High School Embraces Multi-Unit Tankless System

Modulation technology also enables the system to track and meet any hot-water demand with pinpoint accuracy, matching energy consumption to present requirements. Unlike storage-tank heaters, there are no standby losses resulting from the burner firing during periods of non-use. When combined for larger commercial applications, the entire system modulates (adjusts) Btu usage to match demand.

Load balancing ensures that operation is equalized across all units, so one doesn’t suffer undue wear and tear. This efficient performance, along with the need for one less circulator pump, almost certainly means the school will experience energy savings, although it will take several months to measure.

The prefabricated tankless system arrived at Mater Dei ready to be connected. Motis spent about one day setting the unit and making the necessary water, venting, and gas-line connections.

Venting was accomplished using polypropylene for the exhaust and PVC for intake, although Motis explained he would use polypropylene exclusively on future jobs. “The polypropylene was so much lighter and easier to install than the PVC,” he said. “Not having to lug the heavy PVC around the jobsite and struggle to hang it on the brackets is a huge time and effort saver.

Aside from the heavy PVC, he reported no challenges with the installation. “As a single-man operation, getting everything built and connected over the spring-break window might have proved challenging if not for the relative ease-of-installation offered by the multi-unit system,” he explained.

He also noted the ease with which future maintenance can be accomplished compared with the old boiler. Not only is the multi-system more compact and easier for service personnel to maneuver around, but also maintenance promises to be less expensive. “The cost of replacing the heat exchangers for several tankless units is lower than replacing one heat exchanger for a boiler,” Motis said. “That was another big selling point.”

Since the installation in late March 2018, the system has been functioning as designed. “Typically, no news is good news in the facilities business, but we haven’t received any hot-water complaints,” said Ritter. “The new system generates hot water quickly, efficiently, and meets our every need. Moving forward, we’re confident it will continue to outperform our old system and lead to energy savings, thanks to its effi

Want more information from Noritz America (noritz.com)? Circle 3 on the Reader Service Card.

Sources listed below are linked at commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1903noritz.

James Motis, preventbackfl owplumbing.com Mater Dei High School, materdei.org

ciency.” CA

Wooster Products Inc

1000 Spruce St | PO Box 6005 | Wooster, Ohio 44691 sales@wooster-products.com | www.wooster-products.com

EDITORS’ CHOICE

VRF system Multi V 5 variable refrigerant flow system uses LGRED° (Reliable to Extreme Degrees) heat technology. Available in a range of capacities, including a compact 20-ton single frame, the system has an expanded operating range to work in ambient conditions to –22 F. The system uses Advanced Smart Load Control and Comfort Cooling intelligence that measure ambient-air humidity and temperature to monitor changing weather condition in real time, adjusting operation before the change impacts indoor comfort.

LG Electronics USA, Alpharetta, GA Circle 55 lghvac.com

Absorption chillers, heat pumps

York absorption chillers, heat pumps:

Use water as a natural refrigerant Two-step evaporator-absorber Requires lower generator temperatures

York absorption chillers and heat pumps use a natural refrigerant (water) and are driven by waste or other low-cost heat sources. The line uses a two-step evaporator-absorber/parallel flow design enabling a lower salt concentration, requiring less energy input. The evaporator and absorber are split into lower and upper sections. This creates two different pressure levels, enhancing absorption compared to a conventional cycle. The different pressure levels divide the cooling load and the absorption process into two parts. The two-part process is said to effectively save about 10% in energy usage when compared to a traditional, single-step evaporator/absorber design. As a result, absorption requires lower generator temperatures, producing less noncondensable gas and less purging frequency.

Johnson Controls, Milwaukee Circle 54 york.com

Stainless-steel shower shelves A line of brushed stainless-steel shower shelves complement Style shower grates and can be used in tiled showers. Shelves are available in the Curve and Floral patterns to match the company’s point and linear drains. Made with 5/32-in.-thick stainless steel, the shelves require no special installation tools. Five shapes and sizes are available.

