Retro Commissioning Services
SEA helped reduce humidification issues from 78% to 55% to meet ASHRAE standards and achieve building sustainability.
AT A GLANCE
Alabama State Capitol Facts
55% Achieved ASHRAE Humidity Standard
150 Age in years of Infrastructure
132k Square Feet
About the Facility
Built in 1851, the Alabama State Capitol is located on Capitol Hill in Montgomery and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1910. For over 150 years, it has hosted the office of the Governor and other executive branch officers while serving as a museum of state history and politics. The Alabama State Capitol was challenged to preserve the historic beauty of its building, while needing to upgrade legacy control systems and aging equipment to address humidification problems impacting the overall infrastructure.
Scope of Work
SEA was initially contracted as the building investigator which led to commissioning services to investigate air quality issues, life expectancy of the existing HVAC system and overall architectural damage incurred over the years from humidification issues. To do this, SEA established a baseline of conditions measuring humidity which proved to be as high as 78% (the ASHARE standard is 55%). The building receives heating and cooling from the chiller and boiler located across the street at the State House and has 43 Air Handling Units (AHUs), four Fan Coil Units (FCUs) and 16 exhaust fans. SEA reviewed the existing capabilities and tested all equipment and current control strategies. SEA performed functional performance tests on:
Airflow traverses on supply, outside and return ducts
Pressure drops across the air handler
Sensor calibration
Pressurization and thermography tests on the building envelope
Chiller plant inspections
SEA concluded the investigation identifying a series of issues such as restrictions in the supply and return air ducts as well as challenges with the pneumatic control system. Additionally, SEA compiled a list of issues for each of the AHUs prioritizing repairs that needed to be performed.
As a result, SEA developed a short and long-term capital improvement plan outlining steps to correct discovered issues. Going beyond investigation and analysis, SEA also created a plan for new controls to replace failing pneumatics. SEA provided oversight during the installation and commissioning phases.
SEA doesn’t just discover the issues that need to be fixed. We are your long-term partner to ensure the repairs are completed efficiently. We will continue to work with the capitol to ensure proper humidity levels are achieved. This is just one example of how SEA partners with our clients to see a project through to completion and beyond.
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