Bert N. Davis, Ph.D., P.E., C.F.E. I.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Areas of Specialization

Failure analysis, indoor air quality, construction and industrial accidents, heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, life safety systems, plumbing systems, electrical systems, lighting systems, slip and fall accidents, product liability, construction claims, explosions, building fires, and code compliance.

Professional Registration

2002                            P.E. - State of Utah
2002                            P.E. – State of Texas
2001                            P.E. – State of New York
2000                            P.E. – State of Mississippi
1999                            P.E. – State of Wyoming
1998                            P.E. – State of West Virginia
1993                            P.E. - State of New Jersey
1992                            P.E. - State of Ohio
1990                            P.E. - State of Pennsylvania

Certified as a fire and explosion investigator, and registered in the City of Pittsburgh as an Electrician and Mechanical Contractor

Educational Background

2002                            Ph.D. - Carnegie Mellon University
1992                            M.S.C.E. - Carnegie Mellon University
1986                            B.S.M.E. - Carnegie Mellon University
1981                            B.S. - General Science - University of Pittsburgh

Employment History

Professional Affiliations

Honors

Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Society, Carnegie Mellon University
President, Life Science Society, University of Pittsburgh
University Scholar, University of Pittsburgh

Research

Director of a design and development project for the U.S. Department of Energy.  Project involved designing a unique building photovoltaic system and analyzing the system.  My current research involves prediction of building integrated photovoltaic system market potential in the year 2010, 2020, 2030 and modeling of photovoltaic system effective load carrying capacity.

Teaching completed during the 1998 and 1999 spring semester.  Course was titled EPP 19-101.  The first semester reviewed automobile physics, environmental issues and safety issues.  The second semester reviewed computer systems and statistical analysis of system reliability.

Abridged Professional Engineering Experience

Forensic Engineering

• Analysis of building indoor air quality problems
• Review, analysis and reconstruction of industrial and construction accidents
• Analysis of welding and cutting explosions
• Studies of building fire alarm and sprinkler system failures
• Determination of boiler and furnace explosions
• Analysis of industrial ventilation systems
• Analysis of building HVAC, plumbing, lighting and electrical systems
• Reconstruction of slip and fall accidents
• Review of building code compliance

Carnegie Mellon University – Engineer for the University’s School of Architecture Solar Decathlon Project.  Mechanical design included a solar assisted geothermal heat pump, two temperature solar domestic hot water heating system, and the integration of a photovoltaic system.  The building, and its associated mechanical and electrical systems were part of a national competition.

Nemacolin Lodge Renovation – This renovation included complete remodeling of a 32 room 5-Star Hotel.  BDA’s services included a code review of the existing facility, design of a new central mechanical and electrical plant, and standard MEP engineering services.  The new central plant included sealed combustion boilers for heating and service hot water.  The chilled water plant consisted of a 110-ton chiller with space for a future 110-ton chiller.  The chilled water and hot water system included primary secondary loops and variable speed pumping.  Ventilation air to the building was completed via heat recovery units and air handling units.  The system was designed to provide neutral dry air throughout the year.  As part of the renovation the building was fully sprinklered and the fire alarm system was enhanced to comply with the ADA and to meet the requirements of NFPA 72.  A large emergency power system was designed into the new electrical system to provide emergency power for life safety systems, refrigeration equipment, a fixture in each room and to provide heating on the loss of grid power.

Respironics - HVAC, plumbing, electrical and sprinkler design for Respironics new international headquarters located in Murrysville, PA.  Design services included a two large variable air volume systems, a sealed combustion high-efficiency central boiler plant, direct digital control systems, plumbing systems including a central sealed combustion high-efficiency water heating system, electrical systems and fire protection.  HVAC system design included variable speed supply and relief fans, airside economizers and indoor air quality monitoring control.  Electrical design included two large UPS systems, a large 500 kVA diesel emergency power system, multiple emergency power systems, a central transient voltage surge suppression system, addressable fire alarm systems, lighting and extensive power distribution.  The building was also equipped with a lightening protection system.

Hamer Hall Pool – HVAC, plumbing and electrical design for a University Competition Pool facility and adjacent classrooms located in California, PA.  The pool HVAC system consisted of a dual compressor heat recovery system that uses its heat of rejection for heating of the pool water, dehumidification or heat recovery.  Also included in the mechanical design were pool water heating systems, pool water filtration systems and pool plumbing systems.  Electrical design included special pool lighting systems to allow videotaping of events.  The classroom portion of the project included a central VAV system using chilled and hot water.