Schluter-Systems, Plattsburgh, NY Circle 56 schluter.com

Storm-class louver

Louver Type SCV302 is an addition to the Storm Class line. Using 3-in.-deep vertical rain-resistant blades, the unit is AMCA 500-L certified for Air Performance, Water Penetration, and Wind-Driven Rain; AMCA 540 listed for Large Missile Impact; and AMCA 550 listed for High Velocity Wind-Driven Rain. The aluminum-extruded louvers can be specified with a variety of options in a wide range of architectural finishes.

Airolite, Schofield, WI Circle 57 airolite.com

Wind-driven-rain louver The EME3625DFLMD 3-in.louver is listed to Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) standards 540 for impact testing and 550 for high-velocity wind-driven rain. The product meets a wind load of 80 psf and satisfies the AMCA 550 standard, which is tested at wind speeds of 110 mph and a rainfall rate of 8.8 in/hr. Closely spaced vertical blades prevent penetration of wind-driven rain, earning a Class A efficiency rating at 29 mph and 50 mph.

Ruskin, Grandview, MO Circle 61 ruskin.com

Stainless-steel fittings MegaPress Stainless XL fittings are available for 2 1/2-, 3-, and 4-in. pipe. The fittings join the current sizes to create solutions for a range of applications, including maintenance and repair. Designed for Iron Pipe Size (IPS) stainless steel, the fittings reportedly make secure connections in seconds. Available in 304- and 316-stainless steel, the fittings are approved for use with Schedule 10 to Schedule 40 pipe.

Viega, Broomfield, CO Circle 58 viega.us

Boiler series NFC series stainless-steel fire-tube combi-boilers are available in two sizes, NFC-175 (175,000 Btu/hr.) and NFC-200 (199,900 Btu/hr.), each providing 95% AFUE, 11:1 turndown ratio, PVC venting to 150 ft., high-altitude approval to 10,100 ft. The units use a low-profile burner for ease of service, advanced controls offering intuitive user navigation, a built-in DHW module (pump, flat-plate heat exchanger, 3-way valve, mixing valve, water adjustment valve and auto water fill valve), common venting capability to 8 units, cascading capability to 16 units, and built-in hardware to connect as many as three zone pumps without a need for additional external controllers.

Navien, Irvine, CA Circle 59 navieninc.com

Strut support KnuckleHead strut support has a sleek look with ribs flanking each side of the head. The device has a 1 1/8-in.-deep cavity for holding a standard steel strut. When mechanically fastening the strut into place, bolts or screws pass through the side of the head into the metal strut. The design has a flat surface, instead of the previous curved design, providing a tighter fit between screw and head.

Green Link, Kalamazoo, MI Circle 60 greenlinkengineering.com

Energy-modeling software Cypetherm with EnergyPlus energy-modeling and report-generation software simulates HVAC energy demand and consumption in a building with Airstage VRF systems and compares results with other HVAC equipment. Potential energy savings and ROI values are estimated. The software is pre-loaded with weather data from more than 200 U.S. cities. Default values are selected based on building type.

Fujitsu General America, West Fairfield, NJ Circle 62 fujitsugeneral.com

Thermostatic mixing valve Safe-T-Zone thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) regulate water temperature whenever an eyewash or emergency shower is activated, making tepid water easily available, resulting in equipment that performs to all required industry safety standards. All TMVs use solid brass, lead- free construction and are available in high capacity STW-350 (62.5 gpm), medium capacity STW-362 (38 gpm), and low capacity STW-370 (9.7 gpm) options. Optional accessories include stainless-steel flush or surface-mount cabinets for corrosion resistance with integrated locks and mounting brackets.

Speakman, Concordville, PA Circle 63 speakman.com

Syrios SY606 pendant, with an up and downlight, was selected as the predominant fi xture throughout common spaces and corridors. Photography: John D’Angelo

Lighting Ambiance Contributes To Work Environment

Illumination is anything but corporate at Microsoft Technology Center.

