Unconscionable

Conscience - "The ability to recognize right and wrong regarding ones behaviour" (Webster)

Unconscionable - "Not restrained by conscience; unscrupulous" (Webster)

If our Engineering profession harbors an inordinate influence over the manner and efficiency with which man converts his natural resources, these definitions become especially important. The application of the philosophy that "the end justifies the means" becomes questionable.

It is obvious that we are converting a finite quantity of irreplaceable energy bearing materials (Oil, Gas, Coal, etc.) to elements that cannot then be used again as an energy source. We can however, prolong the life expectancy of those energy sources by designing systems that convert them as slowly (efficiently) as possible.

A recent example of "unconscionable" took place when a standard pump impeller diameter turned out to be too large for the application. The horsepower used to develop the necessary flow required that the excess "head" be absorbed by installing an orifice through which the false head could be developed. Had this remained, the horsepower wasted over the years of the life of the pump would have been unconscionable.

A simple, inexpensive, machining of the original impeller to reduce its diameter by one half inch resulted in proper performance and a life cycle saving of hundreds of horsepower hours.

A similar phenomenon appears when systems are designed for buildings that contain varying use zones. Frequently large spaces require control of their "occupancy" environments at schedules different from other spaces in the same building. In Sanctuaries, Auditoriums, Gymnasiums, etc. temperature setback schedules differ within the same structure.

The accommodation of such needs is easy to accomplish when the design is still on paper but becomes prohibitively expensive to correct after construction. The energy waste seems to be "unconscionable" when it occurs because of inadequate pre construction consideration.

This means that careful attention must be paid to such functions as piping zone configurations, insulation efficiency, outdoor air infiltration, lighting, life cycle costing, etc.

Perhaps we should consider copying from the safety groups that require the "signing off" of plans by safety experts. We might create "resource use" analysis teams that analyze each new design.

Think about it! !

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