Section MTG -- Multidisciplinary Task Groups

Scope

MTG.ACR will coordinate TC/TG/TRG/SSPC technical activities to help evaluate the technical basis and adoption of airflow rate specifications in terms of Air Change Rate (ACR) or Air Changes per Hour (ACH) for spaces such as cleanrooms, laboratories, patient rooms, operating rooms, and other similar spaces. Responsibilities include the development of research projects, development and presentation of technical programs for all types of spaces which currently require ACR specifications, and a special publication detailing aspects of the ACR philosophy and practice. The work of this MTG will potentially impact design guidelines, ASHRAE Handbook, and related ASHRAE standards. This MTG intends to involve other national and international groups and organizations in these efforts.

Objective/Impact

Cleanrooms, laboratories, and healthcare spaces including patient rooms, airborne infection isolation rooms, operating rooms and other similar facilities are required to maintain anywhere between 4 to 300 Air Changes per Hour (ACH). Guidelines, codes, and standards for such specifications are traditionally based on judgment of experienced practitioners. Since the ACH specification involves “volume” of the space which tend to penalize spaces with high ceilings without explicit supporting scientific justification. With increased emphasis on energy efficiency and associated costs of HVAC operations it is important to evaluate the basis of such specifications. The underlying principles of contaminant dilution and removal are similar across most of the different applications. While keeping the safety of people and products as a primary goal, this group will conduct systematic investigations through rational analysis, literature reviews, and research to determine the appropriate basis for the specification of dilution airflow rates for these applications. Additionally, this group will attempt to find a common - basis for dilution airflow specifications to different applications such as cleanrooms, laboratories, and healthcare facilities. Where scientific basis cannot be definitively identified, research activities will be proposed through the ASHRAE research process.

This group will bring together expertise from various ASHRAE groups (TC 9.02, TC9.06, TC9.10, TC9.11, SSPC 62.1, SSPC 170) and from other non-ASHRAE organizations (see below) to work in close collaboration to achieve the following objectives:

• Systematically investigate relationships between specified airflow rates and associated safety of people and products.
• Evaluate a correlation between the strength and location of contaminant sources and airflow rates to obtain the desired levels of contamination control.
• Compile definitions and descriptions of different terminologies for air change effectiveness, dilution effectiveness, ventilation effectiveness, and contaminant removal effectiveness.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of relationship between ACR and various (ventilation) effectiveness definitions. Evaluate the impact of HVAC configuration including airflow distribution, flow path of contaminants, and locations and type of supply and return devices on ventilation effectiveness.
• Quantitatively correlate concentration of contaminants with various measures of ventilation. Determine which measures correlate best, and the modeling assumptions necessary to support use of a variable as a design criterion.
• Investigate the basis for the current ACR specifications for various facilities including cleanrooms, laboratories, patient rooms, operating rooms, and other similar spaces. Compare US standards and guidelines for such specifications with those available in other countries.
• Based on the above evaluations publish the evaluations of the existing ACH specifications in the current ASHRAE guidelines and standards.
• Develop recommendations for appropriate units for the specification of dilution airflow rates.

Also note this group would not be limited to ventilation and infiltration studies as in the scope of TC4.3. Activities of this group would help in optimizing the use of ASHRAE resources including ASHRAE research funds by avoiding duplicate efforts among different TCs. Findings of the research and literature review will be disseminated through special publications, ASHRAE Handbooks, ASHRAE conferences and other special conferences on the subject. The outcome of these efforts will be communicated to ASHRAE standards committees, regulatory authorities, and other similar organizations to facilitate any modifications in their codes and standards.

