HVAC System Design

The project was conceived as a recreational center for a community in Nashville, TN.  The facilities include a two court gymnasium, two racquetball courts, natatorium, showers and lockers, a wellness center and an aerobics area.  Also included are meeting rooms for the community’s uses. The proposed location is in the heart of Nashville’s residential area.

The centers’ architecture is proposed to blend into the residential area where it will be located.  Concern has been expressed by the community that the mechanical systems that provide the environmental control should not distract from the Centers architecture.  Location of primary HVAC equipment, such as chillers, boilers and pumps are to be located adjacent to the Center in a screened enclosure. The utility connections between the enclosure and the Center are to be underground. Air handling equipment is to be located in mechanical rooms and mechanical mezzanines throughout the Center. The design team should strive to locate exhaust equipment on the roof in a matter that will blend with the Centers’ architecture.  

Recreation Center Site Plan

Each student team should choose the HVAC system(s), either single or multiple systems; that they feel best serves all of the buildings spaces based on the Recreation Center’s operation.  The swimming pool filtration treatment system is not a part of his design competition, however, the environmental control of the natatorium space is included and the use of recovered energy for pool water heating is encouraged.

ASHRAE student teams located outside the USA and Canada may locate the Recreation Center in the capital of the student’s country, IE: Students from Mexico may use Mexico City.  Building criteria and design assumptions to remain the same for all building sites, with the exception of the climate information.  Student teams should determine whether the buildings envelope as designed complies with ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.

Exhibits
Exhibit 1
Refer to   Exhibit 1 for judging criteria for  the Student System Design Competition.
Exhibit 2
 Architectural Drawings in AutoCAD Format (ZIP)

Exhibit 3
 Architectural Drawings in PDF Format (ZIP)

Exhibit 4 
Refer to Exhibit 4 for Design Information and assumptions. 

The HVAC system design project will be to provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the Phase II White House Recreation Center. The intent of the HVAC design is to provide a functional, economical and environmentally sensitive and sustainable design that will provide for the needs of the building occupants now and over a 20 year span. The reference drawings for proposed Center, will give the design team the floor plans for the proposed building showing the intent of the architectural design and floor areas. The Basis of Design information provided in Exhibit 4 will give the design team further necessary background information. The detailed design shall include all exhaust air, makeup air, supply air and return air distribution systems, fans, air handling units, cooling towers or closed loop fluid coolers, VAV/CAV terminal units, heating equipment, cooling equipment, hydronic piping and building automation and controls systems. The appropriate level of control shall be provided for all spaces.

The Design Team is to use heating and cooling loads necessary to perform system design.  HVAC equipment should be coordinated with the space needs and with the architectural plans provided.

It is suggested that the Student Design Team work together with a local consulting engineer as mentor on this project. Your local ASHRAE Chapter Student Activities Chair (contact Tarra Holman for assistance) will support you in this endeavor by providing willing mentors from its ranks in the consulting community to assist you, at your request.

HVAC System Design Judging Criteria
The evaluation of projects in this category will be based on the following criteria:

•  System Selection (20 %)
  The student team to use a matrix of system selections that meet the building operational schedule, relative energy consumption and operating and maintenance. Rank the first cost of each system based on your mentor's or student advisor's consultation.
• ASHRAE Standards   (20 %)
  The Student team is to determine if the building envelope meets or exceed the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of Chapter 5 of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.  Provide necessary makeup air and ventilation air to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. (contact your faculty advisor, chapter mentor, or  Tarra Holman to obtain a copy of these standards)
• Creativity (30 %)
  How creatively and successfully the HVAC design meets the project objectives.
• Communication of Results (30 %)
  How well the team communicates the design intent and results through the written report and the design drawings

The submission must achieve at least 50 % total in the judging criteria to be considered.

System Design Competition Submittal Requirements

• Deliverable will be report no more than 45 pages including appendices, according to the following format and including:
  Section 1.0- Executive Summary
  Section 2.0- Building Conditions
  Section 3.0- Design Considerations
  Section 4.0- System Selection matrix
  Section 5.0- Conclusions and Recommendations

Appendices  - include Drawings in reduced format (11” x 17”), Schematics, Equipment  Data, Schedule and Heating and Cooling Load Calculations.
Required technical information to be included in the report:

• Mechanical floor plans showing all major mechanical equipment, ductwork, HVAC piping sizes on the drawing including terminal units, diffusers, grilles, registers and sensors. Duct drawings can be single line.
• Installation details and schematic diagrams including controls and a list of symbols/abbreviations is to be included on drawings.
• Schedule on drawings for major mechanical equipment; fans, pumps, air handlers, fin tube radiation, unit heaters, fan coil units, VAV boxes, CAV boxes, heat exchangers, etc.
• Heating and Cooling Load Calculation.