Over the years of designing and building HVAC infrastructure, I’ve been fortunate to be able to complete the projects via integrated project delivery (IPD) and design-build (D-B), in addition to design-bid-build (DBB) and construction management (CM).
Evolving facility needs, revenue-generating special events, in-house labor, the deferred maintenance budget … the factors in a temporary HVAC decision range wider than you might think. So are the opportunities.
Engineers who pull out the 2015 ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Applications or 2016 HVAC System and Equipment Handbook will not find the topic of temporary HVAC systems.
Years after an HVAC engineer starts to design closed-loop water systems and then progressively moves up the ladder of engineering success, he can forget and/or overlook many of the issues, concerns, details, opportunities, etc. associated with engineering these systems.
How often does an existing open condenser water system, or some other type of open water system, get reused as part of a building renovation project and/or mechanical system upgrade
How often does an existing closed loop hot water heating or chilled water cooling system get reused as part of a building renovation project, and/or used to expand the area served by the system coverage to provide additional heating or air conditioning?
This past August, I wrote in this column about the opportunity to invest in a niche business providing temporary HVAC design and construction administration.