Typical K-12 Retro-Commissioning Project
Field Engineering Services

Project Profile:

Owner:		Board of Education
Project Type:		K-12 School Facility
Square Footage:		150,000

Project Details:
Unlike current schools being constructed under the New Jersey New School Construction Program, many recent school construction projects did not include Commissioning as part of the Design, Construction and Start-up Process.

Because of this, many of the sites' HVAC systems are plagued with operating problems even prior to the building being officially occupied.  Once the building becomes occupied, the extent of the system deficiencies is fully realized.  Typical problems can include:

-  Unacceptable office and classrrom temperature and humidity levels creating a difficult learning environment
-  Frequent loss of HVAC system functionality
-  Failure of electrical starters, motors and controls components
-  Mechanical failures of valves and pump couplings
-  Higher than anticipated operating expenses

In order to alleviate these problems, many school facilities are turning to the retro-commissoining commissioning.  Retro-cx is a systematic process of reviews, inspections and testing which ensures systems have been designed, installed and operate properly to efficiently meet the needs of the building's occupants.

Dome-Tech was recently asked to retro-cx with a school's HVAC system when the township was not satisfied with the response from the mechanical contractor.  The scope of the project included:

-  Review of the system's design and specifications
-  Physical inspection of the HVAC equipment
-  Functional testing of the mechanical equipment and control systems
-  Review and testing of the building automation system

Identification and correction of deficiencies is ongoing.  Problems have ranged from fundamental testing and balancing and controls issues to installation and equipment defects as well as power quality issues.  To date, over 300 issues have been identified.  All of these issues have a direct impact on the comfort of the occupants and the reliability and efficiency of the systems.

Dome-Tech continues to work with the Township to ensure all problems are rectified and that they obtain the modern, efficient school they envisioned during the planning stages of the project.