Planning for successful commissioning
The key to the successful commissioning of a project is a commissioning plan. Tony Anderson, a member of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association’s training committee and assessment panel shares his experience of how this simple tool provides clarity to commissioning projects.
The day-to-day realities of commissioning
Dave Ward of Hamworthy Heating, explains what a commissioning job entails and why it’s worth considering — not just in terms of efficiency, but also customer safety.
Marflow Hydronics adds product downloads to its web site
Marflow Hydronics has further developed its web site to enable customers to download relevant technical information, including BIM models, via a new product-downloads section. In addition, all product pages can be captured in PDF format and used as a data sheet.
Danfoss’s balancing act
Danfoss ASV automatic balancing valves have been installed in five social-housing tower blocks in south-east London to overcome problems of unevenly distributed heating from central boiler plant. They were installed with minimum inconvenience to tenants.
The CSA’s contribution to making buildings work
Everyone appreciates the important role of commissioning the services in a building, but the work of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association (CSA) is less well understood. Andrew Watkin, CSA chairman, explains the role of the association.
Commissioning Specialists’ Association opens entries for its awards scheme
The annual awards of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association is open for entries. This is the third year of the awards, which acknowledge the achievements and efforts of companies and engineers. Products, systems and services that are essential for the smooth and efficient operation of any built environment will also be recognised.
Perfectly balanced with Grundfos
Getting the right balance on domestic heating system is a simple task with the help of the Grundfos Alpha3 system. The company says that 86% of domestic heating systems are not balanced and that balancing a system can reduce heating costs by 5 to 17%.
Marflow Hydronics adds product downloads to its web site
Marflow Hydronics has further developed its web site to enable customers to download relevant technical information, including BIM models, via a new product-downloads section. In addition, all product pages can be captured in PDF format and used as a data sheet.
Getting the best from self-regulating valves
Self-regulating valves have the potential to achieve cost-effective and optimised control in distribution networks. Paul Wightman of Albion Valves considers how to get the best from them.
Controls and services in sync.
Making alterations to a building and its services without making corresponding changes to the controls will quickly lead to poor performance and increased energy consumption. controls are not fit-and-forget technology — as Matt Peasnall of Trend Control Systems, explains.
It’s CSA awards time again
Andrew Watkin, chairman of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association looks forward to the second year of the association’s awards.
How HIUs can help in the commissioning process
Commissioning is the key to ensuring that every heat interface unit (HIU) in a district-heating system delivers. Neil Parry of Altecnic discusses the issues involved.
Belimo EPIVs help keep leisure centre open during renovation
As part of major renovation of the heating-distribution and complex ventilation system of the Happyland leisure centre in Klosterneuburg, Austria, 45 Belimo EPIVs (electronic pressure-independent control valves, the orange units in the picture) were installed on eight distribution circuits during operation to avoid loss of revenue.
Balancing HIU projects
Giacomini has introduced a balancing-valve set to complement its HIUs (heat interface units) for multi-dwelling properties. These valve sets are designed to optimise the efficiency of communal heating systems by carefully balancing the heating network throughout.
How commissioning can aid long-term optimised performance
Efficient management of building energy performance requires access to current, meaningful data about the performance of building-services systems. Elio Galluzzi of SAV Systems explains why the solution begins with commissioning.
Retrofit actuators for almost any globe valve
Belimo’s replacement actuators for globe valves have customisable parameters and are equipped with a universal valve neck and stem adapter. They can be installed quickly and easily on virtually all valves from manufacturers worldwide.
Marflow Hydronics adds product downloads to its web site
Marflow Hydronics has further developed its web site to enable customers to download relevant technical information, including BIM models, via a new product-downloads section. In addition, all product pages can be captured in PDF format and used as a data sheet.
Adaptor simplifies system flushing through the filter
Eclipse Magnetics offers a universal flush adaptor attachment to enable installers to carry out routine system flushes quickly and easily by attaching flushing equipment to its BoilerMag boiler filter, using the filter as the access point. This adaptor can be attached to the back of the BoilerMag port block in just a few seconds and is compatible with screw-fit or female cam-lock hoses — so that a wide range of flushing equipment can be used.
