strategies for a meaningful design review by tom anderson
DESCRIPTION
Tom Anderson's presentation at the ASHRAE Winter 2012 Conference in Chicago, IL. Discover how the Design Review (DR) process can provide the building owner with significant value. Done well, a commissioning DR can help the team control construction costs while ensuring that building systems and equipment are optimized to meet the owner's needs. This presentation teaches viewers how to conduct meaningful design reviews to help the design team meet the Owner's Project Requirements. The presentation also addresses the financial benefits of DR, scheduling design review for maximum benefit, the mechanisms of the DR process, and presentation and communication strategies that enable the design team and owner to fully consider alternative approaches proposed in the DR process. This presentation was given by Tom Anderson, CCP, Principal of Cx Associates, LLC, on January 23, 2012 at the ASHRAE Winter 2012 Conference.TRANSCRIPT
STRATEGIES FOR A MEANINGFUL DESIGN REVIEW
THOMAS ANDERSON, CCP
Burlington, Vermont cx-associates.com
I. Learning Objectives for this Session
• Understand the methodology and process of meaningful design reviews
• Learn presentation strategies to enable the designer and owner to seriously consider suggestions
• Know how to support optimized system performance through design review
ASHRAE is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to ASHRAE Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available on request. This program is registered with the AIA/ASHRAE 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.
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Design Review Presentation Overview
I. Learning Objectives II. Benefits III. Process IV. Presentation Strategies V. Conclusion
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Presentation Acronyms
• DR: Design Review • Cx: Commissioning • CxA: Commissioning Authority • OPR: Owners Project Requirements • BoD: Basis of Design
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II. Design Review Benefits
Owner asks:
• “Why Design Review?”
• “I hire the best architects & engineers.”
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Design Review Benefits
• CxA Provider Offers: – Independent set of eyes – Perspective from installations and
operations – Known areas of concern
• We all have individual, unique blind spots 6
Financial Benefits of Design Review
• Can reduce construction costs – Examples:
• Avoidance of system oversizing • Chilled Water Design Delta T:
• Initial 10°F Delta T • DR: Use 15°F Delta T or greater • Reduced initial cost • Permanent reduced operating cost
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Financial Benefits • 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.
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III. Design Review Process
When should DR occur?
IDEALLY: Schematic Design Design Development 95% CD (With controls 100% complete)
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III. Design Review Process
DR Verifies Compliance with
• Owners Project Requirements (OPR)
• Basis of Design (BoD)
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DR Process
• DR must be in Cx scope – Required for LEED Enhanced Cx
• Will not accept project without DR
– (Our company policy)
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DR Process Schedule
• CxA DR: 2 weeks • Designer Response: 1 week • CxA reviews response & closes items
with no further action required • DR Meeting: ASAP • CxA Updates: 2 days
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DR Meeting
• Face to Face meeting best • Owner presence is critical • Discuss solutions and next steps
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Sample DR Table
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Back-check
• Have items been implemented? • Check at each new DR phase • Designer follow-through is a frequent
problem
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Back-check
• Required for LEED Enhanced Cx • Document Back-check Results • Back-check: include in CxA fee
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IV. Presentation Strategies
• DR Comment Fundamentals: – Maintain a respectful/positive tone – Avoid authoritarian tone – Never ever make Designer look bad
• State the Issue
• State the Solution/Opportunity
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“In Our Experience”
• 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
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“In Our Experience Example” A Question Format is
• 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?”
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Reference Local Codes
Example:
“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
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Design Conflicts Example:
“Reheat coil detail conflicts with the control schematic diagram.”
“…reconcile conflicts during final checking.” “… as the design progresses.” “… as the design is finalized.”
• Non-threatening • No one expects error free progress design
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Energy Cost Opportunities
• Identify Opportunity Clearly • Estimate Annual Savings
• Estimate cost impacts • Include spreadsheet (.pdf)
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Energy Cost Reduction Example:
• “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.”
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Energy Cost Reduction CxA’s Need To:
• Have a clear understanding of efficiency opportunities
• Develop tools to quickly analyze
opportunities
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“Evolving Practice”
Be careful using “Good Practice” in comment: • Can appear subjective • Reference “newly available information”
• New approaches have been proven effective
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Evolving Practice Example • “VAV main supply duct calls for extractors and
splitters. The recently published “Advanced VAV System Design Guide, California Energy Commission” suggests avoiding these.
Reference: Advanced VAV System Design Guide, California Energy Commission
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Code/Standard Compliance
Reference a Code or Standard:
• A powerful method
HVAC: ASHRAE, SMACNA, etc. Plumbing: ASPE, etc.
Lighting: IESNA
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Code/Standard Compliance Example: • “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.’”
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Design Review Mindset
A Frustratingly Poor Design
• Avoid commenting when frustrated
• Imagine designer is close friend • Be tactful while working towards Owner’s
best interests
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Design Review Mindset Recognize:
• Team working to meet Owners‘ interests • Designers face time & financial pressures • Share knowledge & experience while being
respectful (They have knowledge too!)
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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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Technical Resources
• California Commissioning Collaborative
• Cx Assistant™
• cacx.org
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California Commissioning Collaborative:
Design Review Tool Module Master 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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