The First Facility Management Blog

A new textbook designed to double as a reference manual that allows engineers to build on their knowledge of HVAC design procedures and methods has been published by ASHRAE. Principles of Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning builds on much of the basic information in the 2009 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals and contains the most current ASHRAE procedures and definitive, yet easy to understand, treatment of building HVAC systems, from basic principles through design and operation. Co-authors are Ronald Howell, Ph.D., P.E., William Coad and the late Harry Sauer Jr., Ph.D., P.E.

The book may be used for/by:

• Undergraduate engineering courses in the general field of HVAC;
• Similar courses at technical institutes;
• Continuing education and refresher short courses for engineers; and
• Adult education courses for non-engineers.

There are several significant changes in the new edition, including new values for climatic design information; new values of heating, wind and cooling, and dehumidifying design conditions; improved values of thermal conductivity and resistance for common building and insulating materials; and an extensively revised chapter on residential heating and cooling load calculations.

Additionally, the chapters on system design and equipment have been significantly revised to reflect recent changes and concepts in current heating and air-conditioning system practices.

Also available is Principles of HVAC Solutions Manual, which contains revised solutions to most of the problems in the Principles book.

The cost of Principles of HVAC is $89 ($76, ASHRAE members; $58, ASHRAE student members), while the cost of the solutions manual is $59 ($50, ASHRAE members).

To order, visit the ASHRAE.org Bookstore.

C.E. Thermal Systems announces a new way to heat spaces—through framed digital images hanging on the wall. The Heat by Design™ picture heater is an elegant and energy efficient space heating solution that customers design for use in their offices.

The Heat by Design convective picture heater uses a patented carbon fiber heating element system that is embedded behind the image. The flat carbon fiber elements safely increase the temperature of medium sized rooms by 3° to 7° F.

The picture heater is a quiet alternative to traditional space heaters. It operates without noisy, energy consuming fans that can stir airborne particulates and allergens. Heat by Design’s GentleHeat™ technology consumes only 400W of electricity per hour when operational. By turning the thermostat down just 1°F, a typical facility can save up to 5% on heating costs. The Heat by Design picture heater can then be used to warm those cold spots in the office.

Customers can upload digital photographs or choose from a gallery of stock images, so businesses can create their own heater with corporate graphics for a functional advertising specialty item to use in their offices or those of their clients. A gallery of elegant stock photographs is also available on the Heat by Design Web site.

Images are printed with a commercial, four-color printing process that uses UV-based inks to ensure images will not fade or crack due to heating or exposure to sunlight. Images are printed on a special aluminum surface that conducts heat.

The frame is constructed of a black composite material with a smooth finish. It offers dimensional stability through hot and cold cycles and will not warp or fade.

A patented, TouchSensor™ flat front switch on the frame turns the unit on or off, as indicated by a green LED on the frame. The system automatically shuts off after 10 hours of operation.

The Heat by Design picture heater is 36¾” x 28¾”, weighs only 10 pounds, and is simple to install. Easily mounted on most walls like a typical picture frame, Heat by Design keeps the unit and its power cord off the floor. This reduces clutter and improves safety in high traffic areas.

Prices start at $179 and product is delivered in two to three weeks.

This Web Exclusive comes from Rob Haddock, director of the Metal Roof Advisory Group, Ltd. of Colorado Springs, CO. He is a consultant to The Metal Initiative, the educational arm of the metal roofing and wall industry in North America.

Standing seam metal roofing can represent the state of the art when it comes to a durable, sustainable, eco-friendly approach, providing three or four decades of reliable service life. Unfortunately, this roofing option and the maintenance freedom it affords is often sabotaged when it comes to mounting essential rooftop equipment and ancillary mechanicals.

Regardless of the roof type, the best way to prevent rooftop problems is to clear the roof of any unnecessary equipment. And while facility managers would prefer an uncluttered roof, it is sometimes necessary or convenient to mount HVAC equipment—as well as screens to hide it, piping to fuel it, scuttles to access it, and walkways to service it.