AT&T Liberty Avenue - HVAC, plumbing, electrical and sprinkler design for AT&T’s new northeast customer care center.  Design services included central variable air volume systems, improvements to an existing central boiler plant, direct digital control systems, plumbing systems electrical systems and fire protection.  HVAC system design included variable speed fans, airside economizers and indoor air quality monitoring control.  Electrical design included large UPS systems, diesel fueled emergency power systems, transient voltage surge suppression systems, addressable fire alarm systems, lighting and extensive power distribution.  To conserve energy automatic lighting controls (i.e., infrared/ultrasonic) were installed in offices.

MBR – BDA has designed the HVAC, plumbing, electrical and life safety systems for over ten cancer centers for MBR.  These cancer centers are generally located in new structures, and include a high-energy linear accelerator, a simulator (i.e., similar to a CT or MRI), a chemotherapy area, exam rooms, nurse’s stations, professional offices and conference rooms.

Conservation Consultants Inc. – Design of efficient HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems for an existing building designed to promote energy efficient and green technologies.  The HVAC design included gas absorption and compression type cooling and heating systems, sensible and latent heat recovery and the design of a radiant floor.  Plumbing design included the evaluation of a gray water system, the design of a solar domestic water heating system and the use of low-flow fixtures.  Electrical design encompassed the use of high efficiency lighting fixtures, emergency lighting systems, building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) and occupancy sensors.  The BIPV component consisted of using PV panels for shading.

Carnegie Mellon University – Laboratory, cleanroom and office HVAC and plumbing design.  The HVAC system included a high-pressure VAV/make-up air system with variable speed fans.  The outside air quantity to makeup laboratory exhaust was controlled via an airflow measuring station.  To conserve energy hood controls were provided to turn exhaust systems on and off.  Each hood control was interfaced with a constant volume make-up air box.  Plumbing design included laboratory gasses and standard plumbing design for offices.  Offices were conditioned by a VAV system that included perimeter baseboard heat.  Air distribution to the clean room was from overhead laminar flow diffusers.

Cabell County Schools – Analysis and modeling of humidity and roof storm drainage problems for a 265,000 square foot high school located in Huntington, WV.  High building humidity was causing the rusting of metal partitions walls and lifting of carpeting.  The building analysis included hourly simulations of interior environmental conditions and a review and analysis of building mechanical systems.  New mechanical systems, and associated electrical systems, were then designed to ameliorate the high interior humidities.

L.E. Smith Glass – BDA was retained by an Industrial Hygienist as part of a program to reduce plant VOC concentrations.  BDA designed tunnel drying and exhaust systems for painted glass.  The drying systems removed harmful VOCs from the indoor environment.

Island Sports Center - HVAC, plumbing, electrical and sprinkler design for a new ice hockey and soccer complex.  The mechanical design included a central chiller plant using two, 200-ton, screw machines, central variable air volume systems, a central boiler plant, direct digital control systems, plumbing systems electrical systems and fire protection.  HVAC system design included variable speed pumping, airside economizer systems, ice rink conditioning and indoor air quality monitoring controls.  Ice rink conditioning was accomplished with desiccant dehumidification systems that incorporated heat recovery.  Plumbing design included a demineralized feed water system and a large central multi-temperature domestic water heating system.  Sprinkler system design included a standard wet-pipe system, an antifreeze system and water curtains.  Electrical design included a large 4,000-ampere, 480-volt, switchgear system that served the main 160,000 square foot structure and other buildings on the site, emergency power systems, fire alarms, lighting and power distribution.

Veka – BDA provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for this extrusion manufacturer.  Some of the process engineering work included modification to a large two-temperature chilled water plant that was used to cool machinery and extrusions.  BDA was involved in optimization and revision of this plant to expand its capacity and increase its efficiency.  BDA also provided HVAC design services for plant ventilation and office building cooling and heating.  Electrical services included lighting and power distribution.

