ASHRAE Journal - August 2013 - 62

2013 ASHRAE TEcHnology AwARd cASE STudiES

1 – Fully renovated 840 m2 (9042 ft2) mechanical room. Replacement of ventilation system.
Installation of high-speed exhaust fan system on roof.
2 – 1880 m2 (20,236 ft2) electromechanical room, 80% renovated. Addition and replacement of
pumps. Addition of two chillers and one cooling tower. Replacement of air-handling units.
Renovation of engine control center.
3 – Replacement of laboratory fume hoods, variable air volume boxes and terminal heating coils.
4 – Redevelopment of ventilation occupying 30% of the floor.
5 – Complete redevelopment of floors: ventilation, plumbing, laboratory fumes, fire protection,
and alarm system.
6 – Complete redevelopment of electrical distribution center.

Figure 1 Scope of work to the McIntyre Pavilion at McGill University.

valves and detectors in the new laboratory fume hoods
makes it possible to vary the exhaust airflow from the
hoods based on how they are being used. The laboratory
ventilation rate can be reduced from nine air changes
per hour (ach) to six during periods of reduced activity, and to 5 ach overnight. The outside air modulation
enables a reduction in the energy required for heating,
cooling and humidification and also reduces the power
demand on the ventilators.

Table 1 Consumption (kWh Equivalent)
Source

Prior To
renovaTion

ligHTing

aFTer renovaTion

Lighting
The fully renovated labs were supplied with natural
light detection lighting. This technology makes it possible to minimize energy consumption despite the highdensity lighting required by the university (1.2 W/ft2).

Design Constraints and Innovation
Energy Simulations
The design team developed models for the building
and its electromechanical systems using DOE2.1e simulation software to precisely map out the energy savings
and feasibility of the proposed solutions. An analysis of
62

ASHRAE JouRnAl

ashrae.org

Au g ust 2013

3,660,398

3,207,325

equiPmenT

1,300,302

ProceSSeS and loSSeS

4,322,930

HeaTing

10,734,620

23,292,762

7,677,407

1,824,423

2,797,156

2,101,677

cooling

By opting for heating coils that permit large temperature variations (ΔT = 36°C [65°F]), the amount
of water and the required pumping drive force were
reduced considerably. Also, the chilled water pumps are
equipped with variable frequency drives to modulate
motor speed and water flow depending on the actual
load, which generates further energy savings.

HigH-PerFormance
deSign

HumidiFicaTion

Pumps

STandard
deSign

935,578

1,227,039

1,270,747

HeaT rejecTion

264,045

934,360

654,982

PumPS

437,087

1,461,805

1,215,568

venTilaTorS

2,717,580

3,302,390

2,308,026

domeSTic HoT WaTer

671,200

655,662

ToTal

28,868,163

42,954,803

24,714,626

the various simulation options allowed the team to select
the optimal course of action. Through an integrated
design approach and energy simulations developed by
the design team, high-performance electromechanical
systems were installed. Energy simulations are a powerful tool for the design team to measure energy recovery
potential and point out major energy consumption
elements that can be reduced through an innovating
design.

Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort
Indoor air quality was a serious concern in the lab ventilation system design. Not only do many contaminants
need to be sufficiently diluted, but laboratory pressure

ASHRAE Journal - August 2013

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