There may also be a need for satellite dishes, lightning protection, solar panels, advertising signage, fall protection systems—and the list goes on. However, with some basic understanding of the “dos and don’ts,” rooftop equipment mounting, while unavoidable, can be made simple and trouble free on low-slope metal roofing.

Penetration-Free Attachment
Standing seam metal actually offers advantages over other roof types when mounting of ancillary fixtures does become necessary. These roofs are particularly well suited to accept special seam clamping hardware that grips the standing seam systems without puncturing their membranes (see example at right).

Unlike other roof materials, metal is rigid. The standing seam area creates a beamlike structure that can provide an anchor for things like walkways, solar arrays, condensing units, and gas piping without harming the weathering characteristics of the roof. Mechanicals can be secured safely and cost effectively to these seam clamps leaving the roof membrane free of penetrations. The clamps provide great holding strength, last the life of the roof, and preserve thermal cycling characteristics of the roof system.

If roof attachments are required, here are some tips that could prevent problems over time:

• Use penetration-free attachments whenever possible.
• Never use adhesives to secure attachments to metal roofing.
• Use only attachment clamps made of non-corrosive metals such as aluminum along with stainless steel mounting hardware. These metals are compatible with anything that may be found on a metal roof.
• Be sure that round-point setscrews are used to secure the clamp to the seam. This will prevent galling or other damage that could lead to corrosion.
• Any loads placed on the clamp will be transferred to the panels and their anchorage, and subsequently to the structure. That anchorage must be capable of withstanding the added load.

When Penetration Is Unavoidable
In the case of HVAC and plumbing vents, the roof membrane is often penetrated. The soil stack must carry gases from inside out, and the HVAC unit must bring either inside air out, outside air in, or both (see example below). Consequently, holes in the roof are inescapable. The challenge is to waterproof the holes, while also maintaining the thermal cycling integrity of the roof system.

There are a few rules for handling these kinds of rooftop penetrations in low slope standing seam that will help ensure trouble-free service. HVAC units and/or related ductwork penetrations should use pre-formed equipment curbs specifically designed to integrate with the roof profile being used. The curb is sealed to the roof and maintains the thermal cycling integrity of the system.

The best curbs are made of all-welded aluminum construction. This material is very compatible with sheet steel (or aluminum) used for roofing and should provide decades of service if designed, fabricated, and installed correctly. Often these curbs are load bearing “structural” varieties that simultaneously provide support and waterproofing. Roof curb suppliers are located throughout the U.S. and can be readily identified by most metal roofing manufacturers.

When unusual HVAC equipment sizes and weights are involved, often the support and weatherproofing functions are divided as the unit is mounted on a structural curb, which is integral to the building’s structural framing system. When such a design is used, a second “flashing curb” must be employed to satisfy the specific waterproofing challenges of a metal roof. The first curb (or frame) supports the weight of the unit, while the second does the waterproofing and is integrated into the roof system. The outer curb features the same design and material as previously described.

When equipment curbs are used, it is imperative that:

• Welded, aluminum curb construction be used
• Curbs be equipped with diverters on the upslope flange
• Curbs be shingled into the roof so as to avoid “back-water” laps
• Curb walls are at least 6″ high
• Curb and installation be “floating” and not pinned to the building structure
• All seals be made with butyl tape/tube grade within the joints (not exposed sealants), with careful attention paid to “marrying” seals at the panel seams
• Curb sidewalls be located at least 6″ from the nearest adjacent seam to allow sufficient drainage to the sides of curbs
  

  Frame mounted HVAC unit using pipe supports extending down to the building structure and flashed through the roof using rubber pipe flashings

Round Penetrations
Round shapes, such as plumbing vents or pipe supports for rooftop equipment, should be flashed through the roof using EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber pipe flashings. The cone-shaped rubber is field cut to size and stretch-fitted to the pipe. It is recommended that a stainless steel draw band be used at the top of the flashing to ensure that the flashing never inverts itself. The part has an integral aluminum compression ring that is laminated to the rubber base.

