BuildingTechnologiesProgram

hVaccontrolsguide
forPlansexaminersand
Buildinginspectors
September 2011
authors:
EricMakela,PNNL
JamesRussell,PECI
SarahFujita,PECI
CindyStrecker,PECI
PreparedbyPacifcNorthwestNationalLaboratory
fortheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyBuildingTechnologiesProgram
2
contents
introduction 3
how to use the guide 4
code requirements and compliance checks 9
Performance Path 10
Control Requirements for All Systems 11
Thermostatic Control of Heating and Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Supply Fan Motor Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Ventilation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Heat Pump Supplemental Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Prescriptive Requirements for Simple Systems 22
Economizers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Hydronic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 26
Economizers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Variable Air Volume (VAV) Fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Humidity Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Hydronic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Hydronic Heat Pump and Unitary Air Conditioning Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Fan Speed Control for Heat Rejection Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Multi-zone Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Introduction 3
introduction
ThepurposeofthisguideistoprovideanaidthatwillmakeiteasiertoapplytheHVACcontrolrequirements
foundinbuildingenergycodes.Thisguideaddressesrequirementsdefnedbythefollowingcodesand
standards,whicharecommonbasesforthecodesthatareadoptedbystateandlocaljurisdictions:
TheInternationalEnergyConservationCode(IECC),versions2009and2012.
TheAmericanSocietyofHeatingandRefrigerationEngineeringAssociation
(ASHRAE)Standard90.1,versions2007and2010.
EnsuringcompliancewithHVACcontrolrequirementsisadifculttask,ascontrolscanbedifculttoidentifyon
plansorinthebuilding.Yetitisacrucialtask.HVACcontrolsareakeydriverofbuildingperformanceandwithout
complianceandenforcementactivitiesthecoderequirementsmaybeignored,overlooked,ormisunderstood.
Does the control system _____________?
WhenitcomestoverifyingtheproperimplementationofcertainHVACcontrols,theressimplynoway
abuildinginspectorcandoitalone.Therearetoomanypossiblesystemconfgurationstounderstand
andtoolittletime.Recognizingthislimitation,thisguideaimstoprovidecodeofcialswiththe
backgroundrequiredtoaskmeaningfulquestions.Forexample:
Doesthecontrolsystemincludeintegratedeconomizercontrol?
Doesthecontrolsystempreventsimultaneousheatingandcooling?
Doesthecontrolsystemresetthechilledwatersupplytemperaturebasedondemand?
Compliancecanthenbeachievedusingamixofthesuggestedchecksinthisguide,goodquestions,
andrequestsfortheengineerorbuildertoshowhowthesystemcomplies.
4 Introduction
howtousetheguide
Atabasiclevel,theHVACcontrolsrequiredbybuildingenergycodesareeasytounderstand.Theymake
surethatequipmentturnsonwhenitisneeded,ofwhenitisnt,andthatwhileoperatingitdoesntconsume
moreenergythanneededtomakepeoplecomfortableinthebuilding.Inthisguide,wedescribethechecks
thatplansexaminersandbuildinginspectorscanmaketoensurethatthesebasiccontrolfeatureshavebeen
properlyincludedinthebuildingdesign.
Thisisapracticalguide.Completingthechecksdefnedinthisguidewillnotguaranteethatabuildingmeets
eachspecifcHVACcontrolrequirement.Referencestotherelevantcodessectionsareprovidedtoshow
wheretolookforadditionaldetail,suchaswhenexceptionsareallowed.Nonetheless,performingthechecks
inthisguidewillgoalongwaytowardensuringthatbuildingsincludeHVACcontrolscapableofprovidinga
comfortableandhealthyenvironment,whilereducingenergywaste.
Lets Begin!
Forbothplansreviewandinspection,theprocessbeginswithidentifyingthebasiccharacteristicsofthe
HVACdesign.Thefguresbelowshowwhichsystemcharacteristicsmustbeunderstoodinordertodetermine
whichcoderequirementsapplytothebuilding.Alookatthemechanicalfoorplanwillprobablybeenough
totraceyourwaythroughthefguresandarriveattheapplicablerequirements.Youcanthenjumptothe
correspondingcolorcodedsectionsofthisguide.Eachsectionexplainstherequirementanddescribesa
methodforcheckingcomplianceatplansreviewandatinspection.
Note:Thefguresandcontrolsequencespresentedinthisguideareexamplesofwhatcodeofcials
mayfnd.Theyarenotintendedtobeusedfordesignpurposes.
How to Use this Guide 5
PrescriptiveAn approach to satisfying the code requirements under which the design and construction
must comply with the specifc system and equipment parameters set forth in the code. This contrasts with
the performance approach to compliance, under which a certain amount of fexibility in those parameters is
allowed, so long as the building utilizes less energy than a reference design.
Simple systemA system that utilizes factory-assembled HVAC equipment, called packaged or unitary
equipment. In a simple system, one such unit is assigned to each zone. The exception to this is that the IECC also
allows a heat-only system serving multiple zones to qualify as a simple system.
Complex systemAlso sometimes referred to as built-up, these systems include various componentschiller,
cooling tower, boilers, pumps, fans, and morethat are assembled on site to form the building HVAC system.
Once assembled, the system may serve multiple zones with heating and cooling.
Thermostatic control
of heating & cooling
Commercial building
Prescriptive
Path?
Prescriptive requirements
for CcmpIex5ystems
Simple system?
Control requirements
for All Systems
Ventilation
Performance Path
Heat pump
supplemental heater
Supply fan
motor control
Yes
Nc
Yes
Nc
Humidity control
Control requirements
for 5impIe5ystems
p. l3
p. l3
p. l9
p. l7
p. 22
p. 34
p. l2
p. 28
p. 24
6 How to Use this Guide
HydronicUsing water. A hydronic system is one
that circulates heated or chilled water through a loop
to provide comfort in a zone or to provide the heat
source or sink for HVAC equipment.
ZonesPortions of a building served with heating,
cooling and ventilation. Zones have similar HVAC
requirements and can therefore be served with a
single thermostat or set of sensors and a single
control strategy.
End
water loop
designed for over
300 kBtu/hr?
Economizers
Yes
No
Control requirements
for Simple Systems
Hydronic systems
p
p
p
How to Use this Guide 7
VAV fans
End
Multi-zone?
Water loop
serves heat pump(s)
or water-cooled
A/C?
Water loop(s)?
Prescriptive requirements
for CcmpIex5ystems
Economizers
Humidity control
Hydronic heat pump
and A/C systems
Hydronic systems
Nc
Nc
Yes
Yes
Yes
Nc
Fan speed control for heat
rejection equipment
Multi-zone systems
p. 44 p. 42
p. 40
p. 35
p. 34
p. 30
p. 28
p. 28
8 How to Use this Guide
Code Requirements and
Compliance Checks
10 Performance Path
PerformancePath
Manybuildingenergycodesallowbuildingstosatisfythecoderequirementseitherbymeetingeachspecifc
requirementorbydemonstratingthatthebuildingperformsaswellorbetterthanareferencebuilding
designthatsatisfesthespecifcrequirements.BothASHRAE90.1andtheIECCoferaperformancepath
tocompliance.However,evenbuildingsfollowingtheperformancepathmustmeetsomemandatory
requirementsrelatingtoHVACcontrols.