Roster

Current Projects/ Goals

• Developing Research Project Work Statement
• Requesting topic suggestions for Annual Meeting

Accomplishments

• RTAR Approved
• Program for ASHRAE 2018 Winter Conference
• Forum: Ventilation Effectiveness: What Is It? Moderated by K. Khankari
• Seminar: Modeling and Testing: Do Air Change Rates Have Lab Safety Covered? with presentations by K. Khankari and T. Smith

Meeting Times

• MTG.ACR meets before and after ASHRAE conferences

Agendas

 Meeting Agenda 2016-11-22

Meeting Agenda 2017-03-20

Meeting Agenda 2017-08-23

Meeting Agenda 2018-01-04

Minutes

Meeting Minutes 2016-11-22

Meeting Minutes 2017-03-20

Meeting Minutes 2017-06-19

Meeting Minutes 2017-08-23

Scope:
MTG.BD will develop a definition of a damp building and an assessment protocol to assess building dampness in accordance with recommendation 3 of the ASHRAE Board of Directors’ 2013 position document titled Limiting Indoor Mold and Dampness in Buildings. The group will also propose research to test the practicality, utility and cost-effectiveness of the protocol, and oversee that research if such is approved. The MTG will publish the protocol in ASHRAE transactions for use as appropriate by the building professions, the public health community and by the public at large.

Scope

MTG.BIM will coordinate the activities of multiple TC/TG in the area of standards and approaches to support the implementation of BIM within ASHRAE products and within the industry workplace and will generate ASHRAE research. MTG-BIM will also represent ASHRAE interests within the BIM marketplace outside of ASHRAE and provide a conduit for funneling information about the BIM industry to ASHRAE members.

Roster

Current Projects, Goals, or Objectives

We are currently working on a report to Tech Council that will outline a plan forward regarding development of Standards relative to BIM.  ASHRAE has developed Guideline 20 and is currently starting on development of a second effort (SPC 205 Data Exchange Protocols for Energy Simulation of HVAC&R Equipment Performance).

Our plan forward must include better coordination within ASHRAE and with ASHRAE and outside organizations plus engaging in a more proactive effort to attain a leadership position in the industry in the area of standards development for BIM.

Our primary focus will be on standards for which ASHRAE could lead the development of the standard, either on our own or as the leader of collaboration. It will also be necessary to look at standards that may already be under development by another organization which addresses a broader aspect of BIM.  In those cases, ASHRAE would contribute in the areas of our expertise.

Accomplishments to Date

MTG-BIM recently approved a motion to become members of US TAG to ISO/TC 59/SC 13.  This action will allow ASHRAE to expedite the accreditation process for establishing ASHRAE as the administrator of the TAG.  After accreditation, we would be able to revise the roster to include others who are interested in the activities of TC 59/SC 13 but who aren’t currently on MTG-BIM, and remove those who have no interest in ISO.  See below for additional information.

The ASHRAE Standards Committee approved the establishment and administration of the US TAG to ISO/TC 59/SC 13 and the corresponding ANSI Participating Membership on ISO/TC 59/SC 13.

BACKGROUND:  The US (ANSI) is not a participating member of ISO/TC 59/SC 13. The work of SC 13 is closely related to ASHRAE interests in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and our members have expressed a desire to participate at the international level. Chris Wilkins, chair of ASHRAE MTG-BIM (Multidisciplinary Task Group – Building Information Modeling), has been proposed as the US expert on ISO/TC 59/SC 13/WG 11, Product data for building services systems model.  ASTM is the administrator of the US TAG to ISO/TC 59 and supports ASHRAE administration of the SC 13 TAG. ASHRAE staff will coordinate this membership with ANSI, draft operating procedures for the TAG, and develop a TAG roster through ASHRAE contacts and a call for members.

Meetings

MTG.BIM typically meets on Saturday from 1-3 during Society meetings. Web/Conf. call meetings are also scheduled as required between Society meetings.

MTG Listserv Sign-up Link

Terms of Use/Sign-Up

Scope:
MTG.CEA will coordinate TC/TG/TRG technical activities related to the design of indoor plant production facilities and their HVAC&R systems. The priority of the MTG will be coordinating communication and opportunities between and through each of the involved committees to align and provide an ASHRAE society stance and direction for the development of plant production facilities. There is an ASABE standard in development, X653, which focuses on environmental conditions for indoor plant production facilities. This ASHRAE MTG will help guide designers, engineers and owners on how to best design and select the HVAC&R systems and equipment given the conditions in that standard. The MTG would ensure that aspects related to energy efficiency, efficacy, and selection of optimum HVAC&R systems are well understood within ASHRAE.

