Articles by Ira Goldschmidt P.E.

Expertise, authority, and good sense still have a hard time overlapping for a definitive answer.

The most sophisticated customers are those who ask the most questions and get the most comprehensive results for their money.

What should be included, and what can be left out? Read for the final, crucial element in a BAS design.

A BAS spec is typically a section within Division 23 (e.g., 230923), while the sequences and points are usually provided elsewhere (i.e., on the drawings, in section 230993, or some combination thereof).

Why is it important to define the physical architecture (or simply “architecture” in this column) in the design?

This is a companion to last month’s “Art and Science of Point Selection” column.

Last month, I presented a DDC controller categorization scheme to show how their capabilities can vary greatly between manufacturers.

Not all controls are created equal. Bone up on the differences before your next building automation project.

When should you specify certain controls for the best results? Dive in for a quick refresher.

Good building mechanical design requires a firm grasp of the mechanical engineering fundamentals (thermodynamics, psychrometrics, the fan laws, etc.).