infrared survey sample7/19/2008. . 23. attic left- is hole in elevator shaft , allowing conditioned...

7/19/2008 www.infraredsurvey.com 1

Infrared SurveySample


IntroductionJohn Cannamela :Level II Thermographer ASNT II Vibration AnalystHVAC Licensed Journeyman20 years Building Diagnostics & Commissioning


The following issues were addressed:

Test and balance HVACCheck building envelope for infiltrationAlter building pressure from negative to positive


Topics of DiscussionWhat is IRHow to use IRHVACBalancingBuilding resultsPictures HVAC report


What is Infrared IR is part of the electromagnetic spectrum discovered in the 1800’sBy William Hershel


IR 101The IR imager sees emitted energy in the IR spectrum range from (shortwave) 3-5 microns (longwave)7-13 microns. The amount of energy is seen through the imager. The reason everything thing is colored is to give the eye something to interpret.Interpretation is key with Thermography.


IR examplesBuilding DiagnosticsElectricalRoof/water leaksMechanicalLocate pipesMany more

FLIR Systems

Hot Bearing

FLIR Systems

Open window in return chase

air infiltration in yellow

FLIR Systems

Chill return Chill return

Chill supply

Sp2:temp 48.8Sp1:temp 38.5

Sp4:temp 44.3

Chill supply

Sp3:temp 38.5

38.1

57.9 °F

40

50

FLIR Systems


Building HVAC 101Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Buildings are conditioned by adding orremoving heat from a given space througha medium. In this case the medium is air.The air is circulated through a refrigeratedcoil or DX coil, which removes heat andtransfers the heat through the refrigerant tothe condenser coil, via a fan. Dirty filters orpoor air flow causes coils to freeze andcompressor failure.


Building HVAC 101Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning cont.

Ventilation, aside from heating or cooling, means to exchange or move air to and from a given area. This is necessary for several reasons.1. Fresh air –ASHRAE standard

for people2. Fresh air for combustion, stoves

and boilers3. Exhaust for bathrooms and

cooking, elevators, and mechanical rooms


Test and BalancingT & B is performed to allow theHVAC system to perform efficientlyfor comfort and energy. Also to provide thebuilding a means of controlling moistureintroduced via showers etc. . Too muchexhaust will introduce unconditioned airthrough windows and doors. Unconditionedair causes moisture issues. A positivepressure building is desirable.


Building equipment status

Temp/RH-Upon arrival aver-77 Deg F 75% -0.08in build pressPost adjustment Temp aver-68 Deg F 67% +0.01 build press* w/ Kitchen & meeting room Exhaust fans off


Building layout

B

Meeting


EF 14 & 15 Corridors A&BEF #14 & #15 serving the corridors had disabled time clocks. Enabling these time clocks would help maintain/increase positive pressure in the corridors during non use hours:For example :10 pm to 5 am and 10 am to 4 pm.

Missing pins on 24/7


Lobby and LoungeRTU #2-Lobby & RTU #3-Lounge had blocked returns


Lobby and Lounge unitsInside of returns of RTU #2-Lobby & RTU #3-Lounge units and condenser coil. Both affect air flow and unit operation. Units should be replaced, and duct work cleaned.

Pitted and blocked coils, poor heat exchanger.

Plugged or missing traps and poor air flow cause excess moisture-growth.


Meeting roomsMeeting rooms with moisture problems, mostly due to blocked returns & lack of air flow through rooms.

www.infraredsurvey.com

Blue area’s below black above are cold- moisture meter shows over 30%


Meeting RoomsMeeting rooms A & B had blocked

return air grilles.


Roof tops Kitchen & meeting Rooms missing or plugged traps

Plugged and missing traps cause excess water build up in the drain pans and overflow back down the duct. Traps are needed due to the negative pressure in the return area. without them the condensate won’t drain properly.

Missing traps

Plugged Trap


Kitchen Roof topMissing traps cause water to over flow inside of unit and gets pulled over evaporator coil into fan section.


Kitchen Hood

Kitchen hood starter :Besides fan shroud being corroded through, the contactors are hot.


Typical Room / PTACRusted PTAC bases and poor window and or insulation allow infiltration of moisture into the building & envelope.

Areas in yellow is heat. OA temp 98

room temp 74


Attic

Attic penetrations need to be sealed. Cold air in blue causes condensation that has run down into the interior walls and cause moisture to build up with no where to drain to.



hot moist attic air will condense here and fall down conduit

63.8

92.0 °F

65

70

75

80

85

90

FLIR Systems

70.1

88.8 °F

75

80

85

FLIR Systems


AtticLeft- is hole in elevator shaft , allowing conditioned air to flow in attic : or worse smoke & fire.Bellow is broken fire damper .Doors are propped open which allow more air to flow into the attic which helps but all are

Fire hazard’s

Fire damper

should be open for

ventilation

Looking from attic space

Looking from attic space

Partition door should be

closed

Fire damper


AtticMissing or misplaced insulation cause cold spots which cause condensation.


notice uninsulated space is actually affecting roof area above

72.9

84.2 °F

74

76

78

80

82

84

FLIR Systems


AtticAttic penetration-cooler temps produce condensation-Notice Rust



AtticAttic penetration- Attic temp 95 at 7AM Outside temp 85 degrees-Notice penetration Temp.Multiplied times hundreds of unsealed penetrations and higher humidity.



Attic above kitchenAttic ductwork showing Cold air leaking. Blue area is cold

65 degree air leak

Duct-board has low life span www.infraredsurvey.com


Equipment summaryAll thermostats need to be calibrated or replaced and/or night setback’s programmed.All returns needed to cleaned and/or dampers forced to the “open” position.All exhaust fans need timer switches installed and/or put back in operation-(EF-14 &15 main corridors) except for mechanical/electrical rooms.Attic penetrations need to be sealed.All Roof Top Units need traps on condensate drain lines.Air flow in attic should be conditioned, if sealing the attic envelop does not stop the moisture infiltration into the attic/hotel interior walls.Fire Hazards in attic need to be addressed.


Mechanical lifeThings in the mechanical world have a lifeexpectancy, which are determined by three things:

1. Proper maintenance2. Manufacture flaws3. Installation

Most things that are poorly installed, misaligned, orhave a manufacturing flaw, fail in the warrantystage. Poor maintenance will cause failures at theworst possible time of operation, according toMurphy’s Law.


Data InterpretationCollecting data is half the picture. Experience of the subject and conditions of which the data is collected is the most important part of these technologies.They are just tools- Phenomenal tools.


State of the Art Equipment

FLIR (IR) AlnorFlukeEx-techAll are used by the US NAVY, Boeing, NASA and many other top companies.


QuestionsThank you: John CannamelaInfrared SurveyCharlotte, NC704-200-6367www.infraredsurvey.com

infrared survey sample7/19/2008. . 23. attic left- is hole in elevator shaft , allowing conditioned...

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