Service Call Turned into Retro-Commissioning

MSC technicians were dispatched on a service call at a New Jersey healthcare facility to address multiple complaints in an area that was less than two years old. Prolonged spans of excessive temperatures were occurring in some areas of the building while other spaces were experiencing short, intermittent temperature swings. Temperature, airflow, and humidity were drifting out, and in-house maintenance staff didn’t have the experience or equipment to properly control space conditions.  

MSC technicians noted abnormally high temperatures upon their arrival at the facility, so data loggers were installed in several areas to record temperatures over a three-day period. Sure enough, temperatures were swinging out of condition. Airflow measurements were compared to the original balancing reports, revealing reductions in airflow ranging from 10% to 18.5% in various areas.  HEPA air filters were found to have been slowly loading with particulates. A check of the dehumidification sequence showed it to be working improperly, and the relative humidity sensor was in need of calibration. As their analysis of the various HVAC issues progressed, MSC’s suspicion that the area had only been partially commissioned was confirmed by the lack of certain commissioning documents.

MSC reported their findings to the client and recommended a small retro-commissioning project. An air rebalance was performed and all HEPA filters and final filters were replaced. Reheat valve functionality and performance was checked and corrected, and sequence of operation was re-verified.  All temperature and humidity sensors were calibrated, and MSC made a recommendation to replace the RH sensor with a dewpoint sensor to better serve the area. 

MSC assisted the client in writing a detailed SOP to be performed annually, rather than every two years, as had been intended. Impressed and satisfied with our services, MSC was hired to perform the facility’s SOP on an annual basis.

About MSC - The Go To Guys

We are a service sub-specialist in the technical intricacies of HVAC, process cooling, and building automation systems in commercial, industrial, and institutional environments. MSC is recognized as the leading industry expert in solving elusive problems and attaining peak performance from clients & mechanical equipment and overall systems.

Located in northern New Jersey, MSC is the only specialized contractor of our kind in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. We are MSCA STAR-qualified, NEBB-certified, fully-licensed in electrical, plumbing and HVAC, and our engineers and technicians are the most knowledgeable in our field.

MSC - Mechanical Service Corp.
41 South Jefferson Road
Whippany, NJ 07981
973-884-5000
http://www.mscnj.com