This document is an HVAC troubleshooting guide to help facilities managers and maintenance personnel solve indoor environment and energy or water consumption problems. Facilities managers are often the first point of complaint for occupants who are unhappy about their working environment but they may lack the technical expertise required to investigate problems. This document is a step-by-step guide to identifying indoor environmental quality (IEQ) problems that may be caused by the operation of the HVAC system. It allows managers in charge of HVAC facilities, particularly those without a technical background, to initiate investigations, follow their progress and perhaps perform a few simple checks. It does however require some knowledge of the HVAC systems installed. The document also contains a series of troubleshooting procedures for use by the maintenance personnel actually performing the investigations.
This work was performed under contract to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, under the ‘Partners in Innovation’ programme. BSRIA acknowledges the financial support of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and would like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution which has led to the production of this Application Guide.
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Bank of England
Bhs plc
Cellnet
London Luton Airport
Manchester Airport.
BSRIA would also like to thank the following companies who provided technical assistance:
Broag Boilers Ltd
Barret & Wright Ltd
CHS Electrical & Mechanical Services Ltd
Dalkia Utilities Services plc
Dash Energy Services Ltd
George S. Hall Ltd
Motorised Air Products Ltd
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, USA Powrmatic Ltd
Recuperator Ltd
Reliance Environmental Services Ltd
Safety Services Refrigeration Ltd
S & P Coil Products Ltd
The SVM Partnership
Team National Ltd
Watermist Ltd
Weishaupt (UK) Ltd.
This publication is issued with the agreement of the DETR and every opportunity has been taken to incorporate the views of the editorial panel, but final editorial control of this document rests with BSRIA.
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Competency to perform investigations
2 HOW TO USE THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES
3 INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (IEQ) PROBLEMS
3.1 Focus your investigation
3.2 Recommended limits and guidance documents
3.3 Common plant problems
3.4 Simple HVAC troubleshooting procedures
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 1: Problem of ‘too hot’ in winter
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 2: Problem of ‘too hot’ in summer
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 3: Problem of ‘too cold’ in winter
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 4: Problem of ‘too cold’ in summer
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 5: Problem of ‘stuffy or still air’ in winter
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 6: Problem of ‘stuffy or still air’ in summer'
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 7: Problem of ‘draughts’ in winter
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 8: Problem of ‘draughts’ in summer
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 9: Problem of ‘odours’
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 10: Problem of HVAC noise
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 11: Problem of ‘dry eyes throat or skin’
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 12: Problem of ‘lethargy’ in winter
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 13: Problem of ‘lethargy’ in summer
HVAC troubleshooting procedure 14: Problem of ‘headaches’
4 IDENTIFYING HVAC PROBLEMS BY MONITORING
4.1 Identifying plant problems by energy consumption monitoring
4.2 Identifying plant problems by water consumption monitoring
4.3 Identifying plant problems by plant performance and operation monitoring
APPENDICES
APPENDIX - A POTENTIAL HVAC CAUSES OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PROBLEMS
APPENDIX - B CASE STUDIES