strategies for a meaningful design review - bcxa · 2016-09-28 · at the end of this session,...

Thomas Anderson, CCP

STRATEGIES FOR A MEANINGFUL DESIGN

REVIEW

21st National Conference on Building Commissioning

AIA Quality Assurance

The Building Commissioning Association is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

21st NCBC Conference 2

Design Review Presentation Overview

I. Learning ObjectivesII. BenefitsIII.ProcessIV.Presentation StrategiesV.Conclusion


At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the methodology and process of meaningful design reviews

2. Learn presentation strategies to enable the designer and owner to seriously consider suggestions

3. Know how to support optimized system performance through design review

I. Learning Objectives


DR: Design ReviewCx: CommissioningCxA: Commissioning AuthorityOPR: Owners Project RequirementsBoD: Basis of Design

21st NCBC Conference

Presentation Acronyms

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Owner asks:“Why Design Review?”

“I hire the best architects & engineers.”


II. Design Review Benefits

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CxA Provider Offers:• Independent set of eyes• Perspective from installations and

operations• Known areas of concern

We all have individual, unique blind spots


Design Review Benefits

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CxA Provider Offers:Can reduce construction costs Examples:

• Avoidance of system oversizing• Chilled Water Design Delta T:

o Initial 10° F Delta To DR: Use 15° F Delta T or greatero Reduced initial costo Permanent reduced operating cost


Financial Benefits of Design Review

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Real world example:Burlington International Airport (BTV)

Central Cooling Plant (240 ton)An Energy Efficiency Upgrade Project

DR alone increased savings by:• 150 MWh/yr 75 kW Peak ($7,500./yr)• DR Cost: $8,000.


Financial Benefits

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When should DR occur?IDEALLY:

Schematic DesignDesign Development95% CD (With controls 100% complete)


III. Design Review Process

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DR Verifies Compliance with:

Owners Project Requirements (OPR)

Basis of Design (BoD)


Design Review Process

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DR must be in Cx scope Required for LEED Enhanced Cx

Will not accept project without DR (Our company policy)


DR Process

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CxA DR: 2 weeksDesigner Response: 1 weekCxA reviews response & closes items

with no further action requiredDR Meeting: ASAPCxA Updates: 2 days


DR Process Schedule

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Face to Face meeting best

Owner presence is critical

Discuss solutions and next steps


DR Meeting

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Sample DR Table

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Have items been implemented?

Check at each new DR phase

Designer follow-through is a frequent problem


Back-check

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Required for LEED Enhanced Cx

Document Back-check Results

Back-check: include in CxA fee


Back-check

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DR Comment Fundamentals: Maintain a respectful/positive tone Avoid authoritarian tone Never ever make Designer look bad

State the Issue

State the Solution/Opportunity


IV. Presentation Strategies

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CxA experience is viable basis

Relate Cx problems from other projects

CxA experience will be accepted most designers have minimal startup experience

“Experience” is objective


“In Our Experience”

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CxA opinion not a viable basis

CxA “Opinion” is subjective

Everybody has one


“In Our Opinion”

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Highly Effective Non Threatening

“Paddle type piping flow switches always pose a startup problem in our experience because they require field trimming based on specific flow.”

“Previous project experience has shown DP type flow switches are far less problematic. Could DP switches be specified?”


“In Our Experience” ExampleA Question Format is:

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“The control spec calls for mercury type piping thermometers. Recent State of Vermont legislation prohibits mercury.”

“Can alcohol type thermometers be used?”

Designer will appreciate being informed


Reference Local Codes

Example

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“Reheat coil detail conflicts with the control schematic diagram.”

“…reconcile conflicts during final checking.”“… as the design progresses.”“… as the design is finalized.”

Non-threateningNo one expects error free progress design


Design ConflictsExample

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Identify Opportunity Clearly

Estimate Annual Savings

Estimate cost impacts

Include spreadsheet (.pdf)


Energy Cost Opportunities

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“Applying a VFD to the constant speed 10 HP HW pump will save 31,000 kWh and 4.5 kW and save $3,800./ Yr.”

“Installation cost about $1,300.”


Energy Cost Reduction

Example:

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CxAs Need To:

Have a clear understanding of efficiency opportunities

Develop tools to quickly analyze opportunities


Energy Cost Reduction

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Be careful using “Good Practice” in comment:

Can appear subjective

Reference “newly available information”

New approaches have been proven effective


“Evolving Practice”

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“VAV main supply duct calls for extractors and splitters. The recently published “Advanced VAV System Design Guide, California Energy Commission” suggests avoiding these.


Evolving Practice Example

Reference: Advanced VAV System Design Guide, California Energy Commission

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Reference a Code or Standard:

A powerful method

HVAC: ASHRAE, SMACNA, etc.

Plumbing: ASPE, etc.

Lighting: IESNA


Code/Standard Compliance

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• “Heating HW Control Diagram: VFD pump DP sensor shown very close to pump sets.”

• “ASHRAE Standard 90.1 – 2007, 6.5.4.1 states, ‘Differential pressure shall be measured at or near the most remote heat exchanger or the heat exchanger requiring the greatest differential pressure.’”


Code/Standard Compliance

Example:

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A Frustratingly Poor Design

Avoid commenting when frustrated

Imagine designer is close friend

Be tactful while working towards Owner’s best interests


Design Review Mindset

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Recognize:

Team working to meet Owners‘ interests

Designers face time & financial pressures

Share knowledge & experience while being respectful

(They have knowledge too!)


Design Review Mindset

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Always listen to Designer Response

Always Possible You Could be Wrong

Every New Project:

• We Always Learn New Things


Could I Be Wrong?

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California Commissioning Collaborative

Cx Assistant™

cacx.org


Technical Resources

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California Commissioning Collaborative:

Design Review Tool ModuleMaster Reference Guide

http://resources.cacx.org/library/holdings/DesignReview Tool Master Reference Document.pdf


Technical Resources

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DR is Most Valuable part of Cx Process

It’s Really HOW You Say It

Never Ever Make the Designer Look Bad, but:

Be Diligent Looking Out for Owners Interests


DR Conclusion

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THANK YOU

Thomas Anderson, CCP

Burlington, Vermontwww.cx-associates.com [email protected]

strategies for a meaningful design review - bcxa · 2016-09-28 · at the end of this session,...

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