7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources

May 19, 2023 by

Here are the 7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources we’ve found to be essential to pass the PE Exam:

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To be successful in any area of life, its important to develop a strategy for getting from where you are to where you want to be. This applies to your career, your health, your finances; basically anything that’s worthwhile needs to be strategically planned.

The PE Exam is NO exception!

You’ve worked hard for many years and at a substantial financial cost to get to this point. It makes sense to put together a well thought out strategy for achieving your goal.

Below are 7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources that continue to top the list whenever I’m engaged in a discussion on what’s essential to pass the PE Exam. Some of the items on the list are tangible; others are intangible.

Do not overlook the importance of each one!

NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer
permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of these Test-Prep
Resources as a method of study and preparation. For example, taking the time to
assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your
study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all
your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.
1. A Test-Prep Resource Library©

loadsa-books-1568319The Test-Prep Resource Library© is #1 on the 7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources for anyone taking any of the PE Exams.

Whether this is your first attempt or you’ve taken the exam several times, a well constructed resource library can mean the difference in passing or failing.

What should you include in your Resource Library? Here’s a partial list:

  • Example problems with solutions for every topic listed at NCEES.org
  • Information, charts, and tables for every topic
  • A comprehensive list of equations and conversion factors
2. The Right Calculator
7 Must Have PE Exam Resources
  • NCEES has adopted a calculator policy to protect the integrity of the exam and to make certain everyone is using similar devices. Don’t fight it, don’t test it, and don’t think for a minute that your old HP scientific calculator will be fine. If its not on the Calculator List, do not take it to the exam.
  • Extra batteries. Even if you are absolutely, without-a-doubt, positive the batteries in your calculator are brand new, take a second set … just in case.
3. Exam Strategy
7 Must Have PE Exam Resources

An Exam Strategy is two-fold:

Your Exam Preparation Strategy
    • Deciding which exam to take
    • Applying to your State Board and to NCEES
    • Planning how much time to adequately prepare
      • How many months/weeks/days?
      • Number of hours per day?
        • reviewing the exam topics
        • working example problems
        • taking practice exams
        • assembling a Test-Day Resource Library©
      • What’s your plan to gain the knowledge or resources you may be lacking for a particular topic or topics?
    • Gathering additional resources
    • Finding the exam location
      • Getting accurate directions
      • Knowing where to park (free parking or toll)
      • Determining trip time (including time for unexpected incidents)
    • Making hotel reservations, if needed
Your Exam-Day Strategy
    • Getting a good night’s sleep (see #4)
    • Allowing plenty of time to get dressed, eat, and get under way
    • Eating the right breakfast (see #5)
    • Making certain you have all your supplies (see #1, #2, & #6)
    • Packing your lunch and snacks (see #5)
    • Getting to the exam site early
    • Setting up your Test Day Resource Library for easy navigation
    • Timing each problem
      • Theoretically, you have six minutes per question (Eight hours x 60 minutes per hour ÷ 80 questions).
      • In these six minutes you have to:
        1. read the question
        2. figure out what the question is really asking
        3. find the right resources (if needed)
        4. work the problem
        5. mark your answer on the answer sheet
        6. move on to the next question
      • This does not allow any time for you to go back and recheck previous answers.
      • We recommend targeting an average of five minutes per question. This way, when you spend more time on some questions, you should still have +/- 15 to 20 minutes left at the end of both sessions to recheck your answers.
      • Make yourself a checklist of where your progress should be at any different intervals
        • For example, if your exam begins at 8:00am:
          • 9:00, you should be starting question #12
          • 10:00, you should be starting question #23
          • 11:00, you should be starting question #34
          • 11:40, you should be finishing question #40
          • 11:40-12:00, go back through the exam answering any unanswered questions or checking your work on others
          • also during this time, you can review the types of questions for any lunchtime course corrections you need to make
4. A Good Night’s Sleep

sleep-in-venice-1234220

This one sounds like a “no-brainer”, but the number of people who stay up late the night before or get up early to prepare for an exam is huge. The reality is they’re either (1) not prepared or (2) they think the last minute cram session will somehow give them the extra edge in passing the exam.

People who can quiet their mind, go to sleep quickly, and remain asleep for the majority of the night are more rested and better prepared to meet the challenges of the day.

