Starting April 22, 2025, the updated 2021 Michigan energy code goes into effect in alignment with the 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 code.

Positive Impacts on a Student’s Learning Experience and Environment

• Upgraded and properly maintained systems create learning environments that are comfortable and limit noisy disruptions
• Promoting sustainability in tangible ways can provide hands-on learning opportunities for students
• Efficient buildings contribute to a better global environment, benefiting students’ well-being and their local communities

By adhering to the 2021 IECC, schools in Michigan can create optimized learning environments that prioritize comfort, health, sustainability, and innovation. These benefits not only enhance the day-to-day experiences of students but also equip them with knowledge and values for a sustainable future.

Download our 2021 Michigan Energy Code adoption guide for more information about how these changes affect future building projects and budgets.

Related Insights

Building Performance, K-12 Education

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Building Performance, News

GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions

Building Performance, News

GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Geothermal HVAC Solutions to Future Proof Education Facilities

Tags

The post Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance appeared first on GMB.

Public anxieties about school safety are escalating across the country. According to a 2023 Gallup report, 44% of parents fear for their child’s physical safety at school, a 10 percentage-point increase since 2019. Unfortunately, these fears are likely to increase if the incidence of school tragedies continues to mount. As a result, school leaders are now charged with two non-negotiable responsibilities. The first, as always, is to ensure kids have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Sadly, their second responsibility is to keep the children in their care safe from threats and physical danger.  

This is why many school leaders are taking the issues around secure school design far more seriously today than they might have in the past. Our own work — we’re a secure environments expert and an educational architect — has thrown a clear spotlight on this new focus. Here are six important points to consider at the pivot point of school design and security.   

Security starts with assessment. 

Any plan to integrate stronger security measures into a school should begin with a thorough site assessment. This entails having a security consultant visit the school to evaluate any vulnerabilities it may have in physical security and emergency preparedness. The site assessment should provide a 360-degree examination of the school, its practical functions, and its surroundings. It should include a review of current safety policies and procedures, and onsite interviews with key staff and leadership. This thorough examination of internal and external design features will identify any technical and physical gaps in security.   

Security occurs in layers. 

Experts agree that the best physical design practices to impede active threats include delaying access to the most occupied portions of the building. Incorporating layers of security includes creating a secure entrance, then limiting access to classroom wings or pods, followed by securing the individual learning spaces. Following these steps is the most effective approach to increasing safety and security in school facilities.  

Avoid focusing solely on active violent threats. 

While active-shooter events are a very real threat, they are still a rare occurrence. Instead, it is best to use a multi-hazard approach to guide safety and security enhancements. Consider other threats such as fire and medical emergencies and leverage alert systems, technology, door locks and identification, and staff training to enhance responses.   

Security enhancements do not need to be expensive. 

Effective design measures will customize security improvements to address a school’s biggest risks. For example, an elementary school may focus more efforts on the main entrance and exterior doors to address external threats, while a high school may need to focus on behavioral threat assessments, as risks tend to be internal.   

Effective plans and training are essential components for safety and security.

People often feel safer in a physical space that has been updated and secured. Safety planning requires us to look at all layers involved, including technology, equipment, processes, procedures, and training. For example, if a school decides to revise its main entrance, associated security protocols must be updated. This includes training staff, students, and visitors to ensure that the improvements provide the intended safety enhancements.   

Both threats and educational needs will change over time.

If a school is designed based only on today’s threats, the building will be left with spaces that won’t work in the future. Instead, designing schools for the next generation of learners should be done through the lens of educating the whole child. Being flexible with design elements, and keeping building occupants top of mind always, will ensure that school safety and security is supported in future uses and needs.

Providing staff with appropriate training and plans for any safety risk — whether that’s a medical emergency, a natural disaster, or an active violence threat — is paramount to success. This should include reaching out to local fire and law-enforcement officials or third-party security consultants to assist in training. Their expert perspectives will provide additional insights and will also allow them to better understand the facility before an emergency hits.    

