Inspection Phase Three Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Section 503
COMCheck Mechanical
Field Inspection Checklist Mechanical
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Equipment Efficiencies But a lot ore too Controls Energy recovery Testing and documentation Ventilation A d ore http://www.buildinggreen.com/live/images//furnace_inspection.jpg
Heating and Cooling: Loads and Sizing Equipment must not be oversized Inspect to make sure what is installed is not larger than what is on the drawings
Equipment Efficiencies - Example Unitary Air Conditioners and Condensing Units, Electrically Operated, Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Temperature Controls Must be able to: - lower to 55 while in heating - raise to 85 while in cooling Minimum 5 between heating and cooling, except manual changeover Need to be 7 day programmable http://www.greenandsave.com/files/images/programmable_thermostat1.jpg
Temperature Controls Project: Small office building What to look for: Minimum 5 between heating and cooling, except manual changeover (deadband) Issue: One thermostat for heating and one thermostat for cooling does not guarantee the minimum 5
Temperature Controls Project: Hotel lobby What to look for: Dual temperature control Issue: Baseboard and AC unit in shared space with separate temperature controls. Heating and cooling can occur simultaneously. Minimum 5 deadband is required
Temperature Controls Project: Small office building What to look for: Programmable thermostat Issue: Manual thermostat http://www.wescodirect.ca/direct/images/products/large/hon_t86a.jpg
Temperature Controls Project: Hi-rise multifamily What to look for: Controls automatically reset the supply water temperature or reduce the pump flow for systems over 300,000 Btu/h Issue: Boiler aquastat with no outdoor reset or variable speed control on the pumps
Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) What is DCV? Controlling ventilation by measuring CO2
Demand Controlled Ventilation What to look for: CO2 sensor - duct mounted or wall mounted Air dampers - when building is unoccupied, are they closed HVAC balancing reports indoor CO2 level and the outside air damper position Indoor CO2 is below 500 ppm, outside air dampers should be mostly or totally closed
Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) When is it required? DCV must be provided for each zone with spaces > 500 ft² and the average occupant load > 40 people/1000 ft² of floor area where the HVAC system has: An air-side economizer, or Automatic modulating control of the outdoor air damper, or A design outdoor airflow > 3,000 cfm Examples: Large conference room Museum Theatre Places of assembly NOT a typical office
Demand Controlled Ventilation What to look for: Dampers are present, able to open and close, must have a motor Issue: If the building is empty, all dampers should be mostly or totally closed; the damper below was found wide-open. http://www.prodigyproductionsllc.com/wpt/uploads/2011/05/smithsonian_museum_natural_history_ dinosaur.jpg
Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems (ERV) What is an ERV? Recovering energy from exhaust ventilation to preheat intake ventilation 30 40 70 60 http://www.efficientairconditioningtx.com/sites/107312/graphic-how-erv-works.png
Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems What to look for: Confirm installed equipment matches construction documents You will likely not see ERVs often http://www.kingdom.com.sa/shared/images/investments/gallery/ph_plaza-hotel.jpg
Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems When is it required? Individual fan systems with desig supply air capacity 5,000 cfm and, Minimum outside air supply of 70% of desig supply air quantity Exhaust air recovery efficiency must be 50% http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/4037287464_3dd892d800.jpg
Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems When you might see it: Over 100 apartments with one single fan Large theatre http://fiw3.fashionindie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/lincolncenter_560x375.jpg http://nreionline.com/globalrealestate/sept09_article1big.jpg
HVAC System Completion Balancing Operations & Maintenance manual A copy of the test and balancing report must be received http://www.polarisphe.com/images/mojothumb.aspx http://www.polarisphe.com/images/mojothumb.aspx?img=~/data/
HVAC System Completion: Balancing What to look for: Means for air balancing on each supply outlet Means for balancing and pressure test for each heating and cooling coil http://ceilingfanss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ceiling-air-vents.jpg http://ceilingfanss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ceiling-air-vents.jpg
HVAC System Completion: Operations & Maintenance Manual What to look for: Operations & Maintenance manual including: Equipment capacity and required maintenance HVAC controls system maintenance and calibration information Wiring diagrams Controls sequences Systems setpoints http://www.onlineroswellga.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/hvac.jpg
Duct Sealing What is required: All ducts, air handlers and filter boxes shall be sealed.
