Hello.
Apologies for posting on two credits but Scott Bowman rightfully suggested I re-post here.
Regarding an ice cream manufacturing facility where we are managing the Cx process I have two queries related to HVAC:
We have been integrating with the refrigeration (mostly process but supplying chilled water to HVAC via a heat exchanger) plant's commissioning process and getting that up to standard after all. I have now received the ASHRAE 90.1 mandatory provisions forms back for this equipment and it seems as though some of the compressors/chillers IPLV efficiency is lower than required. However most of them are better than required and the total refrigeration plant (weighted average of the efficiencies) is better than the required value. Will this be acceptable and can we have the designer on record complete the form for one average plant?
- the process area, substation and utility room are intended for continuous operation and thus so is the HVAC system serving these spaces (besides shutdown minimal preventative/scheduled maintenance of the HVAC system). I note that ASHRAE 90.1-2007 calls for motorised dampers (and in the case of this max 2 story building, allows gravity dampers) §6.4.3.4.2 and §6.4.3.4.3. The former exempts the dampers for unconditioned spaces but the latter does not have this exclusion (whilst ASHRAE 90.1-2010 does have an exemption for ) and neither have exemptions for manufacturing spaces that run effectively continuously. Do you have guidance on both the need for gravity dampers in this situation for unconditioned spaces as well as continuously operating spaces/systems (they are not always the same)
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
February 12, 2015 - 11:40 am
IPLV - this requirement is for each piece of equipment individually. The weighted average of the whole plant is not a criteria for compliance.Check out the note under Table 6.8.1C. If a chiller produces chilled water under 40 degrees it is not covered by the standard and therefore does not have a minimum efficiency.
Dampers - both sections indicate these are requirements for "when the spaces served are not in use". Sounds like you can make the case that the spaces are in continuous use and therefore these sections are not applicable.
André Harms
Ecolution Consulting1 thumbs up
February 13, 2015 - 7:39 am
Many thanks Markus.
I simply overlooked that note, thanks for bringing that to my attention; all our lines are thus exempt.
How confident can I be about the case you make for spaces that are in continuous operation, would you recommend approaching the council for an opinion?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
February 13, 2015 - 4:34 pm
I cannot assess your confidence level. Are you confident enough to check the box?
I can tell you that this is not an issue that it typically evaluated at all in the LEED review. If you are confident that you meet this mandatory provision then just say so. No one will question it.