March 2006 - Plumbing & HVAC

More documents

Recommendations

Info

On the coverBreathtakingDESIGNMuseum revitalization challenges mechanicalcontractors, engineers By Simon BlakeThe raised floor creates a supplyplenum for the ventilation system.Treated air enters the room throughgrills between the two rails runningdown the centre of the photo. Supplyand return piping for the hydronicperimeter heating is also visible.Protecting the collectionThe ideal conditions for certain museumartifacts are not always right for people.Twenty years ago Microclimate TechnologiesInc. of Toronto developed a technology for theROM that provided scrubbed and conditionedair to the glass cases that house artifacts.The microclimate generators maintain constanthumidity conditions in the display case regardlessof temperature. They distribute scrubbedand conditioned air through two-inch diameterpipes in the floors and ceilings to eachindividual display case.There are projects, and then there areprojects. While today’s mechanicalcontractors and engineers must bemindful of the latest technologies, thetypical institutional or commercialbuilding is straightforward.But every now and again a projectcan be a challenge that, once completed,becomes a lasting showcase for the abilitiesof a company and its employees.Such is the case with the $233-millionRenaissance ROM project that visitorsto this year’s Canadian MechanicalsExhibition (CMX/CIPHEX 2006) willsee if they wander several blocks northof the show site.The most striking part of the renovationto the Royal Ontario Museum towersover Bloor Street in downtownToronto. Architect Daniel Libeskind’sdesign for the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal– “a stunning structure of prismaticforms”– is a real head-turner. But thedesign for seven new galleries is anythingbut straightforward from amechanical design and constructionstandpoint, reported ROM projectmanager Al Shaikoli, P.Eng.“There are challenges with the building… things you don’t have in a normalbox-type structure.” Engineersfound that two-dimensional blueprintscouldn’t properly portray the plumbingand HVAC systems. “We had to build acardboard model just to do the roofdrains,” remarked Bob Shute, P.Eng., apartner in The Mitchell PartnershipInc., (TMP Consulting Engineers),Toronto, mechanical engineering consultantfor the project.“There is nothing plumb on the job,except the elevator shaft,” noted PeterSajgalik, C.E.T., electrical and mechanicalservices construction coordinatorfor the general contractor, VanbotsConstruction Corp. of Markham, Ont.Plumbers and HVAC mechanics had towork on a system of co-ordinates, headded.Microclimate generatorsprovide treated air todisplay cases.By the completion in late 2007, 22 microclimate generators will be inuse. The generators are located in clusters in mechanical rooms and otheroff-gallery spaces.Peter Sajgalik, left, and Bob Shute discuss the unique design of the MichaelLee-Chin Crystal, under construction at the time of P&HVAC’s visit.Specialized designDesign engineers put considerablethought into the ventilation system forthe Crystal Galleries. In the end theysettled on a floor supply system.In typical summer conditions, lowpressure supply air enters a supply airplenum under the raised floor at 18°C –slightly lower than the occupied area. It“oozes” into the gallery through grillesin the floor.A “pool of air” distributes across theoccupied area. “Heat plumes” are createdwhere there are heat loads fromoccupants, light sources, solar gain, etc.The cooler supply air is drawn towardsthe heat load, replacing the rising air,thereby offsetting the load and controllingthe space condition. The cool airwarms, rises until it reaches an extractair temperature of 31°C near the ceilingand returns to the mechanical roomwhere it is treated.The system has a number of advantages:• Cooling is restricted to a height ofabout two or threemetres – the areaoccupied by peopleand artifacts.• The fresh cool airdoes not mix withcontaminated air, allowingprecise controlof indoor air quality.• The system is virtuallyself-balancingand results in a muchcleaner environmentthan other systems –making it ideal for amuseum application.• Higher supply temperatures combinedwith limiting cooling to the occupiedarea results in 30 to 40 percentenergy savings over a conventionalsystem.Extensive renovationsIn addition to the new galleries, theproject included extensive renovations“There isnothing plumbon the job,except theelevator shaft.”to the existing museum building, whichremained open to the public duringconstruction.Sayers and Associates Ltd., Mississauga,Ont., performed the mechanicalwork for the new 174,000 sq. ft. CrystalGalleries. Modern Niagara Inc.,Toronto, upgraded the chiller plantalong with HVAC systems in the existingbuilding.The existing 25-year-old 1,400-tonCFC chiller plant also served a numberof neighboring buildings. The additionalfloor space of theCrystal Galleries requiredan increase to2,400 tons, split betweentwo 1,000-tonand one 400-ton R-134A (refrigerant)chillers.An existing steamheating plant at theUniversity of Toronto,across the road, suppliesheating. Thepeak heating load forthe entire museumfacility is about eight million Btu-h.Steam enters the museum throughpiping to the chiller plant at pressuresup to 200 psi. It is reduced to 30 psi forthe shell and tube heat exchangers thatsupply hot water to fan coils (180°Fmax) and radiant floors (115°F max).Longer runs to the humidifiers require60 psi steam pressure.A low 14-foot ceiling height made16 Plumbing & HVAC Product News – February/March 2006 www.plumbingandhvac.ca