Here are 7 Steps to Better Sleep from the Mayo Clinic:

  • Stick to a Sleep Schedule
  • Pay Attention to What You Eat and Drink
  • Create a Bedtime Ritual
  • Get Comfortable
  • Limit Daytime Naps
  • Include Physical Activity in Your Daily Routine
  • Manage Stress

Get prepared early – take a day or two off – review – and then spend the last day before the exam making certain all your supplies are packed and ready to go.

Then go to bed and get a good night’s sleep … happy dreams.

5. The Right Breakfast and Lunch

breakfast-of-bacon-and-eggs-1323515

Are you the type of person who gets up at the last minute, rushes to get ready for the day, and grabs a Pop-Tart® on the way out the door?

This may fit your normal, everyday lifestyle or preference, but its something you’ll want to change (at least temporarily) for taking the PE Exam.

Along with the rest and energy from a good night’s sleep, you are going to need the right “brain fuel” to make certain all your neurons are firing correctly.

Here’s a list of 12 Best Brain Foods to Eat Before Taking a Test (although there’s actually 13):

  • Nuts
  • Apples
  • Yogurt
  • Blueberries
  • Curry/Turmeric
  • Salmon
  • Pumpkin Seeds
  • Broccoli
  • Sage
  • Bone Broth
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Dark Leafy Greens
  • Eggs

All of these together would probably not make for a very tasty meal, but you can combine a few to get those benefits.

For example, combine broccoli, spinach leaves, eggs, and some cheese to make a healthy breakfast frittata. Have yogurt and apples or blueberries to make a near-perfect exam-day breakfast.

Nuts and dark chocolate are great snacks to have on hand during the exam.

We recommend going easy for lunch. Take an apple or two, some berries, and maybe an assortment of nuts and seeds. This way during your lunch break, you can find a quiet spot, eat, and reflect on the morning session to see if there’s anything you need to review (from the resources you left in the car).

While everyone else is out looking for fast food, you can eat, relax, and maybe take a walk. In any case, you’ll be better prepared for the afternoon session.

6. Accessories
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The accessories you need or want as part of the 7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources for the exam will be specific to you. These items are intended to relieve stress (stress ball, gum), manage your time (watch, clock), curb your appetite and give you energy (snacks, drinks), and help you answer the exam questions (straightedge, ruler. eyeglasses, etc.)

Decide early in your preparation time and make a list of those items you think could benefit you in the exam.

  • Wristwatch or small clock
  • Stress ball
  • Snacks (such as nuts and dark chocolate; see item 5 above)
  • Nonalcoholic drinks (I recommend water – no soda or energy drinks)
  • Two straightedges, such as a ruler, scale, triangle, or protractor
  • Eyeglasses (no case)
7. The Right Frame of Mind – the Right Attitude

7 Must Have PE Exam Resources

The last of the 7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources is the Right Frame of Mind – the Right Attitude.

Preparing for and taking any of the PE Exams is both an exciting journey and a burdensome trek. Check out this post Make PE Exam Prep Fun.

Excitement!

At times, you will be excited about the future when you are a licensed professional engineer. Signing and sealing your own designs (and perhaps the designs of others), not waiting for someone else to review and seal your work, and perhaps maybe even going out on your own. The possibilities are truly limitless when you are a PE.

You can also be excited about how far you’ve come in a relatively short time. Not long ago you were a college freshman, not really knowing where you’d end up. Now, you’ve graduated from an engineering program (no small feat) and worked under the supervision of a professional engineer for at least four years. The law says you are now competent enough to design buildings, systems, equipment, or processes that could affect society. That’s a big responsibility.

The process of preparing for the exam can be tough. You may have to go back and review/re-learn information that you haven’t used since college (or maybe never), gathering the resources that will aid you on exam day. Having to be absent from your family and friends to study, and making arrangements to be gone from work for the exam, take planning. All of this can become overbearing if you don’t keep a positive attitude.

So take time during your journey to stop preparing, realize what you’re working towards, and understand that in the big picture of your life, this is but a small inconvenience that is so worth the time and effort you have to spend. You will be glad you made the trip.

7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources

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Test-Prep Resource Library©

May 19, 2023 by
NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer
permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of these Test-Prep
Resources as a method of study and preparation. For example, taking the time to
assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your
study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all
your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.

What is the most important test day resource to give you the best chance of success?

