Hi,
Im working on a project in Germany that consists of two high rise buildings with 30 floors each. Each floor is devided into 2 Zones. Every Zone has its own AHU which supplies 100% outside air to the rooms. The designed ACR is in compliance with DIN EN 13779, which is OK for buildings outside the U.S. and exceeds ASHRAE 62.1 standards.
Only the system fan operation is monitored by the BMS.
The PM / FM team on site already has an intensive maintainance program in compliance with the German AMEV guideline, which covers most of the aspects of IBEAM.
So we have 120 identical AHUs. Do we really have to measure ALL OF THEM to comply for EA-P1?
Do we have to do the IBEAM Audit reqired in Credit IEQ 1.1 for ALL OF THEM to earn the credit?
This would mean that the project team would be doing a lot of things twice, just a little different. the whole thing is a very time and cost consuming process.
Local law and hygiene regulations that are implemented in the projects maintainance process already ensure a high air quality.
Do you think this is sufficient for for an alternative approach?
Thanks for any opinion.
Mark
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Julia Weatherby
PresidentWeatherby Design & Co. Engineers
94 thumbs up
October 15, 2013 - 3:14 pm
I think you need to find a way to prove that ALL of them are providing sufficient outdoor air. Sampling for this credit is not sufficient. If the systems are truly identical in their distribution ductwork as well as in the equipment characteristics, then it may be sufficient to measure airflows in a sample of them, along with measuring electrical amperage draw. Then perform a physical inspection and amperage draw measurement on the rest, in lieu of actual airflow measurement, if that would save enough effort. If you have a maintenance process in place that assures high air quality, then you could submit a project CIR prior to submitting the prerequisite for review. It may be worth it to submit a CIR in this case, as this is a prerequisite and also because getting an alternative compliance path pre-approved could save a lot of time and cost.