HVAC System Analysis

System Component Descriptions:

Roof Top Unit (RTU #1-6) - The Roof Top Units are air handlers that are on the
roof of the building. Each unit heats and cools its own zone. Supply and return
ductwork connect to these units as they regulate and circulate air in each
designated area of the building. These units range from 2-5 ton nominal capacity
and are gas/electric units which use refrigerant to cool and natural gas to heat.

Rooftop Unit on roof curb

Ductwork - Ductwork is a system that delivers or removes air. It works with the
whole entire system moving supply, return and exhaust air. Duct for this project
varies as there is round flex duct and rectangular sheet metal ductwork.
Ductwork is typically insulated to regulate temperature control within the system.

Fire damper - These are a form of passive fire protection within ductwork. They
close shut when they are exposed to high temperatures preventing the spread of
a fire and/or smoke. Fire dampers can be found throughout the whole entire
HVAC system within round and rectangular ductwork.

HVAC piping - Piping for this building system features Type L copper for
refrigerant lines and Type M copper for condensate lines. The refrigerant lines
transfer refrigerant to the coils to cool the building and condensate lines transfer

HVAC System Analysis

condensate drainage to drains required. Both refrigerant and condensate lines

are insulated.

Roof Top Exhaust Fans (REF #1-9) - The Roof Top Exhaust Fans are electric
powered fans that work to remove hot or humid air out of localized areas. This
allows fresh air to enter from supply duct. The warm air that is drawn out is pulled
through a ducting system and expelled outside. These exhaust fans are found in
the Locker Room, PPE/Boot Room, Hazmat/Decontamination Room, and all
restrooms/bathrooms. Rooms with larger room volume such as the Locker Room
typically have larger exhaust fans than those of smaller rooms since more fresh
air is needed in those areas.

Carbon Monoxide Sensor - This is a device that detects the presence of carbon
monoxide gas. When levels are high it activates fans to ventilate the area. This
sensor is located in the Apparatus Room, where fire trucks will be constantly.

Unit Heaters (UH #1-3) - These heaters are heated by natural gas and
conditions are changed by thermostatic control. For ventilation, there are
destratification fans and wall exhaust fans in the area. These heaters heat the
Apparatus Room most likely during colder weather.

Ceiling Diffuser and Return Grilles - These are covers over ductwork in the
ceiling of a room. Diffusers typically have channels or slots that direct supply air
flow in specific directions. Return Grilles extract air from a room and recycle it
through the system so it can be further conditioned.

Ceiling Diffuser (right) with nearby return grilles in a grid system and a return grille (left)

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Brick vent (BV) - This vent serves as permanent means for ventilation in the
mechanical room of the building. It is placed in the wall of the building and they
typically vary in sizes based on standard masonry blocks.

Intake Louver (IL) - Louvers are shutters with horizontal angled slats designed
to take in air or exhaust it. An intake louver is located in the Apparatus Room
connected to the SCBA/Repair Room. The louver works to bring in air from
outside the building.

Louvers located in a wall

Wall Exhaust Fans (WEF #1-2) - Wall Exhaust Fans exhaust air to better
ventilate an area and essentially exhaust stale air. The Apparatus Room has
two motorized exhaust fans that exhaust air to better ventilate the air with fresh
air. One runs continuously which has a lower HP so there is constant ventilation
within the area.

Outdoor Vent Hood - The outdoor vent hood draws heat, odor, and smoke from
the gas grill in the patio area. Since the space is covered, outdoor ventilation is
needed in the area. An external blower on the roof pulls the unwanted air up
through the outdoor vent hood and discharges it into open space.

Kitchen Hood - The kitchen hood serves as a form of exhaust for any heat,
smoke, and odor that is produced in the kitchen. The hood pulls the unwanted air
through duct and it is expelled through a roof cap.

Roof Caps/Roof Dryer Caps - All of the roof caps ventilate the building. Roof
dryer caps are connected to dryers which expel the hot air produced from the

HVAC System Analysis

dryers to the roof. Specific roof caps are connected to equipment to allow proper
ventilate and expulsion of unwanted air. Belmont caps throughout standing seam
metal roof areas serve as attic ventilation.

Destratification Fans (DSF) These variable speed controllable fans gently

bring warm air down from ceilings in cold weather and mix cool air in warm
weather for lower operating costs. They are located in the large Apparatus
Room.

