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AABC TAB & Cx Seminar
Tuesday, April 30
Sponsored by: Ameritech Data Solutions
Ameritech Data Solutions (ADS) provides world-class hardware, custom software and data management solutions along with exceptional IT support for your business. We support TAB, Commissioning, Clean Room, and BET Firms from our main office in Hickory, North Carolina.
Founded in the year 2000 as Ameritech Computer Consultants, ADS has evolved into a complete managed services provider, innovative software developer, and your source for technology hardware. Our flagship software solution TABopts Project Management and TABopts Field Data Collection were developed specifically for the TAB, Commissioning, Clean Room and BET Firms looking to automate there day to day operation from Estimating to Certified Report Generation.
- 8:00 am – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Preventive Medicine—Commissioning for a Healthy & Safe Building
Joe Hardy, TBE, Augusta Air Balance Company, LLC
Mike Kelly, TBE, CxA, American Testing, Inc.
Using the various phases of the commissioning process, i.e. design, construction, start-up, and final occupancy, we will review what the Project Construction Team, (TAB, Commissioning Agent, Contractors, Engineer and Architect) might look for during those times. Recommendations and/or requirements from the various entities governing Healthy and Safe buildings will be included as well as issues surrounding the transmission of disease and the short/long term effects of exposure to various atmospheric contaminants such as mold/mildew, pollen, dust, smoke, and VOCs.
Learning objectives:
- Explaining the process and intent of mitigating Disease Spread (Not just COVID 19) within Bldgs
- Environmental Systems and how they are the frontline to controlling VOC’s, Wildfire Smoke among other contaminants.
- Minimizing Exposures during construction, TAB, Cx and acceptance testing processes
- Principles behind “Building Flush” and possibilities to “Flush” beyond initial building acceptance due to atmospheric contaminants are always occurring.
- 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Recommendations for Periodic Testing, Adjusting and Balancing of Existing Buildings
Gaylon Richardson, TBE, CxA, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.
Existing, occupied buildings can benefit greatly from the TAB process. Over time, changes in building occupancy and usage, equipment aging, repairs, and modifications made (or not made) by operations and maintenance personnel can slowly degrade the performance of a building’s systems. Targeted testing and adjustments where necessary can have a significant positive impact on a building’s performance and efficiency, or in some cases highlight when a complete rebalance may be the wisest course of action.
Learning objectives:
- What Kind of Maintenance Programs Are In Place?
- Periodic Tests Required by Codes/ Standards
- Since Substantial Completion of the Building What Has Been Changed?
- AABC Recommendations For Testing Existing Buildings
- 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Healthcare Airflow Design: TAB/Cx Partnership in Auditing for Compliance and Efficiency
Mike Schowengerdt, CxA, RSACx, an Integra Company
Eric Grundmeier, TBE, RSAnalysis, an Integra Company
Explore critical airflow design auditing in healthcare facilities, from micro-level room scrutiny to macro-level building dynamics. Learn about ASHRAE 170 parameters: ACH, Minimum ACH, Pressure Relationship, and CFM Differential. Discover the significance of room-level airflow design for optimal patient safety. Recognize the complexities of late-stage design revisions and the benefits of early airflow design audits. Understand how overlooked factors, like ceiling height changes, can affect HVAC equipment sizing, emphasizing the importance of early audits.
Learning objectives:
- Summarize ASHRAE 170 parameters for healthcare airflow design: ACH, Minimum ACH, Pressure Relationship, and CFM Differential.
- Understand the vital role of micro/macro level airflow design audits for patient safety and compliance.
- Recognize challenges from late-stage design revisions, stressing the importance of early solutions.
- Explore the collaborative approach of Cx authorities and TAB teams in ensuring HVAC system efficiency and safety.
- Noon – 1:00 pm Lunch
- 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Got to Be a Balance Issue - Balancing a Medical Research Building After Three Years
Jimmy Pelezo, TBE, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.
Justin Garner, PE, TBE, CxA, Engineered Air Balance Co., Inc.
Today’s test and balance engineers need to be versed in the troubleshooting of complex and dynamic VAV Air Handling systems. Buildings are being designed and retrofit with the energy conscious owner in mind with static pressure re-sets and hydronic turndown. These complex control sequences look good on paper but in the end need tweaking and monitoring over time.
Learning objectives:
- Issues with startup and control for a dynamic variable volume Air Handling System.
- Identifying system static pressure drivers and documenting dynamic systems with multiple static pressure setpoints.
- Troubleshooting building issues using a TAB report and the importance of a TAB report to Owners.
- Common failure points on dynamically controlled Air Handling Systems utilizing airflow measuring stations for return modulation.
- 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
AABC Fume Hood Standard Update
Mike Morwin, TBE, CxA, Mechanical Testing, Inc.
Josh Green, TBE, CxA, Environmental Test & Balance Company
Learning objectives:
- Understand the key technical points of AABC's new stand-alone fume hood testing standard.
- Gain insight into the development process of AABC's new fume hood testing standard.
- Explore the upcoming AABC certification program and its relationship to the new standard.
- Identify the primary components and considerations involved in the AABC certification program's development.
- 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Doing More With Your Mechanical Plans
Derek Hedrick, Ameritech Data Solutions
One of the most important documents, if not the most important, is the Mechanical Plans. They are utilized from the beginning of the project to the final report submission. This lesson will discuss how TAB & Cx Firms can be more efficient in utilizing those plans and hopefully get away from some of those “But we have always done it that way” philosophy. We will cover automating the take off process utilized in the Estimating Procedure and the Mark Up and Data collection from the Field Data Collection Standpoint.
Learning objectives:
- Be able to utilize the mechanical drawing and an automation program to “Count” objects.
- Utilize those counts in an Estimate sheet to generate a Quote.
- Be able to utilize the mechanical drawing and an automation program to identify system objects by color, shape, and layer.
- Utilize the Marked Up drawing to streamline the data collection process.
