Épisodes

  • Ep. 49 How to address cold storage fire protection
    Jan 27 2026

    Guest: Melisa Rodriguez, PE, NICET Level IV, Johnson Controls Inc., Eagan, Minnesota

    Cold storage fire protection is a challenging feat for any fire protection engineer. Melisa Rodriguez from Johnson Controls Inc. breaks down the details of this fire suppression topic.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Cold Storage Fire Protection
    • (00:00:26) - Fire Protection Engineer Melissa Rodriguez
    • (00:01:29) - Fire protection in cold storage
    • (00:02:57) - Fire protection strategies for cold storage
    • (00:05:18) - How To Build Cold Storage Fire Protection Systems
    • (00:07:59) - Fire protection system for cold storage
    • (00:10:37) - Butter Floods the Streets of Wisconsin
    • (00:12:39) - Fire Protection and Suppression Systems Podcast
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    13 min
  • Ep. 48 Designing a data center? Learn about how to incorporate heat recovery
    Aug 12 2025

    Guest: Jeffrey Staub, Danfoss Climate Solutions

    When designing data centers, understanding whether and how to incorporate heat recovery
    requires several considerations. Jeff Staub at Danfoss Climate Solutions explains how mechanical
    engineers might successfully integrate heat recovery.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Data Centers Podcast
    • (00:00:40) - Request for heat recovery in data centers
    • (00:03:38) - How to recover data center heat?
    • (00:05:45) - Heat Recovery System Integration into a Data Center
    • (00:14:33) - Has liquid-cooled data centers become more popular?
    • (00:18:38) - Heat Recovery Systems
    • (00:25:11) - Jeff Lawson on Heat Recovery in Data Centers
    • (00:27:58) - Heat Recovery
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    28 min
  • Ep. 47 How to explain what an integrated building is
    Jul 29 2025

    Guest: Robert Knight

    When explaining integrated building systems to building owners, it’s best to start the conversation with all the right questions. Listen to Robert Knight from Arup as he talks about the benefits of smart buildings that include integrated systems.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:03) - The Consulting Specifying Engineer Podcast
    • (00:00:24) - How to Talk to a Building Owner About Smart Building Systems
    • (00:05:14) - WSJD Live: What is a Smart Building?
    • (00:10:50) - Marriage of Systems
    • (00:16:05) - What's Your Strategy for Simplifying Building Management Systems?
    • (00:19:34) - Getting Smart Buildings People Involved Early in the Process
    • (00:24:56) - How to Explain IT Systems to Owners
    • (00:27:43) - How my technical theater background has benefited me in the smart buildings
    • (00:33:40) - Getting It Out There: Integrated Building Systems
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    34 min
  • Ep. 46 Putting the new A2L refrigerants into practice for HVAC
    Jul 15 2025

    Guest: Chris Forth, Vice President Regulatory, Codes & Environmental Affairs, JC Residential and Light Commercial

    Mechanical engineers should understand the many aspects of putting A2L refrigerants in practice: codes and standards, refrigerant detection systems and supply. In this conversation with Chris Forth from JC Residential and Light Commercial, learn more about the transition to low-global warming potential refrigerants in HVAC systems.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Refrigerants for H VAC Systems
    • (00:02:36) - A2L Refrigerants
    • (00:04:48) - How Does A2LS Affect HVAC Systems?
    • (00:06:40) - RDS and controls
    • (00:08:41) - 2L Refrigerant
    • (00:11:48) - R454B refrigerant shortage
    • (00:15:36) - HVAC Systems
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    18 min
  • Ep. 45 Can water-based HVAC be used in a building's design?
    Jul 1 2025

    Guest: Hailey Mick

    Listen as Hailey Mick, engineering business development manager at GF Building Flow Solutions, discusses how water-based applications, such as radiant heating and cooling, hydronic hot-water heating and chilled-water systems. These options can provide a solution for comfort, efficiency, air quality and other indoor environmental quality benefits while helping projects meet schedules and budgets, and also supporting a low-carbon economy that can benefit carbon neutrality efforts.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:01) - HVAC Systems
    • (00:00:50) - What is Hydronic and Radiated Systems?
    • (00:03:45) - Do Radiant Systems Make an Architecturally Profound Impact?
    • (00:06:51) - Do Radiant and Hydronic Systems Support Decarbonization?
    • (00:12:54) - Enjoying the Water
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    15 min
  • Ep. 44 How can younger mechanical engineers get more OTJ training?
    Jun 17 2025

    Guest: Taylor Goade, Xylem’s Bell & Gossett Commercial Buildings

    In-person and online training are a must for younger mechanical engineers. Listen to this episode to learn more about gaining hands-on experience and keeping up-to-date with new HVAC technology.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Consulting Specifying Engineer Podcast
    • (00:00:30) - How to Pass Down Field Knowledge to New Engineers
    • (00:03:01) - Structured Learning: The Future of Mechanical Engineers
    • (00:09:46) - Xylem Walk for Water 2018
    • (00:11:41) - Working With a Developing Workforce
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    12 min
  • Ep. 43 How to successfully engineer and integrate building systems
    Jun 3 2025

    Guests: Kevin Langan and Richard Vedvik

    Listen to Kevin Langan (a mechanical engineer) and Richard Vedvik (an electrical engineer) discuss how integrated building systems can be designed from the start. Topics like electrification, building automation systems and collaboration are all touched on.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:03) - Consulting Specifying Engineer Podcast
    • (00:00:53) - Integrated Building Systems
    • (00:03:52) - What is Building Automation System Integration with Legacy Controls?
    • (00:05:56) - Building Automation Systems: Advances
    • (00:10:39) - Structural Fire Protection Engineering Coordination During Construction
    • (00:14:21) - Electrical Systems
    • (00:17:08) - Energy Design: Electrification Impact
    • (00:23:15) - Top Executives on Cybersecurity
    • (00:23:46) - Integrated MEP Systems
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    24 min
  • Ep. 42 How to create well-lit, well-used spaces with the right lighting
    May 20 2025

    Guests: Anne Ullestad, LC, LEED AP, Assoc. IALD and Paul Daniel, LC LEED AP, HDR

    Self-professed lighting nerds Anne Ullestad and from HDR talk about all things lighting, from health care and office buildings to unusual LED and daylighting applications.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Consulting Specifying Engineer Podcast
    • (00:01:05) - Integrating Lighting with Architectural Design
    • (00:08:14) - How LED Lighting Fits Have Influenced Healthcare Fixtures
    • (00:11:47) - Tunable Light and Circadian Supportive Lighting
    • (00:19:43) - Paul and Anne: Lighting Design
    • (00:23:51) - Lighting and Lighting Design
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    24 min