Build A Solid Test-Prep Resource Library©

Test Day Resource Library

A Test-Prep Resource Library© is a collection of:

  • Example PE Exam problems with solutions
  • Applicable Equations
  • Charts and Tables
  • Commentary on Exam Topics (refer to NCEES)
  • Codes and Standards

Organize these resources into tabbed binders – typically one binder per section (depending on the amount of information for each topic).

Assemble and personalize your Test-Prep Resource Library© based on their strengths and weaknesses.

The process of collecting, sorting, and organizing information directly applicable to your specific exam will force you to:

  1. consider each piece of information carefully
  2. make a decision on where to spend your preparation time
  3. dig deeper into your weaker topics
Retrieval Method

Devise a method of retrieval to locate information quickly. This could be:

  • A series of tabs with concise explanations of the content of each tabbed section.
  • A system of tabs directly related to an index. In this setup, the index would include the content of each tabbed section.
  • A matrix containing keywords/topics cross-referenced with labeled binders, numbered tabs, and page numbers.

Spend a portion of your allotted study time to review and fine-tune your reference binders.

Read:

Test-Prep Resource Library

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Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

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80-Day PE Exam Countdown

May 19, 2023 by

The PE Exam Countdown doesn’t have to be a frenzied, stressful cram session where you try and stuff as much information as possible into your short-term memory. The PE Exam preparation process can actually be enjoyable and possibly career-expanding by thoughtfully planning out your time and activities.

Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist to help you get and stay on track with the PE Exam Countdown:

Read
Register
  • Get registered with NCEES for your exam.
    • Note: registration typically closes at 3:00 pm EST, eight weeks plus one day prior to the exam.
Examinee Guide
  • Download and read the Examinee Guide
    • Don’t under-estimate the guidelines. People have been dismissed from the exam for as little as wearing a non-compliant digital watch. This mistake could cost you an entire year depending on which exam you are taking.
Test-Prep Resources
  • Start gathering your Test-Prep resources:
NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer
permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of these Test-Prep
Resources as a method of study and preparation. For example, taking the time to
assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your
study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all
your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.
Practice, Practice, Practice
  • Work through as many example problems, practice tests, review courses as possible between now and the exam. Working example problems helps you focus on your “weak” spots and builds your confidence for the exam. Solved problems are great to include in your test-day binders.
  • Schedule your time during the PE Exam Countdown:
    • How much time are you going to devote each day/each week to preparing?
    • Where can you find enough practice material?
    • Do you have to borrow any reference material (i.e. code books, handbooks, etc.)?
    • How are you going to organize and catalog your resources for quick reference during the exam? Remember, you only have 6 minutes per question.
    • When can you devote an entire 9-hour day to practicing with sample exams. Getting a “feel” for working through a practice exam under actual time constraints will pay huge benefits on exam day.
Plan
  • Plan your exam day:
    • Know the exact location of the exam including address, building, and room.
    • Have accurate and detailed directions.
    • Have an emergency/secondary route – just in case.
    • Know how long it will take to get to the exam site.
    • Plan when you’ll have to wake, eat, get ready, and leave for the exam.
    • If necessary, make lodging arrangements.
    • Plan how to spend your lunch break:
      • Bring something to eat in your car.
      • Map out the nearest fast-food restaurants.
      • Have your running shoes and a change of clothes for a quick walk or run.
      • Bring additional resources to look through.

By thinking through the entire process

Exam Prep → Logistics → Resources → Backup Plans

and working everything out in advance, your PE Exam experience will be much more pleasant and less stressful.

80-Day PE Exam Countdown

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PE Exam is Almost Here

May 19, 2023 by
Are You Calm And Confident?
Do You Have The Reference Material You Need?
Are You Ready?
Have You Adequately Prepared?

It has been recommended that an engineer-in-training (EIT) would need to prepare for at least two hours a day, for six months, to be ready for the PE Exam. He was also informed that one year would be even better.

Really?
A year to prepare for the PE Exam?
That’s 364 hours to 728 hours.

CRAZY!

If you are sitting for the PE Exam, then you already have four or more years experience performing engineering tasks. Why in the world would you need six months, nine months, or a year to prepare?

The only reason someone would need that much time is because they haven’t really been practicing engineering or they are attempting to take a test in a discipline totally unrelated to their field. Either of these scenarios is reason enough to not take the PE Exam.

But, since this is not you, your preparation time should be much less.

