NBCIP roundtable discussion aims to identify control problems that impact building energy use. Programming, software input / output implementation and operator interference were considered to have the highest rates of occurrence. The objective of the roundtable discussion was to obtain feedback regarding the types of building control problems that are most prevalent.
NBCIP roundtable discussion aims to identify control problems that impact building energy use. Programming, software input / output implementation and operator interference were considered to have the highest rates of occurrence. The objective of the roundtable discussion was to obtain feedback regarding the types of building control problems that are most prevalent.
NBCIP roundtable discussion aims to identify control problems that impact building energy use. Programming, software input / output implementation and operator interference were considered to have the highest rates of occurrence. The objective of the roundtable discussion was to obtain feedback regarding the types of building control problems that are most prevalent.
2521 Elwood Drive, Suite 124 Ames, IA 50010-8229 515-294-8819 or fax 515-294-9912 Email: iec@energy.iastate.edu Web sites: www.buildingcontrols.org www.energy.iastate.edu www.ddc-online.org National Building Controls Information Program Sponsors United States Environmental Protection Agency Iowa Energy Center NBCIP Report: NBCIP/02/03 NBCIP Roundtable Summary: What's Wrong with Building Controls? by John M. House. Copyright 2002 Iowa Energy Center All Rights Reserved. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Iowa Energy Center gratefully acknowledges the following individuals for their participation in the National Building Controls Information Pro- gram Roundtable: What's Wrong with Building Controls?: Barry Bridges, Sebesta Blomberg Associates; Allan Daly, Taylor Engineering; Tom Ertsgaard, Pennsylvania State University; Ken Gillespie, Pacific Gas and Electric; Thomas Hartman, The Hartman Company; Damian Ljungquist, JDL Business Services; Warren Lloyd, KJWW Engineering Consultants; Jeff Rutt, Department of Defense; Jay Santos, Facility Dynamics Engineering; and Steven Taylor, Taylor Engineering. NBCIP Roundtable Summary: Whats Wrong with Building Controls? 1 ABSTRACT As part of the scoping activities in the first year of the National Building Controls Information Program (NBCIP), roundtable discussions and interviews are being conducted with controls experts to help identify the most common control problems that impact building energy use and to help identify information needs to address the problems. The first NBCIP roundtable discussion was held January 14, 2002, at the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers Winter Meeting in Atlantic City. The objective of the Whats Wrong with Building Controls? discussion was to obtain feedback regarding the types of building control problems that are most prevalent, have the largest energy impact, and lend themselves to improvement. The experts considered programming, software input/output implementation and operator interfer- ence to have the highest rates of occurrence among the defined subcategories of control problems. Programming was also considered to be the subcategory having the largest impact on energy use, although problems stemming from software input/output implementation, input devices, controlled devices and four separate human factor subcategories were also considered to have significant impacts on energy use. Infor- mation needs that could lead to improved building controls were identified in a brainstorming session. In addition to needs related to product characteristics, process needs in the areas of design, documentation, training/education/ certification, performance verification, operation and maintenance, and dialogue were identified. 2 1. INTRODUCTION The National Building Controls Information Program (NBCIP) has been established at the Iowa Energy Center. The objective of the NBCIP is to develop a source of manufacturer-specific performance information as well as broad-based best-practice information on building controls and related components that will promote energy efficiency. Much of the work in the first year of the program involves activities aimed at under- standing the link between direct digital control (DDC) systems and inefficient energy use in buildings. One of the best sources of information concerning control-related problems is the individuals who design the systems, specify the systems, trouble-shoot the systems, and live with the systems on a day-to-day basis. As part of the scoping activities of the program, roundtable discussions and interviews are being conducted with controls experts to identify the most common control problems that impact building energy use and to identify information needs to address the problems. The first NBCIP roundtable discussion entitled Whats Wrong with Building Controls? was held January 14, 2002 at the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers Winter Meeting in Atlantic City. The participants in the roundtable were invited because of their extensive experience in the application of DDC systems to HVAC equipment. The participants consisted of seven consultants from across the country, two facilities engineers (one at a major university and the other at a government institution), and a technologist from a large utility company. A list of the participants names and brief descriptions of their professional backgrounds are provided in the Appendix. In this document the participants are referred to as the controls experts. This report summarizes the results of the roundtable. Details of the process used to obtain the results are provided in a separate NBCIP report. 