HVAC Testing and Balancing/Building Commissioning Service
HVAC Testing and Balancing Services
Independent Testing and Balancing of building HVAC systems has been our “bread and butter” since 1984. Since that time we have completed literally thousands of test and balance projects throughout Texas. Our extensive experience testing and balancing all types of commercial and industrial A/C and ventilation systems including stairwell and fire smoke control systems has given us an unequaled understanding of how these complicated systems are intended to work as well as how they actually work in the field. This unique understanding enables TSI to provide “real-world” solutions to any HVAC related problem. In addition to our unequaled technical expertise our contractor and building owner clients appreciate us because we get the job done right when our client’s need it done and in a manner that makes them look good. Our field personnel are not only highly trained technically but they also understand the issues associated with working in owner and tenant occupied spaces. We get the job done right in the required time frame with minimal impact to our client’s operation.
As part of or separate from the commissioning process TSI also provides owner training for building systems including assisting the owner with his or her preventative maintenance program development. TSI can also provide quality control services through it’s Quality Assurance-Quality Control (QA-QC) Program during project development to ensure the project is constructed in accordance with the owner’s and consultant’s requirements. Whether your project is located in Texas or elsewhere in North America Please take the time to review our sample project case studies to see how TSI’s services directly benefitted the various projects and project teams.
Building Commissioning Services
TSI has been commissioning buildings since the company’s inception and prior to commissioning becoming recognized as the best way to ensure a building’s optimum performance. TSI is certified by NEBB, ACG and ASHRAE in building systems commissioning. TSI’s commissioning agents provide various services related to commissioning including commissioning for LEED projects, commissioning for new construction and retro commissioning of existing buildings. This includes providing Commissioning Services in accordance with the City of Austin’s Ordinance No. 20100408-051. Further this includes commissioning services required by the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the San Antonio amendments to the same. By making sure TSI is on board early to provide the required commissioning services for your project your construction team can ensure they will not be held up when trying to obtain their final occupancy permits for their San Antonio or Austin projects.
TSI has been commissioning buildings since the company’s inception and prior to commissioning becoming recognized as the best way to ensure a building’s optimum performance. The U.S. Green Building Council through its LEED certification process requires the commissioning of lighting, HVAC, water and building automation/controls systems if a building owner wants to LEED certify their building. USGBC does this because a commissioned building operates more efficiently than a noncommissioned building and therefore uses less energy to operate. TSI has understood this for many years and is an expert at providing complete commissioning services from design conception, design peer review, construction verification, performance verification at start-up, owner training and post occupancy performance verification. We are involved every step of the way to ensure the owner gets what they ultimately envisioned by ensuring each member of the design, construction and operating team does their job.
TSI provides the commissioning services required by the 2015 IECC Energy Code as well as the City of San Antonio required commissioning associated with the 2015 IECC Code.
Preventative Maintenance Program Development
One key to a successful Preventative Maintenance Program (PMP) is to begin the program planning early in the design phase. T.S.I. will work with the designers through the design and equipment selection phase to ensure the designers understand what the true life cycle costs are of the equipment they specify. Energy usage, maintenance costs and life expectancy are all considered. Once equipment is delivered to the project we catalog the various equipment components that will need servicing in our comprehensive PMP. During the installation of the equipment we ensure proper clearances are maintained to facilitate equipment maintenance. Operators are introduced to the new mechanical equipment, the location of the equipment, the inter-connections of the equipment and/or systems. The goal is to train the maintenance personnel in all issues impacting “good maintainability” during construction (before wall, finishes, etc.) and after completion of construction. Once construction is complete T.S.I. ensures the building control systems are functioning properly by working with the building operator to ensure they fully understand how to interpret and operate the control systems.
Building Owner, Engineer and Maintenance Personnel Training
TSI can provide customized training for your personnel on the equipment and controls they are tasked with maintaining. We can provide as little or as much training necessary to ensure your building functions at it’s maximum efficiency while providing optimum comfort for your employees and tenants. Most importantly, TSI will follow up after project completion to ensure your project is being operated the way it was intended when first handed over to you.
Pre Construction and Peer Review
As part of or separate from the QA-QC and commissioning programs TSI can provide an independent peer review of the mechanical and control systems designs for your project. We bring our vast real world operating and installation expertise to the table when evaluating the theoretical world of engineered mechanical systems to ensure the resulting designs perform as intended and can be maintained as required.
Quality Control
TSI can provide a complete QA-QC (Quality Assurance – Quality Control) program as part of the project development process and/or commissioning process. TSI’s early involvement in the design as well as contractor selection process is the first step to an effective QA-QC program. Once contracts are awarded, TSI’s QA-QC’s professionals work closely with the construction team to ensure that all contractors and suppliers understand thoroughly the project’s QA-QC requirements. In this way we can ensure the work completed complies with the QA-QC program the first time it is installed thereby eliminating unnecessary “redo” costs for the subcontractors and potential project delays for the owner. Our value added approach is appreciated by subcontractors, general contractors and owners alike and goes way beyond the “observe and report” approach many independent inspectors adhere to.
