IN BRIEF

March 1, 2010
ITT Helps Earthquake Victims Through its partnership with Mercy Corps, ITT Watermark, the corporate citizenship program of ITT Corp., parent of Bell &

ITT Helps Earthquake Victims

Through its partnership with Mercy Corps, ITT Watermark, the corporate citizenship program of ITT Corp., parent of Bell & Gossett, Goulds Pumps, and other brands serving the HVAC and plumbing industry, donated five portable water-treatment systems to aid victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.

The systems provide potable water for up to 200,000 people a day.

Following the earthquake, ITT authorized Mercy Corps to tap up to $100,000 of ITT's 2010 emergency fund, established to support an initial assessment of short- and long-term needs after a disaster. The initial assessment in Haiti identified an acute need for access to water and sanitation.

ITT also has committed to doubling contributions to Mercy Corps of up to $5,000 made by ITT employees. As of Feb. 22, employee contributions and company matches totaled $480,000.

Distech Acquires Acelia, Comtec Technologie

Distech Controls Inc., the Montreal-based designer and manufacturer of building-automation systems and products based on open and interoperable communication protocols, recently announced the acquisition of Acelia and Comtec Technologie from France-based Groupe Arcom.

Groupe Arcom designs and manufactures building-automation products, including HVAC, lighting, and sunblind-control systems, based on open building-control protocols. Acelia was its sales unit, while Comtec Technologie was its research, development, and manufacturing division.

The acquisition significantly increases Distech Controls' market share across Europe and the Middle East.

2010 EnVisioneering Symposia Series Set

Danfoss, manufacturer of electronic and mechanical components and control systems for refrigeration and air conditioning, heating, and motion control, has announced the schedule for its fifth annual EnVisioneering Symposia Series.

On May 13, “RX: Systems Approach to Net Zero” will be held in Washington, D.C. The event will examine a systems-engineering approach to energy efficiency, building-system energy-performance modeling, and the role of public policy.

On Nov. 13, “The Grid and Beyond” will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz. Focusing on Smart Grid, the event will include discussion of supply/demand imbalances, as well as transformational technologies.

For more information, go to www.envisioneering.danfoss.com.

Melink Headquarters Goes Platinum

The Milford, Ohio, headquarters of Melink Corp., provider of building-commissioning services, ventilation controls, and renewable-energy products for commercial buildings, is the first building in Ohio to receive Platinum certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings Green Building Rating System.

In 2006, the facility became the first building in Ohio to receive LEED Gold certification. Since then, Melink has improved its energy efficiency and installed additional renewable-energy (solar and wind) systems.

The 30,000-sq-ft office and manufacturing facility is 75-percent more energy-efficient than a conventional building. As a result, Melink is saving more than $100 a day and $35,000 a year in energy costs.

President Steve Melink said the company's next goal is to make the facility a net-zero-energy building within a year.

Raypak Has Revit Files

Autodesk Revit BIM files are available for Raypak Inc.'s entire line of commercial boilers, water heaters, and storage tanks. The files can be downloaded from Raypak's Website (www.raypak.com). For a mini-CD, call 805-278-5302.

Send news items to the attention of Scott Arnold, executive editor, HPAC Engineering, The Penton Media Building, 1300 E. Ninth St., Cleveland, OH 44114-1503; e-mail: [email protected].