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NOVEMBER GAZETTE | Our 94th year!
November, 2015 - Vol 63, Issue 2
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| Board of Governors |
President
President-Elect
Honeywell Building Solutions
Vice President
Treasurer
Antonio Figueiredo
Secretary
Past President
Dynergy
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President's Message
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Greetings!
The ASHRAE Toronto Chapter year is now well underway. Your Board of Governors, Committee Chairs and volunteers are busy with a number of initiatives, a few of which are highlighted here.
The Chapter constitution and bylaws are due to be updated by November 20,2015.Digitization of the Chapter's extensive historical archive is progressing rapidly with the goal of getting it on the Chapter website this year to provide ready access to historical information to all members. Student branches are putting forward candidates to receive Chapter sponsorship to attend this year's Winter Meeting in Orlando.
The joint ASHRAE/Toronto Sheet Metal Contractor's Association trade show and dinner meeting is next on the event agenda for November 2nd. This is the first time in my tenure with Toronto Chapter that we have co-hosted an event with our sheet metal association colleagues.
We are planning to approach the City of Toronto to promote the idea of building code enforcement officials gaining legislative powers with respect to energy efficiency in buildings as is now underway in some other Canadian municipal jurisdictions.
A quick online survey has been sent to you, the membership to solicit your opinion on event and program content. Please complete the survey and have your say in the future direction of your Chapter.
I look forward to seeing many of you in November!
Alan J. Porter, P. Eng
President - ASHRAE Toronto Chapter
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CTTC Schedule
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ASHRAE Toronto Meetings 2015/2016: Please click here to see ASHRAE Toronto's 2015/2016 Program Schedule. Please note that the schedule can change. Members will be prompted via email to register for upcoming events at TorontoASHRAE.com.
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Notice of Meeting
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November Dinner Meeting
Monday, November 2nd, 2015
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sheraton Parkway Toronto North
600 Highway 7 East
Richmond Hill
ASHRAE Toronto and TSMCA: Joint Trade Show/Dinner Meeting
This is your opportunity to peruse the latest in sheet metal product lines carried by local distributors or manufacturers along with the opportunity to network with the engineering community associated with the sheet metal industry. Food stations in service from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm
Presentation: (ASHRAE) Embedded Tube Radiant Systems to Maximize LEED Points
GBCI Approved | 1 CE Hour | 0090006344
As more and more jurisdictions and building owners are requiring higher levels of LEED certification for their projects, design teams are looking beyond traditional HVAC solutions to provide the energy efficiency needed to maximize LEED points while maintaining occupant comfort and safety. In-slab radiant heating systems have enjoyed popularity both here in the United States and abroad for years. Now, with the availability of improved control systems and better understanding within the design and construction community, the same concept can be applied to radiant cooling as an energy-efficient and cost-effective solution.
This program will cover the following topics:
- Radiant Cooling Heat Transfer Fundamentals
- Radiant Cooling Performance/Capacity
- Typical Construction Methods
- Case Studies
Attendees will gain an understanding of how in-slab radiant cooling systems can be used as part of an energy-efficient design solution to maximize Energy and Atmosphere credits for LEED certification, and see examples of how this has been accomplished on projects both here in the United States and abroad.
Presenter: Devin A. Abellon, P.E.
Mr. Abellon is a registered professional engineer with over 17 years of experience in the HVAC field, designing systems for commercial, institutional, industrial, health care, and municipal projects. Mr. Abellon was Vice President and managing principal of LSW Engineers California, Incorporated in San Diego until 2009, when he accepted a position as Business Development Manager for Uponor North America. He now works closely with engineers throughout the country, supporting projects that integrate radiant heating and cooling strategies to maximize energy efficiency. Mr. Abellon earned his B.S. degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1993. He is an active member of ASHRAE on the local chapter, regional, and Society level and is currently the Programs Subcommittee Chair for ASHRAE TC6.5 - Radiant and Convective Space Heating and Cooling, as well as a Regional Vice Chair in Region X.
Presentation: (SMACNA) T.B.A.
Presenter: Mr. Eli Howard, Executive Director, SMACNA Technical Resource Div
Need Assistance? Feel free to contact the following members for further details:
Brendan McDermott ASHRAE Toronto Chapter Technology Transfer Committee Chair
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Gazette Sponsors
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ASHRAE Toronto Chapter thanks the following
companies for their support of the Gazette
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Special Announcement
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ASHRAE Toronto Chapter is excited to announce a joint Trade Show Event with Toronto Sheet Metal Contractors Association. To be held on November 2nd at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill.
