In last November’s Back2Basics, I created a test for the readers based on the idea that the patient room design was similar to a pharmaceutical cleanroom, with an air lock for people to enter and leave the room.
School, warehouse, office building … the boiler stories they tell put the focus back on specific circumstances and smart pre-design study to ensure their systems (and budgets) enjoy the best of times for as long as possible.
One of the challenges we have with commercial buildings is the fine line between providing a safe and healthy indoor environment and maximizing energy efficiency.
When you have to individually go verify whether 128 air curtains meant to ensure air balance in the original design’s branch ductwork are still there or not, you’re not having an easy time of it.
At one time, it might have been acceptable to view controls as a “necessary evil” with little attention given to the details of design including sequences and commissioning
How many health care facilities are limping along in terms of mechanical performance but could be running better than ever with one committed round of treatment?
Our BAS columnist makes a house call to prescribe one method of applying retrofit expertise, including the success story of a hospital with mysteries or maladies that required attention in VAV and chillers, air handling strategies, OR ventilation, and beyond.
Last month, this column addressed the need for (and philosophy behind) sample testing certain systems when 100% functional performance testing (FPT) is impractical from a time and/or budget perspective.
In the standard commissioning process, there are two primary technical activities that occur on site at the end of construction and prior to systems acceptance by the owner.