Welcome to ASHRAE Toronto Chapter

Greetings!

Notice of Meeting

Notice of Meeting  

NO Walk-In Registrations will be Permitted  

We ask that you pre-register for the dinner meeting at your earliest convenience online at www.torontoashrae.com, select "Meeting Registration and Calendar" from the left tab and then "Register" button for the ASHRAE Toronto - February 2012 Dinner Meeting.  You may also still register through the ASHRAE chapter office (Sabrina Tai - 905 602 4714 or stai@hrai.ca). Please indicate at time of registration if you have any specific meal requirements. There will always be a vegetarian option, simply notify us at time of registration. No walk-in registrations will be permitted for this event.  

Theme: Membership Promotion Night

Sustainability Prototype: Walmart Supertore

Walmart Superstore - Burlington, Ontario 

Presentation Overview

The technical theme for the evening will be Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems for commercial applications.

Radiant heating and cooling installations are becoming more common in commercial buildings within North America and are in a growth pattern. Emerging from this is the hybrid radiant + HVAC system.  A combined system of radiant plus air which offers a number of advantages, including improved indoor air quality, improved thermal comfort, less draft/noise, significant energy savings and smaller HVAC equipment requirements.

The heating and cooling sources for radiant systems are most often provided by boilers and chillers; however an increasing number of installations are being connected to ground source heat pumps.  Since radiant heating and cooling systems typically use large surface areas such as floors, walls and ceilings as the output source, the supply water temperatures needed to heat and cool the space can be lower and higher respectively, compared to traditional water temps for HVAC fan coils.

The key advantage of low temperature heating and high temperature cooling is the improved efficiency of the heating or cooling source.  Geothermal systems operate within the ideal supply water temperature ranges for most radiant heating and cooling applications so they are a natural fit with radiant systems.

The presentations look at the various components of a radiant heating and cooling system, highlighting the key advantages of this type of system vs traditional HVAC. Examples of commercial projects across Canada will be showcased where radiant heating and cooling systems have successfully been installed using ground source heat pumps as the primary heating and cooling source.

When it comes to making a case for a sustainable system, having a sound financial argument to back up the sales pitch for an environmentally-conscious option makes the sell that much easier. When the estimated payback on a conventional borehole geothermal install for Walmart Canada's 135,000 square foot sustainable prototype Supercentre in Burlington, Ontario started to approach 40 years, the merchandiser asked engineering firm Stantec to explore ways to make the environmental commitment more financially viable.

Stantec's solution, the use of SpiderPlow technology, was inspired by the oil and gas industry where this type of pipeline installation is more commonly used as an alternative to traditional open trench options. Going this route helped drop the payback for the entire HVAC system down from 40 years to eight - well within the client's expectations and comfort zone.

In addition to the geothermal system, Stantec developed strategies and innovations to further reduce the capital cost and make geothermal a more attractive option on future projects for the company.

Guest Speakers

Nuno Duarte, P.Eng, P.E, LEED AP; Associate, Stantec Consulting Ltd.

Nuno is an Associate and is the lead geothermal designer in the GTA at Stantec Consulting Ltd. Nuno received a Master's degree from The University of Western Ontario and has over 13 years of experience in the industry. Nuno's first geothermal project was completed in 2002 and has been involved with several projects since then. Nuno has been involved with developing new methods and technology to improve the geothermal industry.

Nuno joined Stantec Consulting Ltd. in 2005 and is part of the geothermal team at Stantec Consulting Ltd. overseeing different geothermal projects in Canada and The United States. Prior to that he worked in Dearborn, Michigan as the lead of the mechanical division.

Jerry Leyte, P.Eng, MASc. Commercial Sales Engineer - Uponor Ltd.

Jerry Leyte is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in the province of Ontario and currently works with Uponor Ltd. in Mississauga as a Business Development Manager focusing on commercial radiant heating & cooling applications across Canada. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and Masters of Applied Science Degree from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1992 and 1995 respectively.

Prior to joining Uponor, he worked for 6 years as a Sales Engineering Manager and was responsible for HVAC and plumbing designs, mechanical system layouts, plus HVAC sales and commissioning. He also has previous work experience as an energy management consultant and as a research engineer specializing in environments controls.

Jerry is currently a member of the following technical societies: ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers); HRAI (Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Institute of Canada); CIPH (Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating); CAGBC - (Toronto Chapter of Canadian Green Building Council)

Jerry also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity (Guelph/Wellington Chapter) as part of their Construction Committee. 

