COMMISSIONING HVAC CONTROLS Considerations and Tools for Simple and Complex Systems Jim Magee, CxA, EMP, LEED-AP BD+C Facility Commissioning Group

AIA Continuing Education Course The Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request. This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material or construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing with any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Course Description This 1-hour HVAC Commissioning Seminar Presentation will cover the commissioning process as described in the ACG Commissioning Guideline, as well as valuable practical insight on skills, strategies, and communication and documentation protocols essential to applying the process on “real-world” HVAC controls projects.

Learning Objectives At the end of this program, participants will be able to: Explain the purpose, methodology, and benefits of the commissioning process as it relates to HVAC controls. Identify and distinguish between the five phases of commissioning – (1) Pre-Design, (2) Design, (3) Construction, (4) Acceptance, and (5) Post-Acceptance – and the activities carried out in each of them. Describe the documentation and deliverables that are essential to the delivery of quality HVAC controls commissioning services. Identify the roles and responsibilities of all commissioning team members within the HVAC controls commissioning process, with particular emphasis on the role of the commissioning provider.

Commissioning Process

Commissioning Process A process of documentation, adjustment, testing, verification, and training, performed specifically to ensure that the finished facility operates in accordance with the owner’s documented project requirements and the construction documents. It begins in pre-design and continues through design, construction, and the life of the facility. (BCA draft document, 2004.)

What is Commissioning? (validates the “design”!) Commissioning “retro” ; “re”; or “ongoing” Cx Commissioning Commissioning validates the design! That the design works and meets the “design intent” Design Intent Design Construction O & M Kenig Changing Needs “Inspections” validate construction That the construction is installed correctly per the “design” This is not commissioning!

Commissioning Process Design Intent Document Details functional requirements and Owner’s expectations of how a building will be used and operated - OWNER’S PROJECT REQUIREMENTS Basis for building commissioning Basis of Design The concepts, calculations, decisions, and product selections used to meet the OWNER’S PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Cx Standards and Guidelines ACG Commissioning Guideline – 2005 ASHRAE Standard 202P – Public Review Period: The Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems ASHRAE Guideline 1.1 – 2007: HVAC&R Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005: The Commissioning Process NECA90-2004: Recommended Practices for Commissioning Building Electrical Systems ICC Commissioning Guideline VA Whole Building Commissioning Process Manual

Commissioning Definitions Commissioning Authority (CxA): A person (or firm) representing the facility owner Leader of the Commissioning Team Authority of Cx Process – not design or means and methods CxA not in chain of command – preserves objectivity

Commissioning Definitions Commissioning Provider (CP): Independent Third-Party Commissioning Firm A/E Firm General Contractor Construction Manager Owner's Personnel

Commissioning Definitions EXISTING BUILDING COMMISSIONING Retro-Commissioning (RetroCx): Commissioning an existing building that has never been commissioned Re-Commissioning (ReCx): Commissioning a building that has been previously commissioned Continuous Commissioning (CCx): Owner continues to collect and compare baseline data on selected building systems to ensure that the building functions optimally throughout its operating life

HVAC Controls Cx Team Owner / Operator Architect Design Consultants Commissioning Agent Construction Manager (or General Contractor) Mechanical Contractor Electrical Contractor Temperature Controls Contractor Test and Balance Contractor

HVAC Controls Cx Team Equipment Vendors Specialty Trades Specialty Consultants Program Manager Service Contract Providers BAS Specialists IT Support Groups

Cx Process Deliverables Design Intent Documents (DID or OPR) Design Reviews Submittal Reviews Site Observations and Site Meetings Resolution Tracking Forms (RTF’s) System Verification Checklists (SVC’s) Organized Systems Start-Ups Functional Performance Tests (FPT's) Operation and Maintenance (O&M) training O&M Documentation Commissioning Report Warranty Review of Building Operation

Approaches to Commissioning Comprehensive Commissioning Construction Phase Commissioning

Phases of Commissioning Pre-Design Phase Design Phase Construction Phase Acceptance Phase Post-Acceptance Phase

Independent 3rd Party Cx

Independent 3rd Party Cx Avoid conflicts of interest Report directly to owner Peer level with design consultants Unbiased objectivity Not influenced by contractor/vendor prerogatives Not influenced by design team prerogatives

Design Review of Controls

HVAC Controls Definition The starting and stopping or modulation of HVAC systems, equipment and component assemblies to regulate the condition being changed by the process.

Pre-Design Phase Review Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) Design Narrative Controls Descriptions Scope of Controls Systems Providers of Controls Products Installers of Controls Products Quality Control Provisions of Controls Commissioning Provisions for Controls User Interface Requirements Procurement Criteria

Design Phase Review OPR and BOD Progress Reviews Controls Specifications Progress reviews Provisions for Testing and Commissioning Operation and Maintenance Considerations Incorporate Controls into Commissioning Plan Establish Controls Elements on Project Schedule Conformity to Owner’s Design Standards Access for Controls Equipment and Components

Design Phase Review Design Sequence of Operation with Narratives Points List with Types of Points Define Integration Strategy: BACNET, LON, Gateways Define User Interactions: local, work station, campus Level of User Interfaces: HVAC, Lighting Controls, DHW, Life Safety, Fire Alarm & Suppression, Security Systems Individual Space Control vs. Limited or Central Control Code Compliance Local AHJ Requirements

