energy star multifamily high rise program testing and verification protocols webinar – part i july...

ENERGY STARMultifamily High Rise Program

Testing and Verification Protocols Webinar – Part I

July 2011

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EPA Objectives for T&V Protocols

• Verify that the As-Built Building has successfully achieved the performance levels predicted by the Proposed Design energy model, or as specified in the Prescriptive Path, and is in compliance with the Prerequisites Checklist

• Work in conjunction with the ENERGY STAR MFHR Simulation Guidelines, Performance Path, Prescriptive Path, Testing & Verification Worksheets and Photo Template

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EPA Objectives for MFHR Program

• Failure to comply with Prerequisites or Prescriptive Checklist:– Corrective action must be taken to bring the building into compliance with the

Prerequisites or Prescriptive Checklist.

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EPA Objectives for MFHR Program

• Performance less than predicted in the Proposed Design model:– Take corrective action to bring the building component to match the assumptions

in the Proposed Design, or– Allow the component to remain as is, but the As-Built energy model must be

adjusted to accurately represent this condition and must still demonstrate at least a 15% improvement above the Baseline Building, or

– Forfeit ENERGY STAR.

• Performance less than level required in Prescriptive Path:– Take corrective action to remedy the problem and bring the building component

to the efficiency levels required in the Prescriptive Path, or– Allow the component to remain in its current condition, but an As-Built energy

model must be created to accurately represent at least a 15% improvement above the Baseline Building Design, or

– Forfeit ENERGY STAR.

Plan Review/Inspection Work Flow

Design

Construction

Post Construction

The Protocols

Testing and Verification Protocols

• 1.1) ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances• 2.1) Domestic Water Heating Central Systems (Serving 5

units or more)• 2.2) Domestic Water Heating Distributed (Individual

Apartment) Systems• 3.1) Wall Construction/Insulation, R-value• 3.2) Roof Construction/Insulation, R-value• 3.3) Floor Construction/Insulation, R-value• 3.4) Window Selection, U-value, and SHGC• 3.5) Exterior Door Selection, Entranceway Design, Use of

Vestibules, Weather stripping, and Air Leakage

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• 4.1) Garage: Heating and Compartmentalization• 5.1) Central Heating Systems (Serving 5 units or more)• 5.2) Central Cooling Systems (Serving 5 units or more)• 5.3) Distributed (Individual Apartment) Heating Systems• 5.4) Distributed (Individual Apartment) Cooling Systems

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• 6.1) Common Areas, In-Unit, Garage and Exterior Lighting• 6.2) Emergency Lighting (Exit Signs)• 6.3) Controls• 7.1) Motors• 8.1) Envelope Air Sealing and Total Air Leakage - Common

Area, Apartments, and Exterior• 8.2) Common Area and In-Unit Ventilation (CFM), Intake

Source, and Intake/Exhaust Fan Efficiency• 9.1) Metering Configuration

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Types of Testing Protocols

• Visual Inspection – Photos of faceplates, fixture

type, insulation type, NFRC label, etc. must be clear enough to read what is being verified.

– Use a ruler to show insulation depth

– Caption/Label each photo giving location.

– Must use the Photo Template

• Data Sheet• Test Procedure• Instrumented Measurement• Third-Party Commissioning

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Performance Specification Criteria

• Actions to be taken to ensure that appropriate language is included in bid and contract documents so that the building meets program requirements and contractors are aware of expectations.

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Performance Specification Criteria: Contract Language• For example: “Allow inspection of all energy related components.

Provide submittals for review and report installation dates immediately. Ensure the ENERGY STAR label remains attached to products and appliances when applicable.”

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Procedure and Documentation

• Steps to be followed to ensure that each building element is inspected at the appropriate time, that the necessary data is documented in the T&V Worksheets and, if applicable, used in the As-Built energy model or to prove that requirements of the Prescriptive Path have been met.

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Schedule

• Identifies the point in construction when a particular inspection or test should take place.