Featured Completed Cx Projects
The following projects are examples of the different scopes of commissioning services TSI provides to building owners, developers and contractors from various real estate sectors.
Contract Delivery Method: Direct to Contractor
Description: Historical Renevation and New Addition
Size (SF): 15,000 SF Existing, 26,000 SF New
Type of Facility: Theater and Theater Support Functions
Start & Finish Dates: 2010; December 2011
LEED Silver Certification
Description of Professional Services: Provide LEED Fundamental commissioning services.
Contract Delivery Method: Direct to Owner
Description: New Construction
Cost: $32 Million
Size (SF): 123,000 SF
Type of Facility: 2 Story Elementary School
Start & Finish Dates: 2008; August 2010
LEED Gold Certification
Description of Professional Services: Provide Fundamental and Enhanced LEED commissioning services.
Windsor Casino, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Contract Delivery Method:
Description: New Construction
Cost: $420 Million
Size (SF): 1,500,000
Estimates:
Type of Facilities: 25 Story Hi-Rise Luxury Hotel and Casino
Start & Finish Dates: March 1999; October 1999
Description of Professional Services: Commissioning Agent; Perform construction overview of the MEP trades and assist the General Constructor with day-to-day quality assurance and quality control issues relative to the HVAC and Fire Life Safety Systems.
Resort at Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV
Contract Delivery Method: Direct to General Contractor
Description: New Construction
Cost: $170,000,000
Size (SF): 800,000
Type of Facility: Hotel and Casino
Start & Finish Dates: May 1999; December 1999
Description of Professional Services: Commissioning Agent; Perform construction overview of the MEP trades and assist the General Constructor with day-to-day quality assurance and quality control issues relative to the HVAC and Fire Life Safety Systems.
North East Independent School District – Various Projects
Colonial Hills Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
Olmos Elementary School
Ridgeview Elementary School
Walzem Elementary School
Middle School Science Lab Additions (8 campuses)
Lee High School
Madison High School
Encino Park ES Clinic and Kitchen
Elementary School Clinics (4 campuses)
Eisenhower MS Admin Addition
White MS Clinic Addition
Bradley MS Restroom Renovation
Nimitz MS Administration Renovation
Driscol MS Clinic Renovation
Description: New Construction and Renovations at Multiple School Campuses
Type of Facilities: Public Elementary, Middle and High Schools
Start & Finish Dates: 2005 through 2010
Description of Professional Services:
Commissioning Agent; Perform construction overview of the MEP trades and assist the General Constructor with day-to-day quality assurance and quality control issues relative to the HVAC and Fire Life Safety Systems.
Various Military Base Projects For the Army Corps of Engineers, US Air Force and US Coast Guard
Description: New Construction and Renovations at Multiple Buildings on Multiple Bases and Governmental Facilities
Type of Facilities: Military
Start & Finish Dates: 2000 through 2012
Description of Professional Services:
Commissioning Agent; Perform MEP Commissioning, LEED Fundamental Commissioning and LEED Enhanced Commissioning Services
Naval Air Station Corpus Christie Hangar 57, Corpus Christie, TX
Randolph Air Force Base Building 977, San Antonio, TX
Randolph Air Force Base Building 499, San Antonio, TX
Lackland Air Force Base Reid Clinic, Drug Testing Lab, Mental Health Facility and Veterinarian Clinic Renovations, San Antonio, TX
Fort Sam Houston Building 2265, San Antonio, TX
US Coast Guard Sector Field Office, Galveston, TX
METC Building 5, Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX
Fort Sam Houston Building 1377, San Antonio, TX
Fort Sam Houston Building 2791, San Antonio, TX
Fort Sam Houston Youth Center, San Antonio, TX
Park Towers Condominiums, Las Vegas, NV
Contract Delivery Method: Direct to General Contractor
Description: New Construction
Cost: $62 Million
Size (SF): 460,000
Type of Facility: 21 Story Hi-Rise Condominium
Start & Finish Dates: July 2000; January 2001
Description of Professional Services: Commissioning Agent; Perform construction overview of the MEP trades and assist the General Constructor with day-to-day quality assurance and quality control issues relative to the HVAC and Fire Life Safety Systems.
Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA
Contract Delivery Method: Direct to General Contractor
Description: Renovation
Cost: $120,000,000
Size (SF): Unknown
Type of Facilities: Luxury Hotel
Start & Finish Dates: January 1995; August 1995
Description of Professional Services: Commissioning Agent; Perform construction overview of the MEP trades and assist the General Constructor with day-to-day quality assurance and quality control issues relative to the HVAC and Fire Life Safety Systems.
Arizona State Health Laboratory, Phoenix, AZ
Contract Delivery Method: Direct to Owner
Description: New Construction
Cost: $24.1 Million
Size (SF): 78,000
Type of Facility: Public Health Laboratory
Start & Finish Dates: February 2004; April 2004
Description of Professional Services: Commissioning Agent; Perform construction overview of the MEP trades and assist the General Constructor with day-to-day quality assurance and quality control issues relative to the HVAC and Fire Life Safety Systems.
