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 MAY 2023

THE MAGAZINE OF HVAC&R TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS ASHRAE.ORG

Cybersecurity
For Building Automation
Systems

Standard
Standard 90.1 90.1| Ventilation
Updates Updates | Ventilation
for HospitalforEnergy
Hospital Energy Conservation
Conservation
Foundation
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 CONTENTS

COLUMNS
34 Building Sciences
Foundation Insulation Protection

GLEB GOMBERG
By Joseph W. Lstiburek

40 IEQ Applications
26 Still Cooking With Gas?
By Max Sherman

80 Refrigeration Applications
FEATURES Nonflammable?
By Andy Pearson
18 Cybersecurity for Building
Automation Systems Ventilation in theory versus
By Ron Bernstein ventilation in practice is explored in
this episode of the Journal podcast.

26 Technology Award
Towering Innovation:
Highly Efficient from the Ground Up
By Adrianne Mitani and Greg Snaith
Scan the QR code or visit https://ashrae.org/podcast
30 Technology Award
Modernizing the Classic:
Energy Efficiency Showcased
DEPARTMENTS
By Tracy Steward, Tom Nicolas and Jonathan Rogers 4 Commentary
44 Changes to Envelope Requirements in 6 Industry News
ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2022 8 Letters
By Rahul Athalye, Jonathan Humble, Chris Mathis, et al. 16 Meetings and Shows
50 Air Quality-Based Ventilation for 58 Special Products
Hospital Energy Conservation 60 Products
By Austin Barolin and Travis R. English
74 Info Center
Austin Barolin explains why you
may not need as many air changes
61 78 Software Resources
for good air quality in hospitals.
Special Section 79 Advertisers Index
2023 AHR Expo
Innovation Awards Submissions: https://tinyurl.com/JournalSubmit
Product Review Archive: technologyportal.ashrae.org
Scan the QR code or visit
Letters: rebecca@ashrae.org
https://tinyurl.com/HotAirAJ Cover image: iStock.com/Andrey Suslov Missing Issue: cservice@ashrae.org

ASHRAE® Journal (ISSN 0001-2491) PUBLISHED MONTHLY | Copyright 2023 by ASHRAE, 180 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, Georgia,
and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS | $11 per single copy (plus applicable shipping). Subscriptions for members $8 per year, included with annual dues, not deductible.
Nonmember $90 (includes postage in USA); $90 (includes postage for Canadian); $158 international (includes air mail). Expiration dates vary for both member and nonmember
sub scriptions. Payment (U.S. funds) required with all orders. CHANGE OF ADDRESS | Requests must be received at subscription office eight weeks before effective date. Send both
old and new addresses for the change. ASHRAE members may submit address changes at www.ashrae.org/address. POSTMASTER | Send form 3579 to: ASHRAE Journal,
180 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092.

PUBLICATION DISCLAIMER | ASHRAE has compiled this publication with care, but ASHRAE has not investigated and ASHRAE expressly disclaims any duty to investigate any product, service, process,
procedure, design or the like which may be described herein. The appearance of any technical data, editorial material or advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement, warranty
or guarantee by ASHRAE of any product, service, process, procedure, design or the like. ASHRAE does not warrant that the information in this publication is free of errors and ASHRAE does not
necessarily agree with any statement or opinion in this publication. The entire risk of the use of any information in this publication and its supplement is assumed by the user.

2 M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL VO LU M E 65, N O. 5

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 COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
180 Technology Parkway
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Phone: 404-636-8400
Fax: 404-321-5478 | www.ashrae.org They Came in Through the Backdoor
DIRECTOR OF ASHRAE PUBLICATIONS & EDUCATION
Mark S. Owen

