Air Conditioning Inspections for Buildings Understanding the Legislation

Transcription

1 . Air Conditioning Inspections for Buildings Understanding the Legislation PRESENTED BY NIRAJ MISTRY

2 CO 2 Reduction

3 Legislation

4 Energy Assessment Air Conditioning Inspection Advisory Report CIBSE TM44

5 Implementation

6 Introduction Part 4, Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England & Wales) Regulations 2007 implements Article 9 of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, requiring: Local weights and measures authorities are responsible for ensuring that owners of air-conditioning (AC) systems over 12kW are in possession of an inspection report. Systems have to be inspected by an accredited inspector at least once every 5 years. (Sites which have had EPCs and DECs done can be revisited and have an Air Conditioning Inspection performed.)

7 Introduction Why are Air-Conditioning Inspections Required? Inspections designed to: Improve efficiency Reduce electricity consumption Reduce operating costs Reduce carbon emissions Will highlight opportunities for: Improvements to operation Replacement of older less efficient systems Replacement of oversized systems

8 Introduction Responsible Ownership of Systems Building owners/managers who control air conditioning systems have statutory obligations and duties of care in the operation and maintenance of air conditioning systems. Air-conditioning energy inspections are additional to the normal activities associated with the operation and ownership of air-conditioning systems.

9 Introduction Inspection, Maintenance & Cleaning Programmes Provide healthy and comfortable environments for building occupants. Limit the escape of refrigerant gases and ensuring the safety of equipment.

10 Introduction When Are Inspections Required By? Jan Jan Jan Jan 2013 First inspection for existing systems with effective rated output >250kW. First inspection for existing systems with effective rated output >12kW. ENFORCEMENT BY TRADING STANDARDS OFFICERS Systems commissioned on or after 1st Jan 2008 must be inspected within first 5 years. FINES RANGE FROM 300 TO 5000 (DEPENDANT UPON BUILDING SIZE) Relevant person changes + no AR handed over = inspection within 3 months

11 Introduction Systems Requiring an Air-Conditioning Inspection Regulations only affect systems with effective rated output over 12kW: deliverable during continuous operation; whilst complying with useful efficiency as stated by manufacturer. A single air-conditioning system: one or more units within a building under the control of a single person. Person who controls the operation of the system: controls technical functioning of system; not someone who controls the temperature.

12 Introduction Definition of a building: a roofed construction having walls, for which energy is used to condition the indoor climate, and a reference to a building includes a reference to a part of a building which has been designed or altered to be used separately. A part of a building designed or altered to be used separately: where accommodation is adapted to for separate occupation; could be indicated by having separate access; separate provision of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC); shared HVAC but occupier has ability to independently control services (for example shared kitchen and toilet facilities.)

13 Introduction How is an Air-Conditioning System Defined? Air-Conditioning System: refers to any system where refrigeration is used to provide cooling for the comfort of the occupants. Excludes: separate refrigeration provided solely for process application e.g. cold store, pharmaceutical production etc.

14 Introduction Other Requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) required when a building is constructed, sold or let. larger than 10,000m 2, effective of 6 th April 2008; larger than 2,500m 2, effective of 1 st July 2008; all other effective of 1 st October Display Energy Certificate (DEC) required by occupiers of public buildings; building greater than 1,000m 2 ; occupied by public Authority or institutution providing public services to a large number of persons; the public visit the building.

15 Introduction What is a F-Gas Inspection? EU is commited to reduce the emissions of flourinated greenhouse gases as outlined by the Kyoto Protocol. EC Regulation 842/2006 (the F-Gas Regulation) is the legal instrument by which the emissions reductions of certain fluorinated gases are to be delivered. Requires leakage checks to be carried out; completion of repairs; recovery of gases without escape to atmosphere; certified personnel and companies to be used; labels to be used on some equipment; information to be reported to the commission; bans on some F gas products.

16 Introduction Article 3 of the F-Gas Regulation requires: operators to use all technically feasible measures; not entailing disproportionate cost; to prevent leakage of F gas to the atmosphere and to repair any detected leakage from: refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment and associated circuits; fire protection systems. Checked for leakage means that: Equipment or system parts that are most likely to leak have been examined using direct or indirect methods.

17 Introduction Checking For Leakage Timetable All to be checked within one month after leakage repair to ensure work was effective. F-Gas Charge 3kg 30kg 300kg Checking Frequency 12 Months 6 Months 3 Months Does not apply to equipment with hermetically sealed systems. Labelled as such and contain less than 6kg.

18 AC Inspections Scope of Air-Conditioning Inspection Refrigeration equipment Air movement equipment Advice on suitablitly of plant capacity Advice on performance improvements

19 AC Inspections Access Requirements Plant rooms Outside the building Rooftops Other locations with limited access Ceiling voids sampling ducts/fan coils etc. Building owner/manager to agree access. Health and safety risk assessment of situation. Energy assessor may need to be accompanied.

20 AC Inspections Scope Does NOT Cover Identification of system hazards Unsafe aspects of the installation Fixing of any identified problems Client should: Clearly specify need for work in invitation. Ensure that the assessor is competent. Agree any additional scope of work within contract.

21 Advisory Report What Should the Client Expect? Basic energy efficiency information. Advice on efficiency/effectiveness improvements. Acting on advice would: immediately improvements to efficiency; reduction in operating cost of system.

22 Practical Application Determining the Size of Your Air-Conditioning System Effective output of air-conditioning unit or system? unit rating plate; O&M manual; manufacturer s website maintenance contractor/on supplied records. If there is doubt whether building reaches threshold: determine installed capacity by appropriate inspection, calculation and enquiries. For more specialised buildings, may need to consult a suitably qualified person on a case by case basis.

23 Practical Application Likely Areas For Activities Which May Have 12kW Cooling Cooling requirements depend on a wide variety of circumstances: fabric, location, orientation, activities, occupancy. Older systems my have higher rated outputs for a given floor area.

24 Practical Application Control of Equipment

25 Practical Application Multiple Small Systems in a Building

26 Practical Application Equipment Under Single Control in Separate Buildings

27 Practical Application Equipment Under Single Control in Separate Buildings

28 Practical Application Refrigeration Provided Soley For Process Applications

29 Practical Application Cooling Capacity, Where Occupants Benefit From Additional Cooling Capacity

30 Typical Office Fuel Natural Gas Electricity Cost p/kwh CO 2 Emission Factor kgco 2 /kwh

31 Reference Material Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings A guide to air-conditioning inspections for buildings, Department for Communities and Local Government, July 2008 Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings Local weights and measures guide to Energy Certificates and air-conditioning inspections for buildings, Department for Communities and Local Government, October 2008 Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings Energy Certificates and airconditioning inspections for our buildings, Department for Communities and Local Government, 2008 A guide for businesses Reducing the energy usage and carbon emissions from your air conditioning systems, Department for Communities and Local Government, 2007 DIRECTIVE 2002/91/EC Of The European Parliament And Of The Council on the Energy Performance of Buildings Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008, Statutory Instrument 2008 No.41, Office of Public Sector Information