ASHRAE 189.1

I recently read an article discussing ASHRAE 189.1 and its many requirements. At first I thought, "not a another green building standard" but as I dug into it further I discovered that it was a practical guide for implementing many of the requirements of LEED V3.0. One big advantage I saw was its prescriptive language and how if followed could yield energy savings around 30% over a building designed to ASHRAE 90.1. Apparently ASHRAE worked with USGBC in evaluating the results of energy saving measures provided through LEED building case studies and condensed them into a standard written like a code. I for one welcome the standard and look forward to using it in my practice. I found the following article helpful in learning more: http://www.eco-structure.com/green-standards/natural-progression.aspx

They can use the gym

The last two work days were reminiscent of my days at South Pole where we were readying the facility for the design team visit. We would work and work hoping to get things perfect. In the most recent case we needed to get the DEW P.E. Complex a certificate of occupancy so they could use it when classes start on August 16. We thought we had everything ready but then a control board suddenly failed and the state fire inspector cancelled. At best we were going to scramble and with the two problems it looked unlikely the school could use the complex. Fortunately the controls tech used a creative solution to get all the air handlers operating. Both air handlers serving the locker rooms had the same sequence of operation so the tech mapped the air handler 4 devices to the air handler 3 board and the two would track together until a new board arrived. It was a good temporary solution that provided the locker rooms with code required ventilation and exhaust.

The fire inspector showed on Friday, one day late, spent 20 minutes testing the safety devices and handed the project manager the paper work he needed. He went to an office, scanned the documents and emailed them to the state in hopes that on Friday in August enough people were in their offices to process the paper work and issue certificate of occupancy. Late in the afternoon the schools facility manager received a calling saying they could use the building.

Hats off to Design Mechanical, Lon Kersting and the electrician Perry for getting it going

BVHS Mechanical & Electrical Upgrades.

The summer has brought construction of a project at the local high school. It started as a boiler replacement that removed an old steel tube boiler and replaced it with two condensing gas boilers. To make maximum use of the boilers condensing features, the school also replaced the existing blower coils with new semi custom air handlers. The School originally did not have the funds to start the project so it was put on hold for about year and during that time we were tasked with writing a grant application to The Governors Office of Energy Efficiency which resulted in a $130k award for the project. Now it is a year latter and the contractors are finishing the controls in time for school.

Mmmmm pretty stainless steel!

New fan room on the second floor to house the new Temptrol air handlers and new supply air duct constructed of fabric (notice the new fabric duct in the gymnasium also!)

LEED AP BD+C

Yea, Kirk passed the LEED Building Design and Construction Exam.