EDITORIAL
A s more building automation systems are exposed to increasingly
sophisticated cybersecurity attacks, how can building owners protect their
Managing Editor
Kelly Barraza HVAC&R equipment systems from these threats?
kbarraza@ashrae.org
In this issue of ASHRAE Journal, the cover article by Ron Bernstein,
Technical Editor
Rebecca Matyasovski Member ASHRAE, “Cybersecurity for Building Automation Systems,”
rmatyasovski@ashrae.org tackles this question head-on in his overview of how to design a robust
Associate Editor
Tani Palefski security plan for commercial buildings, ranging from basic structures
tpalefski@ashrae.org like gas stations and supermarkets, to critical infrastructure, i.e.,
Associate Editor hospitals, military facilities and data centers. Authored by the primary
Chadd Jones
cjones@ashrae.org author of ASHRAE Guideline 13, which is in final review for release this
Assistant Editor year, this feature gives a play-by-play on how to safeguard buildings
Kaitlyn Baich
kbaich@ashrae.org against computer and network vulnerabilities.
Creative Designer Also in this issue is the first in a series of monthly articles on the latest
Teresa M. Carboni edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Sites and
tcarboni@ashrae.org
Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. These features should be
PUBLISHING SERVICES
Publishing Services Manager
informative for readers who wish to stay up-to-date on changes in the
David Soltis standard to the building envelope, lighting, mechanical, service hot water
Production and renewable energy systems. This month’s article starts on page 44.
Jayne Jackson
Curious about insulating foundations using aluminum sheet board or
ASHRAE MEDIA ADVERTISING
cellular PVC? Or fully adhered membrane strips? In Building Sciences
Associate Publisher
Greg Martin this month, columnist Joe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., Fellow ASHRAE, gets
gmartin@ashrae.org
down to brass tacks on how to successfully protect foundation insulation
Advertising Production and
Operations Senior Coordinator on building exteriors using a wide variety of materials.
Vanessa Thompson
vthompson@ashrae.org Also in this issue—an IEQ column penned by Max Sherman, Ph.D.,
Circulation Development Coordinator Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, “Still Cooking With Gas?” In the column,
Austin Brafford which starts on page 40, recent public concerns on the safety and
abrafford@ashrae.org
sustainability of using gas stoves are discussed in a conversation that
ASHRAE OFFICERS
President covers indoor air quality, decarbonization and Standard 62.2.
Farooq Mehboob We encourage readers to listen to this month’s ASHRAE Journal Podcast
President-Elect episode “Ventilation in Theory vs. Ventilation in Practice” on the latest
Ginger Scoggins, P.E.
Treasurer when it comes to ventilating buildings. It features Andrew Persily, Ph.D.,
Dennis Knight, P.E. Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, and Meghan McNulty, P.E., Member
Vice Presidents ASHRAE. This episode, and all past episodes of the podcast, can be found
Billy Austin, P.E., BCxP, BEAP, BEMP,
HBDP, HFDP, OPMP at ASHRAE.org/podcast.
Dunstan Laurence Macauley III, On Hot Air, Austin Barolin, P.E., Associate Member ASHRAE, the author
P.E., HBDP
Sarah Maston, P.E., BCxP of “Air Quality-Based Ventilation for Hospital Energy Conservation,” on
Ashish Rakheja page 50, fills us in about the air changes a hospital needs to maintain good
Secretary & Executive Vice President air quality.
Jeff H. Littleton
We hope you enjoy reading the issue! For those interested in contributing
POLICY GROUP
2022 – 23 Chair
content to any of our platforms, please reach out to Journal staff.
Publications Committee The Editors
Gerardo Alfonso, P.E.
Washington Office
washdc@ashrae.org Mission Statement: ASHRAE Journal reviews current HVAC&R technology of broad interest through publication of application-oriented articles. ASHRAE Journal’s
editorial content ranges from back-to-basics features to reviews of emerging technologies, covering the entire spectrum of professional interest from design and
construction practices to commissioning and the service life of HVAC&R environmental systems.