Woodhaven - HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical design for a subacute care wing.  Mechanical design included HVAC systems, wet and dry sprinkler systems, plumbing systems, medical gas systems and control systems.  Electrical design included emergency power systems, fire alarms, nurse call system, intercom system, lighting and power distribution.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Building - Phase-I of the project included a complete evaluation of building mechanical and electrical systems in this high-rise structure.  Phase-II of the project included complete HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical design.  Mechanical system design included a computer room cooling system, steam to water converter for building heating, a dual duct HVAC system, hot and chilled water distribution and a central chilled water plant including a waterside economizer.  Electrical design included emergency power, fire alarms, data/com wiring, lighting and power distribution.  The sprinkler system design included a preaction system to protect the City’s central computer facility.

Franklin Regional Junior High - Engineering services to evaluate problems with the school’s HVAC system.  Analyzed and reviewed direct digital control systems, heating and cooling systems, building air distribution, indoor air quality complaints, problems with the kitchen and pool HVAC systems, and the central boiler and chilled water plants.  From this analysis corrective actions were proposed along with their associated costs.

Advance USA – Design services included HVAC system design for a medium size manufacturing plant.  Process design included a 2-temperature chilled water system for equipment and manufactured parts cooling, the design of several large compressed air systems and the design of a large drying tunnel.  HVAC design included industrial ventilation and room environmental control for critical processes.

Trinity School - The project included complete HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical design.  HVAC system design included a combination of zoned all-air systems and constant volume all-air systems.  Electrical design included emergency power, fire alarms, data/com wiring, lighting and power distribution.  The electrical design also included a complete photovoltaic system, off-peak energy storage and design of the renewable energy control systems.  The specified plumbing system used low-flow fixtures and energy efficient water heating systems.

Zone-1 Police Station - HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical design for a police station located in Pittsburgh, PA.  Mechanical system design included a central high efficiency boiler plant, a VAV system with a CO2 actuated demand ventilation system, and hot water distribution piping.  Electrical design included emergency power, fire alarms, data/com wiring, lighting and power distribution.  The sprinkler system design included a double-interlock preaction system to protect a large evidence storage area.  Special plumbing, electrical and HVAC equipment was specified for jail cells.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Hotel - HVAC, plumbing and sprinkler design for a new five-star hotel.  The mechanical design included a central chiller plant using two 220 ton screw machines, a central make-up air system incorporating heat recovery, a central boiler plant, direct digital control systems, plumbing systems and fire protection.  HVAC system design included variable speed pumping, a waterside economizer system and indoor air quality monitoring controls.  Plumbing design included a pressure boosting system and a large central multi-temperature domestic water heating system.  Sprinkler system design included a fire pump, wet and dry sprinkler systems and a double-interlock preaction system.

Nixon Elementary School Review - Complete site inspection and analysis of HVAC, site utilities, plumbing, and electrical systems for a school building.  The review included a complete code analysis, recommendations for mechanical and electrical system upgrades and cost estimates to correct deficiencies.

Pittsburgh Filmmakers - HVAC and sprinkler design for a multi-purpose school that has a main auditorium (used for motion pictures), classrooms, darkrooms and offices.  The design included special isolation of vibrating equipment to minimize transmitted noise, darkroom ventilation systems, and an exposed spiral duct system.

Uniontown Medical Office Building - HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical design for an existing building.  The first phase of the project included a complete building mechanical and electrical systems review.  The second phase of the project included mechanical and electrical design.  The mechanical design included a central chiller plant, a central make-up air system, a central boiler plant, direct digital control systems, plumbing systems and fire protection.  Electrical design included emergency lighting, power distribution, fire alarms and general office lighting.

Bradley Center - HVAC, plumbing, and electrical design for a school and recreation center located near Pittsburgh, PA.  Mechanical system design included a central high efficiency boiler plant, a VAV system with a CO2 actuated demand ventilation system, and hot water distribution piping.  Electrical design included emergency power, fire alarms, lighting and power distribution.

PPG - HVAC and plumbing design for a PPG facility located in Cranberry, PA.  HVAC system design included general office air conditioning and heating, make-up air systems for process exhausts and the design of exhaust systems and hoods for hazardous substances.  Plumbing design included a compressed air distribution system, breathing air distribution system, drain waste and vent system and domestic water distribution.