HVAC Controls Design HVAC Systems Basic Control Supervisory Control Optimizing Control Sources of Supply

HVAC Systems Unitary Package Equipment – stand-alone, monitored or controlled externally Original Equipment Manufacturer Furnished Controls Central Systems Special Purpose Systems: free cooling, rejected heat, thermal storage, cogeneration, renewable

Basic Control Regulates heating & cooling to maintain conditioned spaces (meet the load) Discharge temperature controllers control the rate of primary conversion (chillers or boilers) Pressure controls determine the delivery rate of flows from pumps or fans for distribution

Supervisory Control Scheduling and Interaction of Sub-Systems Meet building needs with operator input Building Automation Systems (BAS) Energy Monitoring and Control System (EMCS) Facility Management System (FMS) Energy Management System (EMS) Direct Digital Control (DDC)

DDC Everything done by a computer or microprocessor (overly broad definition) Closed loop control of local loops by a digital computer or microprocessor Energy management application programs are different from DDC controls and more specialized

Optimizing Controls Control parameters in a manner that minimizes energy and operation costs Improve efficiency of primary supply equipment Reduce loss of energy in end use systems Load reset, dynamic load control, warm-up/cool- down, occupied/unoccupied detection, etc.

Sources of Supply Full-Line Control Companies Control Distributors Full-Line HVAC Equipment Companies Specialized Control Companies

Submittal Review of Controls

Construction Phase Submittal Review of Controls Compliant with Specifications Compliant with Owner’s Design/Construction Standards Verify Design Sequence of Operation Verify Means & Methods and Narratives Verify Points Lists Verify equipment and components

Construction Phase Submittal Review of Controls Verify Appropriate Option Selections Confirm Basis of Design Alternate Submittals Verify Compatibility of Controls with Equipment Verify Controls Integration Capabilities Verify Controls Interface Capabilities

Sequence of Operation

SOO Cx Considerations SOO is typically inadequately specified Design SOO is typically not installed SOO Priorities and Hierarchy Simultaneous Opposing SOO Routines Life Safety Priorities

Survey of SOO Schemes Temperature Control Humidity Control Ventilation Rate Control Pollutant and/or Life Safety Control Overrides and Emergency Stop/Start

Sustainable HVAC Controls Utility Metering & Sub-Metering MBH Metering Minimum/Optimized Energy Performance (ASHRAE 90.1) Measurement & Verification Minimum IAQ (ASHRAE 62.1) Environmental Pollutants Control Carbon Dioxide Control Thermal Comfort Control (ASHRAE 55) Mixed Mode Ventilation

Exotic HVAC Controls SOO’s Hybrid Geothermal Heat Pump Systems VRV Systems Water-to-Water Heat Pump Systems Chilled Beams

System Verification

System Verification Checklists Site Observation Progress/Coordination Meetings Commissioning/Pre-Start-Up Meetings SVC Implementation Manufacturer Installation Checklists

System Verification Checklists Equipment Components Systems Graphics Interfaces/Integrations

Controls System Start-Up

Controls Systems Start-Up Start-Up = Installer Responsibility CxA Monitor Controls Start-Up Power/Communications Programming Point-to-Point Verification & Documentation Safties Testing SOO Verification and Testing

Controls System Start-Up Devices Calibration TAB Coordination and Support Services Controllers Range and Accuracy/Tolerance Locations of Transmitters, Sensors, Pick-Ups Scheduling Local & Remote Communication Signals Strength Wiring Conditions Graphics and Integration

- Raytheon DDC FEMC Guidelines

Functional Performance Tests

Writing FPT’s for HVAC Controls FPT typically for equipment or system with controls imbedded and/or separate blocks Confirm Prerequisites Organize in Sections Begin with Tests to Confirm Readiness Test Safeties First

Writing FPT’s for HVAC Controls Do Positional Checks Early Start with Basic Controls Proceed Logically Conclude with Supervisory Controls Confirm Graphic Interfaces Confirm Integration

Off-Season Mode and Deferred Testing Documented and Scheduled

Operation & Maintenance and O&M Training

HVAC Controls O&M Provisions Set Up Trends After FPT’s (while completing) Acquire VPN/Web/Modem Access to BAS Monitor BAS Regularly (transient conditions) Review O&M Manuals, As-Built SOO Documents and HVAC Controls Existing Conditions Drawings

O&M Training CxA Facilitates Installer-Provided Training DVD Record Visual and Audio Sign-In Sheets Advance Notice to Owner Personnel Divide Training into Appropriate Intervals

O&M Training Advocate for Owner Interests During Training Collect and Review Handouts Agendas Required In Advance DID Review by Designer Manufacturer Rep per Specifications

Warranty Period Reviews

Warranty Period Reviews Maintain Remote Access for Periodic Review Specify Periodic Controls Vendor Visits Near End Warranty Review RTF/Punchlist Resolutions Communicate with Owner, Designers and Contractor

Warranty Period Reviews Analyze Energy Usage Review Equipment/Components Condition Owner/Operator Conference Occupant Comfort Verification Systems Manual

Q&A This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course.

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