Comprehensive Guide to Air Conditioning Inspections for Buildings

1. . Level 3 Air Conditioning Inspections for Buildings 10. CIBSE TM44 Reporting Methodology (Day 3) PRESENTED BY Anthony Balaam aircon@stroma.com

2. ALLOW TEMPERATURE TO BE CONTROLLED OR LOWERED EPBD DEFINITION INCLUDES COMPONENTS WHICH PROVIDE: WATER AND AIR DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY AND EXTRACT PROVIDE AIR CLEANLINESS CONTROL HUMIDITY HEAT RECOVERY EPBD AC Definition ALLOW TEMPERATURE TO BE CONTROLLED OR LOWERED

3. Air Conditioning System Types Air conditioning systems with rated cooling capacities of > 12kW could be:- Individual Unitary or Split Systems; Multi-Split Systems; Distributed Heat Pump Systems (VRF); Centralised Systems. Where common control is present, the cooling output can be considered as exceeding >12kW.

4. Guidance BS EN 15240:2007, BS EN 15239:2007 & CIBSE TM44:2007 • These are aimed at ‘Article 9’implimentation. • They are‘Guidance’domumrntsfor accredited inspectors. • For use on AC system capacities >12kW. • They support‘Assessment’and ‘reporting methodology’.

5. The Scope The Aim of the Inspection:- is to provide building ‘operators’and ‘owners’ with ‘information’regarding the ‘building’and‘plant performance’. also to ‘identify opportunities’ for ‘energy saving’and hence ‘operating cost reduction’. Inspection to be carried out by visual observation of:- air-conditioning plant; refrigerant sight glasses if fitted; pressure, temperature or filtergauge readings if fitted; test readings where these are not available: • Reference = BS EN 14511:2007.

6. The Scope Health & Safety Issues Inspectors have a duty to:- • Comply with relevant Health and Safety Legislation. • Draw building owner or manger’s attention to obviousinstances of inadequate maintenanceorneglect. • Especially where these might have implications for the health and safety of the building occupantsor membersof thepublic.

7. The Scope Health & Safety Issues Inspectors must ensure that:- • They are familiar with ‘current guidance’concerning the Health andSafety implications of ‘owning’and ‘maintaining’ air conditioning systems. • Seek to satisfy themselves that ‘adequate precautions’ and ‘maintenance practices’have been taken by the building ‘owner’ or ‘manager’ to minimise such ‘risks’.

8. System Efficiency Assessment of Efficiency It may be a complex process and therefore would requiring considerable investment of‘time’, ‘equipment’ and ‘expertise’; to obtain a good estimate of efficiency. it is intended to provide a ‘broad view’of the system design and operation by. • Addressing where this has been ‘compromised’. • Does not put a ‘numerical value’ on peformance. • And includes a‘view’on the sizeof thesystem with respect to the cooling load, and on alternative solutions; as required by the ‘EPB Regulations’.

9. System Efficiency Factors Affecting AC System Efficiency Operating efficiency is dependant upon:- • inherent efficiency of the system; • The state of maintenance; • How effective is the control. Can be affected by efficiencies of:- • refrigeration equipment that removes heat; • chosen refrigerant fluid and its charge within system; • heat rejection to atmosphere; • delivery of cooled airorwater to, or other means of absorbing heat from, the treated spaces; • any associated ventilation air supply and/or extract systems.

10. Provision of Advice The provision of‘advice’is required by the EPB Regulations, however there is ‘no requirement’ to act upon this ‘advice’is required by the system ‘owner’ or ‘manager’. The benefit of the ‘inspection’to the system owner or manager is the ‘provision’of appropriate ‘advice’ with regard to:- • possible ‘improvement’or ‘replacement’ of the air conditioning systems; • Any‘alternative solutions’that would ‘increase efficiency’and reduce energy consumptionandrunning costs.

