Chilled Beams in Healthcare Facilities

HVAC, lighting and additional systems found in healthcare facilities combine to utilize a vast amount of energy. In fact, hospitals consume more than 2.5 times the energy in comparison to average-sized commercial buildings. For this reason, the Department of Energy and ASHRAE have adopted legislation that calls for a 20% energy reduction in existing healthcare facilities and a 30% reduction in new construction.

The reheating of supply air in healthcare facilities has proven inefficient, due to high-ventilation requirements. This has become a primary target in the ongoing mission to decrease building energy use. Recently updated guidelines provide tremendous energy-savings opportunities. 

How Do We Save Energy In Healthcare Facilities? 

This can be accomplished by implementing active chilled beams in patient rooms and other areas in which the recirculation of room air is acceptable. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 170-2013 Ventilation of Healthcare Facilities establishes revised regulations for ventilation rates and practices. This standard has also been adopted by the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE) as well as the AIA FGI Guidelines. 

Among the revisions are changes in the ventilation requirements for spaces wherein the recirculation of room air is allowable. They include patient nursing, diagnostic/treatment and labor/delivery/postpartum rooms. These areas previously required 6 air-changes-per-hour -- 2 of which were outside air -- of conditioned and filtered air be delivered to each space. 

The amended standard lowers the air-change requirement for these spaces to 4 air changes per hour. It also allows for the recirculation of room air to count as 2 of those total air changes, provided: 

1. Recirculation is limited to the room air itself and does not include any air from another space. 

2. Delivery of a minimum of 2 air changes of outside air -- filtered through a MERV 14 filter at the AHU -- is maintained. 

The standard also stipulates that no filtering of the recirculated room air is required, so long as it does not pass over a wetted surface. These updates clearly promote the use of fan-coil units and chilled beams to reduce reheating of the supply air. 

One of the advantages a beam system possesses over a VAV system is that it delivers a constant volume (2ACH^-1) of 100% outside air at 65°F, while the VAV system provides all of its sensible cooling by way of its 55°F primary air supply. This primary air provides 3.6 Btu/h-ft² of space sensible cooling; the beam's water-side cooling supplements this to match the room demand. The coil within the beam removes 16.4 Btu/h-ft² of sensible heat to supplement its primary cooling, whereas the VAV system must deliver 5.5 ACH^-1 to meet the 20 Btu/h-ft² design load of the space.

VAV systems and beam systems differ in how they handle periods of reduced demand. A VAV terminal can modulate its airflow delivery between its minimum airflow rate of 4ACH^-1 and maximum of 5.5 ACH^-1; on the other hand, the beam system throttles its chilled-water flow rate. The latter approach saves energy. If the space cooling demand drops below 72% of design, the VAV system must begin to reheat the supply air in order to balance the demand of the space. Additional reheat is required as space demands drop, increasing energy usage. 

That is not the case for a beam setup. The system's minimal primary air contribution -- 18% of the space sensible design -- allows it to respond to an 82% reduction in space demand, before reheat is required. This, combined with the fact the air-handling unit is always tasked to deliver less than half as much air as the VAV system, makes the beam system a hands-down winner! 

Please direct questions toward Titus Communications (communications@titus-hvac.com) and/or Titus' Senior Chief Engineer Ken Loudermilk (kloudermilk@titus-hvac.com). 

Terminal Units: Knowing when to 'Flip-out'

Let's examine a practical scenario that gives you more insight into terminal units:  

You have double-checked your terminal unit order to make sure every detail has been provided. The material, voltage, accessories and controls are selected. Knowing that everything has been evaluated and entered correctly, the order is submitted. Now, on to the next one!

Later, you receive a call about the order you so confidently completed. On the other end of the phone is the installing contractor, and he is flipping-out! This is actually more literal than figurative. 

The units are said to not fit into the allocated critical spaces, due to an improper handing specification. Controls were ordered for the right-hand side, but they have arrived on the left.

Maybe the piping for the hot-water reheat coils should be on the left, but the connections were shipped on the right. All of a sudden, a seemingly minor detail has become a massive emergency. What can be done?