Feel free to contact the following members for further details:

Phillip Keall
ASHRAE Toronto CTTC Member
(PHILIP.KEALL@TRANE.COM, 416-819-4710)

Zain Yassi
ASHRAE Toronto CTTC Member
(zain.yassi@engineeredair.com, 647-203-3345)

Robyn Ellis
ASHRAE Toronto CTTC Member
(robyn.ellis@rogers.com)

Marco Ottavino
ASHRAE Toronto CTTC Programs Chair
(marco.ottavino@honeywell.com, 416-771-3824)

January Dinner Meeting Summary 

January 2012 Technical Tour and Presentation

Seneca College Knowledge Infrastructure Program

(KIP) Facility "Building A"

DIALOG

The January 2012 dinner meeting featured a technical tour and presentation of Seneca College's new Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) Facility "Building A".   DIALOG, formerly Cohos Evamy Integrated Design, provided architectural, engineering, sustainable design, and interior design services for this new building. DIALOG has an integrated approach, and the mechanical team had input into the overall design, from the start of the project. The presenters were two principals at DIALOG: Tony Dingman, P.Eng, BASc., LEED AP, Mechanical Engineering Discipline Lead; and Craig Applegath, Architect, PPOAA, AAA, MAIBC, NSAA, FRAIC, LEED AP, and member of DIALOG's National Leadership Team.  

The 150,000 sq. ft. expansion includes 26 classrooms; 14 computer labs; an auditorium for 240 students, which can be turned into a conference room, or two 120-seat lecture halls; an expansion to the computing commons and library space; large open areas for students to gather; and several open study and collaboration areas with tables and upholstered benches. For the students' comfort and convenience, upholstered seating was built along the hallways, with power connections to charge up phones and computers. Large open perimeter hallways allow for future expansion.  

Designing for Facility Resilience

The goal was to design a building which can accommodate environmental, economic, and social changes over the next thirty years. The building must fit the present and future needs of Seneca College, with low operating costs. This is what DIALOG calls a building's "resilience".   The DIALOG team first identified various challenges that include: student enrolment could increase; the province could contribute fewer capital and operating dollars; teaching methods may change over the next few decades; IT rooms may need to be changed, given the accelerated pace of technological innovation; energy costs may rise; and labour costs for operations and maintenance could increase. Finally, there is competition for students among post-secondary institutions, and the KIP building needs to be an expression of the excellent learning experience offered by Seneca College. Three key strategies were employed to increase the KIP building's resilience, in the face of these challenges:

1. Plan for Flexibility and Expansion

Rooms are modular for flexible space use. Large rooms can be subdivided into two modules at a later date. Classroom modules are interchangeable with office modules. The space above the ring corridor is provided with IT cable trays for easy access for future cabling changes. Light filled corridors, with views to the exterior, surround the classroom areas to accommodate future changes to classroom space, whether in use or configuration.

2. Plan for Durability and Maintenance

Durable and low maintenance exterior and interior finishes were used. The materials used will stand up to extended wear and tear over time. For example, floors are polished concrete, and columns are exposed painted steel.

3. Plan for Reduction in Energy Consumption

The DIALOGteam estimated total HVAC system cost over thirty years.   50% of the total cost will be energy cost and 43% will be the HVAC first cost. Hence, the team employed many high-performance HVAC Strategies in order to reduce energy consumption:

• Envelope: R35 roof; R25 walls; and 25% to 30% Window to Wall ratio
• Daylighting, energy efficient electrical lighting, skylights to allow natural light in
• Hybrid condensing/ conventional boilers
• Efficient distribution by multiple cascading secondary loops
• Single Dedicated Outdoor Air Unit (DOAS)/ Single Heat Recovery Air Handler with enthalpy wheel
• Custom Air Handling Units with Fan Wall
• Penthouse space is Return Air Plenum. Multiple return air fan systems discharge air directly into the mechanical penthouse. Air handling units draw return air directly from the penthouse room
• Motion sensors in class rooms and key occupied spaces

Impressive reductions in energy consumption were achieved compared to the MNECB reference building: 60% reduction in annual energy cost for lighting; 55% reduction in cost for space heating; 65% reduction in pump energy cost; and a 70% reduction in fan energy cost! 

In conclusion, in order to increase the resilience of Seneca College's KIP building design to environmental, social, and economic changes over the next thirty years, Mr. Dingman, Mr. Applegath, and the DIALOG team addressed three key issues: Flexibility and Expansion; Durability and Maintenance; and Reduction in Energy Consumption. Equally important, the DIALOG team created an attractive new "front door" for the campus, which is an inviting and comfortable place for students to collaborate and study.

Anne-Marie Bundgard

Website & Gazette Committee Member

More about Tony Dingman

More about Craig Applegath

Job Postings    

Below is a summary of all current job postings available on the job postings board on the Toronto Chapter website.  For more information go to torontoashrae.com.

• Tim Horton's
• Civil Designer
• Tecoustics
• Estimator / Sales Coordinator
• CN Tower
• Manager, Engineering Services

ASHRAE Toronto 2012 Career Fair

TECHNICAL TOUR "KIP BUILDING"

Tony Dingman and Craig Applegath reviewing mechanical room of KIP Building.

DINNER MEETING

Seneca College Executive Staff, Guest Speakers and ASHRAE Toronto Chapter

Christine Bradaric - Baus, Laurel Schollen, Michael Khaw, Marco Ottavino, David

Underwood, Tony Dingman, Craig Applegath, Christine Choi, David Agnew,    Lyle Shipley, Gary Johnson, and Filimon Tsionas

Mr. Craig Applegath, and Mr. Tony Dingman from Dialog, the evening speakers with Program Chair Marco Ottavino.

