Insights

Producing energy can take a lot of, well, energy. A conventional internal combustion engine generator must first convert chemical energy to thermal energy via combustion, thermal energy to mechanical energy via a turbine, and finally mechanical energy to electricity through an alternator. Fuel cells save energy by cutting out the middle steps. Natural gas can […]

Salas O’Brien announced that RMS Engineers has joined the company, creating a combined firm of 26 offices with more than 675 employee-owners, 140 registered professionals and clients that are the most significant companies in the United States. RMS and its office in Dallas expand Salas O’Brien’s Texas presence and add a dedicated team that delivers […]

We’re thrilled to announce that Salas O’Brien has earned numerous awards that represent the substantial, consistent growth our company has achieved. Most recently, we were ranked among the top 25 firms on the 2019 Commissioning Giants list and as one of the Silicon Valley’s fastest-growing private companies. For the seventh consecutive year, we’ve been named […]

At Salas O’Brien, we like to say that you can “expect a difference” while working with us. We approach each new project with a new client as the start of a long-lasting relationship. Each project that follows builds on that relationship, allowing us to better understand and better serve the client each time we work […]

Salas O’Brien is bringing designs to life using the latest augmented reality technology so that clients, the design team, the construction team, and all stakeholders can get a more realistic view of the finished project before construction even begins.  Augmented reality (AR) superimposes computer-generated 3D images over existing structures and provides an interactive experience of real-world environments. This technology […]

In today’s global economy, we rely on instant communication to keep businesses running smoothly and keep families connected. Data centers, mobile switch offices (MSO) and distributed antenna systems (DAS) work silently in the background so we can stay in touch with the people who matter. And tech companies pay a fortune to keep those facilities […]

“Wow! At Salas O’Brien I’d have unlimited growth opportunity, projects that challenge me technically, and a team that has my back.” That, in a nutshell, is the response that our recruiting team hears every day from applicants to Salas O’Brien, regardless of whether those applicants join our team. We do this through a relentless focus […]

Any facility that combusts fuel for process heating needs a burner management system (BMS). The BMS is a fuel safety system that works as a failsafe in case of any dangerous problems with the fuel. It’s governed by the boiler code NFPA 85. How It Works Boiler and combustion systems for power generation, campus heating, […]

With one in every three adults in the US at risk for chronic kidney disease, dialysis has become an unfortunately common reality. DaVita, a healthcare organization whose name means “giving life” in Italian, is the industry leader in caring for people with kidney disease. They also run an independent medical group with locations in six […]

Northwestern University’s Chicago campus features the historic Wieboldt Hall, constructed in 1926 to hold the university’s School of Commerce. The building’s construction was funded by Anna and William Wieboldt, German immigrants and self-made retail magnates who believed “the most effective form of charity is developing self-supporting men and women.” Today, Wieboldt Hall houses programs for […]

Since 1979 when the firm’s big project was an energy audit at San Jose Hospital, Salas O’Brien has created thousands of well-designed, safe, and efficient healthcare facilities. As we have grown from a single California office to 24 offices nationwide, we’ve continuously expanded our health care leadership and expertise. When OMB Electrical Engineers joined Salas […]

Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) is a key member of the larger Illinois-based Rush Health Systems that include hospitals, clinics, and a medical university. Today’s massive Rush network all began with Rush Medical College, which received its charter two days before the incorporation of Chicago. Today, RUMC and its connected medical university are pillars of […]

Salas O’Brien announced today that OMB Electrical Engineers has joined the company, creating a combined firm of 24 offices with more than 650 employee-owners, 135 registered professionals, and clients that are the most significant companies in the United States. The addition of OMB and its offices in southern California and Phoenix expands Salas O’Brien’s portfolio […]

Salas O’Brien’s landfill client in Akron, Ohio, installed a landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) system that, combined with the anaerobic digester at a nearby composting plant, provides 95% of the two plants’ energy needs and saves the city $50,000 in utility costs each year. Here’s some background on this important technology. The US EPA’s latest report on […]

This past week, we welcomed the WMA Consulting Engineers to the Salas O’Brien family. WMA’s outstanding work, commitment to sustainability, and reputation for reliability make them an ideal addition to our team. One example of the team’s impressive work is the McDonald’s Corporation Headquarters, built in 2018 in Chicago’s West Loop. McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook […]