Taking suggestions for a good direction

[rjk42]

Hello everyone and thanks for taking the time to read this post!!

I just got hired at a company as an HVAC/R designer. Before that I worked as an HVAC/R sales engineer for about 2 years for a contractor before I had to leave for medical reasons. So I have been out of the HVAC field for 2.3-3 years before I landed the current designer position. I knew nothing about HVAC before my sales engineer job and had to be trained how the company works as well as the HVAC end of things, so I would say my over all HVAC experience is about 1.5 years.

The company that hired me now knows I have very good CAD skills in both AutoCAD and Revit, and the resume I provided indicates the amount of experience in HVAC.

I've been given a project that involves a complete renovation of a building. This is something very new to me, due to the size and nature of the project.

This is where I seek direction:

Here is a brief and general scope:

There are two buildings involved, building A and B. Each building is roughly 45,000 gross square feet. Both buildings were built in the early 60's are very similar regarding design architecturally, structurally, and mechanically (only how the pipes are laid out for zoning). Each building has 2 wings and 3 floors. Both buildings are heated by a hydronic system in building A. The project consists of renovating building A. Both buildings are used as office spaces, and none of which have AC.

Going back to the what is there. There are 2, grossly over sized, boilers in building A that is providing heat for both buildings. Each building has 2 zones. Each zone only services one wing. The riser diagram for the heating is straight forward. Supply goes up while each floor is branched off to service the fin tubes and goes into the return. So while one side is receiving 180 F, I'm assuming the other is only getting 140F - 120F.
Building A is getting upgrading but not B. A will be getting new windows and doors, re-insulation of the walls, and a new roof, while B will be left the way it is.

I need to come up with a new heating and cooling design but I still need a lot to review and I have lots of questions.

For heating, it was suggesting that I install 3 new boilers. Where each boiler (2 at a time) will have to run at 40% capacity and if need to, run at 50% during the very below 0 days. One boiler will be off line and serviced while the other two will be running.

As for cooling. I'm given 2 options.

Option 1 will be using split systems that will service the entire building A, while I need to come up with a hydronic system that will service building B, and A that will use radiant heating panels (in the ceiling).

Option 2 will be involving chillers. The hydronic heating system will include 3 boilers to service A and B in addition to using chillers to service building A. The system in A will be using valances for both heating and cooling.

I was given 2 books to use as for a refresher. ASHRAE 2011 HVAC Applications and the 2012 HVAC System and Equipment. I also have the 2001 fundamentals.

I'm looking for advice when using these books, how to size up 3 boilers if each needs to run at 40% capacity while each building will have different heating loads, what type of chillers used in the option 2 applications and if glycol and or any other type of cooling with water will be involved. The best way to zone this out, and info on valances which is new to me.

I appreciate any input that can help me get in the right direction.

Thanks!!!

[Chris_Worthington]

Thread relocated to AOP

[jtrammel]

Out of my league, sorry. Vrv boxes amd high pressure duct to each with hw chilled water coils or Mitsubishi citi multi vrf units????

[bustedknuckles]

1.5 years as a designer and engineer? Lord help me ! I have spent 38 years trying to make messes designed by engineers with more experience work. Please, I hope those buildings are not in my area. and we don't meet in person. Buddy up with somebody with experience for a while before attacking the ogre.

[rjk42]

1.5 years as a designer and engineer? Lord help me ! I have spent 38 years trying to make messes designed by engineers with more experience work. Please, I hope those buildings are not in my area. and we don't meet in person. Buddy up with somebody with experience for a while before attacking the ogre.

Thanks for the reply buddy!! Nice to know that this site offers sarcasm instead of good advice. I'll know where not to post my questions next time.

Thanks for the confidence bustedknuckles!!!

[rjk42]

"Please, I hope those buildings are not in my area. and we don't meet in person."

I hope we do meet in person.

[meplumber]

I realize that you took BustedKnuckles advice as sarcasm, but instead take it as constructive criticism. Some of us have been at this for a very long time. A really, really long time.

I had a meeting on Friday with a design team where they totally messed everything up. Completely. The lead Mechanical Engineer on the job has been at this for over 10 years. Now we are trying to make lemonade out of Chicken S**t. I would dare to say that while you have the enthusiasm, you lack a lot of the experience that it takes to sort out a mess like the one that you describe. Find a knowledgeable older mechanical engineer to sub some of this out to and learn as much as you can from him/her.

[DDC_Dan]

This is the Ask Our Pro's forum, and only Pro members that have been vetted by the AOPC may post advise, commentary, or ask questions of the OP here.

You can find the rules for posting and qualifications here.

Further infractions may result in loss of posting privileges.

[beenthere]

DDC_Dan, this is the Ask Our Pro's forum, and only Pro members that have been vetted by the AOPC may post advise, commentary or ask questions of the OP here.

You can find the rules for posting and qualifications here.

Your post has been deleted.
Further infractions may result in loss of posting privileges.

[DDC_Dan]

This is the Ask Our Pro's forum, and only Pro members that have been vetted by the AOPC may post advise, commentary, or ask questions of the OP here.

You can find the rules for posting and qualifications here.

Further infractions may result in loss of posting privileges.

[bustedknuckles]

Thank You meplumber, my reply was meant constructivly if somewhat crankily (us old geezers get like that). rjk42 sorry for ruffling your feathers.

[firecontrol]

I'm curious, are you preparing budgeting or bidding plans?

[toocoolforschool]

Now this is gonna be good.
Let me see I don't know how to engineer a building so I'm going to look to the internet to get me through a jam then get mad when people don't craw on their knees to help me. Don't forget I had a sales job that I had to quit for health reasons, I got sick of sitting at my desk and not selling nothing.

[timebuilder]

What you are seeking to do is likely beyond the scope of someone in your position. An experienced HVAC design engineer is the person who should be tasked with this. A couple of years of full time college, and you will be prepared to take this on as a part of a team, and maybe in another 10 years, you could lead a team.