On the coverinstallation of the main chiller plant,related pumps, heat exchangers andductwork a struggle. Designers consideredlowering the floor, but a high watertable ruled that out.Compartmentalized air handlingThe new design features a compartmentalizedair distribution system withindividual air handlers for each gallery.Ventilation air enters the buildingthrough a well in the northwest cornerof the building. Some air is divertedimmediately to two galleries that havetheir own air handlers – more on thislater – while two variable speed axialfans totaling 165,000 cfm (about 1.3cfm per sq. ft.) push the remainderthrough a tunnel to the central fanroom in the basement.Free cooling is achieved with outdoorair economizers that bring in cold outsideair when the heat gain requires it.The unique design of the building madeplacing the air handlers adjacent totheir respective galleries impractical.Each air handler is equipped withheating and cooling coils. Ducts supplythe underfloor plenum for each gallery.A two-metre wide band of radiant floortubing around the perimeter of eachfloor provides supplementary heating.Typically, each gallery has three combinedtemperature/humidistats withmultiple space sensors that are programmedto maintain precise temperatureand humidity levels. In the coolingmode, coils are set to dehumidify to theright moisture level as determined bythe leading air temperature sensor. Thatsensor is reset by space heatingdemands to not over-cool. “The supplyair temperature is the reference point,but the actual control signal comesfrom the space sensors (which are averaged),”remarked Shute.“The underfloor displacement systemhas an enormous amount of thermalstorage mass so that rapid changes areneither imposed on to the space norThe new expansion to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto will be spectacular when it is completed.result from minor control adjustments…”he added.Each air handler has a return fan thatducts exhaust air back to a return airplenum. Space pressure controls anotherset of fans that push the spent ventilationair out a tunnel and exhaust it onthe west side of the building.The Blockbuster and Institute forContemporary Culture have their ownair handling systems because they housetraveling exhibits. They are equippedwith re-heat to compensate if overdehumidificationbecomes an issue.The ability to tailor temperature andhumidity to the requirements of eachdisplay is a key asset to the museum inattracting international exhibits.The first stage of the RenaissanceROM project – ten new galleries andfive enhanced public spaces in the historicsection of the museum – openedDec. 26. The Michael Lee-Chin Crystalis scheduled to open in the fall.Sayers piping supervisor DarrellShortell and plumber Peter Skaltsaswork on one of the air handlers.Heat Transfer Coils &Corrosion Protection CoatingsThe teamGeneral Contractor:Vanbots Construction Corp.,Markham, Ont.Engineers:Ove Arup & PartnersInternational Ltd.,London, EnglandThe Mitchell Partnership Inc.,TorontoMechanical Contractors:Sayers & Associates Ltd.,Mississauga, Ont.Modern Niagara Inc., TorontoArchitects:Studio Daniel Libeskind,Berlin, GermanyBregman & Hamann Architects,Toronto(Artist’s concept by Miller Hare, © ROM 2006.)■ New Coil Applications■ Exact Coil Replacements■ Rapid Delivery■ Heresite Protective CoatingsMadok Manufacturing is theCanadian licencee forHeresite Protective Coatings Inc.Manitowoc, WIMANUFACTURING LIMITED50 Morrell St., Brantford, Ontario N3T 4J5Tel (519) 756-5760 Fax (519) 756-5768mail@madok.com www.madok.comFine art or …? Ductwork snakes upthe center of the Crystal Galleries.Circle Number 116 for More Informationwww.plumbingandhvac.ca February/March 2006 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 17
Page 2 and 3: V I C T A U L I C • N E W A D V A
Page 4: Circle Number 105 for More Informat
Page 8 and 9: With a capacity of 75 feet of 5/8"F
Page 10 and 11: Give Your Customers The Innovation
Page 12 and 13: E-BusinessCutting the paper trailWi
Page 14 and 15: YOU COULD DO MOREIF YOU HAD TO DO L
Page 18 and 19: Circle Number 117 for More Informat
Page 20 and 21: If your businessruns on hot water..
Page 22 and 23: Make the choice thatʼs RELIABLE &
Page 24 and 25: INNOVATION I WORLDWIDE MANUFACTURIN
Page 26 and 27: The results are inAnd we’revery p
Page 28 and 29: Practically UntouchableIf you're lo
Page 30 and 31: RefrigerationCSI: Compressor Servic
Page 34 and 35: thwack!GO AHEAD, VIKRELL CAN TAKE I
Page 38 and 39: Intelligent comfort zoning controls
Page 42 and 43: coolerThe world is gettingExquisite
Page 44 and 45: KeepRite Refrigeration - The Right
Page 46 and 47: SOMEBODY PLEASE PASS A LAW PROHIBIT
Page 48 and 49: ADVERTISING FEATUREInexpensive effi
Page 50 and 51: Which wouldyou rathercarry into aho
Page 52 and 53: “box ofGASTITE is no chocolates.
Page 54 and 55: Win $ 2,500in cash, plus thousands
Page 56 and 57: Spec the Best. Spec Venmar AVS.Venm
Page 58 and 59: People & PlacesPeopleSelkirk Canada
Page 60 and 61: 90% Sold!Get Your TicketsNow!The Ca
Page 62 and 63: Shop ManagementSuccessionplanningGe
Page 64: Circle Number 168 for More Informat

March 2006 - Plumbing & HVAC

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?