MEP Engineering
Consulting
Many facilities do not have or need large UPS Systems, multi-engine generator plants and other equipment associated with mission critical data centers. However, if your office building or manufacturing facility is not online and operational when you need it to be, the financial impact to your business can be devastating. We provide the following consulting services:
- Benchmarking
- Comprehensive site audits
- Deficiency analysis
- Existing space, power and cooling analysis
- Future growth capabilities
- Equipment and system evaluation
- Power quality surveys
- Energy audits
- Development of processes and procedures
- Training
- Site selection and analysis
Design
Tier IV Consulting Group works with the client and all other members of the design team to collaboratively develop the design. Part of this process includes generating a “Basis of Design” (BOD) document. As the design evolves and decisions about the design are made, the BOD document is modified accordingly so that this roadmap always reflects the final goal. We use the most advanced computer aided techniques and programs along with hands-on experience to develop sound design solutions. Throughout the entire design process, we never lose sight of the need to be green. We have LEED AP certified engineers on our staff. We strive to incorporate proven green technologies that make financial sense to incorporate. We also work “Outside of the Box” to investigate new technologies that will meet the owner’s requirements and vision. Our design capabilities include:
- Mechanical and HVAC Systems
- Central chiller plants
- DX Systems (air and water cooled)
- Airside and waterside economizers
- Thermal energy storage systems
- Central humidification systems
- Evaporative humidification systems
- Under floor air distribution systems (UFAD)
- Natural ventilation
- Electrical Systems
- Low and medium voltage electrical distribution systems
- Lighting controls and natural lighting systems
- Grounding systems
- Lightning protection systems
- Emergency and code required engine generator systems
- Controls, Alarms, SCADA Systems
- Building management and control system schematic design
- Smart building operation for energy savings
- Sequence of operation generation
- SCADA system design
- Stand-alone alarm and monitoring systems
- Controls, Alarms, SCADA Systems
- Special Systems
- LEED Design
- Combined heat and power plants (CHP)
Commissioning
Tier IV Consulting Group has commissioned numerous data centers for fortune 500 companies. General office buildings, schools, hotels and other non mission critical facilities do not require the level of commissioning detail that a data center does. That does not mean that the commissioning of these facilities should be shorted. The rising costs of energy and the need to go green requires that these facilities be commissioned to ensure that they are operating as designed and as efficiently as possible. We follow the recommendations as detailed in ASHRAE Guideline 0. When we are serving as the commissioning authority, we work for the owner. We are looking out for the best interests of the owner, not the engineer of record or the general contractor. We assist the owner in developing the “Owner’s Project Requirements” (OPR) document, review the final design for compliance with the OPR, review submittals, inspect equipment upon arrival, review the installation, oversee factory startup and direct the comprehensive Level 5 testing program. Test scripts are written and executed to verify that every component and system is operating as designed. At the completion of construction, we verify that all OEM manuals and other documentation are complete.
Retro & Re-commissioning
Commissioning your facility ensures that it is operating on Day 1 as intended by the design team. A lot of things can happen between Day 1 and Day 1001. Equipment ages, load profiles change, BMS programming is tweaked to respond to tenant complaints. All of these things add up to make your facility operate less efficiently. The purpose of retro or continuous commissioning is to ensure that your facility operates efficiently all of the time. We use the tools that are in place to monitor and trend the operation of your facility. This may include air handler operation, chiller operations, ventilation systems and all other systems that maintain the space environment in your building. We periodically analyze this data to identify systems that are not operating efficiently and propose recommendations to remediate these issues. Often times the changes are as simple as adjusting setpoints, modifying run schedules and adjusting maintenance schedules.
Operational Script Development
Tier IV Consulting Group has often been requested to develop normal and emergency operational procedures. These procedures are usually developed from our commissioning scripts. Whenever possible, we incorporate the onsite staff to witness and assist with the commissioning process. This gives the staff valuable opportunity to do hand's on training when there is no risk to the mission critical operation.