Porcupine Plain Red Deer Nursing Home

Lighting
The following table provides descriptions of the existing and proposed lighting conditions for different areas of the facility.

Water Cooled Condenser
Overview
Treated water is a carefully manufactured product, which appears in the facilities only after traveling through many miles of pipeline and lengthy treatment process. It’s a vulnerable resource that shouldn’t be wasted. There is significant use of refrigeration equipment using city water. Currently, city water is used as a heat sink to reject heat from the refrigerant after the compression cycle. In the condenser, the cold water absorbs heat from the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant. Liquid refrigerant from a condenser is then directed to a cooling coil (evaporator) while water is damped to drain. This method of operation wastes a large amount of water.
Scope
The fridge condenser will be upgraded to an air cooled condenser.
 

Building Automation Upgrade
Overview
A “Tekmar” Indoor/Outdoor controller is used in the main boiler, while pneumatic controllers are used in AHUs. Split A/Cs are currently controlled by thermostats.

Scope
A new Honeywell Excel 5000 building automation system will be installed to schedule and control the major HVAC equipment with a networked operator interface that is connected to the main hub in Tisdale. The new controls will improve the control of the heating water, allowing for an outdoor ambient temperature reset schedule. Pumping schedules will also be implemented with the new controls to ensure that the main and subsequent circulation pumps are turn off during non-heating months. Also, air handling units will be scheduled based upon a daily schedule and seasonal schedule. The boiler plant will be automated with an outside air reset and summer shutdown, and the boilers & heating pumps will operate on an occupied/unoccupied schedule based on OAT.

MUA 1 (Wards, kitchen, laundry and main lounge)
Overview
Ventilation for Wards, kitchen, laundry and main lounge is provided by an outside air unit (MUA-1). MUA-1 is serving four zones and beside a 3-way valve controlling hot water flow, there is a face-by pass damper in front of the heating coil; a 2-stage pneumatic control operates face-by pass dampers in the 1st stage and the 3-way valve in the 2nd stage. During the audit this coil was dirty. Cooling is provided by a D/X unit cooling unit.
Scope
The dampers already in place in the laundry, kitchen and lounge areas will be used to schedule air to these areas off at night (6:00pm to 7:00am) via the new DDC points.

A VFD will be installed on supply fan (5hp, 208/3, 13.6 Amp), along with a motion sensor in these areas to close off airflow during unoccupied periods (while ensuring that the 2-staged DX coil does not freeze with reduced airflow during unoccupied periods). The fan will be interlocked with Range Hood (EF-3). Also, the heating coil is 70% clogged and requires cleaning. It is suggested to add a bank of pre-filters in front of the coil (which would result in operational savings). The motor is currently running flat out (11.3 out of 13.6 amps).

S-1 (Administrative offices, part of 200 wing wards and activity lounge)
Overview
Ventilation for the Administrative offices, part of 200 wing wards and activity lounge is provided by a constant volume mixed air handler with supply and return fans(S-1). Cooling in S-1 is provided by a D/X cooling unit and a 3-way valve controls hot water flow through the heating coil. The electric spray steam humidifier is not operational.

Scope
3 zone dampers and motion sensors will be installed in selected areas and will be programmed to open at 7:00am and close at 6:00pm.

 

VFDs will be installed in both the supply fan (15hp, 208/3, 35 Amp) and return fan (7.5hp, 208/3, 23 Amp). Amperage indicates the system is running at 50% capacity so it is not running flat out. Both motors could potentially be downgraded given that they are currently running at only 50% load.

2 x McQuay AC units (Staff room and Dining Room)
Overview
There are two D/X split units serving the Dinning and Staff rooms. These are recirculation units with cooling coil only. They are located in basement and controlled by local thermostats.
Scope
New DDC will be installed to control both units and provide night temperature setback (unoccupied hours will be set as 6:00pm to 7:00am).

Vending Machine Control
Overview
Cold beverages are available for purchase at this site from a single refrigerated beverage dispensing machine. It has self contained refrigeration and illumination that are currently running constantly, regardless of whether people are in the area to purchase beverages.
Scope
A Vending Miser control will be implemented on refrigerated vending machines within the facility. It will be wall mounted and plugged into the receptacle providing power to the existing vending machine, and the vending machine will then be plugged into the Vending Miser receptacle. It can be relocated with the vending machine.

A passive infra-red sensor detects occupants and allows the machine to power down when the surrounding area is vacant. The device also monitors room temperature and vending machine compressor operation to automatically re-power the cooling system at one to three hour intervals to ensure that drinks remain cool. Savings result because the machine lighting is only on when the area is occupied, and the compressor does not short cycle, which increases the efficiency and life span of the compressor.

Building Envelope Sealing
Overview
An investigation to upgrade the current conditions of the building envelope was conducted by CANAM Building Envelope Specialist. The results of this investigation have uncovered several areas where the building envelope can be upgraded in order to reduce heating costs. Most of the areas where improvements may be made within the confines of the performance contract involve low cost sealing of identified cracks around doorways.

Scope
The scope of work detailed by CANAM recommends the weather sealing of 12 exterior doors.
 

Perimeter Radiator Reflectors
Overview
Wall areas, behind the perimeter steam radiators, are significantly hotter than other wall areas within the building. These hot areas transmit significant amounts of heat to the outside thus reducing the effectiveness of perimeter radiation.
Scope

Reflectors designed specifically for application on walls behind heating radiators will be installed to reflect energy back into the building space. In addition, the insulating pockets of air behind the heat reflectors further reduce heat losses normally due to convective and conductive processes. These reflectors will greatly improve the effectiveness of the existing radiators, potentially allowing the heating loop temperature to be reduced and thus increasing the overall heating system efficiency and occupant comfort.
 

Boiler Flue Dampers
Overview
In the case of combustion appliances vented to the atmosphere, average standby time ranges from 85 to 90 percent if they are sized properly for their design loads. During this time, warm room air is drawn through the stack via the draft hood or dilution air inlet at a rate proportional to the stack height, diameter and outdoor temperature. More air is drawn through the vent immediately after the appliance shuts off and the flue is still hot. When closed a vent damper prevents residual heat from being drawn up the warm vent.

Scope
Electromechanical vent dampers will be installed on six atmospheric boiler stacks. The electromechanical vent damper is coupled with the gas valve. For example, the vent damper will start to open on a call for heat. After a short delay of 15 to 30 seconds to ensure that the damper is open, the gas valve and ignition are activated. Conversely, the damper will close when the heat demand is met and the gas valve is closed.
 

Backflow Prevention (VFA)
Overview
Backflow occurs when the water flows in the opposite direction from its normal flow. The cause of a backflow is a change in pressures. This reversed direction of water flow may allow contaminants to enter the drinking water system through cross-connections. Backflow Prevention is a strategy whereby a valve is placed in the domestic water supply line of a given facility in order to prevent contamination by pollutants due to ‘backflow’ in the system. Examples of testable backflow preventers used for medium to high hazard processes include: reduced-pressure principle assemblies, double-check valve assemblies and pressure vacuum breaker assemblies.

Scope
Backflow Prevention double-check valve assemblies will be installed in both the domestic and fire pump water supply pipes in order to comply with the 1995 National Building Code part 7.6.2.3 and CSA.Z317.1 Canadian Standards Association Special Requirements for Plumbing Installations in Health Care Facilities, Section 6.3.3.5.