11. Inspection Preparation Obtaining Sufficient Information/ Pre-Inspection Meeting: Can help to agree a clear and comprehensivescope of works for the inspection. Can help to reduce thetime and cost of the inspection. Enable the assessortoestablish if the building is withintheir competence.

12. INSTALLATION PLANT ASSET LIST O&M MANUALS ENERGY CONSUMPTION BUILDING LOG BOOK INFORMATION H&S FILES MAINTENANCE F-GAS Inspection Preparation SECTION 2.1.5.2 & 2.2 CIBSE TM44 SIMPLE PACKAGED SYSTEM INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR INSPECTION? SECTION 2.1.5.1 & 2.3 CIBSE TM44 CENTRAL SYSTEMS INFORMATION MAY BE HELD OFF-SITE

13. Extent of Inspection Time Required for Inspection Note: Risk assessment may be required for some tasks (e.g. examining inside ducts and AHUs) and should be carried out in collaboration with building owner or manager. Also account for:- • Outside operational hours. • Shut down systems. SIMPLE >12kW SPLIT ‘PACKAGED’ UNIT ~ 2 HOURS • COMPLEX SYSTEMS • INDOOR/OUTDOOR COOLING PLANT • AIR HANDLING UNITS • CONTROLS • TERMINAL UNITS, ETC. SMALLER INSTALLATIONS > 1 DAY LARGER INSTALLATIONS > 2 DAYS

14. Extent of the Inspection Inspection Sampling INDIVIDUAL OR MULTI-SPLIT UNITS 10% SAMPLE of the total number of ‘Outdoor Units’ MINIMUM OF 3 UNITS being sampled +2 UNITS IF OBSERVATIONS INCONCLUSIVE SERIES OF INDIVIDUAL OR MULTI-SPLIT UNITS In addition , an equal equal number of indoor units • COMPLEX SYSTEMS • VAV TERMINALS • FAN COIL UNITS • ACTIVE CHILLED BEAMS • ROOM HEAT PUMPS, ETC. SMALLER instalations (if fewer than 10 units are there then all shall be inspected ) 2% sample of Terminal Units should be inspected with a minimum of 5 For very large systems a maximum of 20 units may be applied For centralised systems a minimum of 10 should be inspected or 30% which ever is the greater

15. Extent of the Inspection • Inspection Sampling • Definition of Terminal Units :- • Terminal Units for centralised systems may include :- • VAV terminals • Fan Coil systems as terminal units • Chilled Beams as terminal units • Local heat recovery units as terminal units • And Ventilation units as terminal units • Water-Loop heat pumps (Versatemp-type systems) are subject to the same sampling rules as terminals • An inspector must take a representative sample of the installation on site, having regard to age and size/capacity of the components. While the minimum number of components must always be inspected, an inspector may choose to include a larger sample to improve the quality of the air conditioning inspection report being provided. • If different makes of units are present on site then at least one of each make must be inspected.

16. METERS BUT NO RECORDS REGULAR ANNUAL CONSUMPTION RECORDING MORE FREQUENT CONSUMPTION RECORDING NO METERS INSTALLED PLANT RATED INPUT POWER INSPECTOR TO TAKE METER READING AND LOG TIME/DATE ADVISE OWNER/ MANAGER TO REVIEW SCOPE ALLOWS COMPARISON TO SEASONAL EXPECTATIONS DEDUCE EXCESSIVE USE KEPT BY OWNER OR MANAGER FOR NEXT INSPECTION TO MOST ENERGY INTENSIVE IF NOT ALL IDENTIFICATION OF CONTROL ADEQUACY AND/OR APPROPRIATE USE RECOMMEND REGULAR READING AND RECORDING SUBSEQUENT RECORDING OF METER READINGS GUIDANCE ON METERING PLANS IS AVAILABLE IN CIBSE TM39 Energy Consumption and Metering:- CAN HELP ASSESSMENT IF DATA HAS BEEN RECORDED LARGER ITEMS OF PLANT EQUIPMENT ENERGY METERS/ HOURS RUN METERS (IF RECENT, WILL COMPLY TO ADL2)

17. Extent of Inspection Existing Inspection and Maintenance Regimes Aspects of inspection could be simplified or reduced by evidence of a good practiceprogramme of inspection and maintenance (e.g. filter/ heat exchanger blockage). Refrigerant leakage should be checked for as may begin at any time and inspection may help identify potential leak.