1 2. RATE OF OCCURRENCE OF CONTROL PROBLEMS One of the main objectives of the roundtable was to assess the rate of occurrence of control problems based on participant experience. To accomplish this, categories and subcategories of control problems were used that were identified in an NBCIP project that reviewed case studies citing control problems in real buildings. 2 The categories and subcategories identified were: HARDWARE CATEGORY Input device Refers to problems associated with sensors, transducers, wiring, and related devices used for measuring some condition and transmit- ting information regarding that condition to the controller. Controller Refers to problems associated with the hardware device that receives sensor input data, applies control logic to those data, and causes an output action to be generated. Controlled device Refers to problems with the device that receives output signals from control- lers and changes the state of an end device. Examples include valve operators, damper operators, electric relays, fans, pumps, compres- sors, and variable speed drives. Communications Refers to problems associated with the hardware necessary for data transmis- sion between controllers in the control system (e.g., between an application specific controller and a supervisory level controller). SOFTWARE CATEGORY Setup/Installation Refers to problems arising with the control software that occur prior to building turnover to the end user. (The control experts suggested one change to the subcatego- ries replacing the subcategory title Setup/ Installation with Input/Output Implementation. This latter title is used throughout the remainder of this document.) NBCIP Roundtable Summary: Whats Wrong with Building Controls? 3 Programming Refers to problems arising from incorrect or inappropriate control logic. Operation Refers to problems arising after system start up and while the building is in operation. Data Management Refers to problems associ- ated with data monitoring, display, alarming, logging, and downloading, as well as problems with software compatibility. HUMAN FACTOR CATEGORY Operator error Refers to unintentional changes to the control system made by the operator during routine operation and maintenance that result in improper operation of a system. Operator unawareness Refers to control prob- lems arising from an operators lack of under- standing or familiarity with the control system due to inadequate training. 3. ENERGY IMPACT OF CONTROL PROBLEMS The second objective of the roundtable was to assess the energy impact of control problems. Roundtable participants were asked to indicate the energy impact of control problems from each subcategory using a weighted voting scheme of low, medium, or high. Results from this exercise are shown in Figure 2. The results in Figure 1 and Figure 2 are quite similar. In general, the subcategories of problems perceived to have the highest rate of occurrence are also perceived to have the highest energy impact. Control problems stemming from soft- ware programming were considered to have the highest rate of occurrence and the highest energy impact of all subcategories. It is interesting that all four categories of problems associated with the operator are among the top eight categories in terms of energy impact. Problems stemming from input devices, controlled devices and software input/output implementation were also considered to have significant impacts on energy use. Operator interference Refers to intentional changes to the control system made by the operator causing interference with the normal operation of the system. Operator indifference Refers to any number of control problems stemming from an operators apathy toward operation and maintenance. To assess the rate of occurrence different types of control problems, individuals were given 12 votes and asked to vote for a subcategory as an indication of how frequently control problems of that nature occur based on their experience. The maximum number of votes that any individual could apply to a subcategory was four. The results of this exercise are shown in Figure 1. Program- ming, input/output implementation and operator interference were found to have the highest rates of occurrence. Problems stemming from input devices and operator error were also prevalent. These results are strikingly similar to those found in the review of the case studies. Figure 1. Qualitative Representation of the Occurrence Rate of Control Problems. In p u t/O u tp u t Im p le m e n ta tio n Hardware Related Human Factor Related Software Related High Medium Low C o n tro lle r C o n tro lle d D e v ic e C o m m u n ic a tio n P ro g ra m m in g O p e ra tio n D a ta M a n a g e m e n t O p e ra to r E rro r O p e ra to r U n a w a re n e s s O p e ra to r In te rfe re n c e O p e ra to r In d iffe re n c e In p u t D e v ic e O c c u r r e n c e
R a t e 4 4. ACHIEVING IMPROVEMENT The final objective of the roundtable was to conduct a brainstorming session with the goal of identifying how the NBCIP can help achieve improvement in the energy efficiency of buildings through the development and dissemination of information related to DDC systems. The specific question posed was What information is needed to improve the performance of DDC systems? Following the brainstorming session, the ideas were reviewed and categorized. The two primary categories are product characteristics (e.g., clear, easy to use programming interfaces) and process improvements (e.g., better control design and engineering). The latter category encompasses all ideas that are related to the process of designing, installing, commissioning, operating and maintaining DDC systems. The subcategories under process improvements and a summary of needs identified by the group for each subcategory