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Responsible Parties

• Identifies the parties responsible for a specific inspection or test and which other parties need to be available or coordinated with to effectively carry out the inspection.

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Sampling Requirements

• For building components that are duplicated many times throughout the building (e.g., windows, light fixtures) or cover large areas or sections of the building (e.g., wall insulation), the specific protocol identifies the minimum required area or sample to be inspected.

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Sampling Requirements: RESNET

• Refer to RESNET’s 2006 Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards, Chapter 6 for the full description of RESNET’s sampling protocols; however, the intent is captured in the following sections:

• 603.7.1 - A complete set of Sampling Controls shall be performed at a minimum ratio of one (1) test or inspection out of seven (7) spaces/apartments within a given sample set…

• 603.7.2…the sampling controls may be completed collectively on a single space/apartment or distribute the tests and inspections across several spaces/apartments within a given sample set, provided the total number of individual tests and inspections meets or exceeds the minimum ratio set forth in 603.7.1.

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• 603.7.3 - To qualify for sampling in a metropolitan area, a builder shall first complete, without any incidence of failure, a complete set of sampling controls on at least seven (7) consecutive apartments in that metropolitan area. For this initial phase of testing and inspections, the complete set of sampling controls shall be performed on each of the seven (7) apartments.

• 603.7.6 - When an “initial failure” occurs, the failed item(s) shall be tested or inspected in two (2) additional spaces/apartments selected from the same sample set. Testing and/or inspections for any item(s) that may become inaccessible during the construction process, (e.g., wall insulation) must be timed so additional testing and/or inspections can occur on other spaces/apartments in the sample set before they become inaccessible for inspection or testing.

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• 603.7.7 - When an “additional failure” occurs, in one or more of the two (2) additional spaces/apartments, the failed item(s) shall be tested or inspected in the remaining four (4) spaces/apartments selected for the same sample set.

• 603.7.8 - Until the failure is corrected in all identified (failed) spaces/apartments in the sample set, none of the spaces/apartments shall be deemed to meet the threshold or labeling criteria.

• 603.8 - Action is required if three (3) “additional failures” occur within a ninety (90) calendar day period. The required action depends on whether those “additional failures” apply to the same failed item or various failed items.

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Statements of Substantial Completion

Statement of Substantial Completion

• A Statement of Substantial Completion or approved proxy may be submitted to establish completion of the work and document compliance for applicable protocols.

– Can hold contractors accountable for quality of installations

– May reduce the burden on the responsible party for verification.

– Licensed professional is still responsible for performing the necessary due diligence to ensure that the Statement of Substantial Completion is accurate and complete.

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• All relevant ENERGY STAR MFHR Testing and Verification Worksheets (T&V Worksheets) must be attached and completed with all required information, photographs, cut sheets, etc.– To be completed by the installation contractor or other qualified

representative on company letterhead – List name and address of the site– List name and contact information of individual completing the

statement– Written confirmation that fixtures and equipment have been installed

and tested.– Individual’s signature and date signed.

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• A statement of substantial completion can be submitted for the following protocols:

– 1.1) ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances

– 3.4) Window Selection, U-value, SHGC, and Visual Transmittance

– 3.5) Exterior Door Selection, Entrance-way Design, Use of Vestibules, Weather stripping, and Air Leakage

– 6.1) Common Areas, In-Unit, Garage and Exterior Lighting

– 6.2) Emergency Lighting (Exit Signs)

– 6.3) Lighting Controls

– 7.1) Motors

– 9.1) Metering Configuration

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• For the following HVAC protocols a Statement of Substantial Completion (SSC) must be completed by a third-party qualified representative:

– 2.1) Central Systems (Serving 5 units or more)

– 2.2) Distributed (Individual Apartment) Systems

– 5.1) Central Heating Systems (Serving 5 units or more)

– 5.2) Central Cooling Systems (Serving 5 units or more)