Beyond physical safety, schools should also be designed to address student’s psychological well-being. For many students, school is a place where they feel most secure, most connected, and most cared for. It can offer an escape from circumstances where they’re not sure when their next meal is coming or if their basic needs will be met. Promoting social-emotional learning through design empowers kids to identify their emotions and develop interpersonal relationship skills with self-advocacy strategies that promote positive conflict resolution. When students are equipped with the skills to recognize their mental health needs, they are more proactive in seeking out resources and can better identify at-risk behaviors in their peers.

Finally, keep in mind that the earlier in the design process these measures are taken, the better. It is easier to embed safety into a building or to make any needed adjustments before any work has begun. Combining security elements specific to each facility with educational best practices will result in safer schools designed to support students and staff. 

This article was originally published in Campus Security Today, May 2024

Related Insights

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance

Building Performance, News

GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions

Building Performance, News

GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Geothermal HVAC Solutions to Future Proof Education Facilities

Tags

The post Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design appeared first on GMB.

GMB, a professional services firm focused on the educational market, and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) have entered into a partnership that aims to enhance school safety through design, security planning, and safety training. This exclusive partnership will allow GMB to offer safety solutions that integrate with building and environment design, and this holistic approach will extend to training for staff and teachers. The collaborative partnership between GMB and SEC exemplifies both organizations’ shared commitment to growth and will create safe spaces that best serve students of all ages.

GMB’s integrated team provides planning, architecture, engineering, branding, and enrollment marketing services to educational institutions, holistically impacting how they maximize their learner success. GMB is a nationally recognized education design leader, currently ranked as the 11th largest K-12 architecture/engineering firm in the U.S. on BD+C’s Giants lists. GMB’s team also serves more than 30 colleges and universities across the country.

SEC provides prevention-focused safety and security programs for schools, childcare facilities, and organizations. Since 2013, SEC has brought high-level security assessments to campuses and schools across the United States. They have also worked with the majority of school districts in Michigan for their site assessments.

“We are honored to work with SEC on this important partnership and bring tangible safety solutions to districts and campuses,” said Ron Boezwinkle, GMB Client Lead. Boezwinkle is also a member of an advisory board for Secure Environment Consultants. “This partnership furthers our mission to provide a holistic approach to education services that supports lifelong learners.”

SEC’s services, paired with GMB, will include project planning, safety and security design consulting, site assessments, and budget assistance. This alliance brings expertise and insights to school leaders who are looking to redesign or expand their current physical spaces.

“This partnership will allow us to help more schools embed safety within the design process and make the right improvements early on,” said Jason Russell, Founder and President of SEC. “SEC is excited to partner with GMB because of their strong reputation and deep expertise in educational design.”

SEC recently partnered with Kent County ISD to train local district security staff on best practices in school safety. This week-long training was led by SEC Senior Lead Consultant, Jason Louwaert, former School Resource Officer at Oxford Public Schools.

GMB and SEC believe that designing safe educational environments needs to incorporate a balance of student’s mental health and physical safety. Inserting the appropriate security elements that are specific to each facility, while also working with what is best for the students, defines how the organizations will approach all education projects together.

GMB, SEC, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Kentwood Police Department previously hosted a 40-hour Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) training to teach participants that proper design and effective use of the built and social environment achieves a more productive use of space and a reduction of crime. GMB has demonstrated a continued commitment to educating and training Michigan education leaders, and the GMB staff, on facility and campus security and safety.

“GMB believes that safety is such an intrinsic part of every project we do, and we truly value the leadership and partnership provided by the SEC team,” added Boezwinkle. 

Representatives from GMB and SEC attended the joint EdSpaces and Campus Safety Conference in Charlotte, NC last November to present a session titled, “Safe and Secure Schools by Design” and attended sessions to continue their education in improving campus physical safety and classroom design.

About SEC

Since 2013, SEC has brought high-level security assessments to workplaces and schools across the United States. A team of former Secret Service agents, Homeland Security agents, Green Berets, Navy SEALS, and law enforcement officers came together to provide realistic recommendations and customized security services. SEC provides unrivaled expertise to ensure a successful project from beginning to end. Learn more at www.secprotects.com.

Related Insights

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance

Building Performance, K-12 Education

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions

Building Performance, News

GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Geothermal HVAC Solutions to Future Proof Education Facilities

Tags

The post GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest appeared first on GMB.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) has provided new guidelines and incentives to advance the use of clean energy in the public sector, which includes many educational institutions. Touted as the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history, organizations planning energy related projects can take advantage of lucrative tax credits for upcoming capital improvement projects.

Identifying Eligible Projects

Tax credits for certain energy projects will be effective through 2032 – the longest U.S. energy policy to date. Public sector owners will receive a direct payment from the IRS, up to 40%, after the installation of systems. For systems placed in service on or after January 1, 2025, the Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit and the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit will replace the traditional Investment Tax Credit and Production Tax Credit. Eligible building project examples include:

• Geothermal HVAC systems
• Solar and wind energy
• Energy storage technology
• Combined heat and power system (CHP)

The IRA also makes school buses eligible for electrification funds through a new Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles program run by the EPA to support sustainable transportation.

Why Choose Geothermal

Geothermal HVAC systems are now more affordable than other traditional systems and are recognized as the most energy-efficient and environmentally safe heating and cooling system by the EPA. Need to know more about what a geothermal HVAC system involves? Read more about utilizing geothermal for education facilities.

K-12 school districts with bonds voting in 2024 or later can begin planning now for these future energy savings and IRA incentive. Higher education institutions are also eligible for these federal funds. Partnering with GMB and our team of certified GeoExchange Designers can ensure you are maximizing the long-term benefits for your specific building needs, help achieve your sustainability objectives, and/or also assist in providing commissioning services for your systems, and training for your staff. Additionally, GMB will assist with documentation needed for the IRA application process.

The current IRA incentive, paired with energy savings, will mean more dedicated funds can be allocated towards updating school facilities, adding technology, and improving teaching and learning spaces. Read more about our partners at Allendale Early Childhood Center (pictured) who utilized a geothermal HVAC system to help achieve their sustainability objectives.

Economic Comparison Case Study

The table below outlines a high-level comparison of a conventional HVAC system, which does not qualify for the IRA incentive, against implementation of a geothermal HVAC system that does qualify for the IRA incentive. While a conventional HVAC system and a geothermal HVAC system include different pieces of mechanical equipment, they also share a lot of similarities in ductwork, piping, controls, and more. Due to the similar nature of the scope of work happening ‘inside’ of the building for both systems, we’ll assume these costs to be equal for this analysis.

Historically, the premium cost of any geothermal HVAC system is the cost of the work happening ‘outside’ of the building including the installation of the ground heat exchanger (GHX) piping. The IRA incentive of up to 40% is applied to the cost of the entire geothermal HVAC system and includes the scope of work both inside and outside of the building. The costs included in this analysis are based on historic project data for educational facilities in the Midwestern United States.

GMB has almost 30 years of experience designing geothermal HVAC systems and has transformed HVAC systems at more than 40 education facilities across the Midwest. Our team has multiple Certified GeoExchange Designers on staff who have implemented these HVAC solutions for our education clients and are available to discuss your next energy related project.

Related Insights

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Geothermal HVAC Solutions to Future Proof Education Facilities

Building Performance

The Top Three Benefits of Integrated Commissioning

Building Performance, Higher Education

From Aging Infrastructure to Energy Leader

Tags

The post Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings appeared first on GMB.

There are many ways to create efficient buildings that use less energy without sacrificing comfort and functionality. Through sustainable practices and design, we can embrace creative solutions that improve our natural environment and lessen our carbon footprint. One sustainable solution lies above our heads in the form of green roofs. Green roofs are an innovative option that provide numerous benefits to building users and the surrounding community.

What is a Green Roof?