Scope:
MTG.EBO will coordinate the activities of multiple TC/TG/TRG and other stakeholders in the area of training and tools to support the operation of buildings to enhance the indoor environment and use energy effectively. Responsibility will include suggestions for research as well as development of technical programs and special publications on effective building operation for energy management.

The initial MTG roster includes Voting Representatives and Alternates for TCs 1.4 (Control Theory and Application), 7.3 (Operation and Maintenance Management) 7.8 (Owning and Operating Costs) and GPC 1.3 (Building Operation and Maintenance Training for the HVAC&R Commissioning Process)

Other TCs GPCs, and SPCs may also now wish to participate in this MTG with a Voting Representative and Alternate(s) given its scope and charge.

Scope:
MTG.HCDG will coordinate TC/TG/TRG technical Activities to help support the development of the technical basis and adoption of the Hot Climate Design Guide. Responsibilities include suggestions for Research, Development and Presentations and special publications detailing aspects of the Hot Climate Design Guide.

Scope

MTG.HWBE will coordinate TC/TG/TRG technical activities related to enhanced health and wellness of the occupants in the built environment. The focus of the MTG will be to help to foster and expand internal and external organizational partnerships in this subject area, particularly with organizations developing green building rating systems (e.g., ASHRAE bEQ, LEED; WELL, Living Building Challenge; RESET, etc.) government agencies and research institutes. The objective of this coordination is to strengthen and improve the development and utility of these green building rating systems, to increase ASHRAE’s knowledge and expertise in this emerging field, and to become more effective in disseminating the results of research and practice in this field to ASHRAE members and others.

Objective/Impact

MTG.HWBE will bring together expertise from various ASHRAE groups (TC 1.12, TC 2.1, STD 55, EHC, STD 189, SSPC 62.1, SSPC 62.2 and others) and from other non-ASHRAE organizations (AIA, CDC, Google, GSA, Harvard CCHGE, IAQA, IEQ-GA, ILFI, ISHRAE, IWBI, NIBS, USGBC,) to work in close collaboration to achieve the following objectives:

• aggregate existing and newly issued scholarly and non-scholarly literature related to enhanced health and wellness in the built environment;
•  ensure that research results and other developments are integrated into existing ASHRAE publications such as handbooks, guidelines, guides and standards;
• develop and maintain technical online resources on ASHRAE’s website regarding enhanced health and wellness in the built environment;
• provide opportunities for new, potentially co-funded, research and development on how to measure the tangible effects of the built environment on the enhanced health and wellness of the building’s occupants; and
• Communicate the tangible and non-tangible benefits of applying building enhanced health and wellness criteria and requirements to ASHRAE’s current design, construction and operational and maintenance practices.

Other TCs GPCs, and SPCs may also now wish to participate in this MTG with a Voting Representative and Alternate(s) given its scope and charge

Scope:
MTG.IAST will generate research proposal(s) and work with the selected consultants/contractors to conduct research, collect and organize the data in a useful and conveniently summarized format for Initiative 1B of the Society Strategic Plan “ASHRAE will research the true impact of its standards and technology” as requested by the BOD.

Scope

MTG.LowGWP will coordinate TC/TG/TRG technical activities to help transition the HVAC&R industry to sustainable lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternative refrigerants. The MTG will further request participation from US DOE, AHRI, and others with shared goal. The MTG responsibilities include research, development and presentation of technical programs of all types on alternative lower GWP refrigerants, suggestions for Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) systems evaluation for different applications, development of lower GWP solutions for different applications, and a special publication detailing aspects of LCCP applied to the HVAC&R fields.

