Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Controls and Related Systems at Antilles High School, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico: Condition Assessment Report

摘要

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) was requested to independently assess the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system and related controls at Antilles High School, Antilles Consolidated School System, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, and to review a recent proposal to replace the Antilles High School HVAC control system. While the system was found to be well-designed and appropriate for the application, much of the equipment had degraded significantly, especially controller-actuated parts of the equipment. Consequently, the HVAC systems were operated in an 'on/off' mode to provide full or no cooling. The study recommended the replacement of the pneumatic control system with a new direct digital control (DDC) system, and replacement of actuated devices, including control valves and inlet guide vanes (the latter with variable speed drives). It was strongly recommended that the system be specified and designed to: (1) ensure compatibility with existing maintenance practices, (2) include such desirable DDC functions as energy management, reporting, alarming, diagnostics, and remote operation, and (3) consider future network expansion to other Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools in Puerto Rico.