Determining the Solution:

Do you have what is needed to extinguish the fire? Although not every unit can be rotated, it may be possible in your case. 

There are important aspects to understand when deciding if a unit is able to be flipped from its intended working position. We will examine this, unit by unit.

Cooling Only Units:

Single-duct terminals (ESVs) can be turned 90°, 180° and every other degree in between. They do not have any position-sensitive parts or equipment that prohibits their mounting orientation. Further consideration, however, is needed when you add controls to the unit. Pneumatic controls are position sensitive, meaning that PESVs must be adjusted before they are rotated.

Fan-powered boxes may only be rotated 180°. You must take into consideration that all of our units do not have top and bottom accessibility.

TFS & TFS-F units have top and bottom access panels, which allows for access to the motor – after rotation -- from the bottom of the unit. All other Titus fan-powered boxes are unable to be accessed from the top, unless the unit is flipped.  

Parallel units cannot be flipped, due to the gravity-operated backdraft damper that is installed on the outlet of the fan deck. This backdraft damper remains open if the unit is rotated, which hinders the unit’s performance. The position sensitivity of pneumatic controls is applicable to fan-powered units as well.

Units with Electric Reheat:

When it comes to units that utilize electric reheat -- single duct or fan-powered -- careful consideration must be taken. The airflow switch used in Titus’ electric heaters is position sensitive. You can rotate a unit with electric reheat, but you are limited to a full 180°. 

Any other mounting orientation has the potential to impede performance. The airflow switch is an important safety component for the heater. It is better to err on the side of caution and not get too creative.

If ever there is uncertainty, please contact Titus Terminal Unit Applications for more clarification.

Units with Hot-Water Reheat:

With use of hot-water reheat coils trending, knowing whether you can flip one has become a very vital piece of information. The performance of how-water reheat coils is integral to the overall functionality of the unit, so there is concern that flipping a coil will adversely alter performance.

Counterflow is the cause for this concern. Our 1-row and 2-row water coils are of a cross-flow construction, and we do not recommend rotating these coils. Titus does make left-hand and right-hand coils available for 3-row and 4-row. The thing to remember when flipping a water coil is the water always enters through the bottom and exits through the top.

A terminal unit that arrives on site with the wrong handing is not the end of the world. If you find yourself in this situation, remember it may be alright to flip-out!

Please direct questions toward Titus Communications (communications@titus-hvac.com) and/or Titus' Terminal Unit, UnderFloor Air Distribution Product Manager Derrick Smith (dsmith@titus-hvac.com).

TAO: Floor-Mounted Chilled Beam to be Featured at AHR Expo 2015

The Temperature Ambient Optimizer (TAO) by Titus is a hybrid unit that takes advantage of displacement, chilled beams, and radiation principles.

This revolutionary product is specifically designed for high-ventilation loads – greater than 200 BTUH per foot -- normally required in educational facilities, theaters and long hallways that have perimeter walls or windows.

What it Accomplishes:

The TAO can help find the path to a balanced and healthy system by providing the right proportion of heating or cooling to the perimeter wall to take care of the majority of the room load. Within desirable acoustic levels, it maintains the necessary displacement ventilation, humidity control, and temperature level of the room.

Supply air is discharged into the space -- at low air velocity -- as close to the floor as possible. This provides a very low and slow-moving pool of fresh air spreading over the entire floor.

Convection from people and other heat sources causes the fresh air to rise, which helps create very comfortable conditions in the occupied zone.

Comfort – temperature and air movement – is met by optimizing the air path wherein the two major loads are located. At the same time, the unit meets minimum ventilation requirements.

By redirecting a portion of the treated supply air toward the cold, outside wall/window, the heat load is neutralized and a thermal curtain is created. This reduces convection and radiation associated with the cold wall or window.

Description of Operation:

TAO units are provided with a constant volume flow of conditioned outside air that ranges between a 55°F and 66°F supply-air temperature from the air handler.

The most significant portion of the air is injected into the induction plenum and through the primary set of nozzles into the lower part of the unit and displaced into the room.

