At 1500 Walnut St. in Philadelphia stands a piece of history — a 22-story piece of history to be exact

Day-to-day operations and the occasional renovation create two sets of distinct threats to IAQ and patient health. From monitoring stations and magnehelic pressure gauges to multiple resources for design and O&M guidance, the author points to recent projects and current wisdom to create a valuable resource.

The old saying goes, “Killing two birds with one stone.” But what if you could kill six with one stone? That’s what Abdul Momen, associate director of maintenance and operation for the facilities department at Georgia State University, aimed to accomplish at the school’s 216,000-sq-ft Natural Science Building.

The special nature of the occupants and activities in these facilities create special IAQ requirements, and the concerns only multiply when fire and smoke enters the picture. See how current codes and designs employ a combination of active and passive strategies, building on past approaches to minimize future incidents.

The city of Côte Saint Luc in Quebec recently opened its new Aquatic and Community Centre with a cost of $18 million. While this may seem like a hefty price tag, the city will be saving millions of dollars on energy costs, thanks in part to the center’s HVAC system.

Founded in 1905, Loma Linda University (LLU) in Loma Linda, CA, is a growing educational health-science institute and medical center.

The Trane® Advantage VRF™ variable refrigerant system features variable-speed compressor technology and offers customizable solutions for temperature control and occupant comfort. The new systems from Trane adopt ‘smart inverter’ compressors and feature an upgraded vapor injection system, providing improved performance over previous versions.

In the spring of 2011, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville needed to update its HVAC equipment. However, the work needed to be achieved under a very tight deadline.

Universities can spend substantial amounts of money heating and cooling large campus buildings. For Dominican University of River Forest, IL, that wasn’t acceptable, especially during the summer months.

Today, many state institutions of higher learning and healthcare facilities face reduced budgets, aging infrastructure, and rising energy costs. According to the EPA, colleges and universities spend close to $2 billion each year on energy. These institutions are seeking innovative ways to renew facilities, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy costs. One option gaining some renewed momentum is the Energy Savings Performance Contract (EPSC).