Getting it Right—A Process for Ensuring
Controls Pass Functional Testing
Karl Stum, PE, and Scott
Nelson, PE, CH2M HILL
Laboratory controls are the heart of the overall HVAC system of
a laboratory and are becoming more complex as sophisticated safety
and energy saving strategies are employed. Too often, contractors
are not provided sufficient detail in the design documents and are
allowed to go too far with programming prior to thorough logic evaluation.
This leads to excessive deficiencies during functional testing that
may complicate troubleshooting, require reprogramming, retesting,
and may delay occupancy. A proven process can mitigate, if not eliminate,
these problems.
This paper describes a process of checks and balances of the design,
and monitoring of the development of the control logic and programming
at strategic points to gain best value. The process starts in design
and continues into construction with a thorough submittal review
process that includes multi-discipline meetings, collaborative functional
test procedure writing and a review of program code just prior to
functional testing. The authors have used and refined this process
over numerous projects.
Biographies:
Karl Stum, PE, is a senior mechanical engineer
and project manager focusing on building commissioning for larger
and complex facilities. He was the 2001 winner of the Benner Award
for Commissioning Excellence. He was on the founding board of the
Building Commissioning Association and on the ASHRAE committee that
just completed Guideline 0—The Commissioning Process.
Scott Nelson, PE, is a
mechanical engineer and project manager specializing in building
commissioning. He has commissioned a variety of building and system
types, including laboratories. Prior to moving into commissioning,
he was lead HVAC and process engineer for a number of
laboratories and cleanrooms for the high tech industry.
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