Thermostaticcontrolofheatingandcoolingandcontrolofventilationarerequiredforallbuildings;asare
somecontrolsrelatingtosupplementalheatersinheatpumps,humidityandcommissioning.Thesenearly
universalrequirementsarediscussedinthefollowingsectiononcontrolrequirementsforallsystems.Later
sectionsturntorequirementsthatmaynotbesatisfedbybuildingstakingtheperformancepath.
Control Requirements for All Systems 11
controlrequirementsforallsystems
Thermostatic Control of Heating and Cooling
Thermostaticcontrolsarerequiredineachconditionedbuildingzone.Thesedevicesmustbecapableof
settingthezonestargettemperatureforheatingandcooling.Theymustalsopreventsimultaneousheating
andcoolingofthezoneandallowforarangeofallowabletemperatures,knownasadeadband,inwhich
neitherheatingnorcoolingisprovided.Finally,thethermostaticcontrolsmustallowthesystemtoschedule
unoccupiedperiodsandoccupiedperiods,allowingforasystemstartupperiodbetween.Duringthe
unoccupiedperiod,heatingandcoolingtargettemperaturescanbesetbacktoconserveenergybyallowinga
greaterrangeofspacetemperatures.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Checkmechanicalfoorplanstoverifythatthereisatleastone
thermostatperdistinctoccupancyarea(fgure1).
Reviewthemechanicalfoorplansandmechanicalscheduletolocatecontrolsequencesandverify
thatthedesignengineerhasspecifeddeadband,setbackandschedulingcapabilities(fgures2-4).*
*Ifthebuildingisequippedwithabuildingautomationsystem(BAS),thenthesecapabilitieswillmostlikelybe
providedbytheBAS.TheBASspecifcationsormanualshouldindicatethattherequiredcapabilitiesarepresent.
12 Control Requirements for All Systems
Figure1:Mechanicalfoorplanshowingthermostatsinmultiplelocations
Figure2:Controldiagramforvariableairvolume(VAV)boxdemonstrating5degreedeadband
ZoneTemperatureControlSequence
Heatingsetpoint(70F),adjustable
Coolingsetpoint(75F),adjustable
Deadbandof5Fshallbemaintained
betweenheatingandcoolingsetpoints
min
100
70 75
Zone Temperature (F)
A
i
r

F
l
o
w

(
%
)
Figure3:Samplecontrolsequenceshowingsetbackcapabilities
UnoccupiedMode:
1. Airhandlingunitsandterminalunitswillgotounoccupiedmodewhenroomoccupancysensorsand
scheduleprogramdefnethezone(s)servedtobeunoccupied.
2. Zonetemperaturesetpointwillresetto55F(heatingmode)and85F(coolingmode).
3. Outsideairdamperinclosedposition.
Control Requirements for All Systems 13
Figure4:Samplecontrolsequenceshowingoptimumstartcapabilities
OptimumStart:Thesystemshallcalculatethetimerequiredtobringzonesfromtheunoccupiedtemperature
andhumidityconditiontooccupiedcondition.Thistimeshallbeusedtoschedulethewarm-up/cool-down
periodsuchthatoccupiedconditionsareachievedjustpriortothescheduledoccupiedperiod.
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Verifythatprogrammablethermostatsandtemperatureandhumiditysensorshave
beeninstalledasshownintheapprovedmechanicalplans(fgure5and7).
Confrmthattheinstalledthermostatshavedeadbandandsetbackcapabilities.Single
setpointthermostatswithaheat/cool/autosettingdonotcomply(fgure6).
Figure5:Temperaturesensor,asmaybeinstalledinabuildingwithabuildingautomationsystem
Figure6:Programmablethermostat,asmaybeinstalledinbuildingusingpackagedHVACequipment
14 Control Requirements for All Systems
Figure7:BASscreenshotshowingtemperaturesensorsmeasuringzonetemperatures
Additional Detail:
a) Zoning
Eachzoneisrequiredtohaveadedicatedtemperaturecontroldevice.IftheHVACsystemisdesignedto
regulatehumidity,theneachzonemustalsohaveahumiditycontroldevice.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.4.1 2007:6.4.3.1.1
2012:403.2.4.1 2010:6.4.3.1.1
b) Deadband
Temperaturecontrolsforeachzoneshallbecapableofprovidingarangeof5degreesabove/below
setpointwhennoheating/coolingoccurs.Forexample,asetpointof70Fforheatingand75Fforcooling
providesa5degreedeadbandwherenoheatingorcoolingwilloccur.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.4.2 2007:6.4.3.2,6.4.3.1.2
2012:403.2.4.2 2010:6.4.3.2,6.4.3.1.2
c) Thermostaticsetbackcapabilities
Setbackcontrolsmustbeabletosetbacktemperaturesduringunoccupiedtimesto55forheatingand
85For90Fforcooling.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.4.3.1 2007:6.4.3.3.2
2012:403.2.4.3.1 2010:6.4.3.3.2
Control Requirements for All Systems 15
d) Automaticsetbackandshutdowncapabilities
Programmablethermostatsshallbecapableofdiferentprogramsfordiferentdailyoccupancyschedules.
Theymustalsoretaininformationduringpoweroutagefor10hoursandhaveatemporarymanual
overrideoption.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.4.3.2 2007:6.4.3.3.1
2012:403.2.4.3.2 2010:6.4.3.3.1
e) Optimumstartcontrols
Thesystemcontrolsshallbecapableofvaryingthestarttimetobringeachspaceuptosetpoint
immediatelypriortoscheduledoccupancy.Thisoptimumstartcapabilityrecognizesthatthesystemwill
requireavariableamountoftimetobringzonestocomfortableconditions,dependingonthebuildings
unoccupiedconditionandtheweather.Systemswithacapacitylessthan10,000CFMmaybeexempt
fromthisrequirement.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.4.3.3.3
2012:403.2.4.3.3 2010:6.4.3.3.3
f) Zoneisolation
WheremultiplezonesareservedbyacommonHVACsystem,butwillbeoccupiedondiferentschedules,
thesystemmustincludecontrolsthatallowtheunoccupiedzonestobeautomaticallyisolated.When
isolated,theHVACsystemwillneithersupplynorexhaustairfromtheunoccupiedzones.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.4.3.3.4
2012:NA 2010:6.4.3.3.4
Supply Fan Motor Control
ASHRAE90.1-2010introducedanewrequirementforvariableairfowcontrolsinthefollowingtypesof
equipment:
Airhandlingandfancoilunitsservedbychilledwaterandhavingasupplyfanmotorlargerthan5hp.
Unitsservingasinglezoneandhavingdirectexpansioncoolingcapacityofmorethan110,000Btu/h.
Suchequipmentisrequiredtousetwospeedmotorsorvariable-speeddrivesonthesupplyfan.
16 Control Requirements for All Systems
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Reviewthefanscheduletoseethatlargefans(5hpandlarger)are
specifedwithvariablespeeddrivesortwospeedmotors.
Figure8:FanscheduleindicatingVSDtobeprovided
Fanschedule
ID Area Type Drive CFM
T.S.P.
(inH
2
O)
Basisof
Design
MaxWt.
(lbs)
Electrical
Control
Volt/Ph HP
PF-1 Stair Utility
set
Belt 8000 0.5 400 480/3 7.5 VFD
PF-4 Elevator Utility
set
Belt 10000 0.5 400 480/3 7.5 VFD
SF-1 Ofce Vane
axial
Belt 35000 200 480/3 40 VFD
RF-1 AHU-1 Vane
axial
Belt 20000 200 480/3 25 VFD
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Verifythatsupplyfanswithmotorsgreaterorequalto5hphavebeenprovidedwithVSDs(or
otherspeedcontroldevices)asindicatedonthemechanicalplans.Supplyfansmaybelocated
onrooftops(simplesystems)ormechanicalrooms(complexsystems)(fgure9).Abuilding
automationsystem(BAS)mayalsoshowwhereequipmentiscontrolledbyaVSD(fgure10).