A green roof, also called a living roof, is an eco-friendly approach to roofing where the building top is covered with vegetation or plants. Green roofs may include herbs, grass, drought resistant plants, flowers, shrubs, and even edible fruits and vegetables. There are many options for living roofs, from sprawling gardens with perennials and fruit trees, to simple and low-maintenance plants like grasses and bushes. Because there is not as deep a layer of soil as in natural gardens, the choices can be limited on the plant types for green cover. There are many ways to creatively utilize green roof space and designs may include:

• Intensive, walkable roof gardens
• Shallower, performance-focused allotments
• Natural, flat gardens or raised beds
• Hanging garden with pots vertically lined up or multi-tier systems

Other Green Roof Considerations

Green roofs can be costly to build and maintain when compared to ordinary roofs, and not all roofs would qualify for a living plant system. One must factor in the cost of the additional foundation, soil, various plants, and the installation itself. Just as any garden, the maintenance of watering to keeping the plants safe from pests, insects, and other threats is an additional cost. It is also important that the property is not vulnerable to water damage. The longevity of the green roof and lifecycle of the facility will determine if the cost of the gardens will realize eventual energy cost savings.

Related Insights

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance

Building Performance, K-12 Education

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Building Performance, News

GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings

Building Performance, News

GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Geothermal HVAC Solutions to Future Proof Education Facilities

Tags

The post Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions appeared first on GMB.

GMB Architetcure + Engineering, in partnership with Kent County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Kentwood Police Department, hosted a 40-hour Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) training in May 2023. Several education leaders and school resource officers from Michigan school districts attended the training, including Sparta Public Schools, Mason County Central Schools, Potterville Public Schools, Hudsonville Public Schools, and more. Three GMB employees, who specialize in educational planning, design, and engineering, also received the certified training.

CPTED training teaches participants that proper design and effective use of the built and social environment achieves a more productive use of space and a reduction of crime. The course covers topics that include site plan review, report writing, establishment and/or elimination of barriers, planning and zoning, and behavioral management.

“School security, and public safety in general, is a topic on the minds of every parent and community member. We were happy to host this timely training for our education clients and local law enforcement,” said Ron Boezwinkle, GMB Client Lead. Boezwinkle is also a member of an advisory board for Secure Education Consultants (SEC). “We learned valuable, real-world strategies that can be implemented in education environments and communities right away.”

This course also included a CPTED field assessment at local school districts to review existing site safety and security in the greater Grand Rapids community. CPTED training reinforces the importance placed on safety and security throughout local facilities and the community.

“As someone who regularly conducts security assessments, this training has helped provide a new way of observing and opened my eyes to other ways of addressing areas of concern,” said Shane Davis, Senior Lead Consultant at Secure Education Consultants. “CPTED training provided a number of new ideas to consider when making recommendations to our clients after conducting a security assessment as well as advising clients on new building or renovations projects.”

The in-person course was held at GMB’s Grand Rapids Learning Hub, which officially opened its doors in October 2022. GMB’s goal for Learning Hubs is to create an experiential and welcoming place for both clients and employees that encourages the exchange of knowledge and learning together. The Learning Hub, located at 555 4^th Street, is available to reserve for GMB clients, student groups, and other community education opportunities.

Additional information about CPTED can also be found at the following link: CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) Credential 

Related Insights

GMB Culture, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Defining GMB’s Ecosystem of Teams

Building Performance, K-12 Education

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Building Performance, News

GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest

Architecture & Engineering, Awards, K-12 Education

Ludington’s New Elementary School Wins 2023 Building Award from AIA Grand Rapids

Architecture & Engineering, K-12 Education

How Schools Can Prepare to Address Students’ Social-Emotional Needs District-Wide

Architecture & Engineering, K-12 Education

Social-Emotional Learning is Integral to Learning – and School Design

Tags

The post GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders appeared first on GMB.

There is a lot of buzz surrounding decarbonization, sustainable design, renewable energy, and green building technologies. What does it all mean when addressing your next renovation or building project? To balance the building systems for facilities right now with the anticipated needs of the future, one eco-friendly energy solution rises to the top – and it is now more affordable than ever before.

Stepping away from the conventional HVAC systems that consume nonrenewable fossil fuels, like a chiller and boiler system, education facilities are turning to renewable energy sources that are becoming more accessible and affordable. Specifically, integrating geothermal heat pump technology into operational or new facilities is gaining popularity. Geothermal HVAC systems offer benefits like life-cycle cost savings, reducing your facility’s environmental impact, improved year-round occupant comfort, and is quieter than conventional systems which lowers distractions for students in the classroom.

