Building Systems

Solar rooftop photovoltaics spark safety advice

Rooftop solar photovoltaics spark safety advice

Rooftop solar PV installations pack a potentially lethal electrical charge, necessitating vigilant monitoring and maintenance of the many system components.
Flammable refrigerants spark GHG reductions

Flammable refrigerants spark GHG reductions

Researchers and manufacturers have now done much of the work to prepare for the HFC phase-down, but codes and standards will need to catch up before a new generation of lower-GWP refrigerants can be used.
IAQ combos arresting airborne spread of COVID

IAQ combos arresting airborne spread of COVID

Commercial building operators could use a combination of air exchange, filtration and purification to comply with the industry-leading guidance for arresting airborne spread of pathogens and contaminants.
building technology

How to optimize building technology management

Leveraging appropriate service technology and integrated service tools can ensure buildings are safe and properly maintained. 
New flat rates for Ontario elevators licenses

New fee model for Ontario elevator licenses

The flat license rate will penalize mid-rise and high-rise owners with extra costs if an elevator passes the periodic inspection and does not require a follow-up. It will be a bargain if just one follow-up inspection is required.
COVID-19 repercussions driving up global adjustment costs for commercial electricity customers

COVID-19 incubates global adjustment 2021-22

For Class A consumers, cost-saving potential will be diminished even if they successfully curtail demand during the five peak hours since those peaks are expected to be lower than usual.
Building an organic smart building from the bottom up could be easier than a top-down model

Open protocols could nurture organic smart city

Abandonment of the Sidewalk Labs project proposed for Toronto is unfortunate, but it serves as an important lesson that building a smart city from the top down is hard.
surety association

Smart buildings harnessed for pandemic response

While climate change may have slipped somewhat from people’s consciousness and priorities right now, it’s noteworthy that the pandemic and climate crises are both problems of exponential growth against a limited capacity to cope.
energy demand load

Energy demand load shifts to residential base

The energy demand load has shifted in sync with much of Ontario’s workforce from commercial to home offices, prompting calls for suspension of time-of-use pricing during the current COVID-19 related upheaval
Setting a new standard

Setting a new standard at Ken Soble Tower

With mechanical systems nearing end of life, inadequate ventilation and other issues, the 50-year Ken Soble Tower was in critical need of an upgrade.
water

Finding the right facility maintenance partner

Like any other significant hire, there is a benefit to working with a facility maintenance team that can deliver tangible value to your operations.
outdoor air

IAQ standards dissect freshness of outdoor air

Guidance related to natural ventilation, particulate filtration and compartmentalization of multi-residential HVAC systems are prominent in the list of identified "significant changes" compared to the incumbent 2016 version of the standards.
portal

Plugging into the “smart city”

How can commercial property owners and managers “plug in” to the smart city revolution?
Enbridge

Success in property management energy savings

It was a mix of energy insights, incentives, and advanced controls that helped Briarlane Rental Property Management Inc. optimize its natural gas consumption and increase occupant comfort across selected buildings in its portfolio.
cogeneration

Carleton University to get co-generation plant

Carleton University expects to fire up a new co-generation plant at its Ottawa-based campus next spring as part of its sophomore energy master plan.
James Bay communities

James Bay communities develop local expertise

Energy conservation initiatives are cutting costs and supporting skills development that make health care operations more self-reliant in five James Bay communities.
new energy future

21st century grid heralds a new energy future

Data will be the golden key in the new energy future, and any company with an interest in data is already thinking about this energy future.