As the conditioned air leaves the nozzle, it will also induce the room air through the water coil to heat or cool the return air. Here, it is reconditioned, mixed with primary air, and delivered into the room at a discharge temperature of 64°F to 72°F.

The other portion of conditioned outside air is discharged through a secondary set of nozzles that are directed toward the outside wall/window. This neutralizes the perimeter load. 

The secondary set of nozzles induce room air through the secondary coil to increase the temperature of the supply air during heating mode.

The hot air rises along the perimeter walls and windows to neutralize the thermal load by creating a warm air curtain.

Benefits:

Since there are no blowers or motors operating within the TAO unit, the sound levels are further reduced and the overall energy consumption of the system can be improved.

According to the Building Owners and Managers Association, 60 percent of a building’s operating costs come from energy-related expenditures. To provide efficiency and help curb costs, the TAO takes advantage of all LEED certification requirements to obtain energy credits.

In addition, the stricter ASHRAE Standards of Thermal Comfort (Standard 55), Energy Savings and Perimeter Heating (Standard 90.1) can be easily achieved with this product in use.

Available in two unit sizes, the TAO is designed to fit under the window sill adjacently to the perimeter wall. Titus offers customizable cabinets in a variety of aesthetically pleasing woodgrain and natural stone finishes. 

Please direct questions toward Titus Communications (communications@titus-hvac.com) and/or Titus' Fan Coil, Chilled Beam, and Displacement Ventilation Product Manager Meghna Parikh (mparikh@titus-hvac.com). 

GRDs no longer have to be 'Plain White'

Titus woodgrain and natural stone finishes enhance architectural spaces by providing a seamless blend between our HVAC units and their surrounding areas.

Crafted through the process of sublimation, these finishes are easy to clean and do not require the same upkeep as traditional products. Titus currently offers more than 40 options in either a smooth gloss or textured finish, which will not deteriorate due to moisture, extreme temperatures and/or corrosion.

As the architectural industry searches for alternative materials to meet the growing demand for LEED and GREEN builds, Titus is proud to say we are the first commercial-HVAC company to bring this cutting-edge technology into the U.S. market.

Preparation and Coating:

The raw aluminum surface receives a traditional pretreatment of a chemical conversion, creating a thin layer of amorphous oxide with coating. Electrostatic guns then apply a 2.5 mils layer of nonhazardous powder paint. The polymerization is done with a 400°F temperature for 20 minutes. The base coat ensures adequate hardness of the final product, and protects the aluminum from light, weather, abrasion and humidity.

Decoration:

Next, a preprinted film transfer with organic photosensitive pigments and cellulose resin is completely wrapped around the product. The profile is positioned on the surface of a movable trolley, and air is removed through a vacuum-suction system. The result is a perfect thermoprint.

The trolley is then placed into a special oven, wherein the decoration is effected, turning the ink pigments from solid into gas and back to solid inside the paint layer. After cooling, the film is removed. Combined with other breakthrough technologies we apply to the endeavor, this process accounts for why our system is a global leader in color coating quality.

Current Offerings:

With it being ideal to coat fully assembled products, Titus woodgrain and natural stone finishes are only available for the CT product line, Omni, and Spectrum. We are in the process of adding ML diffusers and other architectural products into the mix. Our partnership with Hunter Douglas will be on display at the 2015 AHR Expo, as Titus’ booth will feature our products for the Gladius Ceiling (Omni) and 300C Plank System (ML).

Please direct questions toward Titus Communications (communications@titus-hvac.com) and/or Titus' GRD Application Product Manager Mark Costello (mcostello@titus-hvac.com).

How to plan and design for Hybrid ORs

Facility managers know that planning and designing hybrid operating rooms (ORs) with flexibility in mind is essential. With Titus being a leader in air management, we are able to provide not only the products necessary to create flexible hybrid ORs but the expertise, too. Our own Matt McLaurin, product manager, who specializes in healthcare, laboratory and cleanroom solutions, recently wrote an article on this important topic for Today’s Facility Manager. Read below for a snapshot of what Matt had to say.