Geothermal HVAC systems utilize the constant Earth temperature to heat and cool facilities. Upgrades in technology make it possible to integrate geothermal HVAC systems with electrical-based systems and other energy-efficient / renewable options, like photovoltaic solar energy and solar thermal energy. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes geothermal HVAC systems as the most energy-efficient and environmentally safe heating and cooling system option.

New legislation is on the way to make the use of geothermal HVAC technologies more affordable for public entities and non-profits. Prior to 2022, the alternative energy base credit for commercial buildings was a 10% tax credit for ground source heat pumps. The new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) changed this to a 6% tax credit with an additional 2% for systems using products made in the USA, but also added a 5x multiplier to both of these percentages along with extending the geothermal tax credits into 2035. Public and non-profit organizations can also now qualify for up to 40% direct reimbursement for the installation of geothermal HVAC systems, once put into service, with one of the following criteria in place:

• The project has a net output of less than 1 Megawatt (MW), or
• Meets prevailing wage and apprenticeship (P+A) requirements

The language surrounding these changes is still in development. Clarification on if these credits apply to the entire cost of updating existing building systems with a new geothermal system, direct payment options, and more are likely to become available within the first quarter of 2023.

GMB has almost 30 years of experience designing geothermal energy systems and has transformed HVAC systems at more than 40 education facilities across the Midwest. Our team has multiple Certified GeoExchange Designers on staff who have implemented these changes for our education clients. GMB has a network of resources to connect your district or campus with the right funding, contractors, suppliers, and more. We have an established process in place, from design and energy / building performance modelling through commissioning, to accurately define and support the systems your project needs.

Monroe County Community College – Campus Geothermal Conversion

After completing our analysis of the existing systems as well as facility constraints, GMB proposed replacing the existing three distributed boiler plants with new geothermal heat pump-based plants. The project consisted of three central geothermal heat pump plants, 244 bores and has a 600-ton cooling capacity. MCCC anticipates that the new geothermal system will yield an annual energy consumption reduction of around 27,000 MMBtu, which translates to energy savings of $275,000 annually, or $5.5 million over 20 years.

East Lansing Public Schools – Donley Elementary School

East Lansing Public Schools passed a bond proposal to replace all five elementary buildings in the district with an emphasis on sustainability. Donley Elementary incorporated a geothermal heating and cooling system paired with an onsite solar array for their electric-based HVAC system, which has realized significant energy savings for the district and an operating Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 28.1 kBtu/sf-yr. This combination of energy solutions has yielded a building that has near zero site CO2 emissions and relies on the utility grid for an estimated 56% of its power needs. This project was recognized as a first-place winner in the ‘Education Facilities – New Construction’ category for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Western Michigan Chapter’s 2022 Technology Awards.

Related Insights

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance

Building Performance, K-12 Education

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Building Performance, News

GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions

Building Performance, News

GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders

Tags

The post Geothermal HVAC Solutions to Future Proof Education Facilities appeared first on GMB.

Commissioning is an important part of the building integration process, checking to ensure that every aspect of every system is doing what it was designed to do. GMB engineers Tony Peerbolt and Trent DeBoer discuss their recent commissioning project for Greenville Public Schools, and the benefits that result from the process of commissioning a building.

GMB recently completed commissioning services at Greenville High School. But what do we mean when we talk about commissioning a building? What are the benefits of this process, and when should commissioning happen?

Several decades ago, commissioning used to be reliant on the building contractors, construction managers, and the engineers to communicate with each other and check to make sure all the systems were operating properly. But because of various reasons, a thorough check of all systems and components didn’t happen.

“Early in my career, I was working on a project where we were renovating a wood shop in a high school that was about 25 years old. The shop teachers requested that the airflow be improved, that it had never been right,” says Trent. “When we removed the old system to replace it with the new, larger one, we figured out why the unit never worked properly for 25 years – the electrician had wired the fan backwards and no one checked the system before the building was occupied.”

When designing and constructing a building, we don’t always have the opportunity to prototype because every building is unique in many ways. Add to that the contractors, engineers, and construction managers who vary from project to project. Owners and occupants have expectations from temperature control to airflow and lighting comfort and energy performance, as well as technology access and speed; and all of those systems have to work together to do what their supposed to and meet expectations.

