[Equest-users] Voodoo Engineering (Ethics)

[Nick Caton]

Darn it!  I've got work to be doing today but I'm a real sucker for
ethical discussions...

 

To get one thing out of the way first, call me a blind optimist, but I
reckon any EAc1 reviewer that subscribes to onebuilding.org lists is
probably a cut above their peers and will professionally avoid bringing
any unrelated postings into their current reviews.  I sincerely hope
everyone agrees: these mailing-lists are an environment where we can
freely ask questions and demonstrate what we do and don't know.  If
students were punished in a classroom for raising their hands, there
wouldn't be much learning going on.  

 

It's weird to me however - when I was in school learning about
engineering ethics, it never dawned on me that energy modeling would
frame the context for the vast majority of my ethical decision making,
and that it would occur on a daily basis!  I'm sure most of us strive to
do right by the system, within the constraints of our own ability and
time... but I'm also sure it is quite impossible to perform any LEED
EAc1 analysis without being forced to make subjective decisions
regarding 90.1/LEED intent and where to draw the line on "sufficiently
accurate" for a myriad of things.  

 

So here's it is... my current take on LEED modeling & ethics (this has
certainly evolved over time):

 

1. Energy modeling for LEED is a game, USGBC reviewers are the Refs, and
the rest of us modelers are the Players who are charged with playing by
the rules of the game.  Some of the Players are driven (personally or by
pressure) to earn as many points as possible, and others are not.
Exactly where you sit on that spectrum is an entirely personal and
non-ethical decision, it is NOT your employer's decision to make.  It IS
an ethical dilemma anytime you knowingly break/bend the rules - whether
a Ref catches you or not.  It's NOT an ethical issue if/when you should
seek to understand the nuances/intent of the rules better than others
and win the game by scoring more points.  Like any game:  Players with
more experience and understanding of the rules will naturally have a
higher potential to score legitimate points than players lacking either.

 

2. Players earning fewer points and the Refs who miss fouls (or must
justify their positions) will inevitably and understandably complain
about Players "gaming the system."

 

3. "Gaming the system" is a term (thrown around a bit loosely here,
imho) that implies bending/breaking the rules (unethical behavior), but
it's easy to confuse with trying to understand and act on the finer
points of the rules.  I personally prefer to see phrases like "Working
within the system" used when that's what is meant.  Why is this so
important that I made it a separate bullet?  I and others will
rightfully take offense when anyone charges a fellow player of unethical
behavior without proper grounds, so please take care with that phrase.
As an aspiring Professional, I think I speak for a large group by saying
we take our ethical foundations very seriously - they are inseparable
and pertinent to the practice of energy modeling.

 

On a lighter note, I'll extend my analogy to tie back to the first
point:  It would ALSO be an ethical dilemma if a Ref (USGBC reviewer)
were to dig into a Player's past history (these mailing list archives),
and decide to exact "punishment" for past behavior outside of the
project at-hand.  John below is obviously interested in turning over a
new leaf, and he is NOT alone.  Many of us (myself included) face a
daily struggle to maintain a personal ethical balance in our work.  The
realities of deadlines, client/boss demands, inadequate
teamwork/communication on the design side, the need to prioritize
sleep/family time, and holistically the complexity of the entire process
can all work AGAINST those subjective ethical decisions we have to make
individually every time we pick up a project.

 

Then again... maybe some just don't think about this stuff too much?

 

~Nick

 

 

 

 

NICK CATON, E.I.T.

PROJECT ENGINEER

25501 west valley parkway

olathe ks 66061

direct 913 344.0036

fax 913 345.0617

Check out our new web-site @ www.smithboucher.com 

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Carol
Gardner
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 10:46 AM
To: Eurek, John S NWO
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Voodoo (Enlightenment)

 

Go with god, son. If you want a double check on whether you made a
reasonable change vs gamed the system, hire one of us peer reviewers.
Carol

On Thu, May 20, 2010 at 7:29 AM, Eurek, John S NWO <
John.S.Eurek at usace.army.mil> wrote:

As the one who started this post, I must say I have learned a lot.

Thank you very much.

What I have learned.

1. I have been misusing energy modeling.  I have been trying to use
energy
modeling for the sole purpose of earning LEED points.

2. I use it late in the design.  Late in the design I have found it
easier to
tweak my model instead of my design. (in order to get the desired number
of
points)
       (I do have integrity, so it kills me to "game" the system. But
with
so few rules it wasn't hard to rationalize inputs. I go home not feeling
proud.)

3. When the goal is a realistic energy modeling, a very good model can
be
created.  When you are simply trying to reach compliance with some code,
the
system can be gamed. This misuse and gaming of energy modeling is a
waste of
time, but this is the users (MY) fault.

4. I need to get the other departments to realize that this isn't MY
(mechanical engineer) energy model, but OUR energy model.  (I'm trying
to get
my model done and the electrical engineer still doesn't have his light
loads
and the Architect hasn't have a final roof design.)

I'm like a monkey hammering with a wrench.  The frustration was a
misunderstanding of the tool.

I hope I can get the other departments on-board and maybe start using
the
model as a design tool as it was intended.
To those who are being asked to misuse modeling, it is rough.

Once again, my frustration and stress with energy modeling was growing
to the
point it disturbed my sleep.  Having this discussion helped.  The most
helpful was all the responses I received about the benefits of the
proper use
of energy modeling, and empathy from others who know the pain of trying
to
create a model just to earn points.


Thank you all,

John Eurek
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-- 
Carol Gardner PE

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