2023 Spring TAB Journal Quiz

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Building a Better OPR: ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline Preview

Steve Leight, PE, Commissioning Excellence, LLC

1. What is the only section heading that appears in the ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline that doesn’t appear in the ASHRAE Standard 202?(Required)

a. Key Owner’s Requirements.

b. Sustainable Construction Priorities.

c. Performance Criteria.

d. OPR Version History.

Building a Better OPR: ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline Preview

Steve Leight, PE, Commissioning Excellence, LLC

2. What is the goal of section D, “Objectives,” of the OPR as stated by the article?(Required)

a. Tell a compelling story about the project.

b. State objective facts about the project.

c. Pull together the owner’s requirements and prior issues.

d. Provide technical information on prior developments in the project.

Automating Functional Performance Testing of HVAC

Derek McGarry, PE, LEED AP, OTTO

According to the article, what is a sub-task of connected commissioning?(Required)

a. Regular cleaning of outside air intake.

b. Automated Functional Testing.

c. Fan reversal.

d. Manual shutoff

Automating Functional Performance Testing of HVAC

Derek McGarry, PE, LEED AP, OTTO

4. How is automated functional testing done in a secure way?(Required)

a. Installation of onsite units followed by subsequent onsite visits.

b. Using cellular networking connection to enable remote access through VPN.

c. Using freely available software to access management functions.

d. Installing a proprietary module that can be retrieved and examined at the TAB agent’s leisure.

Optimizing Air Quality in Health Care – The Impacts of an Overly-Positive Pressure Environment

Matthew Tebbs, EMP; (Co-author: Mike Haney, PE, Facility Diagnostics, LLC)

5. What was the initial finding after inspecting each air handling unit?(Required)

a. Half the units were operating at half-capacity.

b. Water had flooded a unit.

c. Several units were bringing greater outside air than originally designed.

d. Controls set to full-capacity were in-fact operating at half.

Optimizing Air Quality in Health Care – The Impacts of an Overly-Positive Pressure Environment

Matthew Tebbs, EMP; (Co-author: Mike Haney, PE, Facility Diagnostics, LLC)

6. What was found when comparing the air handling units (AHU) to the building automation systems (BAS)?(Required)

a. The AHU was operating slower than intended.

b. The BAS didn’t include fan speed in its functionality.

c. Power outages had rebooted the BAS multiple times, causing issues.

d. BAS displayed readings that didn’t match with the unit.

Variable Flow Primary: The Unsung Building Energy Saver

Al LaPera, CxA, EMP, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, Kimley-Horn

7. What are the names of the two distinctive piping system loops that make up a chilled water system?(Required)

a. “Away” and “Return.”

b. “Cooling” and “Neutral.”

c. “Production” and “Distribution.”

d. “Heading” and “Sink.”

Variable Flow Primary: The Unsung Building Energy Saver

Al LaPera, CxA, EMP, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, Kimley-Horn

8. In the case of the land-side portion of a national airport discussed in the article, what was the unique outcome?(Required)

a. The minimum tonnage after replacement of the primary/secondary plant with a variable flow primary plant was reduced by 78%.

b. The new variable flow primary plant could only operate two of its three units at a time.

c. Collected rainwater on the top of the RHU was able to aid in the cooling process.

d. Excess energy was created by the cooling process that could mitigate energy costs.

The Simple Truth about Monitoring-Based Commissioning

Charles W Jackson, III, PE, PMP, CxA, LEED AP BD+C, CMTA Engineering Consultants

9. According to the article, why is deciding on monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) early in the design phase beneficial?(Required)

a. It provides lead time to find parts.

b. Allows for the building owner to set aside funds for their costs.

c. Reduces costs by adding options to equipment rather than installing separately after installation.

d. It reduces energy loss from modifications to the system.

The Simple Truth about Monitoring-Based Commissioning

Charles W Jackson, III, PE, PMP, CxA, LEED AP BD+C, CMTA Engineering Consultants

10. Which is another benefit of choosing MBCx for a project?(Required)

a. Meters can assist in testing.

b. Helps prevent wear on the system.

c. Mechanically ensures that energy doesn’t leave the system.

d. Can reverse airflow at a moment’s notice.