The pipe flashing must be anchored to the roof panel only, and not to the building structure or deck. To do the latter would create an inadvertent “pinning” of the roof panel, compromising its freedom of thermal movement. Ideally these flashings should be centrally located to ensure free drainage.

In any event, interrupting a seam should be avoided. This flashing assembly, which is sealed to the roof with butyl copolymer tape sealants, should offer 20 or more years of service life. In summation, when using these rubber pipe flashings, it is important to remember the following:

• Use unitized EPDM rubber pipe flashings (black preferred) with stainless steel draw band.
• Locate round penetrations centrally in the panel
• Seal with butyl tape beneath base; then fillet with one part polyurethane
• Do not pin flashings to the structure or deck

Rooftop mountings and penetrations are a challenge for any roof type or material. But following these guidelines will help to ensure trouble-free and enduring performance for low-slope metal roof systems.

Healthcare facilities can benefit from the services offered by Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand, through its Environment of Care (EoC) program. The company has found a strong tie between the physical environment of care and patient outcomes, patient and staff satisfaction, and financial performance of a healthcare organization. As such, the EoC program is focused on working with healthcare facility managers to identify conditions in their physical facilities that are taking away from the effectiveness of patient care.

In internal research conducted by Trane, 93% of the healthcare executives asked said the physical environment is “Important” or “Very Important” to the patient experience. Carolyn Clancy, MD, U.S. Director, Agency for Health Research and Quality, has stated, “As hospital leaders continue to seek ways to improve quality and reduce errors, it is critical that they look around their own physical environment with the goal of ensuring the hospital contributes to, rather than impedes, the process of healing.”

Laura Rygielski Preston, FACHE, Director of Healthcare for Trane, says, “We feel it is best to understand the culture of the healthcare organization in developing organizational recommendations. This is done through interviewing key stakeholders, building assessments, and collaborative discussions. A comprehensive solution is developed through analyzing many factors.”

When Trane conducts an EoC assessment for a facility, broad focus areas include:

• enhancing patient safety by reducing infection, risk, injuries from falls, and medical errors
• eliminating environmental stressors, such as noise, that negatively affect outcomes and staff performance
• reducing stress and promoting healing by making healthcare facilities more pleasant, comfortable, and supportive for patients and staff alike.

Trane has the expertise to optimize indoor environments with its broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support, and advanced controls for buildings.

While some changes to facility operations may involve no- or low-cost strategies, improvements to a hospital’s physical environment are often candidates for performance contracting, a funding mechanism that is available through Trane. Examples of action that might be taken to improve a healthcare facility through the EoC program are:

• Installing more energy efficient lighting and electrical systems
• Optimizing central chilled water and steam boiler systems for improved operation, efficiency, and water conservation
• Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and controls
• Increasing energy efficiency, effectiveness, and throughput of laundry operations

(Photos courtesy of Trane Commercial Systems)

With cold and flu season upon us, spending time reviewing your HVAC system, its major components, and air and water distribution is time well spent to help mitigate the spread of type A (H1N1) and other types of Influenza. Some of the precautions may be based on adopting simple common sense measures, while others are related to proper maintenance protocols. In addition, there are system upgrades that can be performed to help mitigate risks. Below is a list of tips to consider during cold and flu season:

