our industry that the drywall coming out of China has high levels of sulfur in it which is causing all kinds of problems. One of the biggest areas has to do with the effects it is having on copper piping. My good friend and fellow colleague, Ron Bailey of Bailey Engineering (who specializes in sick buildings) sent me this:

"Some Florida homes have experienced blackening of copper pipes; often accompanied by pinhole corrosion. In some instances, odors are present as well.
Generally these symptoms are first noticed by a failure of the home's air conditioning evaporator (indoor) coil due to the blackening of the coil and pinholes resulting in the release of the refrigerant gas. The cause has been traced to Chinese manufactured drywall (gypsum) imported after the demand increased following the hurricanes of 2005. An Informational Release from the United States EPA Region 4 office, reported that drywall samples were placed in chambers with copper samples. It stated "copper turned black ;only in the chambers of imported gypsum. Microscopy testing conducted after 18 weeks showed pitting corrosion." The release also stated " the drywall is releasing these sulfur compounds after more than a year.""

Check out these articles for further information:

http://www.news-press.com/article/20081219/NEWS01/81219059/1075

http://news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881220026

LEED AP

I am very please to say that I have passed the LEED NC 2.2 test! I found the exercise to be quite challenging. And I have a few tips for anyone who might be thinking of doing this. A very good resource can be found at www.intheleed.com. A study guide can be purchased at this web site for around $50. The guide was prepared by Patrick Flynn LEED AP and provides an excellent method for studying for the test. Prior to finding the Flynn materials , I completed a eight hour seminar ($600) but it was not that helpful. Plus I found information in the seminar material that was not current. The Flynn memorization charts rock the house!!!

Understanding Air Barriers

RGD is routinely contracted to conduct engineering surveys on existing buildings (primarily clubhouses for local country clubs). One of the issues that comes up on most the clubs we survey is the lack of an approved air barrier. Chapter 13 of the Florida Building Code requires a sealed air barrier between the air conditioned space and the outside. Sounds simple right? Well, in our experience many buildings fail in this requirement creating all sorts of potential air quality problems. Here's an article our principle engineer wrote on this issue:

Understanding Air Barriers ("Water Happens")

Energy Gauge Summit Lighting Issue

We use Energy Gauge Summit to produce Forms 400A-2004R and 400B-2004R as required by Chapter 13 (Energy Efficiency) of the Florida Building Code. One of the issues we have had is getting information from the lighting designer in a form that can be easily and accurately entered into Summit. We created a spreadsheet for this purpose that we distribute to the lighting designer while he or she is doing their design. On a recent project, the lighting designer informed us that the spreadsheet showed only a 0.9 W/sq.ft. allowance for dining facilities while Table 13-415.2.B allows 2.1 W/sq.ft. if the space is considered "Family Dining". We sent a help ticket to the friendly folks at Energy Gauge and got this reply:

Energy Gauge Knowledge Base Article - 2458