February 14, 2008 : Vol. 7, No. 7	Engineering for the World We Live In
The HVAC&R Industry, ASHRAE's free weekly eNewsletter for HVAC&R professionals, provides relevant, timely information about industry and technology for people who create healthy, comfortable indoor environments.     To ensure that The HVAC&R Industry is not blocked by spam-blocking software, add e-industry@ashrae.org to your address book. Should you encounter problems reading an ASHRAE eNewsletter, you may access any issue archived on the ASHRAE Web site at this link. To unsubscribe from this eNewsletter, click here. Industry News First Phase of National BIM Standard Released WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) has announced the release of the National BIM Standard Version 1—Part 1: Overview, Principles, and Methodologies for public use. The document establishes standard definitions for building information exchanges. It is intended to help participants in facilities-related processes achieve more reliable outcomes from commercial agreements. Click here to read more and to download the document. AC Is Status Symbol in China HONG KONG—Owning an air conditioner has become a symbol of a new way of life in China. More than 20 million units are sold there each year. However, inefficient and environment-damaging units are being manufactured and sold there in large numbers as China works to manage the AC boom. Read more Central AC, Heat Pump Shipments 9% Lower ARLINGTON, Va.—Combined U.S. factory shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps for 2007 totaled 6.4 million, down 9 percent from the 2006 total, according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). This is the second consecutive year that combined shipments have slowed. However, 2005 totals were the highest on record. Overall Growth of Commercial Building Slows WASHINGTON, D.C.—Spending on commercial construction projects reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $671 billion in December 2007. That was essentially flat with November and brought to an end 14 consecutive months of growth in spending on commercial construction. The results for specific segments were mixed. The retail, road construction and hotel sectors had reduced spending levels, while manufacturing and office building spending increased. Read more USGBC Issues Request for Proposals for K–12 School Facility Research The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has a $2 million commitment to fund research into sustainable buildings. A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued. The USGBC is reserving $500,000 for "K-12 school facility research related to occupant impacts." The USGBC is accepting pre-proposal abstracts until March 6. Read more ASHRAE News ASHRAE and BOMA Form Partnership ASHRAE and the Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) declaring that the organizations will work together to achieve a list of goals intended to foster improved building performance. The goals include identifying opportunities for shared operation services and to collaborate on product development; jointly promoting educational programs to members; and jointly identifying and creating new products and services. The organizations also committed to support each other in the development of standards. Read more Feature of the Week Smart Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems By John Murphy, Member ASHRAE This article discusses ways to optimize the design and control of dedicated outdoor air systems to lower installed cost and energy use. Measures such as implementing system-level control strategies and using exhaust air energy recovery are covered. This article originally was published in ASHRAE Journal in July 2006. Click here to download the article. It will be available here through Feb. 28. After Feb. 28, access to the article from this eNewsletter will no longer be available. It will remain available for free download by Members here and for purchase by nonmembers in the ashrae.org bookstore. Product News Lighting Control System From Lutron COOPERSBURG, Pa.—Lutron offers the Quantum Solution, a whole-building light and energy management system that controls fluorescent lights and daylighting. It manages fluorescent ballasts and digital electric lighting controls and digital shading systems. The Green Glance™ PC-based front-end manages, monitors, and generates reports and alerts from the lighting systems to give users a detailed picture of lighting energy use and maintenance costs. Read more IEQ Monitoring Devices From GE Sensing BILLERICA, Mass.—GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies offers the Telaire® line of infrared gas sensing products. Models feature absorption infrared technology that measures CO2 and temperature, and calculates real-time ventilation rates. The line includes transmitters for for demand-controlled ventilation applications. Read more Design Software From Trimble SUNNYVALE, Calif.—Trimble announces Trimble® MEP software, for mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors. The software allows users to take a digital CAD design file or 3D Building Information Model (BIM) into the field to simplify the layout of conduit, pipe, duct and cable trays. By placing design tools in the field, accuracy is improved and time expenditure is reduced. 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