Building Technology: Mechanical and Electrical Systems, 2nd Edition

by Ben Stein

The complete guide to building technology

This comprehensive guide provides complete coverage of every aspect of the building technologist's profession. It details design and installation procedures, describes all relevant equipment and hardware, and illustrates the preparation of working drawings and construction details that meet project specifications, code requirements, and industry standards. The author establishes procedures for professional field inspections and equipment operations tests, provides real-world examples from both residential and nonresidential construction projects, and makes specific references to code compliance throughout the text.

This new edition incorporates changes in building codes, advances in materials and design techniques, and the emergence of computer-aided design (CAD), while retaining the logical structure and helpful special features of the first edition. More than 1,100 drawings, tables, and photographs complement and illustrate discussions in the text. Topics covered
* Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems- equipment and design
* Plumbing systems- equipment and design
* Electrical and lighting systems- equipment and design
* Testing, adjusting, and balancing procedures for all building systems
* Every aspect of the building technologist's profession, from the creation of working drawings through on-site supervision and systems maintenance

Extensive appendices include conversion factors; duct design data; test report forms for use in field work; design forms and schedules for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work; and more.

1048 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 1997

About the author

Benjamin Stein is a multifaceted American figure known for his work as a writer, lawyer, actor, comedian, and commentator on politics and economics. He began his public life as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, later gaining widespread recognition in the entertainment world for his deadpan comedic style. Stein became a pop culture icon through his role as the monotone economics teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and as the host of Win Ben Stein’s Money, a game show that earned multiple Emmy Awards. He also played Dr. Arthur Neuman in The Mask and its sequel. A Yale Law School valedictorian, Stein worked as a lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission and taught law and economics at Pepperdine University.
A prolific columnist, Stein has contributed to The American Spectator, Newsmax, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. His books, often co-authored with Phil DeMuth, address financial planning and economic commentary. In 2008, he wrote and starred in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a controversial documentary criticized for promoting intelligent design.
Politically conservative, Stein has defended Nixon's legacy, expressed strong views on U.S. foreign policy, and advocated higher taxes on the wealthy to support military initiatives and reduce national debt. During the 2008 financial crisis, he came under scrutiny for downplaying early warning signs and misjudging the scale of the economic collapse.
Stein has also had an extensive voice acting and television career, appearing in series such as The Wonder Years, Seinfeld, and Family Guy, and voicing characters in The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, and Animaniacs. His personal life includes a long-standing marriage to entertainment lawyer Alexandra Denman and homes in California, Idaho, and Washington, D.C. Though often polarizing in his opinions, Stein remains a recognizable figure across political, academic, and entertainment domains.