INNOVATIONS

TOP 10 INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING APPROACHES

We're counting down our Top 10 list in the next 10 editions of INNOVATIONS

#10 - Life-Cycle-Cost Based Decision-Making

Did you know that the present value of the lifetime operating cost for chillers, boilers, pumps, light fixtures, computers and other equipment can be 2-10 times its initial cost?

That's why we encourage customers to look at the big financial picture, life-cycle costs, not just first cost when making equipment and facility decisions. You can increase the profitability of your organization by applying simple life-cycle-cost techniques to your next project:

Whenever possible, pre-purchase the expensive equipment so you get to make the selection, not a contractor

If you can't pre-purchase, include life-cycle-cost bidding procedures in the contractor bid form so you can still decide (we've done this successfully on both public and private sector projects)

Tell the vendors you're going to select on the basis of lowest life-cycle cost, not just first cost. This forces them to research and customize their equipment offerings for your benefit.

Give them the economic criteria you will use to compute the life cycle cost

Allow each vendor to submit multiple offerings

Don't think that just by specifying the right equipment efficiency you can achieve the lowest life-cycle cost -- you never have complete knowledge of all the vendors' offerings. A vendor may have a chiller with terrible efficiency that he's desperate to sell. This could turn out to have the lowest life-cycle cost and be your best deal.

On a recent central plant project, we selected larger cooling towers with smaller fan motors that cost $5,000 more than the lowest cost units. The energy savings was $3,000 per year. We saved $3,000 in wiring and VFD costs due to the smaller electrical load. So, the simple payback on the additional first cost was less than one year.

Life-cycle costing should also be applied to system selection and other decisions throughout the design process. This is the secret to making wise long-term investments in your facilities. Taking time to evaluate design options has the collateral benefit of selecting systems that meet other important owner priorities such as reliability, ease of operation/maintenance, superior indoor environmental quality and sustainable (green) design.

Project Spotlight: Sustainable Design at the University of Cincinnati

ThermalTech is applying it's innovative solutions to a historic restoration project on the UC Main Campus. The project will be certified under the U.S. Green Building Council LEED^™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system.

Using our ThermalTech High-Performance Buildings^™strategy, we are focusing on improved indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, and resource minimization, while preserving the character of the building.

ThermalTech is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is one of the first engineering firms in the region to have a LEED^™Accredited Professional on staff.

Project:
Van Wormer Administration Building Renovation

Project Team:

Lorenz & Williams Architects
Beyer Blinder Belle Architects
ThermalTech Engineering

Cost:

$5MM

TECH TIP OF THE MONTH

NFPA and Duct Smoke Detectors
Michael C. Barth, Life-Safety System Specialist

When you renovate, add on, or build a new facility, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) addresses the requirements for life-safety systems. These requirements, along with requirements from local code officials, are the basis of your fire alarm system. Some of the conditions that are often overlooked when planning renovation projects are fire alarm upgrades and the impact on the existing fire alarm system and surrounding areas.

For renovation projects, NFPA Section 72 (The National Fire Alarm Code) requires that areas within a facility be brought to compliance with the latest version of the code. For an existing fire alarm system to be compliant with the latest codes, the old devices must be either replaced or connected back into the system through new monitoring devices. In some extreme cases, the entire fire alarm system may need to be replaced.

NFPA Section 90A (The Standard for Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems) describes the requirements for smoke detection in ductwork and the interlocking with the air handling systems. Duct-mounted smoke detectors must be located in air handling systems having a flow rate of more than 2,000 CFM. In certain conditions, detectors are also required in each floor's return air duct, at each fan-powered VAV terminal, and in exhaust or relief air ducts. The duct-mounted smoke detectors must automatically stop their respective fan(s) when smoke is sensed.

Fire alarm systems are a major component of a building's functionality. These systems are not highly visible during normal operations of the facility, but they are vital for protecting the building's occupants and structure during a fire alarm condition.

If you have any concerns about your fire alarm system or would like assistance with fire alarm system upgrades, contact me at mbarth@thermaltech.com, and I'd be glad to help in any way.

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