Michael Wadham Research Chair with this months winner Mr. Doug Mason.

Doud invested his half back into ASHRAE Research!

Viewpoint

Toronto Chapter has seen a number of changes in the past few years, transitioning from an old website and long manual meeting registration process, to the 21st century with Web 2.0 and electronic newsletters.  We now have some great new volunteer opportunities for those who are interested in webpage design, blogging and social media.

I can say first hand that starting out of school volunteering at the ASHRAE Toronto Chapter registration desk is a great way transition into the HVAC industry.   Not only do you get to know a lot of people in the HVAC+R quickly, but you also get a sense of how the chapter works, why ASHRAE Society is so important and the number of other volunteer opportunities.

One of the greatest transitions the Chapter has seen in the past 2-3 years is the growth in the Student Activities, Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) and the Chapter Technology Transfer Committees.  The CTTC program committee, headed by Marco Ottavino, has seen a huge transition from a one person show to a group of 10 or more volunteers.  The expanded CTTC committee has been able to add extra programs including breakfast meetings, tours and the Chapter's highly successful career fair.   It's clear that our higher Chapter Membership and meeting attendance are a direct result of these efforts.

Web 2.0 has opened up even more opportunities to volunteer.  Anyone with basic computer skills can directly create and manage content on the Chapter's website.  Creating events, editing student, YEA and History web page sections, and administering a chapter forums are just a few examples.  Whether you have just a couple of hours a month or you want to gain great experience being on a Board of Governors, ASHRAE Toronto Chapter has many new ways you can contribute. 

I encourage you to find a Toronto Chapter Board member or Committee Chair at the next dinner meeting as the Chapter is always looking for help with registration, meeting planning, the Chapter's online efforts and much more.

Glenn Kilmer

Toronto Chapter Treasurer

Membership Promotion  

New Members

The ASHRAE Toronto Chapter would like to welcome the following new members to our chapter. These are our new members for the month of January 2012. We encourage the new members to attend our monthly dinner meetings and we will all do our best to make you feel comfortable at the Toronto Chapter.

Mr. Mike Hopkins

Canadian Standards Association

Mr. Arthur Ho

Greater Toronto Airport Authority Member

Mr. Kambiz Nematollahi

Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc.

Mr Carson M Gemmill

DIALOG

Mr. James Christopher Paulino

MCW Consultants Ltd.

Mr Georges Tannous

The Mitchell Partnership Inc.

Mr Alex P Lorimer

HGC Engineering

Ms. Diana Visic

Pinchin Environmental Ltd.

ASHRAE Mentorship Program

We are still actively looking for both mentors and mentees to join the ASHRAE Toronto Chapter Membership Program. All the documents required for the program can be found on the ASHRAE Toronto Chapter website (www.torontoashrae.com) under "Membership".  Simply fill out the required forms and send it back to the Membership Chair.

This program has been very successful at other chapters allowing new members to be integrated into our membership and giving them the confidence and knowledge needed to lead the next generation of ASHRAE members. Mentees have also benefited by being in touch with the youth of the chapter allowing them to stay abreast with the concerns and needs of the younger members. It is important to remember that our chapter has more to offer all the members when our chapter is strong and active. This program offers our chapter a chance to strengthen the bonds between our members, ensuring the success of ASHRAE Toronto Chapter well into the future. 

Imtee Baksh, P.Eng
2011 - 2012 Membership Chair

membership@torontoashrae.com

Student Activities

ASHRAE Winter Conference Chicago 2012

This year Toronto Chapter sponsored 9 students to attend the annual ASHRAE Winter conference.

Attending students had a chance to network with industry professionals and students from all around the world. One of the students recounted her surprise on how diverse and large ASHRAE is: "I didn't know before so many students are members of ASHRAE. I met one women, who is about 45 and she is a student from Libya. Unbelievable! It was 35 students only from Texas University! Many students from China got awards for research and design."

In addition to learning more about ASHRAE attending students had a chance to advance their knowledge of the HVAC industry by attending multiple seminars and technical tours, some of them even obtained various ASHRAE certifications. "I attended terrific seminars on the Solar Decathlon and Displacement Ventilation, met many other ASHRAE members, went on 3 technical tours including the fascinating Loyola University and Mansueto libraries"

In light of our annual tradition our own Michael Khaw took students out for a night in the town, and showed them that ASHRAE is not only about knowledge but about fun as well. "We had a great time with Michael and David at Kingston Mines listening to the blues band."

I want to thank Toronto Chapter for financially supporting student members to attend this and many more to come trips and tours. As it comes clear from student's replies those events are very important in increasing their knowledge of the ASHRAE and HVAC industry. 

Toronto Chapter Officers 2011-12

Executive Board

Board of Governors

Committee Chairs