18. Guidance Good Practice Inspection and Maintenance Preparation of advice for building owner or manager regarding improvement of system performance or maintenance. Should include recommendation of scheduling frequent inspections and maintenance regimes, where not present. Some users may not understand the need for regular maintenance: • especially in non-critical applications; • less experience of principles and equipment; • unaware of responsibilities; • may not realise consequences. May be combined with F-Gas and Pressure Vessels/ Systems SafetyInspections if inspectors are appropriately qualified.

19. Inspection Procedure BS EN 15240:2007 outlines the procedure for the inspections. Further guidance is available in CIBSE TM44 (2012). • Packaged system procedure: Unitary, splits and multi-split systems. • Centralised system procedure: larger centralised systems with plant rooms, water circuits, air handling and more sophisticated controls.

20. AC Systems Packaged Systems:- include indoor units containing refrigerant-to-air heat exchangers and an integral circulation fan. Either integral with outdoor units containing refrigerant compressor, refrigerant to outdoor air heat exchanger and air circulation fan; or connected to the outdoor units by refrigeration pipework.

21. Packaged Systems Figure 1.1(Part 1) Summary of system types and their component parts (CIBSE TM44:2012).

22. Packaged Systems Unitary Packaged Units: Indoor and outdoor components in self-contained ‘unitary’ package. Installed as ‘through the wall unit’. May be reversible heat pump. May have electric resistance heater.

23. Packaged Systems Individual Split Systems:- Also referred to as ‘split packaged units’. HEAT REJECTION Ceiling REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT COOLING Wall HEAT REJECTION REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT COOLING INDOOR UNIT OUTDOOR UNIT

24. Packaged Systems Multi-Split Systems :- Also referred to as ‘multi-split packaged units’. Ceiling HEAT REJECTION REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT Wall DISTRIBUTION PIPES Ceiling SINGLE or MULTIPLE OUTDOOR UNITS MULTIPLE INDOOR UNITS

25. Packaged Systems Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems :- Allows variable control of different branches. Ceiling REFRIGERANT CIRCUITS (CAN HAVE VARIABLE FLOW) HEAT REJECTION Wall REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT BRANCH CONTROL MANIFOLD Ceiling SINGLE or MULTIPLE OUTDOOR UNITS MULTIPLE INDOOR UNITS

26. Complex Scenario Complex/ Integrated Packaged Systems :- Extensive VRF systems with:- • Multiple indoor units • Multiple outdoor units • Interlinked system controls May require further skills to assess:- • seek advice from more experienced inspectors, or those which are familiar with this type of centralised systems.

27. Centralised Systems Refrigeration equipment delivers cooling via air handling unit(s) and/or pumped water circuits, which include: • constant volume (CV) systems; • variable air volume (VAV) systems; • fan coil unit (FCU) or induction systems; • active or passive chilled beam systems. • Will incorporate morecomplex zoning; • with moresophisticated control strategiesas appropriate.

28. Centralised Systems Figure 1.1(Part 2) Summary of system types and their component parts (CIBSE TM44:2012).

29. Centralised Systems Constant Volume (CV) Systems :- AIR HANDLING UNIT EXHAUST AIR FRESH AIR INTAKE HEAT REJECTION CHILLED WATER CIRCUIT AIR COOLED PACKAGED CHILLER SUPPLY AIR EXTRACT AIR OCCUPIED SPACE