Duct Sealing Project: Small office building What to look for: Joints sealed using mastic or approved tape Issue: Some joints were not sealed at all; other joints were sealed usi g o approved tape
Duct Sealing Project: Small office building What to look for: Gasketing on edges Issue: Filter cover only has gasketing on one edge out of four
Ductwork Air Sealing Project: Hi-rise multifamily What to look for: Sealing of all seams Issue: Portions of ductwork had been sealed properly with mastic, however, there were many portions of unsealed ductwork
Air System Horsepower What it is about: We do not want large fan motors to be oversized http://www.southeasternhvac.com/hvac%20finals/rooftop%20unit.jpg http://www.aarcweb.com/images/roof%20top%20commercial%20unit.jpg
Air System Horsepower Example: 10,000 CFM air handler fan motor shall be less than 10 hp. http://www.southeasternhvac.com/hvac%20finals/rooftop%20unit.jpg http://www.aarcweb.com/images/roof%20top%20commercial%20unit.jpg
Air System Horsepower What to look for: Check that the fan motor nameplate horsepower match the drawings If not, compare actual horsepower to code requirement
Air System Horsepower When it is required: HVAC systems with fans > 5 hp total When it is not required: Hospital/lab Exhaust fans < 1 hp each Fume hoods http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/129144626_34867dec5d.jpg
Economizers What is an economizer? Control device added to an air handler Brings in cold air from outdoors to cool without compressors when there are high internal gains (lights, people, equipment) http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/res/photos/products/r11538_large.jpg
Economizers What to look for: Outside and return dampers are present Return damper must be able to close fully during economizer mode Must have a damper motor http://bsdsolution.web131.discountasp.net/images/economizer.png
Economizers How to inspect: Check to see if the single cooling system is more than 4.5 tons. Open fan compartment on the cooling system Check to see if outside air and return dampers are present Check to see if there are damper motors Check to see that there is relief air http://bsdsolution.web131.discountasp.net/images/economizer.png
Economizers When is it required? In all of the NY climate zones, economizers are required per single cooling system 54,000 Btu/h (4.5 tons) Above 40 tons, economizers are required. See code for details. Expect to see these often http://ampmp.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/office_building.174161244 http://www.kfarchitects.net/joom/images/stories/eastsidemedical/eastsidemedical.jpg
Hydronic System Controls What is it? Hydronic means supplying heated or chilled water http://www.air-conditioning-hire-london.co.uk/images/chiller-hire.png
Hydronic System Controls What to look for? >500,000 Btu/h requires a multistaged or modulating burner: Does the burner stage or ramp up/down? Automatic reset of water temperature by at least 25% or reduce pump flow by at least 50% Reduce flow through multiple chillers or boilers when one is shut down http://www.mathewsplumbing.com/images/burnham/burnham_national_grid_oil_to_gas.jpg
Hydronic System Controls When is it required? >300,000 Btu/h http://www.ctvweb.com/rkmills/images/boiler-logo-1.jpg
Hydronic System Controls What to look for: If it s warm outside, the supply water temperature should be cooler
Hydronic System Controls What to ask for: The outdoor reset settings and the test results: Design supply water temperature Design return water temperature Actual supply water temperature and outdoor air temperature during startup test
Heat Rejection Equipment (Cooling Towers) Fan Speed Control Each tower fan powered by a otor 7.5 hp ust i clude variable speed or two speed fan http://bsdsolution.web131.discountasp.net/images/economizer.png
Simple and Complex Systems What is a simple system? Each piece of equipment typically serves a single zone with a single thermostat What is a complex system? Everything else (typically multiple zone systems like VAV)
Multiple Zone Systems When is it required? Complex Systems shall be variable air volume (VAV) Air to each zone must be able to be reduced to values in the code, before being reheated/recooled/mixed
Multiple Zone Systems What to look for: Does the system have a variable speed fan control? Does the system have VAV boxes? Is air reduced before heating/cooling/mixing? There are some exceptions http://www.legionnaires-disease.com/images/vav%20box.jpg
Service Water Heating Section 504 What is it? Using heat from cooling towers to heat hot water. http://www.cooling-tower-contractors.com/images_of_cooling_towers/bac_512x384.jpg
Service Water Heating When is it required? Facilities operating 24/7 Large buildings only (> 6 million Btu/h cooling tower) Water heating load > 1 million Btu/h You likely will not see this often http://www.hamptons.com/gallery/article/15058.jpg
Service Water Heating What to look for: Pre heating to 85 or 60% of the design heat rejection load http://www.coleparmer.com/catalog/large_images/35639_20_1.jpg
Service Water Heating Temperature Controls What to look for: Temperature dial Must allow a set point of 110 for apartments and 90 for other occupancies Temperature of water at the faucet Public restrooms shall be limited to 110 http://earth911.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/thermometer.jpg
Service Water Heating Heat Traps When is it required? If the water heater does not come with heat traps If the system does not have a recirculating pump http://www.home-energy-metering.com/image-files/hw-heat-trap.jpg