Control System and Installer:

The HVAC subcontractor and the Electrical subcontractor work together to install the
control system as well as with MEP trim out work. Most items such as thermostats, fan
shutdown controls, and control wiring will be installed by the HVAC subcontractor, but
power wiring and empty conduit for control wiring as indicated on electrical drawings is
to be provided by the Electrical Subcontractor. Required control wiring and conduit not
indicated on electrical drawings is to be done by the HVAC Subcontractor. The HVAC
system is to be controlled by thermostats. All thermostats are to automatically change
over between heating and cooling for the roof tops units. The unit heaters are to be
controlled via thermostats as well with the heaters having intermittent ignition. For the
roof top units, each thermostat is to control the designated area that the roof top unit
supplies and returns air to. The outdoor exhaust hood and kitchen hood have standalone controls.

HVAC System Analysis

Circulated by a compressor,
refrigerant is pumped to a
condensing coil, where it converts
from gas to liquid

The air is taken back to the rooftop

units for reconditioning and
recirculation.

Refrigerant travels from the

condensor coil through an expansion
device to the evaporator coil

The same conditioned air is removed

via return ductwork and grilles in
order to maintain required balance
and pressure.

Air passes through the filter and the

evaporator coil, being cooled

The cool air is delivered to various

areas via ductwork. Diffusers
distribute the conditioned air
throughout the rooms. The air is
supplied by certian quantity per
design

Cooling Cycle Process

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Heating Cycle Process

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Natural gas is pumped into the unit

and combusted

The air is taken back to the rooftop

units for reconditioning and
recirculation.

The combusted gas travels

throughout a heat exchanger,
heating the evaporator coil

The same conditioned air is removed

via return ductwork and grilles in
order to maintain required balance
and pressure.

Air passes through the filter and the

evaporator coil, being heated

The cool air is delivered to various

areas via ductwork. Diffusers
distribute the conditioned air
throughout the rooms. the air is
supplied by certian quantity per
design

HVAC System Analysis

Energy Conservation Measures:

The HVAC system of the building has some energy conservation measures based on
the design. The use of single packaged gas/electric roof top units allow for a heating
and cooling system that is more energy efficient and runs at a lower operating cost. In
warm weather, the package gas/electric system functions as an all-electric, high
efficiency air conditioner. In cold weather, it operates as a natural gas furnace, offering
you the best of both energy worlds. By using multiple roof top units to heat and cool
specified areas of the building, the amount of space the units have to heat or cool is
reduced, resulting in less energy consumption across all units. Also, the systems will
cycle on and off as the interior temperature needs to be adjusted.
Another conservative energy measure is the design of the large Apparatus Room. For
heating, unit heaters powered by natural gas cut down on energy costs and are efficient
for heating. For cooling, air is circulated by exhaust fans and destratification fans
without the use of any HVAC units or ductwork. The destratification fans can efficiently
circulate both cool and warm air depending on the weather.
Why Use This System:
Considering its purpose and scope of use, the fire station system design appears to be
ideal. Based on the climate, cooling is most likely to occur more than heating. The fact
that the large Apparatus Room is not cooled by ductwork and units can cut down on
electric costs. It is basically cooled by circulating fresh air. It is conservative to use
multiple roof top units to heat and cool specified zones which proportional to their
output. The use of single package gas/electric roof top units also makes for easier
install and maintenance. In addition to this, using natural gas heating over electric cuts
down on energy costs.
HVAC System Schedule Impacts:
Many HVAC systems being installed into a building can have a direct impact on the
schedule. One example is HVAC roof work. All roof curbs and roof penetration devices
must be installed prior to roof installation. In addition to this, the roof has to be
completed before any roof equipment is flown in and placed on the roof. A key schedule

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impact would be material procurement. This project has many components, like
ductwork and roof top units. These can potentially have long lead times. It is key to get
these material submittals approved as soon as possible so they can be ordered so
potential delays in the schedule can be prevented. Some parts of the system cannot be
installed unless other components are there. Another schedule impact would be start
up, testing and balancing. After the whole system is installed, startup testing needs to
occur and adjustments need to be made to balance air movement systems and
hydronic systems before occupancy. Also, adjusting all air devices is necessary to
prevent drafts on occupants. This could potentially delay handing the system over to the
owner at the end of the project, thus delaying the date of completion. Coordination with
other trades is key, as there are integral parts of the HVAC system with the Electrical &
Plumbing systems. Shop drawings need to be checked and approved so that there are
no clashes within other systems such as plumbing or electrical. Poor coordination could
result in a clash in the field rather than just on a model or drawings, resulting in more
time to correct it, thus delaying the schedule.