• Monitor facilities to ensure that no warm, stagnant water is present (which can provide an environment conducive to the growth of problematic microbes such as Legionella, the cause of Legionnaire’s Disease).
• Monitor areas including cooling towers, pooled water on roofs, or clogged drains that can harbor unhealthy contaminants that can be introduced into the building and circulated by the air distribution systems into occupied spaces.
• One simple change facilities can implement is to upgrade the efficiency of the air filters. As filter efficiency increases, typically their resistance to air flow also increases. Always check to be sure the fan system can handle the resistance being imposed by the filters and other components in the system. Also, select replacement filters based on the specific particles you intend to collect. Viral droplets or droplet nuclei of influenza, for instance, are very small but are typically surrounded by a mucus shell making them larger and easier to remove.
• It is necessary to re-evaluate how and when filters should be changed. Rather than set a simple schedule, it may be more prudent to measure the pressure drop through filter banks and set up basic performance metrics to determine the best model for filter changes.
• Simple measures are the first line of defense. Technicians should wear cut-resistant gloves when performing filter changes or basic maintenance to air dampers and commonly exposed system components. Also, properly fit respirators may help to ensure that the risk of exposure while working above the ceiling or in poorly ventilated areas is minimized.
• A common service and maintenance procedure is to verify correct outside air intake dampers settings and operation. Most commercial spaces should operate at a slightly positive pressure relative to the outdoors to reduce the likelihood of contaminants infiltrating into the occupied areas.
• Check and validate restroom and other critical area exhaust fans to assure they are removing contaminants from the building before they become mixed with the indoor air. Perform preventive maintenance on small exhaust fans to ensure they have not accumulated dirt, reducing their effectiveness.
• Provide staff with basic training and increase overall awareness about the risks of influenza exposure and the likely ways to contract the virus. Also, conduct formal training of staff technicians and subcontract workers in how to work with your building systems to reduce risk and increase health and safety as well as reducing exposure to other harmful airborne particles.
• Direct contact is the most common pathway for the spread of disease. Communicate influenza safety tips and precautions to all building departments – especially those whose primary function includes occupancy of guests, visitors, and the general public.
• Encourage hand washing among all staff. If possible, add hand cleaner and hand sanitizer supplies at air handler locations, equipment controls, railings and access doors.

There are many resources to provide details and more complete planning recommendations including:

• · IFMA Foundation’s Pandemic Preparedness Manual
• · The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• · The Federal Emergency Management Agency

These tips have been provided by Trane (although the image at the beginning of the article was supplied by Cathy Aste).

Mayor Bill White and the Houston Airport System (HAS) announced on August 25 that the City of Houston Department of Aviation has received $8.8 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to install new state-of-the-art equipment at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) that is expected to reduce emissions by up to 60%.

The two grants awarded through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) will allow for the purchase and installation of new solar panels, heaters, and chillers in the airport’s central operating plant which controls the air conditioning and heating in all five airport terminals. These upgrades will replace the gas powered steam generation system currently used in the facility.

“This meets two of our major goals as we continue to improve our airport system—operating more efficiently, and with significantly reduced emissions,” said Mayor White. “These benefits don’t stop at the end of the runways.”

One of the grants is a $5 million contribution from the FAA’s Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) program, a nationally competitive initiative designed to reduce airport ground emissions at commercial service airports located in regions of the country with higher than normal pollution levels, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The project allows airports to use grants to finance low emission vehicles, refueling and recharging stations, gate electrification, and other airport air quality improvements. Currently the entire Sedan/SUV fleet at HAS is composed of hybrids; more than half were purchased with VALE grants.

“We have presented some very unique ideas to the FAA and we’ve already worked closely and successfully with them on eight other green projects,” said Eric Potts interim director of aviation for the city of Houston. Potts also added that, “this project will allow IAH to significantly shrink its environmental footprint and that is good news for all of us.”

To date, only nine airport operators in the U.S. have received VALE grants, and the most recent grant to IAH is among the largest ever issued. In order to expedite the project the system will be designed and built to order, beginning in 2010 and is scheduled for completion in 2011.

As parents start getting school supplies and back-to-school outfits together for their children, and administrators get their schools ready for the new year to come, NADCA (The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association) reminds parents and educators of the importance of indoor air quality to student and employee performance in schools.

Government research suggests that as many as half of America’s schools have issues with poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Poor IAQ in schools, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, can lead to short- and long-term health problems such as asthma, absenteeism, reduced productivity for students and staff, higher HVAC costs, and even legal liability.

NADCA supports the EPA’s “IAQ Tools for Schools” initiative that provides educators and parents with comprehensive tools for assessing and addressing IAQ issues. As part of a proactive school IAQ program, NADCA recommends periodic HVAC system inspections by certified experts to identify and address contaminated ductwork and HVAC units as needed.

