ASHRAE 90.1 and the Benefits of Demand Based Static Pressure Control for Laboratories
Jonathan Savona, Accutrol LLC
Owners are well aware of the tremendous energy usage of a laboratory, and design engineers have worked through the years to find the best ways to mitigate the high cost of energy, while providing the safest and most usable laboratory spaces. Over the last 30 years, the application of VAV control for fume hoods and laboratory environments, as well as the introduction of low flow "high performance" fume hoods, took a significant bite out of energy usage in laboratories by reducing the amount of conditioned makeup air required for the spaces. While these changes were positive, they are still not enough to meet the reduced energy demands of the new century.
Labs21 has recommended reducing the static pressure drop of the devices in the airstream for both supply and exhaust systems in laboratories. By reducing the required duct pressure, the brake horsepower of the fan systems used for both the supply and exhaust air would also be reduced. This would not only reduce the size of the fan systems for lower installed costs, but it would also reduce the electrical usage of the fans for the life of the building. During this presentation, the speaker will focus on the airflow control system and how it can be designed using the latest technologies to reduce the operating pressure in the duct system, thereby reducing the electrical usage and saving energy for the life of the building with virtually no additional cost to the owner.
ASHRAE standard 90.1-6.5.3.2.3 helps to address the lower static pressure operation by requiring system static pressure to be reset based on the control position of the valves in the ductwork. By utilizing the static pressure reset control scheme called for in this ASHRAE standard, along with proper low pressure airflow control valves, significant reductions in operating pressure can be achieved in both the supply and exhaust air systems. This, of course, reduces the cost to the owner of operating the system and reduces the carbon footprint of the building.
Low pressure drop airflow valves in laboratory environments that allow the proper data sharing to the building automation system are key to making this happen. Through the use of this technology, owners can now benefit with greatly reduced energy usage in their laboratories. The speaker will provide education on the application of this ASHRAE standard in a laboratory environment and present data on the best methods for achieving a safe and effective reduction of static pressure for maximum energy savings utilizing the ASHRAE standard as its basis.
This seminar is a must for those owners and engineers looking to understand the benefits of meeting this important ASHRAE standard and how it is applied to laboratories utilizing the latest technology in critical airflow control.
Biography:
Jonathan Savona has more than 27 years of experience in critical environment design engineering, specializing in laboratory airflow control for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, university, and healthcare facilities. Mr. Savona has successfully supported owners, architects, and engineers as a critical environments specialist for Accuspec, Inc. since 2001 and has been involved with the low pressure drop AccuValve® product since its inception. With his passion for excellence in the design of safe and highly efficient critical airflow control, Mr. Savona joined Accutrol LLC in 2010 to bring this sustainable technology message to an international audience. Mr. Savona is a past president of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) New England Chapter and past chairperson for the ISPE International Student Development Council. Mr. Savona is also an active member of ASHRAE.