But what exactly is commissioning? As Tony says, “It’s about making sure a building operates the way it was intended to, and all a building’s systems work together for optimal performance. Besides the owner, we have so many different users in that building, including students, teachers, administration, community members, and the facilities people who keep it running – all with slightly different expectations. Checking each component and every system to be sure they’re working together seamlessly for everyone in the building is an important and often overlooked process.”

It’s somewhat like getting a home inspection before you buy a house, but on a commercial scale where a single building may have a hundred different pieces of equipment and thousands of other moving parts and control points. The mechanical engineer writes a sequence of operations for the building that specifies what each piece of equipment should do and when. The control contractor interprets, implements, and programs those sequences into the control system. As commissioners, we check each one of those commands to be sure they’re functioning as designed.

There is no wrong time to begin a commissioning project, as the primary goal is to identify and solve problems before they become large. When Tony can be involved in pre-construction meetings to understand the design intent and ask questions of the construction managers and engineers before the building breaks ground, he’s able to be proactive in resolving any issues that may arise.

“It’s a little more hands-on and a little more proactive approach, but it usually results in a win-win for the contractor and building owner alike, because they don’t have to go back and fix things.”

For some buildings that are older, and they’re being renovated or retro-commissioned to upgrade the systems, that involves bringing the airflow, mechanical, and often electrical systems up to speed to handle the technology and expected efficiencies of this decade. The team at GMB will go into a building to check and validate all the systems to be sure things have been operating properly, often evaluating data collected over time to make an assessment of the mechanical and electrical systems. Calibrating those systems for the client and often creating new sequence of operations for any upgraded equipment will help those facilities to operate more efficiently.

Commissioning a building will always include code requirements for mechanical equipment (temperature control) and electrical equipment (lighting control). GMB expands beyond that basic service requirement to make sure all the interconnecting systems are also operating smoothly. “We want to make sure these systems are talking to each other, communicating effectively, and sharing information. So we look at the overall interaction of these systems and how they’re operating to be sure they’re running efficiently.”

Here are the top three benefits of proper commissioning for buildings:

1. Comfort level. There are many facets of human comfort, but at its most basic it means the temperature, lighting levels, acoustics, and multimedia used in a room are at the right levels, enabling students and teachers to focus on learning activities. Additionally, from an interior design perspective, colors, textures, and furniture can impact comfort as well.

2. Healthy environments. A healthier indoor environment helps students to be effective learners, keeps students and teachers alike from getting sick and potentially missing school. If a student or teacher isn’t feeling well, they’re not going to be able to perform at their best. A healthy, comfortable environment ensures both students and teachers can focus on learning.

3. Energy efficiency. When a building is operating smoothly and efficiently and we’re able to minimize environmental impact, that is not only greener and better for the environment. An energy efficient building also saves the building operator incredible utilities expense.

Commissioning has many other benefits for clients and users as well. Not every building or district has the maintenance staff with the technical capability to repair, maintain and fine-tune these systems. Having a commissioning partner like GMB just a phone call away ensures our engineers can be there to run checks and troubleshoot the systems, getting your building back to optimal performance and efficiency quickly. Additionally, the proposed federal infrastructure spending plan could present a rare opportunity for most public school districts to make major upgrades to their facilities systems, making them healthier, more energy efficient, and cheaper to operate. By implementing commissioning projects for these buildings, with a federal aid to pay for the upgrades to their systems, we can ensure these facilities operate at optimal performance for students and teachers long into the future.

“There’s more value beyond just checking a building out; if we can help these building owners who have fewer staff to maintain it and fewer dollars to operate it, to make sure it’s running smoothly not just when we leave, but long down the road,” said Trent.

Related Insights

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance

Building Performance, K-12 Education

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Building Performance, News

GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions

Building Performance, News

GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders

Tags

The post The Top Three Benefits of Integrated Commissioning appeared first on GMB.

