Expert Details
HVAC and Refrigeration, Process Piping and Plumbing, Cleanroom Design, Hazard Occupancies, and Codes and Standards
ID: 731761
Arizona, USA
- Project Design and Management Consulting
- Forensic Analysis and Litigation Consulting
- Expert Testimony at Legal Proceedings
- Mentoring & Advanced Education
With more than 45 years of experience as a professional engineer, Expert is an internationally recognized authority on assessing, evaluating, conceptualizing and remediating complex project design, construction and operational issues related to the built environment. He has analyzed and designed hundreds of projects including office buildings, schools, healthcare facilities, institutional laboratories, biopharmaceutical facilities, data centers, and clean manufacturing facilities for the semiconductor and related advanced technology industries.
Expert has significant experience as an expert analyst of building system design and construction, environmental system control failures, code compliance issues and cause/effect relationships of performance issues related to the built environment. As a forensic engineer, litigation consultant and expert witness, Expert has represented plaintiffs, defendants and their insurers in a variety of domestic and international venues with litigation values to greater than $250MM US. Forensic assignments have included projects dealing with:
- Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Cleanrooms and other critically controlled environments
- Semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities
- Data Center infrastructure facilities
- Pharmaceutical and healthcare facilities
- Institutional laboratories
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Industrial ventilation systems
- Power and Process piping systems
- Plumbing systems
- Energy management/control systems
- Commercial/industrial refrigeration systems
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to carbon monoxide
- Exposure to Legionella
- Intellectual property disputes regarding patents or trade secrets
- Compliance with codes and standards
- Standard of care for design and construction professionals
Expert’s experience as an engineer, project manager and design firm principal covers the spectrum including; conceptualizing, programming, design, specification, construction, start-up/commissioning, and the evaluation and optimization of building mechanical systems. Expert and his predecessor firm were responsible for all aspects of design, development of construction documents, start-up and commissioning and construction phase support for new and retrofit projects. Although no longer providing detailed design and construction documents, Expert provides project consulting services; acting as an owner’s agent or extension of the staff of the designer and/or builder of complex projects. Expert’s services span the range including peer review of design, conceptual design of remediation strategies, code compliance consulting, value engineering, sustainability review, energy use evaluation, and performance optimization recommendations.
Expert’s pragmatic approach to both project consulting and forensic/litigation consulting is the result of real-world experience and many years as a trainer and mentor in professional and academic settings. His ability to explain complex issues in a manner that is understandable to students, entry level engineers, managers, and non-technical audiences is key to his success in the litigation consulting environment.
Professional Mechanical Engineer (P.E.) -
Expert first became licensed as a professional engineer in 1976 in Arizona. Since that time he has obtained professional registrations in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, New York (inactive), Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. He is also registered with the NCEES “National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying”.
Forensic Engineering -
Expert began his forensic engineering practice early in his consulting career, when the Corps of Engineers retained his firm to evaluate the failure of two Air Force commissary refrigeration systems after successfully designing a refrigeration system for a new commissary. That introduction to forensic engineering sparked his interest in the retrospective analysis of failed mechanical systems, and development of remedial solutions for such failures. Since that initial foray into the litigation arena, Expert has served as a testifying or consulting expert on hundreds of litigation matters.
Educator -
As a visiting lecturer at Arizona State University, he has delivered public and private seminars and workshops through the continuing education programs on topics including mechanical system design, project management, and code compliance for advanced technology facilities. Expert was the “Eminent Scholar” in Cleanroom Design at the ASU School of Construction, the only non-academic ever appointed by the DEWSC to this position. During the period from 2002 – 2011 Expert was responsible for development and presentation of the mechanical engineering and code compliance portions of the curriculum for the graduate level course “Design and Construction of Cleanrooms”. Expert was involved from the inception of CREATE “Construction Research and Education for Advanced Technology Environments” at Arizona State University.
As a visiting lecturer in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona, Expert has lectured on the analysis and design of environmental control (HVAC) systems. Previously, Expert was the invited guest lecturer in the College of Architecture teaching the senior level course on HVAC systems.
The author of Code Compliance for Advanced Technology Facilities, Expert is widely recognized as an authority on the subject and regularly delivers seminars and workshops to industry and academia on hazardous occupancy code compliance. Expert also consults with the regulatory community, owner/operators and design professionals concerning issues of life safety in semiconductor and similar hazardous facilities. In addition, Expert was a contributing author to the Semiconductor Safety Handbook.
Expert has been recognized for technical achievements, innovation and foresight by peers, associates and clients. He was elected to the status of Fellow in the HVAC industry-leading professional organization: the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE; a position that recognizes “unusual distinction and contributions to the art and science of the HVAC industry.” This recognition is achieved by fewer than 1% of the members of ASHRAE world-wide.
