NEWS
What Are Scope 1, 2, & 3 Emissions?
A common measuring stick for sustainable building operations and construction is carbon emissions. Measurement of carbon emissions allows entities to have a normalized data point that covers everything from energy to material consumption. But before you can make your...
Basics of Functional Testing for Existing Buildings
When your building was initially conceived, you had a clear vision for its purpose. The spaces and systems were designed and installed to fulfill that plan. But now, as your building progresses through its lifespan, it’s likely to encounter a natural entropy – changes...
How About Both? In the debate between “planet vs people,” harmony is a viable option.
Do you remember the good old days when building or renovating a structure was all about building or renovating a structure? Turns out that things in the design, engineering and commissioning business have fallen prey to the global trend of the seemingly unavoidable...
The Importance of Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx)
The rapid ups and downs of the economy in the last two decades have affected everyone and created an increased demand for high-capacity, high-performance buildings. Luckily, there appears to be an appetite for more sustainable and responsible construction, and more...
Want to hit the Project Bullseye? Start with an Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
With every new project, we are ready to hit the ground running with the proverbial pencil to paper poised at the ready. “This is going to be a great project!” we think. Universally, this joy is where we all start, but how do we stay that way? How do we keep the...
Carbon Neutral Vs Net Zero – What’s the Difference?
For the past several years, you have probably been hearing these phrases being tossed around like a beach ball on a hot summer day: Carbon Neutral, Net Zero, Carbon Negative, Climate Positive. They all have one thing in common, and that is the reduction of carbon...
Air Quality: From Nice Touch to Necessity
Mark Zoller, Paladin, Inc. When the pandemic made landfall in the U.S. in early 2020, what had been a casual interest in air quality became a full-blown concern for building owners everywhere. Whereas many had considered “fresh air” in terms of compliance with local...
GHG Emissions
This weekend, I sold out; finally caving to the siren song of human capacity, four-wheel drive and storage space. For four years, I resisted the temptation to buy a large, fuel-guzzling SUV. My husband and I have played human Tetris getting our five kids into my...
To-may-to. To-mah-to. Commissioning Professional. Consultant.
Aren’t They All the Same Thing? In the old timey tune “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” a couple finds understanding even though they can’t reconcile their pronunciations of simple words like tomato or potato. When it comes to getting a building designed and...
Pushing the Envelope With Building Enclosure Commissioning
An insider’s approach to simplifying the complex By David Burks, Paladin Engineers, Inc. Construction in 2022 (both new facility and renovation) has changed remarkably in many respects. Besides the economics of a project – impacted by supply chain...