Custom Controls for Optimal Energy Savings & Performance

This project was to build a new HQ for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The goal was to build and own a LEED^® Platinum Building that provides long term common sense savings to its rate payers, and one that is seismically safe for 100 years and beyond.

Sunbelt Controls became active members of the construction team in December 2010, with the owner moving in May of 2012. This aggressive construction schedule almost immediately required weekly design, coordination and commissioning team meetings to keep the project on track. These meetings did not just require careful coordination and planning, but required that some decisions and commitments be made on the spot. With the Sunbelt Controls project manager present, our requirements from other trades were expressed and delivered so that the BMS delivery commitments could also be met.

Sunbelt Controls deliverables for this project included:

• A state-of-the-art raised flooring system incorporating the building’s data and ventilation infrastructure and reducing HVAC energy costs by 51%
• Open BACnet BAS as part of building’s Integrated Building System (IBS); the IBS incorporated all building mechanical, electrical, lighting, window shades, rainwater harvesting, hybrid solar array, wind turbines, and gray/black water systems
• Aggressive BMS control strategies to take full advantage of mechanical system energy savings and performance

One of the key challenges was the integration of the custom HuntAir air handling unit controls into the ALC system. HuntAir uses supply and return fan wall technology (staging 36 fans with 36 variable frequency drives) which required a unique integration and testing process to deliver the appropriate sequence and performance to the building.

Project Details

Owner: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Date: 2012

Customer Segment:  Commercial

Project Type:  HVAC, LEED, Controls

Architect:  KMD Stevens

General Contractor:  Webcor Builders

Mechanical Engineer:  SJ Engineers

Mechanical Contractor:  ACCO Engineered Systems

Controls Contractor:  Sunbelt Controls