July 5, 2007: Vol. 6, No. 26	Engineering for the World We Live In
The HVAC&R Industry, ASHRAE's free weekly eNewsletter for HVAC&R professionals, provides relevant, timely information about industry and technology for people who create healthy, comfortable indoor environments.     To ensure that The HVAC&R Industry is not blocked by spam-blocking software, add e-industry@ashrae.org to your address book. Should you encounter problems reading an ASHRAE eNewsletter, you may access any issue archived on the ASHRAE Web site at this link. To unsubscribe from this eNewsletter, click here. Industry News Ancient Underfloor Heating Systems Discovered in Alaska UNALASKA, Alaska—What may be the oldest underfloor stone-lined-channel heating systems reportedly have been discovered in Alaska's Aleutian Islands. The remains are believed to be 3,000 years old. These systems are similar to those developed independently by another culture 2,500 years ago in Russia's Maritime Province. Read more Climate Change May Increase Death Rates, Says Study CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Higher temperatures brought on by climate change may kill more people in the summer months, according to a new report by the Harvard School of Public Health. The report added that the death toll won't be offset by fewer deaths during milder winters. The researchers used historical data on cold snaps and heat waves in the U.S. to come to that conclusion. Historically, death rates were significantly higher during extremely hot spells than during unusually cold days. Read more New York Skyline Becoming Greener NEW YORK—Demand for vegetative roofs is growing in New York, as well as in other U.S. cities, according to an article in Resident magazine. Earlier this year, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced an incentive program for the installation of vegetative roofs as part of his environmental plan to make the city's buildings more energy efficient and sustainable by 2030. If the program receives state approval, building owners will be eligible for a property tax abatement to help offset installation costs. It is estimated that there are around 100 "green roofs" in New York. Read more ASHRAE News 90% Complete Draft Review Opens July 9 for Design Guide for K-12 Schools The 90% Complete Final Review Draft for the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K–12 School Buildings will be available for review and feedback July 9–20. All remarks must be received by July 20. Remarks will be reviewed, compiled, and responded to in a single Summary Response document posted on www.ashrae.org. To participate in the review, go to www.ashrae.org/aedg. The review process instructions and input form, as well as a PDF copy of the document, will be available for download in the "Planned Guides" section, under the heading for this guide. The documents will be available beginning 5 p.m. on Mon., July 9. Read more Feature of the Week Wireless Mesh Networks Using HVAC Controllers By Jeff Raimo According to the author, new wireless mesh technologies are not only appropriate for sensor networks but also can be used with lower-level room controller networks to reap even more benefits.This article explains the wireless mesh technology and the theory and practice of using it in an HVAC controller environment. This article originally was published in ASHRAE Journal in July 2005. Click here to download the article. It will be available here through July 18. After July 18, access to the article from this eNewsletter will no longer be available. It will remain available for free download by Members and for purchase by nonmembers in the ASHRAE Journal section of the ashrae.org bookstore. Product News Alarm Control Panel From Honeywell MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell offers the Honeywell XLS3000 fire alarm control panel. It features the System Maintenance Analysis and Reporting Tool (SMART), which automatically tracks the testing and inspection requirements of alarm devices. It also features the Digital Voice Command, which allows facility managers to simultaneously broadcast multiple, distinct messages through an entire facility or targeted areas. Read more Cooling Tower From Baltimore Aircoil Company BALTIMORE—Baltimore Aircoil Company announces the introduction of the PT2 induced draft counterflow cooling tower in single- and multi-cell versions. It is designed to operate using little energy while producing minimal noise. Read more Building Automation Network From TCS Basys Controls MIDDLETON, Wis.—TCS Basys Controls® introduces the Ubiquity Wireless Solution™. It creates a self-configuring, self-healing mesh network using ZigBee 802.15.4 protocol at 2.4 GHz. It is designed to automatically determine the optimum communication paths upon installation and find alternate paths with minimal disruption of service. Read more Subscription Management American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an international membership organization founded to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related issues. Need assistance? Please use the links below or contact us by e-mail. To change your e-mail address for all eNewsletters, click here. This will not change your official e-mail address in ASHRAE's member database. This will only change the e-mail address to which your ASHRAE eNewsletters are sent. If someone passed along this eNewsletter to you, and you want to have your own subscription, click here. To read ASHRAE's media kit to learn about advertising opportunities, click here. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use • Disclaimer All contents copyright © 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. • 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2305.