Engineered Systems - March 2008 - (Page 52)

To maintain performance for the guests who check in, this historical landmark had to arrange for its chiller plant to check out — not just entailing a retrofit, but including a shift in location away from the traditional hotel grounds. See how the new plant and its controls have boosted efficiency, and why the move also helped the hotel stop blowing fuses at special events. BY CHARLES FLETCHER G uests of the 132-year-old Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, CA, remained cool and comfortable over the summer, and there was reliable power behind the hotel’s spectacular winter Festival of Lights. The thanks go to the July 2007 completion of a designbuild project that replaced the existing 350-ton central chiller plant with a more efficient 600-ton modular plant and additional power capacity for future electrical requirements. The freestanding central plant and associated power upgrade will enable the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa to move forward with any future property enhancements. Moreover, through a working partnership with the City of Riverside, EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems, Inc., the prime contractor, was able to complete the project within half the time ordinarily required for a project of this scope, including development and approval of an architectural solution that met the criteria of the city’s Historic Preservation Program. A National Historic Landmark, the Mission Inn is a unique luxury hotel in downtown Riverside. From its modest beginnings in 1876 as a two-story, 12-room adobe boarding house, the property has been expanded over the course of 132 years with the addition of multiple wings influenced by the architectural styles of many cultures, from the New World to the Far East. Public spaces, guest rooms, and suites are decorated with opulent finishes and furnishings. These include a chapel designed to accommodate a massive 18th-century gold-leafed cedar altar from Mexico and seven Louis C. Tiffany stained glass windows. Today the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa occupies an entire city block, and it comprises 239 guest rooms, including 28 suites; 20,000 sq ft of meeting and banquet space; 5,000 sq ft of outdoor patio space; a fullservice spa; four restaurants; and a cocktail lounge. The hotel presents Riverside’s annual Festival of Lights from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, which is a major attraction for visitors. A GROWING NEED FOR CAPACITY A previous study of the existing conditions and proposed construction projects concluded that major components of the existing 350-ton central chiller plant within the hotel complex could not adequately satisfy the 405-ton chilled water cooling load of the hotel during the peak summer months, much less the projected 510-ton combined cooling loads of new restaurants, kitchens, a spa, and a computer server room. Similarly, projected future condenser water loads of 357 tons exceeded available condenser water capacity by 72 tons. In addition, the projected loads far exceeded the associated future heat rejection capacity of the existing cooling tower. The engineering study provided a conceptual design of a new central plant. In January 2007, Mission Inn selected EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems, Inc. to furnish, design, and install the new plant based on the original study. Not only had Mesa performed the main- 52 En gi neer ed S y stem s March 2008

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Engineered Systems - March 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Back2Basics HVAC Challenge Case In Point Commissioning Building Automation Energy Wiz HVACR Designer Tips Application Checklist Exemplary Design = Elementary Success The Modern Unit Ventilator On A Mission VAV Systems And Green Design – Part II Issues & Events Products Glossary Classifieds Advertiser Index Tomorrow’s Engineer

Engineered Systems - March 2008

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