Control Requirements for All Systems 17
Figure9:VSDinstalledonasupplyfan
Figure10:BASscreenshotindicatingVSDcontrolofsupplyfan
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:NA
2012:NA 2010:6.4.3.10
Ventilation
Thebasicrequirementofcontrolsrelatingtoventilationisthattheybecapableofreducingorshuttingdown
ventilationwhenitisnotrequired.Manysystemsarerequiredtohavemotorizedsupplyairandexhaust
dampersthatautomaticallyopenwhenthezoneservedisscheduledtobeoccupiedandclosewhenthezone
isscheduledtobeunoccupied.Systemswithlargeventilationrequirementsmustalsobecapableofvarying
theamountofventilationaccordingwiththerealtimeneedsofthezone.
18 Control Requirements for All Systems
Plans Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Ifthebuildingistallerthanthreestoriesandinclimatezones4through8,
verifythatmotorizeddampersarespecifedforoutsideairandexhaust/
reliefdampersonthemechanicalfoorplansormechanicalschedule.
Reviewthemechanicalfoorplansandmechanicalscheduletolocatecontrolsequences
andverifythatthedesignengineerhasdefnedaprocedurewherebydamperswill
beclosedandfanswillbeshutofwhenzonesareunoccupied(fgure11).
Forlargespaces(greaterthan500ft2),checkthemechanicalandelectricalfoor
planstoseethatCO
2
orothersensorsarespecifedandtiedintothecontrol
systemtoenabledemandcontrolventilation(DCV)(fgure12).
Figure11:Samplecontrolsequenceshowingdampercontrol
OutsideAirDamperControl:Outsideairintakedampersshallopeninresponsetoastartsignal.Thedampers
shallcloseandthefanshallstopinresponsetoanyofthefollowing:stopsignal,lossofcontrolsignal,lossof
electricalpower,ortheAHUsupplyfanmotorstops.
Figure12:SamplecontrolsequenceindicatingDCV
DemandControlofVentilation:Duringoccupiedmode,zonerequestsforventilationshallbedeterminedbased
onsignalsfromzone-locatedCO2sensors.AzoneshallrequestventilationwhentheCO2concentrationexceeds
900ppm.Inresponsetoarequestforventilation,thesystemshallfrstincreasetheterminalunitairfow.If
additionalventilationisrequired,thesystemshallthenincreasetheoutdoorairrateattheairhandler.
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Verifythatoutsideairandexhaust/reliefdampershaveactuatorsthatautomaticallyopenandclosethe
dampersandthatthedampersareintheclosedpositioninspacesthatareunoccupied(fgure13).
VerifythatCO
2
sensorsincludedinthemechanicalplansforthepurposeofdemand
controlventilationhavebeeninstalledasshownintheplans(fgure14).
Reviewthemechanicalplansandverifythatautomaticcontrols(i.e.occupancysensoror
manualtimers)havebeenprovidedforventilationfanslargerthan3/4hpasshown.
Control Requirements for All Systems 19
Figure13:Motorizeddamper
Figure14:TopviewofCO
2
sensor(coinforscale)
Additional Detail:
a) Dampers
Outdoorairsupplyandexhaust/reliefductsshallhavemotorizeddampersthatautomaticallyclosewhen
thespacesthattheyservearenotoccupied.Buildingslessthanthreestoriestallorinclimatezones1
through3mayusegravitydampers.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.4.4 2007:6.4.3.4.3,
6.4.3.4.1,6.4.3.4.2
2012:403.2.4.4 2010:6.4.3.4.2,6.4.3.4.1
b) Ventilationfancontrols
Fanswithmotorsgreaterorequaltothree-quarterhorsepower,musthavecontrolsthatcanshutoffans
whennotrequired.Thiscontrolmaybeanoccupancysensor,timer,orotherdevice.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.4.3.4.5
2012:NA 2010:6.4.3.4.4
20 Control Requirements for All Systems
c) Demandcontrolventilation
Acontrolstrategythatvariestheminimumventilationoutdoorairbasedonoccupancyisrequiredfor
large,denselyoccupiedspaces.Thisusuallyappliestospaces500squarefeetandlargerthathave
anoccupantloadgreaterthanorequalto40peopleper1,000squarefeet(IECC2012expandedthe
applicabilitybyreducingthethresholdoccupantloadto25peopleper1000squarefeet).Typically,
ventilationiscontrolledbyvaryingtheoutdoorairintakebasedonthemeasuredlevelofcarbondioxide
withinaspace.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.5.1 2007:6.4.3.9
2012:403.2.5.1 2010:6.4.3.9
d) Heatrecoveryventilationbypass
Ifaheatrecoveryventilator(HRV)isinstalled,thisHRVmustnotinhibittheoperationoftheeconomizer.This
canbeaccomplishedthroughcontrolswhichallowtheHRVtobebypassedwhentheeconomizerisworking.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.6 2007:6.5.6.1
2012:403.2.6 2010:6.5.6.1
Heat Pump Supplemental Heater
Ifthebuildinghasheatpumpswithsupplementalelectricheaters,thosesupplementalheatersshouldnot
beengageduntiltheheatpumpsheatingcapacityisexceeded.ASHRAE90.1exemptsheatpumpsthatare
regulatedundertheNationalApplianceEnergyConservationAct(thosewithacoolingcapacitylessthan
65,000Btu/h)fromthisrequirement.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Verifythatthemechanicalscheduleorcontrolsequencespecifesthatsupplemental
resistanceheatingcannotoperatewhentheheatpumpcanmeettheheatingload.Thismay
beaccomplishedbyspecifyingamulti-stageelectronicthermostatprogrammedtoinitiate
thesupplementalheaterwhentheheatpumpcannotmeetthesetpoint(fgure15).
Figure15:Sampleheatpumpcontrolsequenceshowingauxiliaryheatengagedassecondstage
mode callforaction signaltoheatPump deliveredaction
Heat None H Reversingvalveinheatposition
Stage1heat H,H1 Heatusingcompressor
Stage2heat H,H1,H2 Heatusingcompressorandauxiliaryheater
Control Requirements for All Systems 21
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Checkthatthetypeofthermostatorbuildingautomationsystemspecifed
intheapprovedmechanicalsubmittalisinstalledandoperating.
Additional Detail:
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.2.4.1.1 2007:6.4.3.5
2012:403.2.4.1.1 2010:6.4.3.5
22 Prescriptive Requirements for Simple Systems
Prescriptiverequirementsforsimplesystems
Economizers
EconomizersarerequiredinmostbuildingstoallowtheHVACsystemtoincreasetheamountofoutside
airsuppliedtothezoneifdoingsowillreduceenergyconsumption.Thisispossible,forexample,whenthe
zoneisbeingcooledandtheoutsideairiscoolenoughtomeetpartofthatcoolingdemand.Controlofthe
economizershouldallowittovarythesupplyofoutsideairfromtheminimumrequiredventilationto100
percentoutsideair,basedontheconditionofthezoneandtheoutsideair.Insimplesystems,theeconomizer
islikelytobeintegratedinpackagedorunitaryHVACequipment.Thus,theeconomizercontrolstrategyis
likelytobefoundinthespecifcationsforthatequipment.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Checkthemechanicalscheduletoverifythateconomizersarespecifedforsystems
thatarelargerthanthethresholdsshowninthetablebelow(fgure16).
