HVAC UPGRADE AND VAV CONVERSION
This 28,000 square feet chemistry and biology laboratory building was originally designed for constant volume airflow. It is supported by 46 separate fume hoods of varying sizes, with an additional 50 plus ventilated enclosures.
Under this project, we performed an extensive engineering study which was initiated due to a failure of one of the heat recovery systems serving a primary central station air handler. From our engineering analysis and evaluation, we determined that the cost to repair or replace the heat recovery system could not be justified for the aging equipment. In addition, we determined, through life-cycle-costing, that by converting the facility to variable air volume, we could easily justify the replacement of the air systems with the addition of controls for variable air volume control at each of the fume hoods and ventilated enclosures.
Services provided under this project included:
- Study of the project viability and energy savings.
- Extensive review of available technology from several different vendors and recommended the use of Phoenix Celeris II Laboratory VAV system.
- Designed and built a mock up lab to familiarize everyone on the project with the product being applied. Using the mock-up, we were able to perform extensive testing to validate operation of the variable air volume controllers and response time.
- We prepared a detailed probable cost budget prior to design, which included preliminary drawings and engineering sketches. Projects budgets were developed using the installing contractor’s pricing methods.
- Project requirements necessitated detail scheduling because the laboratory’s daily operation continued throughout the construction process.
- Engineering design included detailed phasing and implementation plans to insure daily operation and to minimize construction disturbance.
- Due to the critical nature of the project and contractor scheduling, we provided full-time construction supervision on the site during construction.
- As each lab was completed, we provided all start-up services including control calibration, airflow verification, and control sequencing.
- Control system included web-based front-end with full integration into the existing DDC system and the new variable air volume controllers.
The project was substantially completed on time and 7 percent under budget.