Preparation Time

Your preparation time should be spent refreshing your specific area of expertise knowledge. You can then brush up the topics that aren’t in your everyday activities. For example, if you practice mechanical engineering as an HVAC engineer, you should spend some time going over sample problems in electrical, plumbing, fire protection, structural and project management. And during this preparation, putting together your reference resources on each of the different problem types outlined at NCEES.org.

Whatever discipline you are planning to test in, the majority of your time should be spent assembling your Test-Prep Resource Library* and becoming extremely familiar with the location of the different test topic examples. This way, when you are actually in the PE Exam, you will know exactly where to go to find the information you need to answer the question at hand.

NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer
permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of these Test-Prep
Resources as a method of study and preparation. For example, taking the time to
assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your
study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all
your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.

The last thing you need – in terms of both time and sanity – on test day is an overload of material that you have to rifle through in an attempt to answer a question. This practice will frustrate you, waste your time, and ultimately derail your chances of passing the PE Exam. But, on the bright side, you will provide entertainment to others in the room watching you furiously searching for answers.

Steps To Success

Well that’s it … our guidance to preparing for the PE Exam. We believe these four steps are all you need for success:

  • Take the time necessary to prepare for the exam.
  • Assemble the “right” resources for the test.
  • Get adequate rest and give yourself enough time to arrive early to the exam.
  • And relax … you’ve been a practicing engineer for at least four years … you know this stuff.

We wish you the best of luck on the PE Exam and in your career!

PE Exam is Almost Here

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Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

Any resemblance in the images in this material to actual people or locations is merely coincidental. EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits reprinting, copying, changing, reproducing, publishing, uploading, posting, transmitting, or using in any other manner images in this material.

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Total Immersion Test Preparation

May 19, 2023 by

Total Immersion Test Preparation – How to Dramatically Improve Test Preparation Benefits

Total Immersion Test PreparationDoes this sound familiar?:

  • Test preparation has been put off as long as possible.
  • The amount of time you can devote to preparation is limited.
  • A strategy is needed to make the most of your study time.

According to The Pomodoro Technique, the trick is to break your study sessions down into small, 25-minute increments, and then,

  1. Totally immerse yourself in the study session for 25 minutes,
  2. Take a short five-minute break,
  3. And repeat!

After four study sessions, take a longer 15-20 minute break.

Study Schedule

Your study schedule would look like this:

  • 1st Study Session- 25 minutes
    • Rest/Break – 5 minutes
  • 2nd Study Session – 25 minutes
    • Rest/Break – 5 minutes
  • 3rd Study Session – 25 minutes
    • Rest/Break – 5 minutes
  • 4th Study Session – 25 minutes
    • Rest/Break – 15 to 20 minutes
Chunking

By breaking each task or topic down into small “chunks”, our brains are able to focus on that specific issue and retain the information longer.

The short breaks between study times helps to give your brain a period of non-focus, or other-focus. It’s the times when we try to cram as much as possible into our memories that we often “forget” the most recently-studied material. The rest periods allow the information to pass from our short-term memory into our long-term memory for later recall, and if necessary, you can revisit the topic or task at a later date to refresh your recall.

If you’d like to be more efficient in your study time, improve your understanding of the material, and have greater recall of the information, then start your own Pomodoro-style study plan… it will not disappoint.

Check out these resources for more information:

Total Immersion Test Preparation

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Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

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How to Pass the PE Exam

May 19, 2023 by

How to Pass the PE Exam – Without Spending a Fortune

How To Pass The PE Exam

To answer the question “How to Pass the PE Exam,” we offer the same four recommendations to everyone who asks. Based on the feedback we’ve received from past test-takers, this preparation method works.

