Looking for mech engineer in Massachusetts

Mitch_6

Sent you my engineer by E mail let me know you got it.

Good guy nice to work with.

Mitch S.

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Ted_9

Boston Metro west

There is a project in Newton and the owner and contractor are looking for an engineer. The project is a remodel with mostly radiant and a/c.

Email me if you have any interest.

patriotheatingandcooling@comcast.net

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Josh_10

Pretty sure Brad White is from there. Put a thread up that says something like "Paging Brad White".

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Brad White_93

Thanks for the endorsement, Josh-

Ted and I already spoke off-line and I was not interested. I gave him a couple of names which also did not pan out.

Thanks though!

Brad

joel_19

???

bigger question , why do they want an engineer??? Most are not familiar at all with good house design and only work commercial. If they try to do that on a house it ussually spells disaster . Stuff like 400sqft to a ton , 75BTu to sqft heating loads etc. Just nasty stuff. Why not have a good HVAC contractor design it? Certainly don't mean to offend any engineers present , it's just a different animal. I wouldn't think of attempting to design a school or Hospital either , way outta my league , that's where those guys typically like to play.

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Brad White_94

Broad Brush, Joel

"Most are not familiar at all with good house design and only work commercial. If they try to do that on a house it ussually spells disaster . Stuff like 400sqft to a ton , 75BTu to sqft heating loads etc. Just nasty stuff."

By "most" engineers, I would have to say your actual survey can back that up. If engineers in your opinion shoot from the hip and use figures such as 400 sf/ton or 75 Btuh/SF rather than calculations to support loads, then I suppose you can say "most engineers" and be equally correct. Shooting from the hip is not acceptable in either case.

Every situation, be it a hospital, lab, house, school, indoor pool, library, rare document archive, museum (and I have designed systems for all incidentally), each have their own quirks and idiosyncrasies. Each is a "different animal". They are not "one size fits all".


I agree that typical houses do not get the same treatment as other commercial/institutional projects and occassionally an engineer may mis-apply commercial/institutional principles, but "most"?

And by the way, I am not offended for I have seen some of what you speak. But in so stating with a broad brush, you are, IMHO, exhibiting similar carelessness.

As to the core question of why they need an engineer, I cannot divulge the particulars in this case. However, several cities and towns require a stamp regardless of size. Here in MA the law says that any single-family house or up to, I believe 3-4 families and under 30,000 Cubic Feet, and non-commercial, does not require a P.E. This is the very grace which allows contractors to do their own designs without over-complicating the process.

A city or town may still require it as a local option but the state does not. I surmise this is a way to absolve any responsibility from local inspectors (who are already protected by the way). Just a way to make sure I suppose.

Another facet of this is that too many contractors (not most let that be said), do things incorrectly and an owner may be seeking particular expertise or the comfort of liability coverage.

Some engineers fall short where other contractors excel and vice versa. Which is why we are here at The Wall. We all learn from each other.

My $0.02

Brad

Constantin

Hear Hear!

... and well said. Brilliance or incompetence does not rely on a stamp or a degree... rather, the outsome depends on the person who is attacking a problem and how well she/he is suited to tackle it.

Degrees, certifications, etc. typically are handed out on a pass-fail basis, i.e. like a drivers license they do not reflect how well you drive, just that you passed the test. Besides, even the brilliant can have a bad day and overlook crucial details and create a problem.

Hanging out at the Wall is just one way of furthering your education. It certainly has been for me.

jackchips_2

Three \"hears\"

for Brad and Constantin.

Jack

joel_19

Wow

Ummm you guys took that "most" a little too literally I guess. Personally I would love an engineer I could call on if needed with a Mass stamp that understood houses. Any of you here feel free to send a link to my e-mail as it does come up, if you do residential design.

In my humble expierence I have yet to meet those that do large commecial work that understand Unico,radiant floor, residential ERV's,Condensing residential boilers, Minisplit A/C's etc.

However I have no bias against them as some might over that whole degree thing , on the contrary I'd love to have someone to fall back on. I've just never met such a person.

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Brad White_9

Words mean things, Joel

"Most" is not the same as "many" or "many in my experience".

As I was saying, the principles of engineering, heat transfer are all common to all applications. Applying equipment incorrectly or not calculating your basis is not a forgivable sin when knowlege is available and common sense at least may rule.

Not to be pedantic, just clearer! All in good cheer, -always.

My $0.02

Brad

David Sutton_6

Brad,

As always a pro and a gentalmen...well put !

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ScottMP

just so that Joel is not alone

and left out there swinging, I do know what he is refering to. I have come across house's that where totally over enginered. Companys that do commercial work and for one reason or other ( owners friend or do work on thier compnays project ) they design the heating system for the new McMansion and its dept of redundancy redundancy.

I won't say "most" or " many" just ... seen it, know what hes talking about and shook my head at it.

Scott


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Constantin

Yep...

... seen it, have the T-shirt and pictures to prove it. All the money spent to spec out these systems probably would have done a lot more good elsewhere.

One other thing to keep in mind: Many commercial buildings are built to the cheapest spec possible. The landlord is there to make money, not to save $$$ on the utilities... those are paid for by the tenants. Plus, until quite recently, commercial AC, etc. did not have to meet any minimum energy efficiency standards, IIRC.

So, a "commercial spec." may or may not be a bad thing. Caveat emptor!

Brad White_9

I agree

that some jobs are head-shakers, absolutely. Just want to use a 000 Sable brush when others use an HVLP spray paint rig, that's all.

What I like about Siggy's practice and company name: "Appropriate Designs". Says it all.