Tuesday, 28 June 2016: 3:15 PM-4:45 PM
HVAC Systems and Equipment
Chair:
Alonzo Blalock, P.E., Jacobs Engineering
Technical Committee: 09.01 Large Building Air-Conditioning Systems
This program explains the multi-year project to provide new ‘skin’ to the existing 22 story Federal Office building in Downtown Houston – and the process of renovation of complete interior HVAC and lighting systems; working thru two floors per cycle, while all other aspects of the building remained in use for occupants. The project includes: use of VAV diffusers for room air distribution; use of Fan Wall in the replacement AHUs; complete new DDC control that includes overlay control to the new lighting system; large PV system installed on remote parking structure; and the enhanced performance of new envelope.
1 Designing the New Look
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Thomas Shelton |
The Leland Renovation Project added significant architectural value to the built environment in downtown Houston. Previously the building was a Class C office building with a leaky, poorly insulated, dated exterior, a narrow crowded lobby and very inefficient mechanical systems. The architectural challenge included completely reskinning the building with a new, insulated and laminated (blast-resistant) glass curtainwall system. The challenge was complicated by the requirement to complete the renovation project without moving building occupants out of the building. The project requirements included achieving a 30% reduction from ASHRAE 90.1 2007 baseline. This was accomplished using a high performance curtainwall system.
2 Planning Renovation of an Occupied Building
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James Penland |
In March of 2010 Gilbane was given the assignment to lead a Design Build effort to do a complete renovation to the twenty two story Leland Federal Office Building in Houston, Texas by the General Services Administration. The assignment included the replacement of the existing skin, a complete replacement of the air distribution system, a new lighting system, new fire suppression system, upgrades to the restrooms to comply with ADA, relocation of the cafeteria, reworking the main Lobby and a complete replacement of the site and all access points into the building.
3 Upgrades to the HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing Systems
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Gary Poole, P.E. |
Renovations to the Mickey Leland Federal Building (MLFB) included upgrades to the HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing and Automation systems that improved occupant comfort and conserved the energy and water associated with these systems. Overall, the scope included upgrades to the chiller plant, and replacement of the air distribution and lighting systems that served the occupied spaces. The air handling unit fans were based on the use of a fan array with variable frequency drives. Complementing the upgrades to the HVAC systems, the lighting systems were replaced with LED style light fixtures which include control systems based on both occupancy and daylighting.
Commissioning Testing of the VAV Diffusers and PV
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Alonzo Blalock, P.E., Jacobs Engineering |
The project included installation of VAV Diffusers for the floor spaces. The project was to
demo all ceiling and ductwork and the AHU on a 2 floor area, starting at the top floors. Then
installation of new duct and the VAV diffuser system. Multiple testing runs were made of the
initial installation to arrive at a suitable control arrangement and testing pattern.
Commissioning for the varied operations required development of a different testing regimen
than had been typical for VAV systems. Tracking of the PV output with the BAS system is available to the Regional office in Ft Worth.
demo all ceiling and ductwork and the AHU on a 2 floor area, starting at the top floors. Then
installation of new duct and the VAV diffuser system. Multiple testing runs were made of the
initial installation to arrive at a suitable control arrangement and testing pattern.
Commissioning for the varied operations required development of a different testing regimen
than had been typical for VAV systems. Tracking of the PV output with the BAS system is available to the Regional office in Ft Worth.
4 We Taught the Old Dog a New Trick
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Kendall Waldie, P.E. |
When the project was completed, the tenants were delighted to find the occupant comfort was significantly improved. The temperature and humidity levels are stabilized and the building holds a consistent temperature across zones. The lighting levels are much more appealing and the space is bright and welcoming even though the heat transmission is greatly reduced. With the integration of the HVAC, lighting, occupancy and potentially building access controls the energy consumption in the facility has dropped over 40% since the pre-construction survey baseline.