Service Water Heating Heat Traps What to look for: Heat traps on the cold and hot water pipes www.homedepot.com www.homedepot.com
Service Water Heating Pipe Insulation When is it required: Circulating hot water systems Non-circulating without integral heat traps
Service Water Heating Pipe Insulation What to look for: Circulating hot water systems - 1 inch insulation Non-circulating without integral heat traps 1/2 inch insulation for the first 8ft
Service Water Heating Recirculating Controls What to look for: If there is a recirculating pump: Convenient automatic or manual control Typically, this means a nearby temperature control http://www.plumbingsupply.com/images/grundfos_recirculation_diagram.gif
Service Water Heating - Pools What to look for: A readily accessible on/off switch for the heater No pilot lights on gas heaters Timer for heaters and pumps Must have a pool cover If the water is > 90 pool cover must be > R12 http://www.oyster.com/las-vegas/hotels/new-york-new-york-hotel-and-casino/photos/mainpool-new-york-new-york-hotel-casino-v218875-640.jpg
Lighting Section 505 Required for inspection: Interior lighting & controls Exterior lighting & controls http://www.electri-safe.com/images/commercial-lighting.jpg http://www.creative-outdoor-lighting.com/image-files/commercial-building.jpg
Lighting Controls Interior Each area enclosed by walls or floor to ceiling partitions shall have at least one manual control ability to reduce lighting by at least 50% Buildings larger than 5,000 sq ft shall have auto lighting shut off http://images.cableorganizer.com/leviton/decora/decora-occupancy-sensor_lg.jpg
Lighting Controls Exterior Lighting for dusk-to-dawn operation Controlled by a photosensor or, Astronomical time switch Lighting NOT for dusk-todawn operation Controlled by combination photosensor & time switch or, An astronomical time switch
Lighting Controls What to look for: Automatic shut-off control Issue: Lighting on in vacant building
Lighting Controls What to look for: Astronomical time switch or photosensor Issue: Exterior lighting on during the day http://www.honey-doservices.com/exterior%20light%20after.jpg http://www.honey-doservices.com/exterior%20light%20after.jpg
Day Lighting Zone Control Zones with day lighting shall have individual controls Controls shall be independent of general area lighting Day lit zones under sky lights shall be controlled separate from day lit zones under windows http://www.stlouisskylights.com/images/commercial1.jpg
Lighting Power Density (LPD) What is Lighting Power Density? Watts per square foot (W/sf) Example: 200 sf office with 100W of lighting LPD actual = 100/200 = 0.5 W/sf LPD maximum = 1.0 W/sf Interior Lighting Power Allowances Building Area Type (W/sf) Hotel 1.0 Library 1.3 Office 1.0
Lighting Power Density (LPD) Whole Building LPD Determined by building occupancy Interior & Exterior Make sure the drawings match the in-field conditions http://www.traditionalproductreports.com/images/productreports/mica4.jpg http://outdoorlightingstlouis.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/commercial-front-1.jpg
Lighting Power Density (LPD) Project: Office complex What to look for: Total connected lighting power calculated under section 505.5.1 is no greater than the interior lighting power calculated under Section 505.5.2. Issue: Four light fixtures in 140sf office have a connected lighting power of 360W, well over 2W/sf, much higher than the allowable 1W/sf
Product Identification: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing How does the inspector identify products and how do they determine if they comply with code? http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qfligmtnz1g/rgmf2hgi83i/aaaaaaaaamw/2nnv37-7njk/dsc00177.jpg
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Recap What to look for: Equipment Efficiencies But a lot more too Controls Energy recovery Testing and documentation Ventilation A d ore Do the drawings match what was installed?
Inspection Phase Four Re-Inspection and Final Inspection Section 506
Requirements for HVAC Testing Written certification needs to be provided showing HVAC tests have been performed Completed by a registered design professional Test reports must be kept by the design professional and are available to the code official
Re-Inspection and Final Inspection Any non-compliant items previously inspected - These items can NOT be covered up until visually inspected Inspection of any newly installed components Building shall not be occupied until final inspection has been done and approved
Re-Inspection and Final Inspection Obtain revised energy code compliance documentation if any changes have been made during construction Ensure all Operations and Maintenance manuals have been provided
Re-Inspection Remedies Re-run ComCheck Still fails: - May need to boost numbers in other areas if construction is complete or, -Switch to ASHRAE Deny Certificate of Occupancy (COO)
References Energy Conservation Contruction Code of New York State. Washington, D.C.: International Code Council, August, 2010. The U.S. Department of Energy presents Inspecting for the Commercial Provisions of the IECC. Whittier, CA: International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO ), April 2002. COMCheck 3.8.1 Free downloaded program by Pacific NW National Labs ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007
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