Take a Review Course
  • This recommendation is purely subjective. If you are confident you know the exam material well enough, then skip this recommendation. If you’re not so confident, then look into review course options. Most universities and community colleges offer some type of PE Exam test preparation course. Be careful when choosing this route. The university’s professors typically present these courses, who may approach their portion of the review as an opportunity to “teach” you the information from an entire course in a few short days. This method is truly information overload and may not show you How to Pass the PE Exam.
  • Another option is to take an online review course. Kaplan Engineering, School of PE, PPI2PASS, and the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers are all reputable companies with online courses. Again, take the time to research these companies to make certain they offer what you need in a format that’s beneficial.
  • EngineeringDesignResources.com offers 60-Day Review Courses for Architectural, Civil (Construction, Geotechnical, and Structural), Electrical, Fire Protection, and Mechanical (HVAC/Refrigeration and Thermal/Fluid Systems).
Work as Many Representative Problems as Possible
  • This How to Pass the PE Exam activity gives you confidence and feedback at the same time. If you know the subject matter well enough, then you should have no problems working through sample problems. If you can use extra reinforcement in any area, you’ll know immediately by struggling. This feedback is valuable; you can use it to seek out additional information (add to your Test-Prep Resource Library©) and work more sample problems.
  • To find practice problems, search the internet based on your specific exam – i.e. Electrical Engineering PE Exam Sample Problems or visit EngineeringDesignResources.com.
Assemble a Comprehensive Test-Prep Resource Library©*
  • *NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of a Test-Prep Resource Library© as a method of study and preparation. Taking the time to assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all your resources in one easy-to-access tool.
  • In our blog post 12 Weeks to PE Exam, we go into detail about a Test-Prep Resource Library©. To summarize, your library should contain resources addressing each of the topics listed at NCEES.org. Put all these resources into tabbed three-ring binders for easy navigation during the exam. This method will allow you to quickly and efficiently retrieve the information you need without fumbling through textbooks, review manuals, and college notebooks.
NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer
permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of these Test-Prep
Resources as a method of study and preparation. For example, taking the time to
assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your
study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all
your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.
Take a Practice Exam
  • Taking a practice exam is helpful in three ways:
    • First, you get a feel for the pace of the exam by setting up your practice exam similar to an actual test day. To do this, start the morning section at 8:00 am, work until 12:00, take a one-hour lunch break, start the afternoon section at 1:00 pm, and finish up at 5:00 pm. This costs you an entire Saturday or Sunday, but the experience gained will far outweigh the cost.
    • Second, you find subject areas where you need more information or practice. It’s better to find out your weak areas during a test run than on the actual exam.
    • Third, you practice using your Test-Prep Resource Library©. You discover what’s usable and what needs to be reworked, and you might even find sections that can be trimmed down.
  • To find practice exams, search the internet based on your specific exam – i.e. Civil Engineering Construction PE Exam Practice Exam, or visit EngineeringDesignResources.com.

Additional Information can be found at:

How to Pass the PE Exam

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Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

Any resemblance in the images in this material to actual people or locations is merely coincidental. EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits reprinting, copying, changing, reproducing, publishing, uploading, posting, transmitting, or using in any other manner images in this material.

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Life Safety Systems

May 19, 2023 by

This blog post will discuss how to incorporate some Life Safety Systems knowledge into your exam preparation.

So…how is your exam prep coming along?

“When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Even though a weekend may be at hand, don’t let up on preparing for the exam. There will be plenty of weekends after you become a Licensed Professional Engineer.

However, do yourself a favor…

Take some time – and in the weeks to come – to decide for yourself what truly makes you happy. What will you be proud of at the end of your life? What will you regret not having done? Make a list of all the things you want to:

  • Be: What kind kind of person – friend, parent, neighbor, engineer – do you want to be? How do you want to be remembered? What legacy do you want to leave?
  • Do: What adventures do you want to have? Do you want to travel? Sky-dive? Scuba-dive? Save the rain forests? Feed the hungry? What would make you “feel alive?”
  • Have: What material things do you want? A bigger house? A sports car? A boat? Abundant resources to help the needy? These things can be “trophies” or “toys.” Or they can be resources to benefit others.

Give yourself this time to decide in advance what you want to accomplish in your life. What does success look like to you? Don’t get to the end of your life only to “discover that you never lived.”

Now for the Life Safety System information…

The Uniform Building Code and the Life Safety Code – NFPA 101 – are the two primary resources we will focus on in this post. Keep in mind that the National Electrical Code, NFPA 13, and other Codes and Standards contain Life Safety information.

Life Safety SystemsAction Items:

  1. Get a copy of the International Building Code®. Tag or make copies of sections that relate to Life Safety Systems. At a very minimum:
    • Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy (Chapter 4)
    • Types of Construction (Chapter 6)
    • Fire and Smoke Protection Features (Chapter 7)
    • Fire Protection Systems (Chapter 9)
    • Means of Egress (Chapter 10)
  2. Get a copy of NFPA 101 – The Life Safety Code®. Tag or make copies of sections that address issues like:
    • Generators
    • Batteries
    • Exit Lighting
    • Fire Alarms
  3. Look through NFPA 13 for items directly related to Life Safety Systems

Add a section in your Test-Prep Resource Library©* for Life Safety Systems. Put these items – and others you discover as you prepare – in this section.

*NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of a Test-Prep Resource Library© as a method of study and preparation. Taking the time to assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all your resources in one easy-to-access tool.

Life Safety Systems

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Building Envelope Analysis

May 19, 2023 by

Building Envelope Analysis

Today’s topic is Building Envelope Analysis, but before we start …

“In life you need either inspiration or desperation.”

~ Tony Robbins

Webster’s dictionary defines INSPIRATION as “something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create; a force or influence that inspires someone.”

DESPERATION is defined as “a strong feeling of sadness, fear, and loss of hope.”

You are at a point in your career where you have:

  1. Been supported, encouraged, mentored, and positively influenced – INSPIRATION, or
  2. Been left to fend for yourself, learning to be an engineer on your own – DESPERATION

Although in any endeavor, there is a certain amount of learning-by-experience and trial-by-fire, the best way for someone to realize and reach their full potential is to have a mentor. Better yet, have more than one mentor who teaches, guides, and encourages.

Unfortunately, the sad truth is that most engineers who run their own business, or who ascend to a position of leadership in an already established firm, learned what they know on their own. Either they didn’t have positive, knowledgeable, and encouraging role models, or they arrogantly shunned available support and are now passing these traits on to the next generation of engineers.

However, there are alternatives.

EngineeringDesignResources.com‘s goal is to help, inform, encourage, and support those working in building design and construction. Our sole purpose and passion is to be the “something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create” through information, resources, and community. Take what you need from these posts, ask for help when you need it, and then, we can then pass that knowledge and INSPIRATION on to others.

BUILDING ENVELOPE ANALYSIS

As a building designer, one of your charges is to design and specify heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems for buildings. These systems can be as simple as ventilation fans for air movement or indoor air quality up to highly specialized air treatment systems. In addition, you may be required to provide input into the building design, especially when it comes to building materials.

Both of these functions require knowledge and mastery of Building Envelope Analysis. By learning these skills, you make yourself a valuable part of the whole Design Team. You will gain the respect of Architects, Owners, and Contractors as well as other Building Design professionals.

For your Test-Prep Resource Library©*, you want to find and include the following Building Envelope Analysis information – density, conductivity, conductance, and resistance or U-values – for:

Building Materials

Load Calculations for Building Envelope Analysis:

  • For roofs, walls, and glass conduction: q = U x area x CLTD
  • For glass solar: q = area x SC x SHGF x CLF
  • Conductivity = k in BTU per (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference)
  • Conductance = C in BTU per (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference)
  • Resistance (R) = 1/k or 1/C in (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference) per BTU
  • U-value = 1/R in BTU per (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference)
  • Available from ASHRAE or search online:
    • Cooling Load Temperature Difference (CLTD) tables
    • Shading Coefficients (SC) tables
    • Solar Heat Gain Factor (SHGF) tables
    • Cooling Load Factor (CLF) tables
  • Weather Data

NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of a Test-Prep Resource Library© as a method of study and preparation. Taking the time to assemble your own library will naturally help you categorize and document your study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all your resources in one easy to access tool.

In conclusion, using this Building Envelope Analysis information and a few quick calculations, you can be a driving force in the overall building design and system selections – building skin, structural, and HVAC. Set up a model on a laptop computer or tablet prior to a design meeting in order to quickly change and modify building dimensions, directions, and materials. You will assist the Design Team and Owner in making decisions, and you have made yourself a valuable part of the Project Team.