Objective/Impact

This MTG will create a synergy between TCs working on advancing the HVAC&R state-of-the-art. The Members will coordinate the efforts undertaken by TCs 1.1, 1.3, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.8, 6.3, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, 8.11, 10.1, and 10.7 plus SSPC 15, SSPC 34 and the work of AHAM, AHRI, U.L., and UNEP to investigate the performance of alternative refrigerants and refrigerant blends proposed by TC 3.1. The MTG will also work closely with TC 3.2 and TC 3.4 to ensure the compatibility of the new refrigerants with current and future systems. Furthermore, the MTG will coordinate the results obtained from research performed in different TCs with TCs 1.5, 2.5 and 4.1 to establish a standardized LCCP evaluation in order to ensure that the lower GWP refrigerants do not contribute more emissions indirectly. Results from the work coordinated by this MTG will be published in ASHRAE handbook chapters sponsored by different committees. The diversity of the MTG participating TC membership will result in stronger impact on the HVAC&R community and ensure faster and sustainable transition to environmentally friendly refrigerants.

Roster

Accomplishments

• MTG formation was approved at Jan 2012 ASHRAE (Chicago) meeting.  Kick-off teleconference was held 28-Mar-2013.
• Hold regular meetings (at least 4 within a year):  MTG had regular meetings before, during and after ASHRAE meetings to coordinate Low GWP activities with the relevant TCs
• Membership now encompasses 14 TCs, 2 SSPC and 4 outside organizations.
• Establish a strong program activity to increase the ASHRAE membership awareness on the current activity regarding alternative lower global warming refrigerants. 2 seminars were held in Dallas, 4 in Denver, 2 in Las Vegas, and 1 workshop, 3 seminars, and 1 conf. paper session planned for Long Beach, mini track at Expo planned for Chicago.
• The MTG since its inception has tracked current research activities relevant to its mission and coordinated between different TCs in this regard. The MTG also disseminated related information stemming from AHRI AREP and IIR LCCP working party to their committees. In 2016, MTG.LowGWP was granted authority by the ASHRAE Technical Activities Committee (TAC) to develop and sponsor their own research projects. See above for listing of first three projects being developed.

Meeting Times

• Periodic teleconferences between conferences as needed
• Scheduled Meetings:
• Sunday afternoon at Society meetings from 5 pm to 6 pm
• Wednesday mornings Society meetings from 10 am to 12 pm

Minutes

January 13 & 16, 2019 Conference Minutes - Atlanta

June 24 and 27, 2018 Conference Minutes - Houston

January 21 and 24, 2018 Conference Minutes - Chicago - Draft

MTG Listserv Sign-up Link

Terms of Use/Sign-Up

Scope

MTG.OBB coordinates TC/TG/TRG technical activities to help implement the recommendations from this MTG. This includes coordinating efforts in education, modeling, research, standards, marketing, advocacy, and fund raising within ASHRAE. Research project initiation as the sponsoring committee is included in the scope of this MTG.

Occupant behavior in buildings refers to occupants’ comfort preference, presence and movement, and interactions with building systems that have impact on performance (thermal, visual, acoustic, and IAQ) of buildings. The interactions include adjusting the thermostat settings, opening or closing windows, dimming or turning on/off lights, pulling up or down window blinds, switching on or off plug-loads, and consuming domestic hot water.

Objective/Impact

MTG.OBB sponsors and coordinates activities of related ASHRAE technical and standards committees to facilitate development of data, tools, technologies, and guidelines enabling integration of occupant behavior in the design, operation, and retrofit of new and existing commercial and residential buildings. The intent is that these products, focusing on the human dimension, may be used in the life cycle of buildings and potentially contribute to ASHRAE’s energy saving targets, by demonstrations of behavior-driven passive and active building designs and identification of energy saving opportunities from behavior measures. Within ASHRAE, the MTG coordinates activities to update related parts of ASHRAE Handbooks and Standards (particularly energy and indoor environmental calculations, standards 55, 62.1, 62.2, 90.1, 90.2 and 189.1), and to develop related education programs for buildings designers, operators and occupants. Outside of ASHRAE, the MTG monitors related activities (e.g. IEA EBC Annex 66) and represent ASHRAE interests where permitted to provide a conduit for related information transfer to ASHRAE members.