IECC2009 54,000Btu/hinallclimatezonesexcept1A,1B,2A,7,and8
IECC2012 33,000Btu/hinallclimatezonesexcept1Aand1B
ASHRAE2007 65,000Btu/hinclimatezones3B,3C,4B,4C,5B,5Cand6B
135,000Btu/hinclimatezones2B,5A,6A,7and8
ASHRAE2010 54,000Btu/hinallclimatezonesexcept1Aand1B
Locatecontrolsequencesandverifythattheeconomizercontrol
sequencemeetsthefollowingrequirements(fgure17):
1) Thesupplyofoutsideairvariesfromtheminimumrequirementto100percent.
2) Economizersaresequencedwiththemechanicalcoolingequipmentandcontinueto
functionuntiltheshut-ofconditiondescribedinrequirement4,below,isreached.
3) Economizersarenotcontrolledonlybymixedairtemperature.
Prescriptive Requirements for Simple Systems 23
4) Thesupplyofoutsideairisreducedtothedesignminimum
whenoneofthefollowingconditionsapplies:
Outsideairtemperatureexceeds:
75Finclimatezones1B,2B,3B,3C,4B,4C,5B,5C,6B,7,or8
70Finclimatezones5A,6A,or7A
65Finanyotherclimatezone
Theclimatespecifcshutofconditionisreached,asdeterminedbyanother
approvedapproachfromthecodesectionsreferencedinsectioncbelow.
Figure16:Economizerspecifedonmechanicalschedule
airhandlingunits
Symbol
LocationServed
AHU-1
1stFloorOfces
SupplyFan Type Centrifugal
Confguration FanCoil
Airfow(CFM) 6,000
Minairfow(CFM) 6,000
Minoutsideair(CFM) 600
HP:Motor 5
Voltage/Phase 460/3
Control ON/OFF
Isolation Internal
CoolingCapacity NominalTons 15
Total(MBH) 171
Sensible(MBH) 137
EDB(F) 76
EWB(F) 63
LDB(F) 55
LWB(F) 54
CWFlow(GPM) 30.0
ENTWaterTemp(F) 44.0
LVGWaterTemp(F) 56.0
Heating Type None
Weight LBS 3,000
UnitElectrical MCA 8.3
Voltage/Phase 460/3
BasisofDesign Manufacturer Trane
Model TSeries
Notes 1
NOTE: Provide with factory installed 0100% economizer controls without barometric relief.
24 Prescriptive Requirements for Simple Systems
Figure17:Economizercontrolsequence
AHU1&2AutomaticDampers
OutsideAirDamper
Modulating
ClosedwhenAHUisnotoperating.
Controlledbyspacetemperature,timeofday,outsideairtemperature,andventilationrequirement
Economizercycle:
Operateswhenoutsideairtemperatureis<=75F
Modulatesbetweenminimumoutsideairandfreecooling
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Verifythateconomizershavebeenprovidedoncoolingequipment(e.g.heatpumps
androoftopunits)asshownintheapprovedmechanicaldesign(fgure18).
Totheextentpossible,verifythattheunithasthecontrolcapabilitiesneededtoexecutethe
controlsequenceintheapprovedmechanicaldesign.Thismightbepossiblebyexamining
theunitslocalcontrolpanelorbyconsultingthemanufacturersspecifcations.
Figure18:Economizeronarooftopunit
Additional Detail:
a) Rangeofoperation
Economizersshallbecapableofoperatingat100percentoutsideair,evenifadditionalmechanicalcoolingis
requiredtomeetthecoolingloadofthebuilding.Thisstrategyisknownasintegratedeconomizercontrol.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.3.1 2007:6.5.1.3
2012:403.3.1 2010:6.5.1.3
Prescriptive Requirements for Simple Systems 25
b) Controlstrategy
Economizersmustnotbecontrolledonlybymixedairtemperatureandmustbeabletobesequenced
withmechanicalcoolingequipment.ASHRAEprovidesanexceptionforsystemscontrolledfromspace
temperature,suchassinglezonesystems.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.5.1.1.2
2012:403.1.1.2 2010:6.5.1.1.2
c) Highlimitshutof
Whenincreaseinoutdoorairwillnolongerreducecoolingenergyuse,economizersmustbeableto
reduceoutdoorairtothedesignminimum.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.5.1.1.3
2012:403.3.1.1.3 2010:6.5.1.1.3
Hydronic Systems
Therequirementsforhydronicsystemsmainlyapplytobuildingswithacomplex,builtupHVACdesign.
However,theIECCincludessomecontrolrequirementsforlarge(>300,000Btu/h)systemsthatare
categorizedassimplesystems.Oneexampleofsuchasystemisaboilerloopthatsupplieshotwaterfor
radiantheatinginalargeapartmentbuilding.Suchsimple,butlargehydronicsystemsarerequiredtocomply
withtheapplicablehydronicsystemcontrolsthatarediscussedinthenextsectionofthisguide.
Additional Detail:
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.3.2 2007:NA
2012:403.3.2 2010:NA
26 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
controlrequirementsforcomplexsystems
Economizers
Therequirementsforeconomizersincomplexsystemsaresimilartothoseforsimplesystems.Theeconomizer
mustvarythesupplyofoutsideairfromtheminimumrequiredventilationto100percentoutsideair,based
ontheconditionofthezoneandtheoutsideair.Despitethissimilarity,therearetworeasonsforprovidinga
separatediscussionofeconomizersforcomplexsystems.First,thereisanadditionalrequirementforcomplex
systemsthattheuseoftheeconomizershouldnotincreasebuildingheating.Second,thespecifcationofthe
economizerinthedesignsubmittalislikelytolooksomewhatdiferentandthereforethecompliancecheck
willbeslightlydiferent.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Checkthemechanicalscheduletoverifythateconomizersarespecifedfor
systemsthatarelargerthanthethresholdsshowninthetablebelow.
IECC2009 54,000Btu/hinallclimatezonesexcept1A,1B,2A,7,and8
IECC2012 33,000Btu/hinallclimatezonesexcept1Aand1B
ASHRAE2007 65,000Btu/hinclimatezones3B,3C,4B,4C,5B,5Cand6B
135,000Btu/hinclimatezones2B,5A,6A,7and8
ASHRAE2010 54,000Btu/hinallclimatezonesexcept1Aand1B
Locatecontrolsequencesandverifythattheeconomizercontrol
sequencemeetsthefollowingrequirements(fgure19).*
1) Thesupplyofoutsideairvariesfromtheminimumrequirementto100percent.
2) Economizersaresequencedwiththemechanicalcoolingequipment.
3) Economizersarenotcontrolledonlybymixedairtemperature.
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 27
4) Thesupplyofoutsideairisreducedtothedesignminimum
whenoneofthefollowingconditionsapplies:
Outsideairtemperatureexceeds:
75Finclimatezones1B,2B,3B,3C,4B,4C,5B,5C,6B,7,or8
70Finclimatezones5A,6A,or7A
65Finanyotherclimatezone
Theclimatespecifcshutofconditionisreached,asdeterminedbyanother
approvedapproachfromthecodesectionsreferencedinsectioncbelow.
5) Theeconomizerwillreduceoutsideairtotheminimumrequirementwhenoutside
airnolongerprovidescoolingorwhenthesystemisinaheatingmode.