4 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

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 INDUSTRY NEWS

Introduction of Copyright
Protection Legislation Draws
Continued Support from ASHRAE
ASHRAE, along with other nonprofit standards
development organizations (SDOs), announced
continued endorsement of bipartisan legislation
introduced in the U.S. Senate to protect the copy-
rights of standards.
On March 16, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and
John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Pro Codes
Act (S.835) in the Senate, with Senators Thom
Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
joining as original co-sponsors. The bipartisan
bill will preserve copyright protection of codes
and standards when they are incorporated by
reference into federal regulations, state laws or
municipal regulations.
“The rigorous, consensus-based standards
developed by ASHRAE and other SDOs are
essential to public health, sustainability, safety
and security,” said 2022-23 ASHRAE President
Farooq Mehboob, Fellow ASHRAE. “ASHRAE
proudly supports this legislation and will continue
our work to provide vital standards for adoption or
incorporation by reference—another step towards
realizing our vision of a healthy and sustainable
built environment for all.”
The bill states that the U.S. benefits greatly
from the work of private standards development
organizations with expertise in highly specialized
areas.
Read S.835 in its entirety at tinyurl.com/pro-
codes-act

Learning the HVAC&R Ropes as an Engineer-in-Training

BY ETHAN PARKS, ASSOCIATE MEMBER ASHRAE

B orn in Shreveport, La., where I was raised, way, and I encourage any engineers-in-training
my first exposure to the HVAC industry came (EITs) who are considering making a switch to
from working for my dad within my grandfather’s another firm to do so if you would like to grow as
mechanical contracting company at the age of 14. an engineer quickly. Any EIT can succeed in the
Throughout my teens, I worked at the office at industry if they follow these tips:
first, then as a laborer, supporting my fa- 1. Ask as many questions early on as
ther and the other foremen on sites. This needed (ignorance is not stupidity).
led me to pursue a mechanical engineer- 2. Take notes until your hands fall off.
ing degree at Louisiana Tech University 3. Listen to the mechanical engineers
(graduating class of 2021). Since then, any time they speak.
I’ve worked at two engineering/design 4. Pay attention to how the engineers
firms (my first in Sarasota, Fla., renovat- carry themselves around clients.
ing large hospitals) before I returned 5. See how the engineers reach out to
home to work at a Shreveport-based Ethan Parks equipment vendors/manufacturers.
company earlier this year. 6. Stay organized and don’t let a
Every firm in the southern U.S. has the same goal mound of work overwhelm you.
when it comes to designing HVAC systems: provide For more tips on starting out in the HVAC&R
an exceptional client experience and ensure that industry and on Ethan’s experience as an
you never receive the “it’s hot” call in the summer. engineer-in-training, visit tinyurl.com/industry-
However, no two firms do everything the same news-eit