Roster (as of July 1, 2017)

Current Projects/ Goals

• Develop a position paper outlining the overall scope and objectives of the MTG.
• Propose a chapter on occupant-centered HVAC design and data collection for the 2019 ASHRAE Applications Handbook, to be reviewed by the Handbook Committee at the 2018 Winter Meeting in Chicago.
• Continue to identify ASHRAE projects, RTARs, and seminar proposals related to occupant behavior and determine the best ways for the MTG to contribute to them.
• RAC-approved RTARs with MTG.OBB sponsorship:

• Determining Occupancy Patterns in Clusters of Buildings with Data Drawn from Web Based Social Media, Dr. Bing Dong, UTSA
• Proposed RTARs with MTG.OBB sponsorship:
• Integrating Occupant Behavior Data into Building Information Models for Performance Simulation, Rob Hitchcock

• Proposed RTARs seeking MTG.OBB sponsorship:

• Explore and Quantify Behavior-Driven Building Energy Usages, Dr. Zheng O’Neill, University of Alabama; Dr. Bing Dong, UTSA

• Proposed seminars for Chicago 2018 Winter Meeting seeking MTG.OBB sponsorship:
• Projecting the adoption of building efficiency technologies: An introduction to interdisciplinary modeling approaches, Dr. Jared Langevin, LBNL
• Occupant behavior modeling, Dr. Liam O’Brien, Carleton University      

Accomplishments

• MTG formation was approved at Jan 2016 ASHRAE Orlando Winter Meeting.  Kick-off teleconference was held May 2, 2016.
• Sponsored/co-sponsored three seminars at the Long Beach Annual Meeting, June 2017:

• Model Predictive Control, chaired by Prof. Da Yan
• Interdisciplinary Occupant Behavior Survey, chaired by Dr. Tianzhen Hong, LBNL
• Using Nature, Keeping Control, chaired by James Coogan

• Sponsored one seminar at the Las Vegas Winter Meeting, January 2017:

• Occupant Behavior driven Building Operation and Maintenance, chaired by Dr. Bing Dong, UTSA

• Hold regular meetings:  MTG holds regular meetings before, during and after ASHRAE meetings to coordinate occupant behavior activities with relevant TCs.
• Membership now encompasses 11 TCs, 3 SSPCs, 1 SGPC, 1 MTG, and 2 outside groups/organizations (IEA Annex 66; U.S. DOE).
• The MTG has established a wide range of program activities intended to increase ASHRAE membership’s awareness of advancements in the occupant behavior research area. As outlined above, the MTG has so far sponsored 1 seminar in Las Vegas, 3 seminars in Long Beach, and is currently considered sponsoring 2 more seminars for Chicago 2018. The MTG has also sponsored 1 RTAR with RAC approval, another RTAR seeking RAC approval, and is considering sponsoring a third RTAR.
• Additional program activities include the development of a position paper to outline the MTG’s overall scope and objectives, as well as the development of a chapter proposed for inclusion in the 2019 Applications Handbook. 

Meeting Times

• Periodic teleconferences between conferences as needed
• Scheduled Meetings:
• Monday mornings at Society meetings from 8 am to 10 am

Minutes

06/27/2016, St. Louis, MO (Annual Meeting)

 11/04/2016 (phone call)

 01/30/2017, Las Vegas, NV (Winter Meeting)

MTG Listserv Sign-up Link

Terms of Use/Sign-Up

Scope:
MTG.RAC will coordinate and oversee the creation of an ASHRAE/UNEP Guide for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) Plant Assessments. The Guide aims to be an international reference for the safe and sustainable operation and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration plants, with special focus on developing markets. The Guide is to form the basis of tools that will verify compliance to recommended practices that can be verified through a point-based qualification or verification scheme. The work will be a cooperative effort with United Nations Environment due to the critical need for such guidance in the developing world with availability of UNEP funding to offset authoring expenses.