The Importance of Manufacturer Start-up/Commissioning Report

Husameddin Jafar, TBE, CxA, EMP, AJB Hightech Ltd

11. What was the reason for the air handling units’ deficiency?(Required)

a. Loose fittings.

b. Reversed fans.

c. Incorrect internal connections in the motor’s junction boxes connected to low-speed terminals.

d. Recent construction caused a breach in the system, which was leaking air whenever the system was turned on.

The Importance of Manufacturer Start-up/Commissioning Report

Husameddin Jafar, TBE, CxA, EMP, AJB Hightech Ltd

12. What was the cause of the issues with the chiller tripping?(Required)

a. A system leak was causing temperature misreading.

b. Chillers’ microprocessor controllers were programmed to maintain return water temperature for the water instead of leaving it as specified in the project specs.

c. Colder than usual temperatures were causing temperature misreadings.

d. Additions were put on the system that had errors.

Hydronic Balancing Tips

Amritpal Sandhu, TBS, Designtest & Balance Co. Ltd.

13. Whose responsibility is it to ensure start-up is done before balancing begins?(Required)

a. The TAB agency.

b. The mechanical contractor.

c. The owner.

d. The building manager.

Hydronic Balancing Tips

Amritpal Sandhu, TBS, Designtest & Balance Co. Ltd.

14. Which step is commonly forgotten by the mechanical contractor once the system is clean and free from debris?(Required)

a. Turning the system back on.

b. Informing the building owner that the system is ready for balancing.

c. Removing construction strainers.

d. Adding glycol to the system.

Facility Condition Assessments and TAB

Josh Green, TBE, CxA, Environmental Test and Balance Company

15. What is one of the first things you should do when beginning the assessment testing plan?(Required)

a. Obtain the original design quantities to confirm they align with the current facility requirements.

b. Notify the owner, mechanical contractor, and energy manager of the process beginning.

c. Turn on the system and let it reach full capacity.

d. Remove grills to ensure you get a proper reading.

Facility Condition Assessments and TAB

Josh Green, TBE, CxA, Environmental Test and Balance Company

16. What are the benefits of the implementation of TAB on facility condition assessments?(Required)

a. Reduction of maintenance hours for HVAC equipment.

b. The collection and analysis of performance data assists owners and facility managers in weighing priorities.

c. It helps find alternative equipment to use.

d. Drills staff in probable future issues.

The Importance of Flow Monitoring Station Maintenance

Jacob Ebert, TBE, Fluid Dynamics, Inc.

17. What resolved the issue affecting the two AHUs?(Required)

a. Debris in the air intake was restricting airflow.

b. The sensing elements were covered in debris.

c. Slowing fan speed.

d. Increasing fan speed.

Excessive Controls Causing Unstable Systems: Lab and School Case Studies

Neil Redford, TBE, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.

18. For the lab mentioned in the article, what was the largest contributing factor to the repeated tripping of the unit?(Required)

a. Complete control of all air streams entering the unit.

b. Extra air intake.

c. Glycol leaking into the system through a punctured pipe.

d. Outside air shutters fully open.

Excessive Controls Causing Unstable Systems: Lab and School Case Studies

Neil Redford, TBE, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.

19. At the education building, how were the TAB agents able to resolve the tripping issue?(Required)

a. A new controls unit was installed.

b. The air intake was moved to fully open.

c. Leaks in the system were patched by the mechanical contractor.

d. Output to the relevant dampers was limited to the needed range.

Energy Management - Utility Bills, Electric Rates & Metering

Robert Knoedler, PE, CxA, EMP, Hanson Professional Services, Inc.

20. According to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, electric utilities must exceed how many KWhs in sales to be required to offer time-of-use rates?(Required)

a. 300 million

b. 400 million

c. 500 million

d. 600 million

2023 Spring TAB Journal Quiz

2023 Spring TAB Journal Quiz

Suggested Drawing Specification

AIA-Format LONG-FORM SPECIFICATION

Section 230593 – TESTING, ADJUSTING AND BALANCING FOR HVAC

AIA-Format SHORT – FORM SPECIFICATION

Section 230593 – TESTING, ADJUSTING AND BALANCING FOR HVAC

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