Aging Infrastructure on a College Campus

Monroe County Community College (MCCC) is a public community college in Southeast Michigan. Built in 1967, the college serves over 3,000 students. Conventional HVAC systems heated and cooled five original campus buildings with steam and chilled water. In the late 70’s, central steam infrastructure began to break down, leading MCCC to convert to a distributed hot water boiler solution. Recently, the aging chilled water system also began to fail which required the college to utilize a temporary rental chiller to provide campus cooling.  This led MCCC to pursue planning for a long-term solution for the original campus buildings.

A Vision to be an Energy Leader in the Community

MCCC began to evaluate what a new infrastructure system would look like. A newer campus building was running on geothermal heat pump energy, and MCCC felt that this could be a solution for the original campus buildings as well. They desire to be a community leader, setting an example in environmental stewardship. The timing of these improvements also coincided with a bond issue vote to seek funding for facilities and infrastructure upgrades. Looking at alternate energy solutions helped position MCCC as good stewards of resources.

Project Goals & Guiding Principles

GMB worked with MCCC and their ESCO partner, Ameresco, to develop geothermal heat pump design, plant design, and select air handling systems. The following served as Guiding Principles that provided the framework for the project:

• Improved system life cycle costs – increase life cycle cost savings and reduce operating and maintenance costs
• Energy efficiency and environmental impact of system – reduce annual energy consumption
• Community perception – reinforce MCCC’s position in environmental leadership and financial stewardship

The Design & The Details

The existing building mechanical systems were showing their age and replacement equipment and infrastructure presented several challenges within the budget and existing space constraints.  The existing equipment rooms were tight and the constant volume reheat system which would no longer meet the energy code utilized a leaky supply air plenum rather than ductwork to distribute the air.  

Based on GMB’s analysis of the existing systems and facility constraints, we initially proposed replacing the equipment with roof-mounted, heat pump-based air handling units. We also recommended upgrading the constant volume reheat systems to a low pressure variable volume system with an actual ducted supply.

The large rooftop air handling equipment posed an aesthetic challenge. So MCCC instead chose to replace the original equipment with new traditional air handling equipment. This still utilized the low pressure variable air volume solution as originally proposed. In order to incorporate geothermal heat pump technology into this new concept, GMB proposed replacing the existing three distributed boiler plants with new geothermal heat pump-based plants. These plants utilize modular heat recovery chillers connected to the geothermal borefield to supply heating and cooling water to the new traditional air handling equipment.

Since a complete infrastructure replacement was cost prohibitive, the replacement of equipment with new in existing locations allowed the team to utilize much of the existing piping and distribution ductwork, while still supplementing the existing infrastructure where needed.  This raised an additional challenge of satisfying the new capacity requirements as related to code ventilation requirements. GMB proposed utilizing a specialized air purification system that allowed the team to reduce the requirements for the amount of outdoor air being brought into the building. This enabled us to keep much of the existing infrastructure and yield significant cost savings to the client.

GMB’s design involved the use of traditional air handling systems that were connected to three central geothermal plants. These plants were connected to the earth via 288 bores ranging between 350-400 feet deep. Our design also includes space for additional bores and capacity in the underground distribution piping to handle two additional campus buildings that are planned to be added to the campus geothermal heat pump system after the useful life of their current infrastructure ends.  This complete design allowed for the utilization of significant portions of the existing infrastructure while still meeting the energy efficiency and environmental goals of the project.

The Results

MCCC anticipates that the new geothermal system will yield an annual energy consumption reduction of around 160,000 kWh. This translates to annual energy savings of $275,000, or $5.5 million over 20 years. The ground source heat exchanger has a life expectancy of 50 plus years compared to a 20-25 year life expectancy of conventional equipment. MCCC also expects a reduction in carbon emissions of over 1,000 metric tons per year.

Related Insights

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Michigan Energy Code Updates: Transforming Building Design and Performance

Building Performance, K-12 Education

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Building Performance, News

GMB and Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) Enter into Partnership to Enhance School Safety Across the Midwest

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentive for Sustainable Savings

Building Performance, Higher Education, K-12 Education

Green Roofs Elevate Sustainable Design Solutions

Building Performance, News

GMB Hosts National Safety and Security Training with Michigan Education Leaders

Tags

The post From Aging Infrastructure to Energy Leader appeared first on GMB.