*Ifthebuildingisequippedwithabuildingautomationsystem(BAS),thenthesecapabilitieswillmostlikelybe
providedbytheBAS.TheBASspecifcationsormanualshouldindicatethattherequiredcapabilitiesarepresent.
Figure19:Economizercontrolstrategyshowninacontrolsequence
ModulatingEconomizer
ControlspositionofadamperbasedontheControlState,OutsideAirTemperature(OAT),andCooling
Demand.
Economizeravailableif:
Coolingmodeandfanon
Econ.lowlimittempSP<OAT<Econ.tempSP
Whenavailable,economizer:
LocksoutothercoolingwhenCoolingDemand<25%
ModulatesfromminimumtomaximumpositionasCoolingDemandincreasesfrom0%to25%
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Reviewthemechanicalplansandverifythateconomizershavebeenprovided
onairhandlersasshownintheapprovedmechanicaldesign.
Confrmthateconomizeroperationiscontrolledasspecifedintheapproved
mechanicaldesign.Thiswilloftenmeanconfrmingthatabuildingautomation
systemhasbeeninstalledandconnectedtotheeconomizer.
28 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
Additional Detail:
a) Rangeofoperation
Economizersshallbecapableofoperatingat100percentoutsideair,evenifadditionalmechanicalcoolingis
requiredtomeetthecoolingloadofthebuilding.Thisstrategyisknownasintegratedeconomizercontrol.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.1 2007:6.5.1.3
2012:403.4.1.1 2010:6.5.1.3
b) Systemintegration
Economizersshouldbeusedforcooling,evenifsupplementalmechanicalcoolingisrequired.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.5.1.3
2012:403.4.1.3 2010:6.5.1.3
c) Highlimitshutof
Whenincreaseinoutdoorairwillnolongerreducecoolingenergyuse,economizersmustbeableto
reduceoutdoorairtothedesignminimum.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.5.1.1.3
2012:NA 2010:6.5.1.1.3
d) Heatingimpact
Useoftheeconomizermustnotresultinanincreaseduseofbuildingheat.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.5.1.4
2012:403.4.1.4 2010:6.5.1.4
Variable Air Volume (VAV) Fans
VAVfanswithmotorslargerthan10hp(7.5hpunderIECC2012),mustbedrivenbyvariablespeeddrives,
usevane-axialfanswithvariable-pitchblades,orincorporatecontrolssuchthatmotorsuseatmost30%
ofthedesignfanpowerwhenthesystemdelivers50%ofthedesignairvolume.Themostcommonmeans
ofmeetingthisprovisioniswithavariablespeeddrivecontrolledbyastaticpressuresensorlocatedinthe
supplyairduct.Thepressuremeasuredbythesensorisusedtosetthespeedofthedrive,andthesensor
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 29
mustbepositionedwelldowntheductfromthefantoprovidegoodfeedback.Asheatingorcoolingdemand
decreasesinthezonesserved,thedampersthatcontrolthesupplyofconditionedairtothosezoneswill
begintoclose.Astheyclose,thepressureintheductincreases.Thesensormeasuresthisincreaseandsignals
thedrivetoslowuntilthestaticpressuresetpointisachieved.
Whenthezonedampersarecontrolledbydigitalcontrols,thesystemefciencyshouldbefurtherincreased
byresettingthestaticpressuresetpointpressurelower,untilthedamperservingthezonewiththegreatest
demandisalmostfullyopen.ThecontrolofVAVfansthroughthismethodisanimportantandsomewhat
complicatedpartoftheHVACcontroldesignstrategy.However,verifyingcompliancewiththecode
requirementsrequiresonlyafewsteps.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
CheckthemechanicalfoorplanandmechanicalscheduletoseethatlargeVAVfansare
specifedwithVSDsorarevane-axialfanswithvariable-pitchblades(fgure20).
Ifadirectdigitalcontrol(DDC)systemisspecifedontheplans,thenlocatecontrol
sequencesandverifythatthedesignengineerhasdefnedapressureresetstrategy.
Inthestrategy,thespeedofthedrive,oftenstatedasapercentage,shouldberelated
totheoperationofaremotelylocatedzoneboxorterminalunit(fgure21).*
Checkthemechanicalandelectricalfoorplanstoverifythatapressuresensorisspecifed
tobelocatedinthesupplyairduct,wellawayfromthesupplyfan(fgure22).
*Ifthebuildingisequippedwithabuildingautomationsystem(BAS),thenthesecapabilitieswillmostlikelybe
providedbytheBAS.TheBASspecifcationsormanualshouldindicatethattherequiredcapabilitiesarepresent.
Figure20:VSDspecifedonmechanicalschedule
Remarks
SplitsystemHVACunit,suspendedairhandler,maxheight48
Hotwaterheatingcoilwith2-waycontrolvalvesizedforcoilperformance
Variable frequency drive supply fan with variable air volume pressure control
100%outdoorairintegratedeconomizerwithdiferentialdrybulbcontrol
Airfowmeter
FactoryinstalledDDCcontrolswithselectableprotocol
Remotecontrolsinterface
Premiumefciencymotors
Lowleakagedampers
30 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
Figure21:Pressureresetstrategyshownincontrolsequence
SupplyFanControlviaStaticPressureControl:ControllershallmodulatesupplyfanVFDspeedtomaintain
staticpressuresetpoint.
Initialstaticpressuresetpointshallbe0.75inH
2
O.
AHUcontrollersshallbenetworkedwiththeirassociatedterminalunits.
Thestaticpressuresetpointshallberesetlower,untilallairfowrequestsaresatisfedandthedamperon
oneterminalunitiswideopen.
TheDDCcontrollershallmodulatefanspeedtomaintaintheductstaticpressuresetpoint.Asductpressure
decreases,fanspeedwillincrease.Asductpressureincreases,fanspeedwilldecrease.
Figure22:IllustrationofVSD(hereVFD)controlbasedonstaticpressuresensorandzonedampers
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
VerifythatVSDs(orvariablepitchvane-axialfans)havebeen
installedasshownintheapprovedmechanicaldesign.
Confrmthatstaticpressuresensor(s)havebeeninstalledasshownintheapprovedmechanicaldesign.
Ifthecontrolsequenceintheapprovedsubmittalincludedstaticpressure
reset,checkthatthecorrespondingcontrolsystem(mostlikelyabuilding
automationsystem)isinstalledandoperational(fgure23).
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 31
Figure23:BASscreenshotindicatingcontrolofVSDcontrollingsupplyfanbasedonstaticpressure
Additional Detail:
a) VAVfancontrol
IndividualVAVfansgreaterthanorequalto10horsepowerinsizemusthaveaVSD,avane-axialfanwith
variable-pitchblades,orothermeanstocontrolairfowthatuse30%orlessofthedesignfanpowerto
deliver50%ofthedesignairfow.Systemswithdigitalcontrolforindividualzonesmustresetthedrive
speedtomeettheneedofthezonerequiringthehighestsupplyfanpressure.TheIECC2012expanded
theapplicabilitybyreducingthethresholdfansizeto7.5horsepower.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.2 2007:6.5.3.2.1
2012:403.4.2 2010:6.5.3.2.1
b) Staticpressuresensorlocation
WherestaticpressuresensorsareusedtocontrolVAVfans,theymustbepositionedsothatthepressure
setpointbasedonthesensorisnomorethanone-thirdthetotaldesignstaticpressureofthesupplyfan.
Typically,thismeansthesensormustbepositionedclosertothefarthestzonesuppliedthantothefan.