This event will provide an opportunity to peruse the latest in sheet metal, plumbing and HVAC product lines carried by local distributors or manufacturers along with the opportunity to network with the engineering community. Food stations will be provided in service from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Following the trade show will be two lectures, Mr. Devin Aballon (ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer) on Slab Cooling for LEED Credits and Mr. Eli P. Howard III (SMACNA Executive Director Technical Services) on Seismic Bracing.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Toronto Chapter CTTC Chair 2015-2016
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October Meeting Summary
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October 2015 Dinner Meeting Summary
Water Efficiency Programs and Incentives
Renee Chu
There were two presentations at the first ASHRAE members meeting of 2015. The first was given by Renee Chu, a Water Consultant in the Toronto Water Business & Customer Support Department.
Renee's presentation outlined the incentive programs which are offered by the city - great tools for clients looking to save money and have a greener image. The various programs offered within the City of Toronto can help commercial, industrial and institution customers save on their water bills.
Three programs were focused on and are outlined below:
Capacity Buyback Program:
Eligible customers such as Commercial and Industrial businesses are qualified to receive a free water audit of their business which will quantify the company's water usage and determine ways in which the company can save water. The program then allows for a $0.30/liter rebate if a business chooses to undergo a water efficiency project.
Industrial Water Rate:
This rebate is specifically for Industrial businesses which use a high volume of water. It allows successful applicants to receive a rebate for reducing their water consumption by approximately 30%.
Sewer Surcharge Rebate:
Industrial, commercial and institutional business all qualify for this audit which measures the amount of water a business uses that is diverted from the sanitary sewer system (i.e. used in a product). The rebate is determined by the amount of wastewater generated.
If you would like to learn more about leveraging water efficiency rebates and to find details about the water rebates, e-mail savewater@toronto.ca, or visit the city of Toronto's website.
High Comfort, Low Impact Climate-Responsive Design
Krista Palon
The second presentation was delivered by Krista Palon, a climate engineer with Transsolar Climate Engineering, a company which excels in developing low energy, architecturally integrated, climate/energy concepts for projects. Before Transsolar, Krista has gained a wealth of experience as a teaching assistant at Harvard GSD, a researcher with MIT's Sustainable Design Lab, as a designer with the Harvard Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Design and as a green building consultant with Halsall Associates.
Krista's presentation focused on her company's innate ability to assess a building's ventilation needs and find creative, environmentally friendly, low-cost ways to provide adequate ventilation to indoor environments. Their challenge is often to simultaneously mediate the effects of the environment (i.e. solar gains or extreme wind), while keeping the building occupants connected to the natural environment.
With offices located in Munich, New York, Paris and Stuggart, Transsolar has worked on projects around the world ranging from a Butare District Hospital in Rwanda to The Herning Museum of Contemporary Art in Denmark. However, Krista chose to focus on a key project in her presentation.
Manitoba Hydro Place:
Transsolar was tasked with the challenge of designing a building that was able to naturally ventilate and provide natural heating and cooling in the extremely diverse climate of Winnipeg. One of the key factors they focused upon was the ability of the amount of sunlight that is present in Winnipeg. Due to their latitude, Winnipeg receives on average 2,353 hours of sunlight per year; second highest of a major Canadian city.
The solution Transsolar developed involved orienting the building at an angle so that it received neither too much nor too little sunlight. A "Solar Plenum" was installed at one end of the building and is designed to collect the solar gains from the sun and provide natural heating to the building. A "Solar Chimney" was also installed at the opposite end of the building to provide natural exhaust through the use of thermodynamics. The design of the system also includes two sets of windows set up as a double facade. An outer set, which is automated to open and close based on the building's needs allowing in sunlight, as well as an inner set of manually operated doors which the building occupants can use to moderate their individual needs.
The design allows for two modes. Winter mode, where the solar gains are brought into the Solar Plenum and distributed throughout the building to add heat, and summer mode, where the heat from the building is exhausted out through the Solar Chimney. Because of this set-up, the building is able to rely on natural ventilation for the majority of the year, excluding July and the period between November and March, when the weather is too extreme. The results speak for themselves. The building consumes 55kBtu/ft² and has energy savings of 60% compared to a typical building of similar use and size.
The process to develop such a complex building can be long and arduous. Transsolar has a several steps that they try to take in order to create a successful project. They start with creating intentional chaos by looking at as many ideas as they can, making lots of drawings and not ruling out any possibilities.
Next, once they have reviewed their list and chosen their idea, they try to analyze and compartmentalize their vision by looking as specific components rather than the big picture. Asking questions such as; How can we make this component work? Can we improve upon this idea? The project team tries to improve upon their idea by breaking down the concept into smaller, more manageable components, instead of trying to examine the entire project all at once.
Once the project has been fully designed and implemented, they make sure to follow-up on their projects by checking to see what worked, what didn't work, look for ways to improve and make sure the system is being optimally used.
