Mechanical Engineering PE Exam

The results of the April 2013 Mechanical Engineering PE Exam are posted at www.NCEES.org. For first-time mechanical engineers taking the examination, 70% were successful. Of repeat test-takers, those who successfully passed drops to 40%.

 

If you are preparing to take the Mechanical Engineering – HVAC and Refrigeration Depth Exam this fall, then based on these statistics, you would benefit greatly from a different game plan.

Get your copy of the

Mechanical Engineering - HVAC and Refrigeration Depth Exam Study Guide at:

www.engineeringdesignresources.com

RESOURCE LIBRARY

We've found that the best way to be fully prepared for the exam is to have the right resources on test day.

 

Your resource library should contain example test problems with solutions along with information you have gathered during your 4 years since college graduation – including: notes, graphs, charts, etc.

 

The other reference material you should consider taking into the exam focuses on test-specific issues. Resources such as the International Building Code, an ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, the International Energy Conservation Code, and others.

 

As a mechanical engineer, you should definitely have a current copy of the International Mechanical Code with tabs and other markings that will allow you to quickly navigate during the exam. A good portion of the exam will focus on code-specific or code-related questions such as:

 
A natural gas fired furnace cannot be installed in which of the following rooms:

I.      Sleeping Rooms

II.    Bathrooms
III.   Toilet Rooms
IV.  Storage Rooms

 

a.    I

b.    II & III

c.    IV

d.    I, II, III & IV

 

Solution: according to the International Mechanical Code, section 303.3 – Equipment and Appliance Location, Prohibited Locations, Fuel-fired appliances shall not be located in: (1) sleeping rooms, (2) bathrooms, (3) toilet rooms, (4) storage rooms, and (5) surgical rooms.

Answer is d.

OTHER CODES AND RESOURCES

There will also be questions related to other codes and resources such as:

Your Mechanical Engineering firm is designing a new three-story office building. You are contemplating several material alternatives for the exterior. The final decision is to use natural limestone (density = 120 lb/ft³) on the exterior. What minimum thickness does the code allow for natural stone and what U-value does that represent?

a.    1 inch thick; 0.08

b.    2 inch thick; 0.08

c.    1 inch thick; 6.25

d.    2 inch thick; 6.25

 

Solution: according to Table 1405.2 – Minimum Thickness of Weather Coverings – of the International Building Code, a minimum thickness of 2 inches for natural stone is required. Also, he ASHRAE Fundamentals manual, Chapter 24, Table 4 – Typical Thermal Properties of Common Building and Insulating Materials – indicates that 120 lb/ft³ limestone has an R-value 0.08 per inch of thickness.

0.08 x 2 inches = 0.16 R-value

U = 1/R = 1/0.16 = 6.25

Answer is d.

Get your copy of the

Mechanical Engineering - HVAC and Refrigeration Depth Exam Study Guide at:

www.engineeringdesignresources.com

Acing the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam

Are you beginning to prepare to take the Mechanical Engineering PE licensing exam this fall? Do you have all the resources you need? Do you have a study guide with actual problems and solutions plus commentary? Do you have a list of test day materials to help you be successful on the exam?

Have you found the usefulness of available PE Exam Study Guide material varies dramatically and depending on which exam you are preparing for, the quantity of PE Study Guide material may be sparse or overwhelming?

Begin With The End In Mind

How To Prepare For The Exam

To adequately prepare for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam, begin with the end in mind. Below is the suggested outline for the HVAC and Refrigeration Depth portion of the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam from NCEES.org. If you will research each topic listed and develop potential test problems, then you will have a good foundation on which to build.

Thermodynamics (Cycles, Properties, and Compression Processes), Psychrometrics (Heating/Cooling, Humidification/Dehumidification, and Heating/Cooling Loads), Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Compressible Flow, and Energy Balances.

Equipment and Components:

• Cooling towers and fluid coolers (e.g., configurations, conditions, flow rates)
• Boilers and furnaces (e.g., configurations, efficiencies, fuel types)
• Condensers (e.g., configurations, conditions, flow rates)
• Pumps/compressors/fans (e.g., laws, efficiency, selection)
• Evaporators/chillers (e.g., configurations, conditions, flow rates)
• Cooling/heating coils (e.g., configurations, conditions, flow rates)
• Control systems components (e.g., valves, dampers)
• Refrigerants (e.g., properties, types)
• Refrigeration components (e.g., expansion valves, accumulators)

Systems:

• Air distribution (e.g., duct design, system type, terminal devices)
• Fluid distribution (e.g., hydronic, oil and/or gas distribution design, system type, steam distribution)
• Refrigeration (e.g., food storage, cooling and freezing)
• Energy recovery (e.g., enthalpy wheels, heat pipes, run around systems)

Additional Areas of Concentration:

• Codes and standards (e.g., ASHRAE, NFPA)
• Air quality and ventilation (e.g., filtration, dilution)
• Vibration control (e.g., transmission effect, isolation)
• Acoustics (e.g., sound control, absorption, attenuators, noise level criteria)
• Economic analysis
• Electrical concepts (e.g., power consumption, motor ratings, heat output, amperage)

 

Mechanical Engineering PE Exam Study Guide

HVAC and Refrigeration

The Mechanical Engineering PE Exam Study Guide - HVAC and Refrigeration by Jeff Setzer, PE provides sample problems with extensive solution examples and commentary on various subjects contained in the test to help prepare you for that specific exam content. It also contains a recommended list of "test-day" resources - refer to story below - and other pertinent information.

The Mechanical Engineering PE Exam Study Guide - HVAC and Refrigeration contains 86 pages with over 40 sample problems and solutions. The sample problems cover the topics as outlined at NCEES.org. The study guide also contains commentary and explanations on each of the topics, a recommended list of resources to take to the examination, equations, and more. This guide and the engineer's experience combined with some preparation time reviewing and assembling a "test-day" resource library will give engineers the greatest opportunity for success.

Get your copy of the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam Study Guide - HVAC and Refrigeration at:

www.EngineeringDesignResources.com

Mechanical Engineering PE Exam HVAC & Refrigeration Study Guide

The PE Exam Study Guide for the HVAC & Refrigeration portion of the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam contains test specific reference material, example test problems with solutions and a recommended "test-day" resource library for use in taking the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam. The Study Guide is written and maintained by a licensed professional engineer (PE) with over 20 years practical experience in consulting engineering, project management and construction administration. He is a graduate of Kansas State University.

The PE Exam Study Guide for the HVAC & Refrigeration portion of the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam will help you prepare for the Exam and increase your odds of success by guiding you through specific exam question examples. There are example problems and topic discussions covering the categories listed on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying website.

Get your copy at:

Study Guide for the HVAC & Refrigeration portion of the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam