Understanding Building Mechanical Systems

Download the full agenda in PDF format here.

Day 1

Welcome and Announcements

Fundamentals of HVAC&R: An Introduction to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration

• What is HVAC&R?
• Terms, definitions, and units
• Thermal comfort and IAQ principles 
• End-user system requirements and psychrometrics 

HVAC&R Equipment

• Fundamentals and basic cycle components 
• Condensers, compressors, and evaporators
• Unitary system components, DX equipment, and chilled water
• Refrigerant phaseouts, greenhouse gases, and global warming
• Air delivery systems

Day 2

HVAC Codes, Design, and Systems

• Codes, standards, and design issues
• System selection 
• Ductwork and HVAC piping systems
• Pumping arrangements
• Modularity and standby capacity

MEP Construction Quality and Startup

• Overview of Contractor Quality Programs and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Specific Focus
• MEP Quality Plans
• Startup Planning - a Critical Early Activity
• Getting More Effective MEP Training

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB)

• What is TAB?
• Timing and benefits
• Balancing air and water systems
• Typical equipment and procedures
• How to spot a good balancing report

Total Building Commissioning

• Process fundamentals, costs and benefits 
• Participant responsibilities 
• HVAC&R project strategies

• Instructors

  Joy Altwies

  Program Director/Instructor

  Joy Altwies, Ph.D., P.E., LEED AP+, is a program director for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs. Since 2004, Dr. Altwies has developed and taught continuing education courses emphasizing high-performance building design and construction, mechanical system design and operation, energy efficiency, and commissioning. She is also the program director of the Master of Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) degree program and an instructor of two graduate courses in the program.

  Robin Graves

  Mechanical Engineer

  Robin Graves, PE LEED AP, is a Mechanical Engineer with Affiliated Engineers, Inc. Ms. Graves provides HVAC systems consulting and design for a variety of clients including higher education, healthcare, and federal. Her responsibilities include performing load calculations, duct layouts, sizing, and equipment selection. Ms. Graves also coordinates component locations and constructability through communication and interaction with other disciplines. She has also performed energy modeling in diverse building types.

  Clients include: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; Baxalta; City of Madison; Medical College of Wisconsin; Northwestern University; Stratatech Corporation; University of Colorado Health; University of Wisconsin; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Energy.

  With AEI since 2006, Ms. Graves holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering for UW-Madison, is a registered professional engineer, and LEED accredited professional. In addition to her project work, she is an instructor for the University of Wisconsin Department of Engineering Professional Development in HVAC codes, design, and systems.

  William Bahnfleth

  Professor

  Dr. Bahnfleth is a professor of Architectural Engineering at Penn State, where he also directs the Indoor Environment Center. Prior to joining the Penn State faculty, he was employed as a consulting engineer and as a researcher at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory. Bill holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

  Matt Bond

  NEBB Certified Technician

  Matt Bond, NEBB CP, operates Badger Balancing LLC as a NEBB (National Environmental Balancing Bureau) Certified Professional and Co-Owner. He is responsible for the supervision of all work performed by his firm and employees with an emphasis on engineering principles, system design and system equipment and procedures. Matt has extensive experience utilizing instrumentation and procedures to troubleshoot both air and hydronic systems. His clients include architects, engineers and building owners spanning healthcare, industry, education and other facility types. He is a member of NEBB, specializing in Air and Water testing and balancing policy and procedures for the industry. He is also an associate member and Silver Sponsor of Wisconsin Healthcare Engineers Association (WHEA), and a member of ASHRAE, ASHE and CETA.

  Chad Dorgan

  Executive Director

  Dr. Dorgan currently serves as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Quality at Clayco, a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely and sustainably delivers the highest quality solutions to clients across North America.  He is also the Executive Director of the Design and Construction Excellence Exchange (DCX), a collaboration of design and construction companies, with owners, consultants, and insurance, technology and manufacturing companies to drive excellence across the industry.

  Dr. Dorgan is a LEED Fellow of the United States Green Building Council and a Fellow member with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). He has also been recognized with several industry awards, including the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and the 2004 Benner Award from the Building Commissioning Association for making commissioning business as usual.

• Program Director

  Joy Altwies