Finally, Krista ended her presentation by showing an example of just how experimental their team can be. Transsolar has been involved with the creation of "Cloudscapes", an artistic concept where an actual cloud is created inside of a built environment.
The process of creating a cloud within a room involves layering different climate zones with varying temperature and humidity within a single room to allow a cloud to form. This example truly demonstrates the creative ingenuity that Transsolar brings to its projects.
Dinner summarized by Michael Peterson, B.Eng
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Viewpoint
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Journey Towards Leadership
Like many of us seeking to develop both personally and professionally, I find myself asking an age old question - what does it take to become a strong leader? After recently completing a leadership course, I can safely report that there is no single right answer to this million dollar question. Instead, I was delighted to learn that strong leaders can possess a wide variety of characteristics and attributes. Similarly, I was also introduced to the concept of followership as a critical component to both individual and collaborative success.
I always knew the impact of being a good 'team player', however, never associated it with the success of or impact to leadership and positive change. Regardless of position within an organization, there will be circumstances that will require you to be both a follower and a leader. A departmental director, for example, is viewed by his or her subordinates as being their team's captain, however, as a business unit, cohesive followership is required to deliver on the business objectives and vision of the company's executive officers and top leader. For my entire career, I have been focusing on how to become a well rounded, confident leader, while neglecting the importance of improving my followership behaviours. I have always aligned with management and supported corporate initiatives, without resisting transformation, however, I have never taken a conscious look into my perceived or actual followership behaviours.
A recent study cited a list of the most common attributes and traits of strong leaders, which included the following: personable and approachable, high in integrity, intelligent, self-confident and determined. Another list of characteristics or indicators of strong leadership included the following: conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness and extraversion. Although there are many personality questionnaires and strengths finding exercises, the result may vary significantly. What I find interesting and inspiring is that there is no right answer or perfect mould for a great leader. There are certain characteristics that should be developed to strengthen your leadership capabilities, however, one's inherent strengths should always be considered when conducting a leadership self-assessment of qualities and preferences. Similarly, great leaders often exhibit a wide array of traits that contribute to their success. However, too much of any particular trait or behaviour may counteract other positive attributes and lead to disastrous leadership outcomes.
What I learned is that the path towards leadership will require patience and tenacity. It is a journey with peaks and valleys that will present both challenges and opportunities for self development.
Toronto Chapter President-Elect
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Chapter Technology Transfer Committee
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Leaves are changing colour and the weather is cooling down, but at Toronto Chapter, our Meeting Program is heating up! Our October "Student Night" dinner meeting was a great success with 112 registrants at the Novotel, including 43 Student Chapter Members! Many thanks to Krista Palen from Transsolar for presenting on "High Comfort, Low Impact", which showcased several sustainable technology concepts including solar chimneys, natural ventilation and activated slabs with geothermal.
For our November "History" meeting, we will be having a tradeshow style joint event with the Sheet Metal Contractors Association and two feature speakers. We will have Distinguished Lecturer Devin Abellon (University of California at Santa Barbara) presenting on Slab Cooling at Maximize LEED Points. He will also be presenting a free seminar on this topic for Student Members and Student guests at Seneca College that afternoon. The second speaker will be Eli Howard III, Executive Director of Technical Services for SMACNA, who will be speaking on the topic of seismic bracing. This will be a very unique event that should not be missed.
Of course if you are a manufacturer or rep, this event is a great opportunity to showcase the latest and greatest in your product lines to Mechanical Consultants, Contractors and other industry professionals. To register for a tabletop booth click the following link: http://www.torontoashrae.com/event-2041138
And the most important event of the year! Decemberfest 2015! Due to the outstanding response from last years event, we will be having a repeat performance of dinner at Wayne Gretzy's Restaurant and the sketch comedy Holidazed and Confused at the Second City Theatre after. This comedy is an all new collection of hilarious sketches, songs, and improvisations inspired by the season of merriment, mirth, and last-minute shopping. Invite your colleagues, friends and significant others!! It will be an amazing way of closing the 2015 year!
Toronto Chapter CTTC Chair 2015-2016
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Research Promotion Committee
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Our Research Promotion campaign is well under way for the year but we are long way off from hitting our goal of $35,000. The good news is that we have until next June. Please take the time now to think about your contribution.
On behalf of ASHRAE Toronto Chapter Board of Governors, I would like to once again thank the following individuals and organizations for helping Toronto Chapter exceed our 2014-2015 Research Promotion goal of $34,000.