Microsoft recently moved its regional technology and training center from Southfi eld, MI, to downtown Detroit’s central business district, taking advantage of that area’s growing technology hub. It occupies the fi fth fl oor of One Campus Martius in a 45,000-sq.-ft. space. On any given day the technology center plays host to customers and Microsoft executives and employees, using the facility for R&D, product demonstrations, training, and meetings.

While many of the rooms are designed for function, three informal gathering areas and wide-open corridors anchor the overall space. The aesthetic combines residential and commercial design elements, using furniture, area rugs, and wall elements traditionally associated with residential design. Illuminart, the lighting division of Peter Basso Associates Inc., Troy, MI, was brought in to address the diverse lighting requirements for the project.

“There is definitely more of a hospitality vibe,” said Elizabeth Williams, lighting designer at Illuminart. “It’s a comfortable, visually interesting space, with areas for clients to sit and enjoy themselves without feeling too corporate.”

Lighting in the common spaces and corridors is intended to set a calming mood, contributing to that hospitality feel. Montreal-based Luminis’ Syrios

SY606 pendant, with an up and downlight, was selected as the predominant fix

The technology center combines residential and commercial design elements. Lighting in the common spaces and corridors is intended to set a calming mood, contributing to a hospitality feel.

Lumistik CL322, a cylindrical pendant with a 3-in. dia. and a diffused acrylic lens, provides ambient light and aesthetics. Thirty pendants form two rows, interspersed with acoustic ceiling accents that emulate a wave.

ture throughout these areas. The architect wanted a luminaire that “disappeared into the space,” yet still had a strong industrial feel to match the high, exposed ceilings. Williams explained that the Syrios SY606 made a lot of sense based on aesthetics, but also because the luminaire was able to provide a significant amount of light in an energy-efficient package. The uplight delivers a distinctive glow on the exposed ceiling to highlight the expanse, while the downlight pushes light to the individual workspaces, task areas, and walkways. The black exterior finish of the fixture blends into the dark ceilings and ductwork.

Williams specifically chose a regressed light module on the downlight for visual comfort. “I wanted to be sure that there were appropriate light levels in all of the spaces, but I did not want glare coming from the base of the cylinder. The lighting had to be comfortable to sit underneath; when employees or clients glance up, they are not blinded by light.”

CREATING AMBIANCE Another component of the lighting design was the ability to create ambiance while still providing an environment that was conducive to work. Williams paid a lot of attention to where tasks would be taking place, including furniture layout and work surfaces. So, she appreciated that the Syrios fi xture is adjustable from the top and bottom. “There are giant drop-metal ceilings in the middle of the space, which limited the areas where I could place the luminaires. It was great to be able to make adjustments to the lighting on site during the installation, angling the light beams as we needed.”

Williams also opted for a Luminis product in the kitchenette area adjacent to a training room. The contemporary Lumistik CL322, a cylindrical pendant with a 3-in. dia. and a diffused acrylic lens, was used to provide the right combination of ambient light and aesthetics. Thirty pendants form two striking rows down the length of the space, interspersed with acoustic ceiling accents that emulate a wave. Williams noted that the training room is more functional and corporate in its design, so they sought to create a break area that provided a contrast and enabled users to “shift their perspective.” The Lumistik products provide a welcoming, comfortable light to the overall space but also direct the appropriate amount of light to various areas such as tables, counters, and appliances.

Additional products from the Syrios family were used in other common areas to complement the SY606. The SY310 surface-mount fixtures and SY305 pendants are located in the server display areas and Executive Briefing Center service counter and vestibules.

Williams commented, “It’s great to work with a manufacturer like Luminis that carries lines with a lot of different design options. It enables me to maintain the design aesthetics of my project while fulfilling specific functional needs.” CA

Want more information from Luminis (luminis.com)? Circle 4 on the Reader Service Card. Sources listed below are linked at commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1903luminis. Peter Basso Associates Inc., peterbassoassociates.com