follow: Figure 2. Qualitative Representation of the Energy Impact of Control Problems. Design The need for proven control strategies and sequences was a pervasive sentiment in the group. Documentation Needs identified in this subcategory ranged from the early planning stages of control design to the as-built documentation and owners manuals. Examples of ideas offered were the need for: 1) a master planning guideline for owners; 2) a standard specification template; and 3) an effective way of conveying design intent. Training/Education/Certification Needs in this subcategory included: 1) training for owners, installers, and operators; 2) the development of college curricula for engineers on control system design; and 3) certification of operators. Performance Verification The need for standard field tests, protocols, and performance acceptance criteria. Operation and Maintenance The need for troubleshooting tips and a field calibration guide. Dialogue The need for improved communication among controls manufacturers, designers, installers, and end users. Clearly, solving the problems with building controls was not the goal of the roundtable. Identifying avenues that can help solve these problems was the goal, and the brainstorming session provided an excellent perspective on how these experts would approach the challenge. These ideas and results from other year one efforts will be used to shape the agenda for future NBCIP efforts Hardware Related Human Factor Related Software Related High Medium Low C o n tro lle r C o n tro lle d D e v ic e C o m m u n ic a tio n In p u t/O u tp u t Im p le m e n ta tio n P ro g ra m m in g O p e ra tio n D a ta M a n a g e m e n t O p e ra to r E rro r O p e ra to r U n a w a re n e s s O p e ra to r In te rfe re n c e O p e ra to r In d iffe re n c e In p u t D e v ic e E n e r g y
I m p a c t 5 5. CONCLUSIONS The first National Building Controls Information Program (NBCIP) roundtable discussion, What's Wrong with Building Controls? was held January 14, 2002, at the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers Winter Meeting in Atlantic City. The objective of the roundtable was to gather feedback from participants regarding the types of control prob- lems that are most prevalent, have the largest energy impact, and lend themselves to improve- ment. A previous NBCIP effort involving a review of case studies in the literature revealed that control problems stemming from input devices, software programming, and operator interference had the highest rate of occurrence. The roundtable discussion with controls experts supported these findings to a large degree and identified software programming as the subcategory having the largest impact on energy use. The experts also considered problems stemming from software input/output implementation, input devices, controlled devices and all human factor subcat- egories to have significant impacts on energy use. The experts also offered numerous suggestions concerning what information is needed to im- prove building controls. In addition to needs related to product characteristics, the discussion also identified process needs in the areas of design, documentation, training/education/ certification, performance verification, operation and maintenance, and dialogue. REFERENCES 1 House, J.M. 2002. NBCIP Roundtable: Whats Wrong with Building Controls? NBCIP Report NBCIP/02/02. National Building Controls Information Program. Ames, Iowa. 2 NBCIP. 2002. Building Energy Use and Control Problems: Defining the Connection. NBCIP Report NBCIP/02/01. National Building Controls Information Program. Ames, Iowa. 6 APPENDIX Following are brief descriptions of the roundtable participants professional backgrounds: Barry Bridges, Sebesta Blomberg Associates, is an engineer who specializes in the application of DDC systems to verify performance of HVAC systems. Allan Daly, Taylor Engineering, is a consulting engineer involved with controls design and commissioning. Tom Ertsgaard, The Pennsylvania State University, is an engineer supporting the design, installation, troubleshooting, repair, and operation of HVAC and controls systems. Ken Gillespie, Pacific Gas and Electric, is a technologist with an in-house consulting group with the primary focus of researching ways to improve building performance and commissioning techniques. The group also provides controls commissioning services at company facilities. Thomas Hartman, The Hartman Company, is a technology development and applications engineer who works with integrated systems and advanced technology control systems to improve energy performance and comfort of commercial and institutional buildings. Damian Ljungquist, JDL Business Services, is an engineer at an energy management and integration consulting and construction management firm. Warren Lloyd, P.E., KJWW Engineering Consultants, is a mechanical department manager with a consulting firm primarily involved with building design. Services to clients include design of control systems. Jeff Rutt, P.E., Department of Defense, is chief mechanical engineer at a large government institution and is responsible for oversight of all HVAC systems for 20 buildings totaling approximately 7.5 million square feet. Jay Santos, P.E., Facility Dynamics Engineering, is an engineer at a consulting firm that specializes in controls, commissioning, training, and building diagnostics. Steven Taylor, Taylor Engineering, is an engineer at a consulting firm that specializes in high efficiency HVAC system design and associated control systems. National Building Controls Information Program 2521 Elwood Drive, Suite 124 Ames, IA 50010-8229 515-294-8819 or fax 515-294-9912 Email: iec@energy.iastate.edu Web sites: www.buildingcontrols.org www.ddc-online.org www.energy.iastate.edu