2014-2015 Golden Cirle Donors ($10,000 - $19,999)
- Enbridge Gas Distribution, Mr Bob DeGrasse
2014-2015 ASHRAE Associate Donors ($2,500 - $4,999) 2014-2015 Major Donors ($500 - $2,499) - Mr Douglas C Cochrane
- Mr David A Benedetti
- Mr Glenn W Kilmer
- Mr Alan J Porter
- Mr Marco Ottavino
- Mr Antonio Figuerido
- Mr Peter Turk
- Carrier Enterprise Canada - Mississauga, Mr Douglas C Cochrane
- The Mitchell Partnership, Mr John S Lowden
- HTS Engineering Ltd, Mr Paul Pilutti
- Yorkland Controls Ltd
- Klimatrol Environmental Systems Ltd
- Nailor Industries
- Jalima Holdings Ltd, Mr H Linton Murray
2014-2015 Honor Roll Individual Donors ($100 - $249) - Mr Joseph T Bauer
- Ms Jacqueline C Rueping
- Mr Michael Leo Loughry
- Mr Louis Sentesy
- Mr Stefan B Krajci
- Mr Michael A Rosenblitt
- Mr Miodrag M Premovic
- Mr Robert Mancini
- Mr John M Tojcic
- Mr Trevor John Caldwell
- Mr Joseph J Collins
- Mrs Jolanta McKay
2014-2015 Corporate Donors (Less than $250) - The Hidi Group, Mr Andrew L Hidi
- Building Innovation
- DAB-Damper Air Balancing, Mr Dusan Firment
Thank you for your support so far this year and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Toronto Chapter Past-President 2015-2016
Toronto Chapter RP Committee Chair 2015-2016
glenn@kilmerenv.com
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Grassroots and Government Affairs Committee
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As we begin to get underway for a new season, the GGAC is looking for a few more volunteers to round out our committee. Once we have established a core group of volunteers, we can then arrange for a first meeting and plan out some objectives.
The exciting aspect of any GGAC is how we can leverage ASHRAE strengths to affect public policy. I'm not suggesting lobbying, (too complicated) but something more in line with the impact energy efficiency regulations have on the built environment. Can we develop contacts within say, the City of Toronto that will advance the energy efficiency discussion?
Anne-Marie very successfully organized a bEQ evaluation of a Toronto Public Library building. That initiative with Toronto is already bearing added fruit, and is an area we will continue to pursue. Is there a way for involvement with Toronto that would expand the responsibilities of building code inspectors to include site verification of EE regulations? Yes, there is and will be a topic for discussion.
Get in touch. We have a place for everyone who volunteers.
Toronto Chapter GGAC Chair 2015-2016
416-606-1512
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| Membership Committee | |
It was great meeting everyone at the October dinner. And if we didn't meet this time, I'm sure we will over the next 7 meetings. I'm looking forward to that, it's always a pleasure to meet new people through ASHRAE. I think the common grounds of this wonderful organization immediately removes barriers and fosters both professional and personal friendships.
The chapter had great success mixing students with regular chapter members at the last meeting. ASHRAE Toronto recognizes that students and young professionals are important - because after all, they will be the face of our industry in 20 years.
Speaking of which, it's not too late to take our October dinner meeting survey! Whether you did or did not attend, the Toronto Chapter wants to hear from you. I promise, it is a short and quick survey:
Coming up for this meeting is "bring a colleague" night on November 2nd. If you bring a non-member to the dinner that night, you will be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift certificate to the Keg.
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PAOE
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PAOE or Presidents Award Of Excellence, provides the chapters in Region II with a means of measuring success across a wide range of chapter operations. It is meant as a tool to guide the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs towards their goals. Below is a summary of PAOE Points for all of the Chapters in Region II so far this year.
Toronto Chapter President-Elect 2015-2016
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Young Engineers in ASHRAE
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Young Engineers In ASHRAE
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Thursday November 12th is the date for our annual YEA Pub Night. At 6.30pm, come join us for a few drinks after finishing your busy day at the office or in the classroom. This is going to be the best opportunity to network and socialize with other young engineers in ASHRAE. If that isn't a good enough reason, the food is on us!
Although YEA are members under the age of 35, all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Non-ASHRAE members are also welcome. Feel free to bring out your coworkers!
Pub Night will be at The Blake House (449 Jarvis St) which is walking distance from College Station, so leave your vehicles at home! The event is free, but please register for it on the ASHRAE Toronto website.
Hope to see all of you there. Michael GeninToronto Chapter YEA Chair 2015-2016
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| Student Activities |
Hey students! Thank you to everyone that came out to the October dinner meeting! I look forward to seeing you all at the November meeting.
Toronto Chapter Student Activities Chair 2015-2016
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Social Media
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We have grown our base of followers since we started our incursion in social media. We have been in Twitter and Facebook since 2011 and in 2013 launched our official LinkedIn page.
Do you want to know about what is happening with our chapter? Join the conversation!
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