IMI Hydronics brings intelligence to controlling systems
IMI Hydronics has created a solution to the problems caused by inaccurate control technology in heating or cooling systems. TA-Modulator is a highly precise pressure-independent balancing and control valve. It is used with a range of digitally configurable actuators, TA-Slider, to deliver the exact amount of energy to ensure perfect comfort and reduced energy costs.
Flow-limiting valves help maintain low system temperatures
The PT40 range of radiator control valves from SAV Systems helps to reduce energy waste in heat networks by ensuring that radiator systems are well balanced. These TRV sets are presettable to a flow-rate limit at each radiator, in line with the CIBSE ‘Heat networks code of practice’, eliminating the need for traditional balancing.
Siemens PICVs are selected on flow
The only information needed to the size of Siemens Acvatix PICV (pressure-independent control valve) is the required flow through it, saving time for the specifier. These valves automatically shield against pressure fluctuations in a network to maintain a constant flow. The are available in sizes from 15 to 150 mm (a 50 mm size is pictured).
Tracer dye verifies pre-commission cleaning
The addition of a tracer dye to its products for pre-commission cleaning is said by Water Treatment Products to be a major step forward. WTP tracer dye enables contractors to accurately measure the concentration of chemical cleaners as they are added to the system
What manifolds bring to commissioning
Grouping a number of terminal units together with a manifold offers major benefits for installation and commissioning. Nick Martin of Marflow Hydronics takes a look at their real advantages.
EPIV has characterised control capabilities
Belimo’s EPIV pressure-independent characterised-control valve is available in sizes from DN15 to DN150. These valves combine the four functions of measuring, controlling, hydraulic balancing and bubble-tight closing. They provide real-time information of the measured flow rate.
Addressing that performance gap in buildings
What do the performance gap and uncomfortable buildings that are energy inefficient have in common. Paul Wightman of Albion Valves believes poorly balanced systems are often to blame.
Hydraquip brings double-shut-off couplings back to the market
Hydraquip has launched a new range of double-shut-off couplings for the commercial H&V and air-conditioning sectors. Hydraquick couplings can be connected and disconnected without having to shut down or drain the system. Terminal units can also be looped out during the flushing process.
Exploiting the benefits of ‘automated’ valves
‘Self-balancing valves’ and ‘automatic balancing valves’ means that there is no need for a commissioning engineer. Right? Tony Anderson, chairman of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association’s training committee believes that the commissioning engineer’s role is more important than ever.
EPIV has characterised control capabilities
Belimo’s EPIV pressure-independent characterised-control valve is available in sizes from DN15 to DN150. These valves combine the four functions of measuring, controlling, hydraulic balancing and bubble-tight closing. They provide real-time information of the measured flow rate.
Marflow Hydronics adds to prefabrication range
As part of its prefabrication product portfolio, Marflow Hydronics offers larger, more bespoke items made to detailed specifications and more-compact standard items for a much quicker turnaround time.
Control valves in variable-flow systems
BSRIA has published new guidance to help designers avoid problems with the selection and application of control valves and assist with the design of energy-efficient variable-flow systems. The guidance is called ‘Selection of control valves in variable flow systems’ (BG 51/2014).
Albion guide aims to support installers
Albion Valves (UK) has prepared a pocket-size guide to help ensure the industry is talking the same language when it comes to hydronic-balancing and related products. The guide explains the difference between static and dynamic systems. It shows how a typical installation might work and demonstrates how components function to ensure an even flow of energy across heating and cooling systems.
Commissioning management gets more demanding
The skills required of a commissioning manager continue to evolve and become more complex. Chris Parsloe gives an insight.
CSA, 25 years on
Commissioning of buildings services has seen the importance with which it is regarded grow over the years — in no small measure due to the efforts of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association since it was set up 25 years ago. Vice-chairman Andrew Watkin shares his reflections.
