This retro-commissioning process was also intended to integrate FSU Utilities and Engineering Services’ previously developed Research Lab Standard (RLS) form.
“The RLS was created to formally document the airflow settings within each respective lab space and to ensure that any proposed changes to airflow set points or to the overall design of lab airflow systems was recorded for future reference,” said Jackie Bucheck, the campus lab/air resources manager.
The RLS form allows FSU Utilities and Engineering Services to maintain a repository of the most up-to-date data corresponding to all lab-related minor projects, maintenance modifications, or occupant adjustments. The forms were planned to be recorded for each individual lab within the scope of this project, then reviewed with and approved by FSU stakeholders, such as Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), before filing for record with FSU Utilities and Engineering Services.
AEI streamlined FSU’s process into a two-phase approach to deliver this service more effectively by reducing its duration and cost and minimizing the disruption to ongoing research. The result was an initial phase designated for pre-commissioning testing and data collection and a final phase for commissioning, calibration, and adjustment. AEI used a standardized commissioning software tool to develop checklists to support and formally document activities in the initial phase by recording and reporting relevant data and issues to be resolved for each lab space. Following the initial phase, the team populated the RLS forms with data from the original design, the existing ‘as found’ state, and the target values for air change rates for approval by the appropriate stakeholders at FSU. The second phase relied on test templates developed using the same commissioning software tool from the first phase to record and report relevant data for calibration and adjustments within each lab space and to document issues to be resolved. Additionally, a functional test for each fume hood was documented. Finally, each RLS form was populated with the final airflow settings for record.
Following the conclusion of the first and second phase activities in each facility, AEI developed deliverables to formally document the initial conditions, procedures, and outcomes. These deliverables described the retro-commissioning procedure in detail, explained the issues that were found, and clearly identified issues that were outside the scope of this project. The results of the retro-commissioning process for each building are summarized below.
King Life Sciences Building
The team recalibrated instrumentation and retrofitted fume hoods with sash position sensors to allow the implementation of reduced airflow rates. The performance of the sash position sensors was then verified through functional testing. The approved RLS forms documented a record of updated air change rates and associated air flow set points. The team also converted existing constant volume fume hoods to two-position flow control with sash position switches. The outcome is a substantial reduction in fume hood airflow rates, which also cascades into supply airflow in rooms with multiple fume hoods. As a result of the commissioning activities and adjustments implemented in this project, the ventilation system was optimized, and the energy used by the HVAC systems in the building has been reduced. Recalibration of control system components, replacement of failed devices, and reducing air change set points drives down the energy used by supply and exhaust fans, chilled and hot water pumps, and primary chilled water and steam systems. The illustration below shows anticipated energy savings of 13% based on existing utility information and estimates of future performance.