Hybrid ORs: Plan and design a flexible future
Typically incorporating MRIs, CT scanners, or other cardiac catheterization lab (Cath Labs) tools, surgical suites that house these intraoperative imaging machines are commonly known as Hybrid Operating Rooms (ORs). Given that the 2014 edition of the FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities requires these imaging equipment tools to be permanently integrated into Hybrid ORs, it’s critical to design facilities with them in mind. To meet standards and codes, it is essential to anticipate and address challenges associated with Hybrid ORs by planning them for flexible futures.

Planning for design standards, challenges and flexibility
Facility managers know when designing a Hybrid OR that space planning is critical. A minimum of 650 sq. ft. of clear floor space is required for new construction ORs, and 600 sq. ft. for renovated ones, but depending on the modality of imaging equipment in place they can be up to 2,600 sq. ft. Along with a recommendation to install ORs in spaces with at least 750 sq. ft. and 10 foot ceilings, specifications that help accommodate for future upgrades, control and equipment rooms must be considered, as they are necessary for housing data and electrical equipment for imaging devices. Designing for multiple rooms to utilize a single device is another technique to reduce imaging equipment costs and space requirements. For this approach common control and equipment rooms must be accessible from each OR.
 
To read more of Matt’s article in Today’s Facility Manager, please click here.

On Air Summer / Fall Edition Available Now

The Summer / Fall edition of Titus’ On Air magazine is available now. Detailing information about Titus, our products and how we impact the HVAC industry, On Air provides useful content that can be utilized in current and future projects.

A leading focus within Titus for 2014/2015 is an emphasis on our innovative healthcare solutions, this issue of On Air examines HVAC requirements within healthcare spaces, with its article “Planning and Designing for Hybrid Operating Rooms.” The story addresses 2014 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities as well as the challenges design teams face when planning these rooms.

Big changes are happening at Titus as well, and On Air discusses how we’re making an impact within the HVAC community with our new interactive resources. As an innovator and thought-leader within the HVAC community, Titus has focused on delivering technologically advanced products that provide the highest degree of comfort. With that, the 2014-2015 Titus Product Catalog is the next tool poised to lead our customers into a new era of air distribution. The interactive catalog is designed to be the best source of HVAC information and includes product descriptions and performance data of our complete product lines. In addition, with our company website recently being given a makeover, Titus has a new digital face. As the company changes and develops, the need for our website to reflect this growth became a reality. Launched this summer, our new website surpasses its predecessor with new and improved functionality, design and response time.

Titus’ mission is and always has been to exceed our customer’s expectations. We will continue to do so by offering updates on our current tools, information and solutions to industry trends and developments – all while striving to provide a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world. For more information about our healthcare solutions, interactive resources and additional On Air articles, please visit www.titus-hvac.com to request a copy or read the digital edition.

End Reflection Calculation and the New Titus Catalog

My new Titus Catalog

The new 2014-2015 Titus catalogs started shipping last week! It's a whole new look and has quite a few new products, but the biggest change may be in the terminal units discharge sound data.

On January 1, 2012, AHRI 880 started requiring that discharge sound power data for terminal units from all manufacturers be adjusted to include end reflection. Everyone in the industry has updated their catalog data when they printed their new catalog. This change is reflected in the new 2014-2015 Titus catalog.

End reflection is sound that is reflected back to the source from the discharge duct termination in the sound chamber. This sound cannot be measured, it can only be calculated. According to ASHRAE research, the end reflection loss can be calculated based on the dimensions of the discharge duct. This calculated end reflection loss (not to exceed 14 dB) must then be added to 1/3 octave band sound data in order to make the correction.

This change was made to correct the fact that room noise criteria (NC) ratings based on AHRI 885 include an end reflection deduction, when in fact the end reflection losses were never included. The end result is that catalog discharge sound levels (both sound power and NC) on all ducted terminal units increased even though the products have remained unchanged. The changes are most noticeable on units with smaller discharge ducts.

So as you look at terminal unit discharge data, be aware that the change in AHRI 880 has changed the sound numbers. If you are comparing catalog sound data from two different manufacturers, it is especially important that you make sure both catalogs have made the update (or both have not) so that you are not comparing one unit's pre-update data to another's post-update data.