Building Envelope Analysis

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5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions

May 19, 2023 by

Preparing to take one of the Professional Engineering Exams is a big undertaking. Even if you’ve been performing engineering design work for a number of years, there will be topics on the exam with which you are unfamiliar. You will need time to gather and organize materials, prepare a realistic study schedule, study, research, and review. Every year we get feedback that people don’t budget enough time or stick to their schedule … the exam always seems to “sneak” up on them. Family obligations, work commitments, and life invariably derail the best of intentions. For this reason, we have prepared a list of 5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions that have helped others:

5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions

Image credit: ©nasir1164 www.fotosearch.com

1. Work a set number of sample questions each day.

This will depend on:

    1. how many days you have until the exam
    2. how much time you can spend each day
    3. how familiar you are with each topic

Example: You have three months (12 weeks) until the exam. You can work one hour per day, Monday thru Friday, and four hours per day Saturday and Sunday. This gives you 13 hours per week for 13 weeks, or a total of 169 hours, to work problems. Assuming an overall average familiarity with the exam topics, you will probably need to work between 1,000 and 1,500 problems. This works out to between six and nine problems per hour. Monday thru Friday you’d work six to nine problems, and Saturdays and Sundays you’d work 24 to 36 problems.

2. Add information to at least one section of your Test-Prep Resource Library© (see note below).

Even though you are no longer allowed to take information into the testing center, you can still gather your study materials into an organized Resource Library. This library will be beneficial during your review sessions and, if you don’t pass the exam, you’ll have a head start preparing for the next time.

3. Research an exam topic – thoroughly.

Print the topics found in the exam specifications at NCEES.org for your specific exam. Start gathering information on each topic, and organize the information into your Test-Prep Resource Library© (refer to #2 above). The less familiar you are with a topic, the more research you will need to do.

4. Ask a PE in your company or search the internet for advice.

Most licensed engineers are eager to share their experience and knowledge. Asking for their advice on preparing for and taking the licensing exam will probably turn into a very long conversation full of great information and helpful hints. If you can’t get one of them to talk (which is hard to believe), or you just want additional input, search the internet. There are bulletin boards, chat rooms, and websites (like EngineeringDesignResources.com) where you can find great information and possibly schedule a meeting or phone call by Contacting Us. Don’t downplay the importance of this step.

5. Read one section from a code book, a standard, or a handbook.
5B. Read:
*NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of a Test-Prep Resource Library© as a method of study and preparation. Taking the time to assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.

5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions

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Architectural Engineering PE Exam

May 19, 2023 by

The Architectural Engineering PE Exam tests proficiencies in Building Systems Integration, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, Structural Systems, and Project Management & Construction Administration. The Architectural Engineering PE Exam is tailored specifically for engineers whose primary business focus is building design, commissioning, project management or other construction related engineering.

Architectural Engineering PE Exam

The exam consists of 80 questions – 40 in the morning and 40 in the afternoon. You will have four hours in each session with a one hour lunch break. Take the time during the lunch break to review what you can remember from the morning including the format of the test, content being covered and your general, overall “feeling” for how you performed in the first half. You can then make adjustments to your game plan, review material that appears to be dominating the exam and give yourself time to relax. Also, it’s a good time to eat something.

Building Systems Integration makes up approximately 17% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Building Vibration, Noise, Lighting, and Climate Control
  • Analysis of Building Construction
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Applicable Standards and Codes
  • Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Requirements

Electrical Systems make up approximately 25% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Electrical Systems, Short Circuit, and Grounding Analysis
  • Power Distribution
  • Voltage Drop and Lighting Calculations
  • Fire Alarm
  • Applicable Standards and Codes

Mechanical Systems make up approximately 25% of the exam. Topics include:

  • HVAC
    • Fan and Pump Laws
    • Psychrometrics
    • HVAC System Analysis
  • Plumbing
    • Domestic Water, Sanitary Waste, and Vent Systems
    • Fire Protection Systems

Structural Systems make up approximately 25% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Types of Construction
  • Structural Components
  • Loads – Gravity, Lateral, Temperature, Settlement, Construction
  • Analysis of Frames, Structures, Stability, and Deflection
  • Foundations

Project Management and Construction Administration makes up approximately 8% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Requests for Information, Change Orders, Architectural Supplemental Instructions, etc.
  • Submittal and Alternate Process
  • Design and Construction Scheduling
  • Construction Administration
  • Contracts

The pass rates for the Architectural Engineering PE Exam (as of 2019 data) are 72% for first time test takers and 48% for repeat test takers. This pass rate can increase with proper preparation and the use of relevant “Test Day” reference materials.

Architectural Engineering PE Exam Study Guide

To help increase the pass rate, a comprehensive Study Guide for the exam is available to help engineers taking this exam. The Study Guide includes sample questions with solutions, commentary on the various topics, a Test Day Resource List, recommendations for study, a list of formulas, and a list of useful websites.

Architectural Engineering PE Exam

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