The Expert Witness Blog - Ivey Engineering

6 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Commercial Buildings

in Electrical, Energy Efficiency, HVAC/by Bill Ivey

As a property manager or building owner, the cost of energy consumption for building operations will always to be a primary concern. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), commercial buildings in the United States account for 18 percent of U.S. energy consumption. The DOE claims that heating, air conditioning, ventilation (35 percent of […]

6 Tips to Help Prevent a Home or Building Fire

in Electrical, Fire Protection/by Lisa Zollinger

It’s close to dinner time and you’re in a cheerful mood. You’re cooking the main course using a frying pan that has vegetables coated in oil. As light music plays through the air, the oven’s timer goes off. You turn around to attend to the dessert. It’s only been a few minutes since you’ve turned […]

4 Common Causes of Mold in Buildings or Homes

in Community, HVAC, Plumbing/by Bill Ivey

Have you ever smelled a musty odor inside a commercial building or home? Usually that means mold is present. Mold is a fungus and is always present indoors and outdoors in small amounts. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), mold can be toxic to both humans and animals, depending […]

6 Most Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

in HVAC, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is often referred to as a silent killer. It is generated by incomplete combustion of fuel in an engine, heater, appliance or from an open flame. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CO poisoning claims the lives of more than 400 people […]

5 Plumbing Repairs You Should Leave to a Professional

in Construction, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

Is this scenario a familiar one? You squeeze between the under part of a kitchen sink and the wall, squirming around trying to find where to screw in the hose of the new faucet. After a few minutes of rearranging the overly long hose so that the end would face the way you want, you […]

4 Most Common Fire Sprinkler Systems: Pros and Cons

in Fire & Life Safety, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments respond to a fire once every 24 seconds. Meanwhile, nearly 4,000 Americans die per year in house fires. This means the likelihood someone will be affected by a building fire in his or her lifetime is far greater than most people expect.

Two men discussing a building project at the site

6 Tips to Hiring a Building Contractor for a Commercial Project

in Construction/by Lisa Zollinger

The next time you shuffle into your favorite restaurant, exhausted after a long day of work, stop for a second. Notice the curvature of the entryway and the texture of the paint on the walls. Each feature was a choice made by a commercial contractor, piecing together various aspects to not only engineer an establishment, […]

white air conditioning vent in an office building

7 Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs in Commercial Buildings

in HVAC/by Matt Lee

Keeping employees, customers and guests comfortable when the weather outside is stifling is a primary concern for companies looking to maximize foot traffic at their location. Unfortunately, the costs of cooling an industrial building can be steep, with company profits being significantly undermined in buildings that have not made energy efficiency a priority.