When performed to NADCA’s ACR 2006 standard, an HVAC inspection and cleaning can improve airflow, reduce energy costs and remove contaminants such as mold, dust, and other airborne particulates from HVAC components and ductwork.

“Our children and the professionals who educate them need and deserve the same kind of air quality that we would expect in our offices or homes,” said Buck Sheppard, president of NADCA and operations manager for AAA Heating and Cooling in Portland, Ore. “Our students should be breathing easy, at least until the first pop quiz of the semester.”

The International Facility Management Association has released Temperature Wars: Savings vs. Comfort (available to download for free at this link: hvacsurvey2009), a new study that takes an in-depth look at the most common thermal complaints made by workers and the variety of ways facility professionals respond to them.

For many years, IFMA has surveyed facility professionals to learn the top office complaints among employees. Respondents consistently cite the temperature being too hot or too cold as the most frequent grievances they hear — surpassing high noise levels, limited space, and unpleasant odors. Recent IFMA research also shows that many facility professionals are adjusting the thermostat to higher settings in the summer and lower settings in the winter in an effort to cut energy consumption and costs.

This 2009 study identifies when most thermal complaints occur, the nature of the complaints, and the actions taken to make workers more comfortable and able to concentrate on their jobs. Not surprisingly, survey respondents again report that the most common heating, ventilating, and air conditioning complaints they receive are that the temperature is too cold (94%) or too hot (91%). Indoor air quality complaints are a distant third (25%), followed by too drafty (21%) and too noisy (16%).

Building occupants adjust to thermal comfort issues in different ways, the most common of which are through the use of personal fans (66%) or by a change in clothing (64%). Also popular with workers — though not with building management — is the use of personal heaters, which 60% of facility professionals report seeing. Many survey respondents say that personal heaters are not allowed, however, because they present a fire hazard.Other responses include using stand alone air conditioning units, blankets, and even small wading pools under the desk.

“We have people with lap blankets and fingerless gloves on,” said one respondent. “Sad, isn’t it?” [NOTE: I keep a pair of fingerless gloves in my desk drawer for just this purpose.]

When it comes to addressing occupants’ thermal complaints, 90% of facility professionals say they check the temperature in the area where the complaint was made to see if it is within standards; 87% validate that the HVAC system is working properly; and 75% adjust thermostats to provide for greater worker comfort. Less popular responses include encouraging the occupant to wear layered clothing (35%) and temporarily moving the worker to another area (4%). Others report taking a vote of all occupants in a given control zone; asking people for a budget code to charge them for additional costs associated with running units more than agreed upon parameters; or simply doing nothing.

“We sometimes say we’ll make an adjustment, but don’t,” said one respondent. “This actually seems to work.” “Usually, a prompt response saying that we are handling it is key,” said another. “Then, we follow up in a couple of hours to find out if the ‘adjustments’ made an improvement. Often, we haven’t actually physically done anything to change the temperature.”

During the summer months, survey respondents say they hear complaints that the temperature is both too hot (66%) and too cold (58%). However, 57% of facility professionals say their company does not relax the dress code during the summer to improve occupant comfort, whereas 43% say their company does. Summer “pre-cooling,” a practice in which cool outdoor air is brought into a building at night, was reported by 47% of survey respondents.

The majority of those surveyed say temperatures at their facility are centrally controlled and cannot be regulated by individual occupants (56%). Forty two percent say that temperatures in their buildings are zone controlled, allowing facility managers and sometimes occupants to adjust the thermostat, and 2% report buildings that feature individual occupant or work station temperature control.

Energy efficiency is of prime importance to facility professionals, with the vast majority of respondents saying they utilize a number of energy saving techniques. Seventy seven percent say that they have updated or replaced an HVAC system or components; 73% have verified that their building automation system is working as designed; and 52% have installed more efficient light fixtures to reflect less heat. Common responses also include modifying ductwork (27%), installing new window shades (24%) and adding window film to improve thermal properties (24%).