Finding the right balance
Steve Tomlinson of Siemens Building Technologies explains how pressure-independent control valves (PICVs) offer energy efficiency and consistent comfort for the occupants of buildings.
Evinox commissioning kit for chilled water also measures energy use
Designed for communal chilled-water systems, Evinox Energy’s chilled-water meter kit includes all the equipment required to facilitate commissioning, balancing and flow control of the chilled-water circuit and also accurately measures energy consumption.
EPIV has characterised control capabilities
Belimo’s EPIV pressure-independent characterised-control valve is available in sizes from DN15 to DN150. These valves combine the four functions of measuring, controlling, hydraulic balancing and bubble-tight closing. They provide real-time information of the measured flow rate.
Commissioning modules help achieve soft landing
The FloCon Watchman from SAV Systems combines the proven benefits of commissioning models with electronic monitoring to support ‘soft landings’ for hydronic heating and cooling systems. It provides visibility of performance at zone level rather than whole-system level, so that problems can be quickly pinpointed and remedied.
The benefits of challenges of a larger ∆T in hydronic systems
So great are the benefits of a larger ∆T in hydronic heating and cooling systems that the issues posed to the commissioning process are well worth addressing. Chris Parsloe explains.
Marflow Hydronics introduces Xterminator Lite valve assembly
Marflow Hydronics has added to its range of valve sets with the introduction of the Xterminator Lite. This next-generation 40 mm assembly comes as an off-the-shelf solution and works more ideally in today’s buildings. The company’s development team has combined its knowledge and understanding of valve sets to date with what has been learned from customers to create a valve assembly with new features and associated fitting kits.
Control valves in variable-flow systems
BSRIA has published new guidance to help designers avoid problems with the selection and application of control valves and assist with the design of energy-efficient variable-flow systems. The guidance is called ‘Selection of control valves in variable flow systems’ (BG 51/2014).
A coming together of BIM and commissioning
Commissioning is vital to the successful operation of buildings, and the growing deployment of Building Information Modelling opens up new possibilities and opportunities. Matt Ward of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association takes up the story.
There’s no stopping fan-coil units
The popularity of fan-coil units in air-conditioning systems has gone up and down over the years, but John Lightfoot argues that evolving technology makes them as valid an approach today as they have been in the past.
Commissioning modules help achieve soft landing
The FloCon Watchman from SAV Systems combines the proven benefits of commissioning models with electronic monitoring to support ‘soft landings’ for hydronic heating and cooling systems. It provides visibility of performance at zone level rather than whole-system level, so that problems can be quickly pinpointed and remedied.
Commissioning as the key to energy efficiency
With energy costs continuing to rise, Albion Valves UK advises contractors and heating engineers that a well balanced commercial heating system can help address energy wastage. In a poorly balanced system, problems such as irregular temperature control and inconsistent water circulation can occur — driving up operating costs, creating maintenance issues and wasting energy.
Marflow to re-run its PICV CPD courses
Following last year’s success, Marflow Hydronics is again running its CPD training courses on pressure-independent control valves. These course are free and will run in September and October across the country. They are aimed at consultants, designers, specifiers and key influencers who want to improve their skills and specify, purchase or commission a PICV.
PICV has characterised control capabilities
Belimo’s EPIV pressure-independent characterised-control valve is available in sizes from DN15 to DN150. These valves combine the four functions of measuring, controlling, hydraulic balancing and air bubble-tight closing. They provide real-time information of the measured flow rate.
Is the UK obsessed with peak-load flow rate?
From experience with commissioning procedures, often informal, in other European countries, Chris Parsloe wonders if design return temperature is more important than flow rate.
Planning for smooth boiler commissioning
Delays in the commissioning of hot-water boilers can have serious implications for project timelines. Kevin Stones of Hoval highlights the key pre-commissioning measures that should be taken to minimise the risk of unnecessary delays.
The drivers and challenges altering the face of commissioning
Matt Ward of the Commissioning Specialists’ Association believes that attitudes towards commissioning have not kept up with advances in other areas of the construction process.
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