Eachmajorductbranchshouldhaveatleastonesensor.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.5.3.2.2
2012:403.4.2.1 2010:6.5.3.2.2
32 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
c) VAVfanpressureresetstrategy
Ifdirectdigitalcontrolofindividualzoneboxesreportstocentralcontrolpanel,thenastaticpressure
resetstrategymustbeincludedinthecontrols.Resetmusttobebasedonthezonerequiringthe
highestsupplypressure.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.2 2007:6.5.3.2.3
2012:403.4.2.2 2010:6.5.3.2.3
Humidity Control
Wherehumidifersordehumidifersareprovided,thesystemmustcontroltheiroperationtoprevent
simultaneoushumidifcationanddehumidifcationandtoshutofthecomponentswhentheyarenotrequired.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Ifthesystemhasahumidiferwithapreheatjacket,thenconfrmonthemechanicalfoor
planthatavalveisshownonthehotwatersupplylinefeedingthepreheatjacket.
Verifythatcontrolofthepreheatvalveisdescribedasanoteon
eitherthemechanicalscheduleormechanicalplans.*
Verifythatthecontrolsequencespecifesameanstoprevent
simultaneoushumidifcationanddehumidifcation.*
*Ifthebuildingisequippedwithabuildingautomationsystem(BAS),thenthesecapabilitieswillmostlikelybe
providedbytheBAS.TheBASspecifcationsormanualshouldindicatethattherequiredcapabilitiesarepresent.
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Whereapplicable,verifythatanautomaticvalvehasbeeninstalledonhumidiferpreheatjackets.
Verifythatsimultaneoushumidifcationanddehumidifcationhasbeenpreventedin
accordancewiththeapproachdefnedintheapprovedmechanicaldesign.
Additional Detail:
a) Humidifershutof
Humidiferswithpreheatingjacketsmountedintheairstreamshallbeprovidedwithanautomaticvalveto
shutofpreheatwhenhumidifcationisnotrequired.
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 33
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.4.3.6
2010:6.4.3.6 2012:NA
b) Simultaneoushumidifcation/dehumidifcation
Limitswitches,mechanicalstops,orothermeansofcontrol,suchasasequenceofoperations,mustbe
includedthatarecapableofpreventingsimultaneoushumidifcationanddehumidifcation.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.4.3.7
2012:NA 2010:6.4.3.7
Hydronic Systems
HVACsystemsoftenoperateatpeakcapacityforonlyasmallportionoftheheatingandcoolingseason.
Energycodesrequirethathydronicsystemsbeprovidedwithcontrolstoreducethesystemsenergy
consumptionwhenoperatingatlessthanpeakcapacity.Thisisachievedthroughequipmentsequencing,
reducingthepumpingoffuidthroughthesystem,andbyresettingthetemperatureofthehotwaterand
chilledwatersupply.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Reviewtheboilerspecifcationsinthemechanicalscheduletoverifythatlarge
boilersarerequiredtohavemultistagedormodulatingburners.
Ifmultipleboilersarespecifed,checkthecontrolspecifcationstoconfrm
thattheywillbelinkedtoacommoncontrolsystem(fgure24).*
Forlargesystems(seeadditionaldetailsbelow),checkmechanicalschedulestoverifythat
VSDsormulti-stagedpumpsareprovidedforthepumps.Diferentialpressuresensors
shouldalsobespecifed,toprovidethenecessaryfeedbacktothecontrols(fgure25).
Reviewcontrolsequencestoensurethatasupplywatertemperatureresetisincluded(fgure26).*
Forheatedandchilledwatersystemswithoneshareddistributionnetwork(a2-pipe
system),reviewcontrolsequencestoverifythatthesystemdoesnotswitchbetween
heatingandcoolingwithoutanoutsideairtemperaturechangeofatleast15degrees
andthatcontrolscanpreventsuchaswitchwithouta4hourinterval(fgure27).*
Verifythatlanguageisincludedincontrolsequencesforboilersandchillersto
reducefowthroughtheplantwhencapacityisreduced(fgure28).*
34 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
*Ifthebuildingisequippedwithabuildingautomationsystem(BAS),thenthesecapabilitieswillmostlikelybe
providedbytheBAS.TheBASspecifcationsormanualshouldindicatethattherequiredcapabilitiesarepresent.
Figure24:Samplecontrolsequenceindicatingthatboilersaresequencedandmodulate
HotWaterPumpOperation:
Pumpsoperateinlead/lagfashion.
Uponinitiationofsystemoperation,startleadpump.
LeadpumpVFDspeedmodulatestomaintainheatingwatersystemdiferentialpressuresetpoint
(20psid,adjustable).
Duringlowloadcondition,fowismaintainedthroughleadboileratalltimes.
Isolationvalveonstandbyboilerisclosedwhenstandbyboilerisof.
Figure25:Sampleboilerpumpsequenceofoperationsdemonstratingvariablefowcapabilities/VSD
BoilerSequencing:
WhenfowissensedfromAtoBinthecrossoverline,theDDCshallstartprimaryboilerandhotwaterpump.
Manufacturercontrolswillmodulatetheburnervalvetomaintainboilerhotwatertemperature.
WhenloadincreasestothepointthatfowisagainsensedfromAtoBinthecrossoverline,theDDCshallstart
standbyboiler.
Asloaddecreases,theDDCshallstageboilersofinreverseorder.
Figure26:Samplecontrolsequenceindicatingsupplywatertemperatureisreset
ChilledWaterSetpoint(CHWST)Reset
ThedefaultCHWSTis44F.
Whenthespeedsofpumpsonthesecondaryloopareattheminimum,startCHWSTreset.
CHWSTwillberesetproportionallybetween48Fand42F:
48F;allcoolingcoilvalvesarelessthan90%open.
42F;3+coolingcoilvalvesaremorethan90%open.
ContinueCHWSTresetuntilthespeedofoneormorepumpsonthesecondaryloopexceedstheminimum.
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 35
Figure27:Illustratedcontrolsequencefortwopipechangeover
Figure28:Samplecontrolsequenceforpumpisolation
ChilledWaterPumpSequencing:
InCoolingMode,DDCshallstartonesystempumpwhichshallruncontinuously.
Systempumpvariablespeeddrivewillmodulatetomaintainthediferentialpressuresetpoint(20psid,
adjustable).
Secondsystempumpwillstartifthediferentialpressurefallsbelowthesetpoint.
Whenbothpumpsoperate,theyshallmodulateatthesamespeedtoachievethediferentialpressuresetpoint.
Whenthesystemfowfallsto50%ofdesignfow,thesecondpumpshallturnof.
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Confrmthatmultipleboilersareconnectedtoacommoncontrolsystem,suchas
abuildingautomationsystem,andthatboilerswithgreaterthan500,000btu/h
capacityareequippedwithmultistageormodulatingboilers(fgure29).
Confrmthatpumpspeedcontrols(e.g.variablespeeddriveormultiple-stagedpumps)shown
intheapprovedmechanicaldesignhavebeeninstalledonallpumps(fgure30).
Verifythattemperaturesensorshavebeeninstalledonchilledwatersupply,chilled
waterreturn,hotwatersupplyandhotwaterreturnpipes(fgure31).
Verifythattheapprovedapproachforcontrollingsupplywatertemperaturereset,
typicallyabuildingautomationsystem,isinstalledandoperational(fgure31).