– 5.3) Distributed (Individual Apartment) Heating Systems

– 5.4) Distributed (Individual Apartment) Cooling Systems

– 8.2) Common Area and In-Unit Ventilation (CFM), Intake Source, and Intake/Exhaust Fan Efficiency

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Appendix A: Referenced Standards

and Data Sources

Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ACCA) Manuals J, S, and D

• These manuals provide standardized procedures for completing sizing calculations for heating and cooling systems (Manuals J and S) and duct system sizing and design (Manual D)

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Available at -https://www.acca.org/store/category.php?cid=1

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)

• Use this online directory of AHRI ratings to determine efficiencies of heating and cooling systems

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Available at - www.ahridirectory.org

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

• ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

• Provides guidance for ventilation system design and other related building features to ensure acceptable indoor air quality. Scope includes all buildings except low-rise residential.

• In the MFHR program, this standard applies to common areas.

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Available at - http://www.techstreet.com/standards/ASHRAE/Standard_62_1_2007?product_id=1409997


• ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2007: Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings

• Provides guidance for ventilation system design and other related building features to ensure acceptable indoor air quality.

• In the MFHR program, this standard is applied to dwelling units.

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Available at - http://www.techstreet.com/standards/ASHRAE/Standard_62_1_2007?product_id=1409997


• ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 and 90.1-2010: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

• Primary source document for Baseline Building design features and guidance for creating a performance-based evaluation of a proposed building’s energy features.

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Available at - http://www.techstreet.com/standards/ASHRAE/90_1_2007_SI_?product_id=1608726


• ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2009: Standard for the Design of High- Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

• Primary source document for Building Envelope Requirements and Minimum Equipment Efficiencies for the Prescriptive Path.

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Available at - http://www.techstreet.com/standards/ASHRAE/189_1_2009?product_id=1668986&ashrae_auth_token=


• (ASHRAE) Standard 160P: Criteria for Moisture Control Design Analysis in Buildings

• The standard sets criteria for moisture design loads, moisture analysis methods, and building performance and applies to the above-grade portions of all types of buildings.

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Available at – http://www.techstreet.com/cgi-bin/detail?product_id=1714308

ASTM E779 – 10

• Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization

• This test method measures air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization.

• In the MFHR program, this is one standard used to determine whether measured infiltration of a random sample of apartments does not exceed 0.30 CFM50/SF of enclosure.

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Available at – http://www.techstreet.com/standards/astm/e779_10?product_id=1741852

ASTM E1827 – 96 (2007)

• Standard Test Methods for Determining Air tightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door

• These test methods describe two techniques for measuring air leakage rates through a building envelope in buildings that may be configured to a single zone.

• In the MFHR program, this is one standard used to determine whether measured infiltration of a random sample of apartments does not exceed 0.30 CFM50/SF of enclosure.

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Available at – http://www.techstreet.com/standards/astm/e1827_96_2007_?product_id=1517619

ENERGY STAR Homes v3.0 Checklists

• Version 3.0 of the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes HVAC System Quality Installation Rater and Contractor Checklists is referenced for in-unit forced air system commissioning.

• Version 3.0 of the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist is referenced to verify envelope installations for buildings with wood framed construction.

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Available at – www.energystar.gov/

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Lighting Handbook

• Handbook of lighting design published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

• In the MFHR program, this is referenced for minimum footcandle requirements by space type

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Available at - https://www.ies.org/handbook/handbook_order_form.cfm

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• These standards provide guidance for the proper installation of natural gas (Standard 54) and oil-fired (Standard 31) heating systems.

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Available at - http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/category.asp?category%5Fname=Codes+and+Standards&Page=1

Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) HERS Standards

• Chapter 6 of this standard includes the sampling procedure described in the “How to Use this Manual” section of the Testing and Verification Protocols.

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Available at – www.resnet.us

Appendix B: Recommended Equipment List

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Manometer and Static Pressure Probe

• The manometer measures the pressure difference between points and is used together with a variety of equipment, such as the blower door and duct blaster.