30. Centralised Systems Variable Air Volume (VAV) Systems :- AIR HANDLING UNIT EXHAUST AIR SYSTEM CONTROL FRESH AIR INTAKE MOTORISED CONTROL DAMPERS WATER COOLED CHILLER CHILLED WATER CIRCUIT T T SUPPLY AIR EXTRACT AIR SUPPLY AIR EXTRACT AIR OCCUPIED ZONE 1 OCCUPIED ZONE 2

31. Centralised Systems Fan Coil Unit (FCU) System within a VAV System:- AIR HANDLING UNIT EXHAUST AIR T FRESH AIR INTAKE BEMS SYSTEM CONTROL ZONE 3: FCU FAN COIL UNIT CHILLED WATER CIRCUIT MCDs CHILLER T T CHILLED WATER CIRCUIT ZONE 1: VAV ZONE 2: FCU

32. Centralised Systems Induction Systems :- Air recirculationinduced bypressure difference. CHILLER CHILLED WATER CIRCUIT T OCCUPIED ZONE

33. Centralised Systems Active & Passive Chilled Beams :- • Air supplied to chilled beams directly serving zones. Air is conditioned at terminal units. • Controls • Positioning • Design Philosophy SUPPLY AIR ACTIVE CHILLED BEAM OCCUPIED ZONE 1 CHILLER CHILLED WATER CIRCUIT OCCUPIED ZONE 2 PASSIVECHILLED BEAM

34. Centralised Systems Distributed Heat Pump Systems :- Water loop/reversible heat pump systems Individual reverisble water-to-air heat pumps linked to common heat injection boiler and heat rejection cooling tower. Also known as ‘versatemp-type’ system. DRY AIR COOLER HEAT REJECTION BOILER HEAT INJECTION HEAT EXCHANGER

35. Combined Systems May have multiple systems per zone. May havemultiple systems in the building. Consider all present systems. Ascertain functionality. Observe systems. Sample from all systems.

36. Reporting Part 4, Regulation 22 of EPB Requires:- a) address of the building in which the system is located; b) the name of the energy assessor; c) the name and address of the energy assessor’s employer, or if self- employed, trade name and address; d) date on which the inspection occurred; and e) the name of the approved accreditationscheme of which the energy assessor is a member.

37. Reporting Required Details of the System:- physical description of system; type of system; inventory of equipment; location of equipment and areas served. Include comments on:- any results of any measurements or calculations made during inspection.

38. Reporting Additional Advice:- Sources of good practice publications are from:- • DCLG • Carbon Trust • DECC • DEFRA • CIBSE TM44 Reference List

39. Inspection Report Air Conditioning Executive Summary template Scope of work – as laid down by the regulations/ legislation Buildings description – type, usage and location System description – type, brief inventory of all systems present Sampling quantity with reference to TM44 guidelines Comments on:- • Controls and their function • Operation • Maintenance Any additional information relevant to the building, systems and operation. Decision on whether the system is ‘undersized’ or ‘oversized’ by the following methods:- ‘Rules of Thumb Guidance’ values or by estimation via the ‘CIBSE Guidance values’

40. Inspection Report

41. Inspection Report

42. Inspection Report

43. Reference Material “Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings – A guide to air-conditioning inspections for buildings”, Department for Communities and Local Government, July 2008 “Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974”,Office of Public Sector Information “Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings – Energy Certificates and air-conditioning inspections for our buildings”, Department for Communities and Local Government, 2008 “A guide for businesses – Reducing the energy usage and carbon emissions from your air conditioning systems”, Department for Communities and Local Government, 2007 “Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008”, Statutory Instrument 2008 No.41, Office of Public Sector Information “Inspection of Air Conditioning Systems”, CIBSE TM44:2007

44. LEVEL 3 Air ConditioningENERGY ASSESSORS Training ANY QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK ON ANY SLIDE

45. STROMA Certification Ltd – Contacts Web Links www.stroma.com/certification Contacts:- STROMA Certification Ltd. 4 Pioneer Way, Castleford, WF10 5QU 0845 621 11 11 training@stroma.com

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