Sharpe Refectory 

Energy Engineering & Design (EE&D) was retained by Brown University to conduct a full retro-commissioning of the Sharpe Refectory.  The Sharpe Refectory is the main dining hall for Brown University students.  The building is open from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM on Sunday.  The Refectory offers buffet dining continuously during those hours and serves roughly 1,500 students per meal.

Systems that were investigated in the Sharpe Refectory include the following:

• Air handling systems, including air handling units that provide conditioned air to the main dining hall and kitchen; exhaust fans serving kitchen, bathrooms, the main dining hall, basement, and transformer vault; and makeup air systems.
• Domestic hot water system, for use in bathrooms and the kitchen.
• Steam and condensate systems.
• Chiller system, including operations and controls.
• Lighting, specifically opportunities for utilizing natural light.
• Controls systems, including manual and/or onboard controls as well as the building’s Energy Management System controlled by Facilities.

John Hay Library

Energy Engineering & Design (EE&D) was retained by Brown University to conduct a full retro-commissioning of the John Hay Library.  The Library is the second oldest Library on campus.  The John Hay Library opened in November 1910, serving from that time until 1964 as the main library of the University.  The Hay houses the University Library’s rare books and manuscripts, the University Archives, and the Library’s special collections.

The primary objective of the initial retro-commissioning project is to reduce energy consumption and costs.  Secondary objectives include bringing equipment to its proper operational state; reducing temperature imbalances; increasing equipment life; and improving indoor air quality.

While utility cost savings is important, at the John Hay Library, the improvement of the air quality within the library may be the most critical element of this study.  

Because of this, we have put special emphasis on modifications the will not only save energy, but provide the level of temperature and humidity control that is required in such a facility.  Our goal wa to provide conditions that meet the National Records and Archive Administration (NARA) standard 1571, Appendix A.  That is: temperature must be maintained at 70[Symbol] F .+/- 5[Symbol], and relative humidity must be maintained at 35% to 45%, +/- 5%.  

Systems that were investigated in the John Hay Library include the following:

• Air handling systems, focusing on the three air handling units that provide conditioned air to the main library and the stacks;
• Domestic hot water system, for use in bathrooms;
• Steam and condensate systems;
• Chiller water system;
• Lighting, specifically opportunities for utilizing natural light; and
• Controls systems, including manual and/or onboard controls.

Olney-Margolies Athletic Center

Energy Engineering & Design (EE&D) was retained by Brown University to conduct a full retro-commissioning of the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center (OMAC) at 235 Hope Street.  Constructed in 1981, OMAC serves as an athletics center for various sports on campus, and houses the Athletics Department offices.

The building’s area is 91,622 gross square feet.  Other than the field house, which accounts for roughly half of the building’s area, OMAC is predominantly athletic offices, training rooms, and locker rooms.  The ground floor is comprised of a large physical training area, several equipment and storage areas, and the main locker rooms.  Athletic offices and conference rooms account for a large amount of the space on the second floor, with two large athletic/dance rooms and locker rooms accounting for the remaining space.

Systems that were investigated in the OMAC include the following:

• Air handling systems.
• Domestic hot water system.
• Medium Temperature Hot Water including operation and control.
• Lighting, specifically opportunities for utilizing natural light.
• Controls systems, including manual and/or onboard controls as well as the building’s Energy Management System controlled by Facilities.

Vartan Gregorian Quad

Energy Engineering & Design (EE&D) was retained by Brown University to conduct a full retro-commissioning of the Vartan Gregorian Quad at 101 Thayer Street.  Vartan Gregorian Quad (VGQ) comprises two buildings.  Constructed in 1990, the VGQ functions primarily as dormitory for approximately 315 residents.  Additionally the top two floors in building A are used as the Saunders Inn, housing visiting parents and guests, while the bottom floor contain office areas and Josiah’s late night eatery.   Saunders Inn will be closed in the fall of 2011 and converted to dorm rooms.

The area of the buildings is 79,710 internal square feet for building A, and 47,286 internal square feet for building B.  Building A includes the Saunders Inn in the north half of the building, with rooms on the fifth and sixth floors and offices and conference areas on the ground floor.  The remaining floors in building A are dormitory rooms, excluding the mechanical attic space.  The east half of the ground floor is Josiah’s eatery, which includes a kitchen, preparation area and eating space.  A basement area has storage space and mechanical rooms.  The remainder of the east half of Building A is dormitory area, except the mechanical attic space and roof.  All of Building B is dormitory space except the basement.  The basement in Building B has several mechanical rooms, a server room, washing and drying machines, and a maintenance office.

Systems that were investigated in the VGQ include the following:

• Air handling and exhaust systems.
• Domestic hot water system.
• Medium Temperature Hot Water system and chilled water system including operation and control.
• Lighting and lighting controls, specifically opportunities for utilizing natural light.
• Controls systems, including manual and/or onboard controls as well as the building’s Energy Management System controlled by Facilities.

• Retro-Commissioning