36 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
Figure29:Linkedboilercontrollers
Figure30:Multiplepumpswithfowcontrol
Figure31:BASshowingtemperaturesensorsonsupplyandreturnpiping
Additional Detail:
a) Boilersequencing
Heatingsystemsmadeupofmultipleboilersmustbeabletobesequenced,suchthatboilerscanbe
automaticallyshutofastheyarenolongerneededtomeettheheatingrequirement.Similarly,systems
withonelargeboiler(greaterthan500,000btu/hinputcapacity)musthaveaburnerthatiseither
multistagedormodulating.
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 37
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.3 2007:NA
2012:403.4.3 2010:NA
b) Variablefow
BothIECCandASHRAErequirecontrolscapableofreducingpumpfowinlargehydronicsystemsbyat
least50%usingVSDsormulti-stagepumpswhenthesystemisoperatingunderpartloadconditions.
However,thethresholdofapplicationdifers.IECCrequiressuchcontrolsforsystemswithcapacitygreater
orequalto300,000Btu/h.ASHRAErequiresthecontrolsforsystemswithindividualpumpmotorslarger
than5horsepowerortotalpumpsystempowergreaterthan10horsepower.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.3.4(2) 2007:6.5.4.1
2012:403.4.3.4(2)
2010:6.5.4.1
c) Supplywatertemperaturereset
Systemswithadesignheatingorcoolingcapacitygreaterthan300,000Btu/hmustincludecontrols
capableofresettingthesupplywatertemperatureaccordingtotheheatingorcoolingdemand.Thereturn
watertemperatureoroutsideairtemperaturemayserveasindicatorsofthisdemand.ASHRAEprovides
anexceptionforvariablefowsystems.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.3.4 2007:6.5.4.3
2012:403.4.3.4 2010:6.5.4.3
d) Two-pipechangeover
Systemsthatprovideheatedandchilledwatertozonesusingasinglesupplyandreturnloopmusthave
controlsthatpreventtheinitiationofheatingwithinfourhoursofcooling,orthereverse.Inaddition,
thechangefromheatingtocooling,orthereverse,shouldbeseparatedbyadiferenceinoutsideair
temperatureofatleast15degrees.Theheatedandchilledwatersupplytemperaturesatchangeover
shouldbelessthan30Fapart.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.3.2 2007:6.5.2.2.2
2012:403.4.3.2 2010:6.5.2.2.2
38 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
e) Pumpisolation
Chilledwaterandboilerplantswithmultiplechillersorboilersmustbeabletoreducefowthroughsystem
whenachillerorboileristurnedof.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.3.5 2007:6.5.4.2
2012:403.4.3.5 2010:6.5.4.2
Hydronic Heat Pump and Unitary Air Conditioning Systems
Systemsthatemployawaterlooptoprovideasourceorsinkofheatforheatpumpsorunitaryairconditioners
arerequiredtohavecontrolstovarythefowofwaterthroughthesystemasafunctionofdemand.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Reviewthepipingdiagramtoverifythattwopositionvalvesareshownonthewaterloopof
hydronicheatpumpsandwater-cooledairconditionersthatcanshutofcirculationofwater
tothecompressorofeachindividualheatpumporairconditioningunit(fgure32).
Verifythatthecontrolsequencesallowawatersupplytemperaturedeadbandof20F
betweeninitiationofheatrejectionandheatadditiononthewaterloop.*
Reviewthemechanicalplanstoverifythatwhenthesystemisnotincoolingmodecirculation
ofwatertothetowerwillbepreventedbyanautomaticvalveoracontrolledpump,orthat
positiveclosuredampersareprovidedtostopaircirculationthroughaclosedcircuittower.
Checkmechanicalscheduleorcontrolsequencestoverifythatthepumpsserving
hydronicheatpumpwaterloopshavebeenprovidedwithVSDs.
*Ifthebuildingisequippedwithabuildingautomationsystem(BAS),thenthesecapabilitieswillmostlikelybe
providedbytheBAS.TheBASspecifcationsormanualshouldindicatethattherequiredcapabilitiesarepresent.
Figure32:Illustrationofheatpumppipingshowinglocationoftwopositionvalves
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 39
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Verifythattwopositionvalveshavebeeninstalledonhydronicheatpumpsandwatercooled
airconditioners,asshownontheapprovedmechanicalpipingdiagram(fgure33).
Verifythatthepumpsservinghydronicheatpumpwaterloopshavebeen
providedwithVSDs,whereshownontheapprovedmechanicalplans.
Verifythatheatlossthroughcoolingtowersiscontrolledusingautomaticvalves,pumps,
orpositiveclosuredampers,asshownintheapprovedmechanicaldesign.
Figure33:Twoposition(open/close)valvewithelectricactuator
Additional Detail:
a) Two-positionvalve
IECC2012requirestwopositionvalvesonhydronicheatpumpswherethetotalhydronicsystempump
powerisgreaterthan10hp.
ASHRAErequirestwopositionvalvesonhydronicheatpumpsandwatercooledairconditioners.ASHRAE
2007providesanexceptionwhentotalhydronicsystempumppowerislessthan5hp.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:6.5.4.4.1
2012:403.4.3.3.3 2010:6.5.4.4.1
b) Deadband
Hydronicheatpumpwaterloopsshallhavecontrolsthatcanprovideawatersupplytemperaturedeadband
ofatleast20degreesFbetweeninitiationofheatrejection(coolingtower)andheataddition(boiler).
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.3.3.1 2007:6.5.2.2.3(a)
2012:403.4.3.3.1 2010:6.5.2.2.3(a)
40 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
c) Heatrejection
Topreventexcessivehydronicloopheatloss,controlofheatrejectionequipment(i.e.coolingtowers)
isrequiredforclimatezones3-8.Thiscontrolcanbeachievedusinganautomaticvalvetobypassthe
towerorbyturningofthecirculationpumponanopen-circuittowerservingaheatexchanger.For
closed-circuittowers,itcanalsobeachievedwithlowleakagepositiveclosuredampersthatpreventair
circulationthroughthetower.Inzones5-8,theIECCrequiresuseofaheatexchanger,circulationpump,
andanautomaticvalve.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.3.3.2 2007:6.5.2.2.3(b)
2012:403.4.3.3.2 2010:6.5.2.2.3(b)
d) Variablespeedcontrol
ASHRAE2010reducedthethresholdforrequiringvariablespeedcontrolisrequiredonhydronicheat
pumpandunitaryairconditionerwaterloopstoatotalpumpsystempowerof5hp.Thisislowerthanthe
10hpthresholdthatappliestoalltypesofhydronicsystems.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:NA
2012:NA 2010:6.5.4.4.2
Fan Speed Control for Heat Rejection Equipment
Controlsarerequiredonlargefansusedincoolingtowersandaircooledcondensers.Eachfanpoweredby
amotorof7.5hporlargermusthaveadevice(e.g.VSD)thatcancontrolfanspeed.Fanspeedmustcontrol
eitherthetemperatureofthefuidleavingtheheatrejectiondeviceorthecondensingtemperatureoftheheat
rejectiondevice.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Reviewthemechanicalscheduletoverifythatfanswithmotor7.5hporgreateris
providedwithaVSD(orothermeans)toreducefanspeed(fgure34).
Reviewthecontrolsequencestoverifythatfanspeedisusedtocontroltheleaving
temperatureofthefuidorthecondensingtemperatureorpressure(fgure35).*
*Ifthebuildingisequippedwithabuildingautomationsystem(BAS),thenthesecapabilitieswillmostlikelybe
providedbytheBAS.TheBASspecifcationsormanualshouldindicatethattherequiredcapabilitiesarepresent.