• The static pressure probe measures static pressure only instead of total pressure.

Image courtesy of The Energy Conservatory

Pressure Pan and Flow Meter

• The pressure pan is used with a manometer to measure static pressure at an exhaust grille.

• The flow meter is used with a manometer to measure air flow at an exhaust grille.

41Images courtesy of The Energy Conservatory

Balometer and Smoke Pencil

• Balometers are also used to measure air flow from exhaust grilles, or supply/return registers.

• The smoke pencil is used to help identify leaks during blower door testing.

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Images courtesy of Alnor and American Science and Surplus

Duct Blaster

• The duct blaster is used in this program to measure leakage in heating and cooling ductwork, as well as central ventilation ductwork.

• It includes several different orifice plates and is used with a manometer.

• 6 or 8 CFM25/100 ft2

43Images courtesy of The Energy Conservatory

Blower Door

• The blower door is used to measure air leakage in buildings.

• It consists of a frame, shroud and calibrated fan. It is used with a manometer.

• 0.30 CFM50/ft2

44Image courtesy of The Energy Conservatory

Flow Plates

• Flow plates are designed to quickly measure air flow through an air handling unit.

• They fit in the place of a filter and the flow is calculated using a manometer.

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Image courtesy of The Energy Conservatory

Camera and Infrared Camera

• Cameras are valuable tools for recording field conditions

• Infrared cameras are able to see the temperature of objects and identify air leaks and thermal bridging

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Images courtesy of FLIR and Canon

Electronic Ballast Detector and Light Meter

• An electronic ballast checker tests whether fluorescent ballast are electronic or magnetic

• A light meter measures the light level to ensure enough light is being provided

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Images courtesy of Philips and TES

Thermometers

• Some digital thermometers can be used with thermocouples for quick and accurate temperature readings

• A simple digital thermometer can easily measure domestic hot water temperature

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Images courtesy of Fluke and Trutemp

Low-E Detector

• A Low-E detector is used to check for the presence and location of a Low-E coating in insulated glazing

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Image courtesy of Professional Equipment

Appendix C: Specifications for Flexible Duct Installation

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Photo Template

• This Word-based template was designed so that pictures used to provide photo-documentation required by the T&V Protocols could be easily formatted and consistently reported.

• Photo documentation must be submitted to the EPA or its designated agent at the end of construction

• The Photo Template need only be submitted for the Developer’s first three buildings that participate in the Program. Also, if the licensed professional validating documents has successfully submitted at least three Photo Templates, the requirement is waived.

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Testing and Verification Worksheets

• Mandatory Excel-based worksheets that document the results of plan reviews, inspections, verification, and performance testing.– Provide inspection worksheets that can be used in the field that

follow the Testing and Verification Protocols, but are organized for the convenience of the site inspector.

– Provide a central file to store building information relevant to all members of the design team: architect, energy modeler, site inspector, project manager, plan reviewer, etc.

– Must be submitted once prior to construction to document results of the plan review and once after construction is complete, to document the results of testing and verification.

• Webinar available online to demonstrate this tool.

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Tips for Success

Tips for Success #1 - 3

1.Understand all requirements and T&V protocols before design is complete!

2.Ensure all energy-related details are included in the bid documents.

3.Use pre-bid meetings to help answer questions and clarify expectations.

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4.Identify responsibilities.

5.Attend pre-construction meetings and call out commonly overlooked details.

6.Stay informed of construction schedule!

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7. Don’t select sample set ahead of time!

8.…except when unique details need to be inspected before installed building wide.

9. Mock-ups are your friends.

10.The T&V Worksheets and Photo Template are also your friends!

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The End

Questions?

Contact:

[email protected]

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energy star multifamily high rise program testing and verification protocols webinar – part i july...

Documents

prescriptive path

tv protocols

prescriptive checklist

proposed design energy

baseline building design

performance path

photo template slide

mfhr testing