May 28, 2013
When commissioning a control loop, the purpose is to evaluate the building controls system for optimization. There are different types of control loops, and with each comes a different method for commissioning. No matter the situation, what is critical is the comprehension of the control loop, how to recognize when the loop is out of tune, and how to provide stabilization for the control loop in question.
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May 14, 2013
Overall, the CaGBC Toronto Chapter Spring Open was a great event, and definitely a great place to network. I am certainly looking forward to attending the next event.
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April 30, 2013
Through our experiences working with clients who have undergone energy efficiency programs such as retro-commissioning to improve their building performance, we have found that the efficiencies they have initially realized start to disappear within two to three years. The following are recommendations to assist in maintaining and protecting the gains in efficiency that were initially achieved.
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April 23, 2013
With it being Earth Day yesterday, many of us had thoughts of what we have been doing and what we plan to do to contribute to making our world a greener place.
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April 18, 2013
There are capital costs to building commissioning, but it is important to consider the hidden costs of not commissioning.
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April 4, 2013
We found the fins and coils on a cooling tower to be very dirty in one of our retrofit projects. When cooling tower coils and fins are dirty, the heat transfer is not efficient through the coils and fins and cooling tower fans will operate more to transfer the heat to ambient. This results in higher energy consumption and reduces fans’ life expectancy.
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March 26, 2013
With LEED, green buildings, and energy efficiency being a hot topic these days, mechanical systems in buildings are becoming much more complex and more difficult to understand and control. Mechanical designers are finding new innovative ways to recover energy, to provide energy efficiency, and to cut the cost of operating the building, all while maintaining occupant comfort. The ideas and designs of these systems are all great, but what happens once the building is handed over to the Owner, and their operating staff takes over control of the building?
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March 12, 2013
The purpose of conducting verification of the controls system is to provide a third party review of the system. It is an important part of the quality control process, to ensure the Owner has a fully functional system. Are Owners truly aware of the service that will be provided when they ask for “Sampling” in the tender documents, rather than the traditional “100% Point-to-Point Verification” of a controls system?
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February 26, 2013
One task, which to our dismay, appears to be missed or neglected on many new projects, is the testing of integrated mechanical and electrical (M & E) systems at the substantial performance stage prior to occupancy of the building, when the M & E systems have been independently commissioned and are providing the design intent.
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February 14, 2013
As one of the first employees at CFMS since inception, I have observed the evolution of commissioning for over 20 years now, with one of the most significant impacts on the profession, that is, an unprecedented growth in companies offering commissioning services, being spearheaded with the US originated LEED certification process awareness of green technologies and buildings.
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