Articles by Miles Ryan P.E.

Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) is a control strategy which aims to vary the amount of ventilation air a system provides a space based on the real-time ventilation requirements (i.e. the ventilation demand) of the space. 

Six cases studies show how bad second-order effects can get when there are problems with the bypass pipe’s balancing valve.

Bypass pipes, accompanied by a three-way control valve, are often seen in hydronic systems at both served loads (e.g., reheat coils) as well as at primary equipment (e.g., cooling towers).

April’s column kicked off a series that dove deep into the concept of building automation system (BAS) alarms. That series was supposed to end last month, but in the process of writing those articles, I realized I have more to say on the topic. So here is my victory lap!

The past two columns have discussed building automation system (BAS) alarm saturation.

Evaluating the latching requirements of both alarms and alarm responses can pay dividends when it comes to future building operations.

Far too often, building operators are overwhelmed with the number of alarms generated on their building automation systems (BAS). 

Lead/lag pumping operations are common control sequences that are littered with nuances that oftentimes prevent them from being properly implemented.

Examining lead/lag control sequences for variable-speed distribution pumps.

If a system was designed to operate in lead/lag, but lead/standby was implemented, it would not be able meet the flow requirements during the highest load periods.