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A I R C O N D I T I O N I N G
Time for an inspection
Since January 2009, air conditioning systems with a cooling capacity of 250kW or more must have
been inspected. This requirement has been introduced under the Energy Performance in Buildings
Regulations in England and Wales, and the parallel regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which
implement the inspection and energy certification requirements of the Energy Performance in
Buildings Directive. In addition, all systems over 12kW output must be inspected by January 2011.
T
he Directive requires overall size and, therefore, BSRIA, Institute of Refrigeration Advice for system
these systems to be when the first inspection is and others has produced a improvements
inspected by a required. The Regulations detailed inspection procedure in The assessor shall highlight any
competent and define a ‘responsible person’ CIBSE TM44. This describes faults with the equipment. The
accredited person who who is required to commission what should be done when size of the system is compared to
belongs to a scheme approved the inspection and to receive inspecting plant, and gives the load to check that the system
by the Department for and retain a report. advice on how to assess cooling is of an appropriate size. The
Communities and Local These inspections are loads in the building, to enable assessor can also suggest where
Government (CLG). There are intended to give owners and the assessor to meet the there are opportunities to reduce
several such schemes, one of operators information about the requirement to advise on the the cooling load or to use more
which is operated by CIBSE performance of their buildings size of the system in relation to efficient equipment such as
Certification. This is a scheme and plant, enabling them to the cooling load. The following variable speed fans with relatively
for air conditioning assessors identify opportunities to save actions should be taken by an short payback times, or the
for both complex and simple energy and cut operating costs. accredited assessor. manager may be informed of the
systems, and is one of a range Whilst the inspection is availability of higher efficiency conditioning systems for monitored. While the general
of accreditations offered by mandatory, nobody currently Inspection of documents cooling plant to consider when comfort cooling, in the same principles of inspection will
CIBSE Certification in support has to act on any advice given, and records systems are renewed. way as Part L of the Building apply to such installations,
of the Energy Performance in although in the current The first step in the inspection Regulations, and the different knowledge and skills
Buildings Regulations. CIBSE economic climate, ideas that is to review records of the air The air conditioning corresponding documents in may be needed to understand
also accredits inspectors to help to cut both energy conditioning system. In more inspection report Scotland and Northern Ireland. their design and control, and to
undertake these inspections in consumption and costs must recent buildings this should be The report should ideally be Systems which are installed to assess their sizing and
Scotland and Northern Ireland. surely be welcome. found in the building log-book, kept as part of the building log- condition environments for opportunities for improvement.
Where a building has more which is now a requirement book, so it is readily available to equipment or processes are Air conditioning inspections
than one system, they all The inspection under the Building Regulations, review or act on its advice, currently not within the scope of are now a part of the
require inspection. If they are The procedure is kept simple, otherwise system descriptions prepare an Energy Performance the inspection requirement. In responsibility of the building
controlled by the same person and aims to identify poor and commissioning records Certificate or carry out the next practice these systems are manager, but with the guidance
(or organisation) then the performers and minimise costs may be needed to find plant five yearly inspection. often specialised and business from CIBSE they need not be a
capacity of the systems should and disturbance. CIBSE, in types, sizes and locations. The regulations apply to air critical and so they are closely burden.
be aggregated to determine the partnership with the HVCA, This information may provide
useful performance factors
such as the Specific Fan Power
Case Study
of air distribution systems,
Efficient Air helped the CLG (The Department of Communities and Local Government) to improve
while records of energy the energy performance of its Eland House HQ by 12.6%, which equates to energy saving of
consumed or hours run may 662,055 kWh valued at £40,909. The Carbon Dioxide reduction is calculated at 250 tonnes.
indicate excessive use and
As the department responsible for implementing the European Performance of Building
potential control issues. Where
Directive (EPBD) CLG were keen to ensure they were amongst the first to get EPCs and DECs and
data is not provided the
to commission an air conditioning inspection on their headquarters building – Eland House,
assessor may use rules of
Bressenden Place in London.
thumb to estimate cooling load,
The inspection was carried out by leading HVAC energy saving specialists Efficient Air under the
current levels of occupancy,
supervision of the company’s head of consulting, Darren Jones - the UK’s first CIBSE Low Carbon
Energy Assessor for complex AC systems.
activities being carried out, heat
The Air Conditioning inspection was the third step in assessing the energy performance of the
generating equipment, solar
11 story glass and steel framed office block, it had already received an ‘F’ rating on its DEC,
and other heat gains.
compared with a ‘C’ rating on its EPC.
Efficient Air’s air-conditioning inspection report included an action plan - the energy saving
Inspection of equipment
opportunities detailed in this plan alone would improve the current operational efficiency of the
Reviewing maintenance records
building as shown on the DEC from an ‘F’ to an ‘E’ rating.
and examining equipment
allows comparison with
The 10 point action plan
industry good practice, and • Standardise on temperature set-points to eliminate fighting between units and chilled beams
confirms that the plant matches • Ensure a dead band of at least 3°C (+/-1.5°C) is factored into BMS strategies to prevent
the records, which should be
simultaneous heating and cooling between the Air Handling Units, perimeter heating circuits and
updated if required. Where this
the chilled beam units
shows the system is already
• More frequent temperature and pressure sensor calibration
well maintained and controlled,
• Replace faulty cooling and heating valves
then aspects of the wider
• Reduce the over supply of airflow on Air Handling Unit 4
physical inspection may be
• Set control damper actuators for free cooling and heat reclaim optimisation from re-circulated air
• Increasing the frequency of filter changes
omitted. However, where
• Replace old technology fans with new high efficiency technologies
maintenance has not been
• Change the control of the ‘on floor chilled’ water pump to reduce the use of the chilled beams
undertaken, or information is
during winter
missing, the inspector may • Repair and improve lagging on ductwork and pipe-work to minimise losses
need to investigate further.
20 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JULY 2009
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