Expert has attained the status of Board Certified Diplomate in Forensic Engineering (DFE) granted by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, a Chartered Affinity Group of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Expert is a Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC) as conferred by the Forensic Expert Witness Association.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1971 | Degree: BS, ME | Subject: Mechanical Engineering | Institution: University of Arizona |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1999 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Principal | Department: |
Responsibilities:Founder and Principal Engineer |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Visiting Lecturer/Adjunct | Department: |
Responsibilities: |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Adjunct Professor | Department: |
Responsibilities: |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1978 to 1980 | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Chief Mechanical Engineer and VP | Department: |
Responsibilities:Chief Mechanical Engineer and Vice President. Started mechanical engineering department in a civil and structural engineering firm. Responsible for all aspects of the department from hiring and training of technical staff to development of technical standards. Developed or consulted with design staff on conceptual designs, development of construction documents through construction administration services including final acceptance and start-up. Clients included Corps of Engineers, Department of Navy, Department of Energy, IBM, Burr Brown Research Corp., W.L. Gore Manufacturing, Universities, local architectural firms, mining companies, etc. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1974 to 1983 | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Adjunct | Department: |
Responsibilities:Visiting Lecturer, College of Architecture. Retained to teach the HVAC segment of the building systems course to 3rd year architecture students. Developed course curriculum. Approximately 100 students per semester. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1973 to 1978 | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: HVAC Engineer and VP | Department: |
Responsibilities:1973 to 1978 – HVAC Engineer and Vice President. As a design engineer, was responsible for calculations, selection of systems and components and development of control strategies for HVAC systems for a variety of commercial, institutional and industrial projects. Registered as a Professional Mechanical (by examination) July 1976. Progressed to the position of Vice President responsible for technically challenging design projects from concept development through project start-up. Clients included Corps of Engineers, Department of the Navy, |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1971 to 1972 | Employer: Texaco Inc. | Title: | Department: Undisclosed |
Responsibilities: |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| ASHRAE – Fellow (status reached by less than 1% of members), Past Treasurer College of Fellows, past President of Tucson Chapter, Alliance for Construction Excellence – Arizona State University, American Consulting Engineers Council, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, Forensic Expert Witness Association, Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Honorary Society, Forensic Expert Witness Association |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Expert is registered as a Professional Mechanical Engineer in the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Utah. He is also registered with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| - Valley Forward “Award of Merit” for Environmental Excellence - Motorola MOS 21 wafer fab - Arizona Consulting Engineers Association's “Outstanding Technological Achievement Award” for Design of AFC 1000 Flow Control Damper - Arizona Consulting Engineers Association's “Technical Excellence Award for Mechanical Engineering” for Motorola's MOS 12 Wafer Fab Facility - Arizona Consulting Engineers Association's “Technical Excellence Award for Mechanical Engineering” for Motorola's MOS 6 Wafer Fab Facility; Electric League's “Energy Efficient Building Award” for Motorola's Wafer Fab Facility - Electric League's “Energy Efficient Building Award” for AEC's office building |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| Expert has 10 publications and 1 patent. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Expert has extensive experience with expert witness work. Some examples include forensic evaluation and expert representation of an A/E firm, code compliance and HVAC system design deficiencies of a multi-story science and chemistry laboratory building and forensic reconstruction of historical facilities. These are only some of the several cases/projects he has worked on. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Expert has presented numerous seminars and workshops (varying in length from two hours to three days) including the subjects of Forensic Engineering, Hazardous Occupancy Code Compliance, technical subjects (such as thermodynamics, air handling and distribution, environmental control systems, hydraulics, etc.) related to the design of advanced technology manufacturing and research and development facilities for: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ: Adjunct Instructor associated with the development of curriculum for graduate level course Con 598 “Design and Construction of Cleanrooms” in the Del E. Webb School of Construction, College of Engineering. Instructs in the area of cleanroom design, contamination control theory and strategies for HVAC systems and overall facility organization. In addition, he teaches a module at the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ: Adjunct Instructor in a team teaching program for – Fundamentals of Environmental Control Systems. This course has been delivered in the AME department by the team. Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) – through association with ASU, instruction and team development leader for facilities design and construction project managers for Intel. This is a combined distance learning and one week hands-on workshop to develop the analytical and problem solving skills of new project managers for advanced technology facilities worldwide. This program is currently in its fifth year. Forensic Engineering Analysis of HVAC Systems – Why HVAC Systems Go Wrong – presented at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers Summer Seminar. SESHA/IHTESH Symposium – Disaster Preparedness Roundtable – presented discussion of several large losses incurred by semiconductor and similar advanced manufacturing clients that resulted not only in business interruption, but significant out-of pocket expenses. Case studies addressed: 1. Fire in wafer fab – catastrophic losses, business interruption, lengthy litigation 2. Fire in flat panel display manufacturing facility catastrophic losses, business interruption, lengthy litigation 3. Chemical leak in wafer fab -catastrophic losses, business interruption, lengthy litigation 4. Alleged unsafe environments in wafer fabs result in employee claims and protracted lawsuits. Peer Review vs. Litigation Consultant Services for Your Project – Seminar presented by Mesch Clark Rothschild to construction industry attendees – owner, contractors and design professionals. |
Fields of Expertise
clean room, commercial fire, commercial refrigeration, control system, energy management, energy-efficient energy management system, energy-efficient heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system, explosion, explosion cause, forensic analysis, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment, HVAC engineering, industrial process piping, industrial refrigeration, industrial ventilation, industrial ventilation system design, Legionella pneumophila, mechanical engineering, plumbing, process piping, refrigeration, refrigeration system, standard of care, ventilation, ventilation system