6 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

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VRF 101: Managing
Expectations
I am located in Southern
California and a former manufac-
turer’s representative for two well-
known variable refrigerant flow
(VRF) manufacturers, a Life Member
ASHRAE and a lawyer. As a result,
I have been exposed to design,
installation, engineering and layout
issues regarding VRF. I would like to
expand on a few points mentioned
in the excellent column by Michael
Gallagher, P.E., Fellow/Life Member
ASHRAE, “The VRF Learning
Curve,” in the January 2023 issue of
ASHRAE Journal.
As-built drawings should be signed
by the contractor and submitted
as a matter of record. The factory
or manufacturer’s representative
should be required to review and
approve the “as-builts” and calculate
correct refrigerant charge based on
those drawings. The as-builts should
include distribution boxes and
show their location because making
connections or troubleshooting
the distribution boxes is difficult
without accurate as-built drawings,
which should show condensing
units and access.
Choice of manufacturers: there are
over a dozen VRF manufacturers.
The major players are represented
by local manufacturers’ representa-
tives. VRF layout and specifications
are typically done by the representa-
tive as a service to the engineer or
design build contractor as selections
are based on the manufacturer’s
unique computerized selection pro-
gram. VRF systems are more com-
plex than imagined.
Just because condensing unit
size is small (4 tons to 20 tons)
8 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
LETTERS
and multiple system evaporators
comprise small fan coils or
cassettes, engineers and contractors
underestimate the complexity
of these systems. Choosing
manufacturers should be brand-
specific. The engineer or design
build contractor should choose
well represented brands for their
particular area. Representative
expertise is critical. Factory support,
local factory training, warranty and
parts availability are also all to be
considered. Increasingly, VRF is
being used on larger class A projects
where the owner’s expectation on
behalf of their tenants is very high.
If the contractor cannot get field
support or parts like compressors
or circuit boards, the owner is not
going to be happy.
Likewise, choosing a contractor
is most important. If considering
multiple contractors for a project,
the engineer should insist on
meeting the contractors’ project
manager and field foreman and
start-up technician. The engineer
should get a list of similar projects,
with information on the equipment
brand, owner’s representative and
manufacturer’s representative
involved in these projects and
should really check them out.
Owner impressions are particularly
valuable as they represent the
owner’s expectation as to equipment
brand, contractor qualifications and
performance, parts availability and
representative support.
It is up to the engineer or design
build contractor to really under-
stand access required with a VRF
installation. On many projects,
access is not coordinated with the
architect and general contractor. If
the engineer has concerns regarding
access, they should go on record in
writing about their concerns (very
helpful in case of litigation).
Inspection/supervision contracts
between the engineer and architect
or owner are a frequent source of
litigation, as contract language is
often poorly written. If the engineer
is not taking an inspection/supervi-
sion contract, they should notify the
architect in writing, outlining areas
the architect is not responsible for.
If an inspection/supervision con-
tract is part of the job, the engineer
should specifically define scope and
design areas the engineer is and is
not responsible for.
For instance, would the
mechanical engineer be responsible
for seismic anchorage details, pipe
fastening and support, condensate
pump location and drains and
structural and acoustical issues if
there is no sound consultant on
the project, power and control
wiring, access requirements and
interference with other trades under
an inspection/supervision contract?
VRF installations have many
players, all with differing levels of
expectation, so when push comes to
shove, the engineer is wise to define
and limit their exposure.
There may be situations where
the engineer should use a different
system—where VRF is not easily
understood, will not be maintained,
is in a remote location or where
access is an issue (for instance, in
hotels, condo units or schools).
Perhaps hydronic heat pumps for
condo units or schools and chilled
water/hot water fan coils for hotels,
in lieu of VRF, would be advisable
and less problematic.
VRF is new to North America.
In many cases, it can be a good
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LETTERS
choice. It is, however, vital that the
architect, owner, general contractor
and engineer control the dialogue
and manage expectations when
considering VRF.
George Orff, Life Member ASHRAE,
Laguna Beach, Calif.
GALLAGHER RESPONDS
Thank you for your comments,
George. As we have both indicated,
VRF is not the sort of system that
lends itself well to the design pro-
fessional losing contact with the
project once the initial design is
complete. It is particularly impor-
tant for the engineer to review an
accurate “as-built” piping drawing
when the piping is complete, and to
at least spot-check a system or two to
make sure the as-built drawings are
accurate—as well as verify that the
final result was actually run through
the manufacturer’s software. This
as-built then needs to be suitably
memorialized so subsequent TI
changes and service work are based
upon correct information and a
proper set of drawings.
VRF also rewards getting the
entire design and construction team
selected and together early in the
process. Most VRF system issues