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 41
Figure34:MechanicalscheduleshowingcoolingtowerfansequippedwithVSD
coolingToWer
Symbol
LocationServed
CT-1
Chiller
HeatRejection Tons 800
Type Cells 1
Discharge Vertical
Fluid EWT(F) 90
LWT(F) 77
Flow(GPM) 1,500
Ambient(F) 67
Nozzle(ftWG) 4
Fluid Water
Fan Type Axial
Number 1
Airfow(CFM) 170,000
MotorHP 25
Control VFD
Voltage/Phase 460/3
BasinHeater Number 1
Capacity 12
Voltage/Phase 460/3
PipeConnections Supply(in) 10
Return(in) 14
Make-up(in) 2
Drain(in) 1
Overfow(in) 3
Weight LBS 31,000
BasisofDesign Manufacturer ABCInc
Model ModelXYZ
Notes
Figure35:Samplenoteonmechanicalschedule
NOTE: CoolingtowerfanVFDmodulatesspeedtomaintaincondensingwatertemperaturesetpoint.
42 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Verifythatfans7.5hpandgreaterhavebeenprovidedwithdevices
forfanspeedcontrol(e.g.VSD)(fgure36).
Confrmthatthemeansofcontrollingfanspeedidentifedintheapprovedmechanical
design,typicallyabuildingautomationsystem,hasbeeninstalledandisoperational.
Figure36:CoolingtowermotorcheckforconnectiontoVSD
Additional Detail:
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.4 2007:6.5.5.2
2012:403.4.4 2010:6.5.5.2
Multi-zone Systems
LargebuildingstypicallyhaveHVACsystemsthatcanheat,cool,reheat,andrecoolairmovingtomultiple
zonesatthesametime.Multiple-zonesystemsmusthaveVAVcontrolscapableofreducingthesupplyairto
anyzonebeforereheating,recooling,ormixingwarmandcoolairstreams.IECC2012requiresthesupplyair
tobereducedto30%ofmaximum,to300CFM,ortothelevelrequiredforminimumventilationbeforeany
reheating,recoolingormixing.TherequirementsofASHRAEaresimilar,thoughsystemsshowntoreduce
annualenergyusebyprovidingmoresupplyairareallowed.ASHRAE2010alsointroducesamethodfor
systemswithdigitalcontrolofzoneboxestocontroltheoutdoorairintakebasedonthezoneventilation
efciencytheefciencyatwhichthesystemdeliversoutsideairtothebreathingzone.
Plan Review
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
VerifythatcontrolsequencesincludelanguageforVAVsystemoptimization
(i.e.indicatethatsupplyairisreducedpriortoreheating/recooling):
SingleductVAVsystemsshouldreducesupplyairbeforereheating/recoolingtakesplace
Control Requirements for Complex Systems 43
DualductVAVsystemsshouldminimizetheamountofhot/coldairmixingbyreducingfow(fgure37)
Verifythatlanguageforsupplyairtemperatureresetisincludedincontrolsequences(fgure38)
Figure37:SamplecontrolsequencefordualductVAVsystem
OccupiedMode
Cooling
Fullcooling:Colddeckairdamperopenstothemaximumposition.
Ascoolingloaddecreases,colddeckairdampermodulatesmoreclosed.
Nocallforcooling:Colddeckairdamperclosestotheminimumposition.
Heating
Fullheating:Hotdeckairdamperopenstothemaximumposition.
Asheatingloaddecreases,hotdeckairdampermodulatesmoreclosed.
Nocallforheating:Hotdeckairdamperclosestotheminimumposition.
44 Control Requirements for Complex Systems
Figure38:Samplecontrolsequenceforsupplyairtemperaturereset
SupplyAirTemperatureReset
Whenoccupied,thesupplyairtemperature
(SAT)isresetfrom53Fto65Fusingthe
followinglogic:
Whentheoutsideairtemperature(OAT)is
70Fandabove,SATshallbe53F.
WhenOATis65Fto70F,theSATis
resetbasedonsystemdemandbetween
minimumandmaximumvaluesthatvary
linearlywithtemperature(seefgure).
WhenOATisbelow65F,resetSAT
between55Fand65Fbasedonsystem
demand.
Systemdemandisdeterminedusingatrim
andrespondlogic:
Whenthefanisof,SATisat65F
Whenthefanison,every2minutes:
IncreasetheSATsetpointby0.2Fiftherearenozonecoolingrequests*
Iftherearemorethantwocoolingrequests,decreasethesetpointby0.3F
*coolingrequestsaregeneratedwhenthecoolingloopofanyzoneservedis>99%
Source: EnergyDesignResources, Advanced Variable Air Volume System Design Guide, March 2007
53F
55F
65F
65F 70F
OAT
S
A
T

S
e
t
p
o
p
i
n
t
Building Inspection
SuggestedComplianceCheck(s):
Confrmthatthebuildingautomationsystemspecifedintheapproveddesignisinstalledandoperational.
Checkingthatmulti-zoneVAVsystemsareoptimizedisanintensiveprocedure,well
beyondthescopeofbuildinginspection.However,ASHRAE90.1-2010andIECC2012
requirecommissioningtobeperformedonmanycommercialbuildings.Thecommissioning
providersreportshoulddescribehowthesystemwastestedandoptimized.
Additional Details:
a) MultizoneVAVsystemoptimizationcontrol
Systemswithdigitalcontrolofzoneboxesmustautomaticallyadjustsupplyairinresponsetochanges
insystemventilationefciency.Thisapproachallowsoutsideairsupplytobeprovidedatbelowdesign
rates,solongasthezonethatisleastefectiveindeliveringoutsideairtothebreathingzonemaintains
acceptableindoorairquality.DetailedguidanceonthisapproachisprovidedinASHRAEStandard62.1.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:NA 2007:NA
2012:NA 2010:6.5.3.3
b) SingleductVAVsystems
TerminalUnitsshallreducesupplyofsupplyairto30%ofmaximum,to300CFM,ortoalevelsufcientto
providetheminimumrequiredventilationbeforereheating/recooling.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.5.1 2007:-6.5.2.1
2012:403.4.5.1 2010:6.5.2.1
c) DualductVAVsystems
Dualductsystemsshallhaveterminalunitsthatcanminimizefowfromoneductto30%ofmaximum,to300
CFM,ortoalevelsufcienttoprovidetheminimumrequiredventilationpriortomixingfromsecondduct.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.5.2 2007:6.5.2,1
2012:403.4.5.2 2010:6.5.2.1
d) Supplyairtemperaturereset
Supplyairtemperature(SAT)resetisrequiredformultizoneHVACsystems.SATmustberesetinresponse
tobuildingloadoroutsideairtemperature.ThecontrolsmustallowSATresetthatisatleast25percentof
thediferencebetweenthedesignSATandroomairtemperature.
codesections
iecc ashrae
2009:503.4.5.4 2007:NA
2012:403.4.5.4 2010:6.5.3.4
eereinformationcenter
1-877-EERE-INFO(1-877-337-3463)
www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter
BuildingTechnologyProgram
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Codes Program is an information resource on
national model energy codes. We work with other
government agencies, state and local jurisdictions,
national code organizations, and industry to
promote stronger building energy codes and help
states adopt, implement, and enforce those codes.
BECP Website
wwwenergycodesgov
BECP Technical Support
techsupport@becpgov
wwwenergycodesgov/support/helpdeskphp
PNNL-83271 September 2011
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