Lomas, K J; Cook, M J and Short, C A (2009) Commissioning hybrid advanced naturally ventilated buildings: A US case study. Building Research & Information, 37(4), pp. 397-412. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
A new building for a university near Chicago, Illinois, US, utilizes a hybrid advanced natural ventilation strategy to condition a deep-plan library. The design and construction are described, but the paper focuses on the post-construction, pre-occupancy commissioning trials undertaken to test both the active and passive environmental control systems. These simple qualitative trials confirmed that the advanced natural ventilation strategy functioned broadly as intended, but reveal unexpected features of the mechanical systems, faulty components, errors in the control logic of the building management system, and design omissions. Many of these could be readily corrected before occupancy, thereby improving the likely energy and environmental performance. The trials highlighted the need for forms of contract and methods of working that enable the integrated working of design teams, especially when designing innovative buildings. The benefits of adopting simple qualitative commissioning trials, and some of the current barriers to achieving this, are discussed.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building management system; building performance; building services; commissioning; cooling; design; feedback; hybrid building; natural ventilation; process improvement; quality control |
| Index terms: | building service, process improvement, building management system, environmental performance, case study, building performance, strategy, design team, environmental control, design and construction, commissioning, natural ventilation, form of contract, quality control, mechanical system |
| Subjects: | professional practice, contractual arrangements, project delivery, data collection methods, mechanical systems, engineering systems, quality assurance, completion, environmental engineering, management, sustainability assessment |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Procurement, Quality Management, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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