The Capstone College of Nursing classroom building is a 63,000 square feet, three-story building containing classrooms, clinical lab areas, offices, with additional support and core areas. Environmental Systems Corporation was hired directly by The University of Alabama for this project during the Design Phase. ESC has completed all tasks associated with the Design Phase and Construction Phase and is currently completing the Acceptance Phase preparing for Functional Testing.
Paul Smith, P.E., LEED AP is the CxA for the project, Randy Barton, P.E., is performing the electrical portion of the Commissioning testing, with both Rob Nichols, LEED AP serving as the Lead Mechanical Technician and Harvey Yoder serving as the Lead Electrical Technician. As CxA, Mr. Smith performed the design review and wrote the Commissioning specifications and Cx Plan for the project. Mr. Nichols prepared the Pre-Functional Mechanical forms and Mr. Barton has prepared the forms for the electrical testing. Mr. Smith conducts the regular Cx meetings and handles the daily flow of commissioning scheduling and information. Mr. Smith, Mr. Barton and Mr. Nichols have all been on site to verify the Pre-Functional information noting items for the Issue Log. During one of our site visits the team used ESC’s Flir Infrared Camera to verify the connections to the electrical panels. Mr. Smith has written all Functional Performance Testing based on the Engineer of Record’s Sequence of Operation. Mr. Barton has been on site to witness equipment start-up and both Mr. Smith and Mr. Nichols will be on-site for the upcoming TAB verification and Functional Testing.
The systems to be commissioned are: Mechanical: Air cooled chiller, Chilled water system, Gas fired boilers, Hot water system, Modular chilled water VAV air handlers, VAV terminal units with hot water reheat, Hot and chilled water distribution piping, Energy Recovery Ventilation Units, Building Pressurization and Direct digital control system. Plumbing Systems: Domestic water heating system. Electrical: Electrical distribution system, Electrical switchboard, Electrical switchgear, Emergency power system, Lighting Control, Fault current protection system, TVSS system, Specialty Equipment and/or Systems: Life safety systems (fire and smoke alarm), Fire protection system and Lightning protection system.
The remaining scope of our Commissioning work includes: Continued Cx plan revisions; On-going Cx meetings; Maintaining the project Issue Log; Witnessing and verification of TAB; Performance of the Functional Testing; Direct and document the integrated systems testing as relating to the mechanical, electrical and fire/life safety systems; Owner Training verification and documentation; Verifying Issue Log resolution for each item; O & M Manual review; Warranty Phase activities; Generation of the Final Commissioning Report
Project References:
Owner’s Representative
James Adams, Hoar Project Manager 205.348.8155
Hoar Project Manager Paula Marques 205.348.5989
Mechanical Engineer & Facilities Planning
The University of Alabama Mechanical Engineer Dan Whitaker, P.E., Whitaker & Rawson, Inc. 205.949.5126