The survey was drafted with the assistance of several HVAC experts and taken during June and July 2009. It is based on the responses of 473 IFMA members, with a margin of error of approximately +/- 5%

The patent pending Strobic Air® Smart Fan™ maintains safe ventilation levels while minimizing facility energy costs and carbon footprint. It is the latest improvement to the company’s TriStack® mixed flow exhaust fan line for safety critical applications such as laboratory fume hood exhaust and ventilation for specialized care environments like airborne infection isolation rooms. The Smart Fan™, which uses a combination of sensors and controls to determine the flow required for safe operation, continually adjusts fan speed to produce optimal flow. In multi-fan applications, fans will automatically turn on or off as required. Additionally, the Smart Fan™ can sense a fan failure and turn on a “stand by” fan to maintain safe exhaust operations.

Tri-Stack™ systems should be considered wherever issues of exhaust pollution, odor control, re-entrainment, aesthetics, and energy savings are important.

The Tri-Stack™ systems include low profile design, low noise levels, and vibration free operation. The systems also eliminate the need for rooftop penthouses and vibration prevention hardware. And, direct drive motors provide up to 200,000 hour lifetimes, eliminating the need to replace belts, pulleys, or other limited life components.

With the official start of winter on the horizon, schools across the country are firing up boilers to keep their buildings warm and comfortable. However, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25% of the energy used in schools is wasted due to inefficient buildings, equipment, and operations. This drains an estimated $1.5 billion annually from the nation’s schools, enough money to hire 30,000 teachers.

After salaries, utility costs are typically the second largest budget item, and the most controllable expense, confronting schools. That’s why administrators are trying to reduce energy consumption and better predict future needs. At the same time, a growing awareness about the effects of global warming has many schools looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions and serve as models of energy conservation. Honeywell is trying to help on both fronts, providing a range of services and technology designed to reduce schools’ utility bills and environmental footprint. This is possible through infrastructure upgrades—including new, high efficiency boilers—and more innovative solutions like wind turbines and solar panels.

Since 2006, Honeywell has assisted several U.S. school districts with energy and operational savings (expected to total more than $153 million). The savings are primarily achieved through energy performance contracts, which allow schools to fund facility improvements through the energy and operating savings the upgrades produce over a specified time frame, typically 10 to 20 years. Honeywell guarantees the results so the work usually doesn’t impact budgets or require additional taxpayer dollars. Combining all active performance contracts, the company is helping hundreds of districts save nearly $372 million.

“Energy and operating costs drain money from budgets—money that would otherwise go directly toward the classroom,” said Paul Orzeske, president of Honeywell Building Solutions. “However, districts rarely have the capital to overhaul their facilities. Our programs help schools boost efficiency without a significant up front investment.” Honeywell works with schools to develop strategic plans to cut energy costs and emissions, and increase the comfort of classrooms. The company has employed a mix of traditional and renewable conservation measures to that end. Examples include:

Perkins Local School District in Ohio is erecting three 20 kW wind turbines to complement a variety of conventional energy efficiency measures. The turbines will provide more than 10% of the electricity for the middle and high schools. And the overall program is expected to reduce expenses by more than $190,000 each year. The district used the Honeywell Renewable Energy Scorecard, a selection tool that helps pinpoint the technology with the most significant environmental and economic drivers, to identify the right green solution for their needs.

Honeywell has installed solar arrays for school districts in Dixon, Pleasanton, Poway, and Riverdale, CA. These projects are expected to save the districts millions in energy costs. They also will cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 4.3 million pounds and nitrous oxide emissions by almost 4,000 pounds. According to figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this is equivalent to removing more than 460 cars from the road or planting 575 acres of trees.

“The fact that going green also provided a financial advantage was very attractive to us,” said Elaine Cash, superintendent of Riverdale Joint Unified School District. “Our solar project with Honeywell will maximize our budget resources while maintaining clean, sustainable schools.”

Along with tapping renewable resources, typical improvements include replacing and upgrading heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) equipment, installing centralized building automation systems, replacing outdated fixtures with energy efficient lighting, tightening building envelopes through new windows and doors, and upgrading electrical systems.