Cellular One - Complete HVAC, plumbing, and electrical design of a telephone facility.  Mechanical design included several redundant computer room cooling systems, a central VAV system, humidification systems, central boiler plant, direct digital control systems, smoke control systems, and clean agent suppression systems.  Electrical design included a large back-up emergency generator system, lightning protection system, equipotential grounding system, UPS system and general power distribution and lighting.

Turkey-Foot School - HVAC, plumbing, and electrical design for a school located in Confluence, PA.  Mechanical system design included a central chilled water plant, renovation of a coal fired steam boiler plant, a large VAV system, CO2 actuated demand ventilation systems, central locker room facilities, renovation of a central well water system and service water heating system, and complete pneumatic control systems.  Electrical design included emergency power, fire alarms, central clock system, intercom system, lighting and power distribution.

Greenfield Terrace - HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical design for a six-story HUD building located in Pittsburgh, PA.  Mechanical system design included a central chilled water plant and high efficiency boiler plant, central water heating facility, make-up air system, complete wet sprinkler system, and electronic control systems.  Electrical design included an emergency power system, fire alarms, nurse call system, intercom system, lighting, emergency rescue intercom system, and power distribution.

Allegheny General Hospital - HVAC, plumbing, and electrical design of a cancer research facility.  Mechanical systems included medical grade compressed air system, vacuum system, distribution of miscellaneous gasses, radioactive laboratory design, large UPS system design, and design of a process chilled water system to cool lasers.

DCI Inc. - HVAC, sprinkler, electrical, plumbing, and fire alarm systems for three Dialysis Clinics; work included design of reverse osmosis systems, special plumbing systems, indirect lighting systems, life safety systems and smoke evacuation systems.

MPCGS Associates - HVAC, sprinkler, electrical, plumbing, and fire alarms for an Oncology Clinic; included design of a clean room and special humidity/filtration systems to protect immuno-suppressed patients.

St. Paul AME Church - HVAC, plumbing, site, and electrical design for a church complex that has a main sanctuary, social hall, classrooms, and offices.  The design included a sound system for the main sanctuary and special lighting systems for the main sanctuary and social hall.

Plum Borough Municipal Building - HVAC, plumbing, site, and electrical design for a new building addition, interior renovation, and EMS building.  Due to budget limitations all systems had to value engineered and where possible interfaced with existing equipment.

City of Pittsburgh Print Shop - Phase-I included evaluation of existing printing processes and existing ventilation equipment to determine current system deficiencies and recommended repairs.  Phase-II included process exhaust and make-up air system design.

Italian Oven - Designed the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems for their prototype free standing building and wrote the technical sections of their franchise handbook.

City of Pittsburgh Fire Stations - Woods Run and Arlington Ave., services included design of HVAC, sprinkler, electrical, plumbing, and fire alarms.

Western Wyoming University - Complete analysis of the campus mechanical systems including a glycol heat recovery system, economizer systems, variable speed drive systems, and underground hot/chilled water storage system.

Union Carbide Corporation - Mechanical (i.e., heat exchangers and HVAC systems) and electrical systems design for a metallurgical processing facility which required precise temperature control of process equipment and push-pull ventilation systems.  Process exhaust (i.e., push-pull hood systems) systems were designed to save energy.  Also designed process-heating systems for removing carbide from machine components.

MRIE Industrial Site - Design of power distribution systems using medium and low voltage for several industrial complexes.

Carnegie Mellon University - Computer area cooling system utilizing a high-pressure VAV system, variable speed pumping, and variable speed fans.  This system, when completed, had a NC of 25-30 and was comprised of thirty separate zones.

Carnegie Mellon - Ventilation and exhaust systems for wood shop, printing facility, and welding labs.

Carnegie Mellon - Design of a refrigeration system for a cold room using desiccant dehumidification and hot gas bypass; this eliminated the need for a 10 kW electric reheat.

Paper Packaging Company - Design of an industrial exhaust system that removed and packaged particulates, and then recirculated clean air for a large paper manufacturing plant.

Carson Industries - Design of a heat recovery system for a large induction furnace, using waste heat to condition the foundry.

Action Housing - Energy saving retrofit measures for several large apartment complexes, which included modifying central heating and cooling plants, upgrading lighting, and new building control systems.

Action Housing Inc./Pennsylvania Governor’s Energy Counsel - Performed over fifty technical energy audits of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.