1. Design and Construction /
  2. Vol. 3 New Construction Guidelines /
  3. 6.0 Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning /
  4. 6.2 Design Criteria

6.2.6 Building Controls

Provide a system in accordance with the CPS Mechanical Standard: Control Standard Specifications, schematics, details and sequences.

CPS Specifications include a list of acceptable Building Automation System (BAS) contractors and the associated systems they are approved to work on/provide. No Substitutions.

Control diagrams/points (on drawings) and sequences shall be provided for all equipment and systems. When directed by CPS, sequences shall be shown on drawings in lieu of in the project book specification. Where Stand Alone equipment is utilized as directed by CPS, temperature control diagram and sequence shall be provided on the design documents.

Stand Alone

Stand Alone control systems shall be limited to heating only equipment like Unit Heaters, Cabinet Heaters, etc. Stand Alone control shall also be acceptable to some cooling only systems, like Window AC units and Split Systems.

When numerous Window AC units are provided, coordinate unit power with electrical so that power is provided by dedicated panels that can be shut off by the BAS during unoccupied hours.

Where split systems are utilized and not connected to the BAS through a protocol interface, provide a BAS space temperature sensor for monitoring and alarming when greater than 5F above setpoint. Some ventilation systems may also be Stand Alone (example: small exhaust fans less than 200 CFM, private toilet room dedicated exhaust fans). 

Pneumatic Systems

The use of pneumatic building controls is limited to repairs and upgrades of existing pneumatic systems only. Review any pneumatic scope in detail with CPS. When possible and budget allows, pneumatics shall be replaced with direct digital controls and integrated into the new or existing school BAS. Electronic to pneumatic conversions (EtoP) for interface to a BAS shall be avoided. No pneumatic systems shall designed for new building construction, including Additions or Annex Buildings.

Building Automation

All new construction will be designed with a fully digital Building Automation System (BAS). This system shall utilize a cloud-based enterprise server with a local workstation for use by the Building Engineer. This system shall have fully integrated graphics to represent all of the controlled building systems as laid out in the CPS Specifications. When providing an Annex, Addition, or major renovation to an existing school that has a BAS, survey the existing project conditions and make a recommendation to CPS to integrate into the existing site automation system or provide a separate system. Obtain approval from CPS before proceeding with design.

All BAS components shall be BACnet based. All controls components associated with central plant systems and air handlers shall be hard-wired to their respective control panels. Room based sensors may be connected via Wi-Fi (not wireless) with project specific CPS BAS team approval. Wi-Fi products shall be approved by the BAS team.

The BAS system shall monitor and control all non-stand alone HVAC equipment (both new and existing). The intent when a new or replacement BAS is provided on a renovation project is to incorporate all new equipment provided and all existing HVAC equipment which may or may not have been previously on a BAS. Monitoring/control points of existing equipment may be limited based on existing conditions. Identify existing equipment/ capabilities for each and review project specifics with CPS for approval.

Some of examples of Non-HVAC items to be included on the BAS shall include (coordinate with all MEP/FP trades):

  • Domestic Booster Pump: Provide enable/disable, suction/discharge pressure, discharge pressure setpoint, individual pump status/speed, alarms.
  • Sump/Ejector Pumps: Provide a separate set of floats to monitor/alarm at high water level.
  • Elevator Sump Pumps: Provide both moisture and hydrocarbon detectors in each basin.
  • Emergency Shower/Combination Emergency Shower/Eye Wash: Activation status (flooding issue)
  • Gas Generators: Monitor space temp/alarm out of range (indoor units), generator status, generator alarm, room carbon monoxide (CO) ppm/alarm (indoor units) and ATS status (per unit).
  • Diesel Generators: Monitor space temp/alarm out of range (indoor units), generator status, generator alarm, room nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ppm/alarm, fuel fill spill (NFPA required level alarms), day tank/belly tank fuel level, fuel pump status.
  • Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Unit status
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Status
  • Heat Trace Panel: Enable/disable, status, alarms, current per circuit, setpoint
  • Lighting Controls: New Construction - BACnet protocol interface shall allow monitoring/scheduling/alarming of both internal and external lighting thru the BAS. Map all occupancy sensor zone status onto the floor plan graphics whether used for current HVAC control or potential future applications. Lighting control software shall be located on the BAS workstation. Renovation - Integrate existing lighting control systems into the BAS if one exists in the building for monitoring/scheduling/alarming. Existing individual stand alone room systems shall not be integrated.
  • Fire Alarm Panel: Protocol interface to BAS for new panels/systems. Map in all points/alarms for future maintenance management. Existing panels, dry contacts for general alarm.
  • Natural Gas Meter: New Construction - Main building meter/all utility provided meters coordinate with utility to provide a two pulse meter (one for the utilities use and the second for interface to the BAS). On renovation projects where the utility gas meters are not currently on the BAS, coordinate with the utility to upgrade the meters to two pulse type and integrate into the BAS. All meters shall be integrated into the enterprise server.
  • Natural Gas Sub Meters: Provide BAS meters on new construction. Provide separate submetering for major equipment groups (boiler plant, domestic water heater plant, RTUs, generator). Kitchen load and Science Classroom loads may be determined by subtraction rather than additional meters and displayed on the graphic. On renovation projects provide sub-metering. Metering may be limited to the equipment being changed. Example: a boiler plant replacement may only include a new single sub meter for the boilers if the water heaters or RTUs are not being replaced. Review project specifics with CPS for scope approval. All meters shall be integrated into the enterprise server.
  • Domestic Water Meter (Refer to Section 7.4.11 in Plumbing Design): BAS provided meters. New Construction - Provide separate meters for the total building minus fire protection, irrigation, Pool makeup water, cooling towers, and hydronic system make-up water. Potable use shall be determined from subtraction and displayed on the graphic. On renovation projects provide metering of total building minus fire protection and additional sub meters limited to the equipment being changed. Example a boiler plant replacement may only include a new sub meter for make up water and a potable water meter if metering of other systems are not in scope. CPS would like to know either through direct metering or subtraction all potable water use in all buildings on the BAS. Review project specifics with CPS for scope approval. All meters shall be integrated into the enterprise server.
  • Hydronic Renewable Energy: Provide a BTU meter on solar thermal systems.
  • Hydronic: Provide a BTU meter on each chilled water, heating hot water and dual temperature system.
  • Steam/Steam Condensate Systems: Provide steam flow meter on each steam system.
  • Electric Meters: New Construction: Furnish BAS meters to comply with ASHRAE 90.1 - 2016 even if the project is utilizing a less stringent energy code. Coordinate panel design with electrical to allow for segregation/monitoring of total building, lighting, receptacle/plug loads and HVAC. All loads equal or greater than 10% of the site load shall be individually metered. Within HVAC breakout major equipment groups (example chiller plant, boiler plant, air handlers, RTUs, exhaust fans, solar/photovoltaic, Window AC unit (monitor all AC units as a group at highest level to minimize number of meters). Renovation Projects: Provide metering of total building and additional sub meters limited to the equipment/pant being changed. All new or replacement loads equal or greater than 10% of the site load shall be individually metered. Example: a boiler plant replacement may only include a new sub meter for the boilers and pumps if metering of other systems are not in scope. Review project specifics with CPS for scope approval. Division 26 shall install all meters (new construction and renovation). The BAS provider shall wire/integrate each meter into the BAS. Coordinate with Division 26. All meters shall be integrated into the remote CPS BAS enterprise server.