can be avoided if the entire design
and construction team is involved
throughout the project.
Michael Gallagher, P.E.,
Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE,
Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
Under Pressure:
Steam Drainage
Systems
The article “Understanding
Steam Drainage Systems” by Gene
Nelson, Life Member ASHRAE,
10 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
in the February 2023 issue of
ASHRAE Journal highlights several
important issues pertaining to
steam condensate recovery piping
systems. I commend the author for
a thorough and well-researched
review of two-phase condensate
flow characterization, air venting
and pressure gradients within steam
condensate piping systems.
However, on the topic of dry-
closed condensate return pipe siz-
ing, the author conflates gravity flow
and steam pressure motivated siz-
ing practices. Of particular concern
is the recommendation to use “…
pressure drop rates consistent with
gravity flow…” for dry-closed returns
and the advised caution against pipe
sizing based on flash steam flow and
maximum velocity, without consid-
eration for slope.
Dry-closed condensate return
pipe sizing is based on a continuous
pressure differential from the
condensate inlet to the discharge
point, not pipe slope. Although it
is common practice to slope this
piping in the direction of flow for
sediment removal, steam serves
as the motive force for conveying
condensate through the system
rather than gravity.
Pressure drop rates listed in
ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals
Table 37 (determined from the
Darcy-Weisbach equation) are
appropriate for this closed flow
condition. The author’s proposed
revision of Table 37 pressure drop
rates to align with corresponding
gravity drainage slopes is not
applicable to dry-closed condensate
return piping.
Additionally, the author’s sug-
gested modification of conventional
dry-closed return pipe capacity
tables to account for slip velocity
(and reduce the risk of slug flow)
using the provided curve fit equa-
tion should be considered with cau-
tion. According to the research proj-
ect cited in the article, this method
is subject to appreciable error and
further study was recommended.
Alternative slip velocity correlations
offering accuracy improvements
have been developed and warrant
further investigation.
Traditional pipe sizing methods
offer a practical and empirically
proven means of preventing water
hammer in steam condensate sys-
tems. For example, flash steam
velocity limitations for condensate
piping are kept significantly lower
than that of steam supply piping,
tacitly acknowledging the increased
risk of water hammer with lower
quality steam. Of course, accounting
for all variables in our computa-
tions is often desirable, but inherent
errors and complexity trade-offs
must be carefully considered against
long-standing practices.
Kevin LaPlante, P.E., Member ASHRAE,
Concord, N.H.
NELSON RESPONDS
Mr. LaPante’s letter offers some
interesting concerns and discus-
sion points regarding pipe sizing
methods for dry-closed systems.
There are multiple ways to use Table
37. ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals
does not offer much explanation on
how to use Table 37 and leaves the
interpretation of what pressure drop
rates to use up to the designer.
The continuous pressure dif-
ferential method mentioned by
Mr. LaPlante may have issues with
potential of liquid backup and slug
flow, resulting in water hammer due
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LETTERS
to variable steam flow and pressures
from cycling steam traps and higher
steam velocities that may be greater
than the slip velocity ratio.
Depending on how the traps
were selected, trap flow may not be
sufficient when the backpressure
varies when using the continuous
pressure differential method.
Depending on how the common
drain pipes were sized, there may
be a large slug at the discharge to
the receiver using this method. By
limiting the slug flow to just the
trap discharge line and by using a
common drain line based on gravity
flow as suggested by my article,
many of the issues described above
can be minimized.
I agree that the Darcy-Weisbach
equation can be applied when the
fluid is in a constant state (liquid or
vapor) with a known friction factor.
Using a continuous pressure differ-
ential method with steam motiva-
tion, the fraction of liquid and flash
steam flow changes continuously,
and it is difficult to predict the fluid
properties (density and viscosity) at
any one point. Using a stratified flow
regime as described in my article
provides a more predictable pres-
sure drop calculation for the com-
mon drain line because the fluid
properties do not change much.
I agree that the results of the
slip velocity method presented in
ASHRAE RP-167 could be more con-
clusive. My interpretation of RP-167
along with the void fraction calcula-
tion offers guidelines for further
research and provides a conservative
correction to Volume Ratio Equation
26 (ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals,
Chapter 22) used in Table 37 in
determining steam flow areas.
I believe the traditional tables can
12 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
be used successfully, provided the
designer understands the assump-
tions behind the tables. My sugges-
tions to improve Table 37 are meant
to provide better guidelines to the
designer in making good judgments,
especially in selecting a pressure
drop rate for the common drain line.
In conclusion, the approach
described in my article provides a
more conservative approach at the
expense of larger common drain
pipe sizes. Pipe pitch plays a very
important role on what pressure
drop rates to use when gravity is the
motive force. I hope that my recom-
mendations described in my article
are considered in future research
and development of better guide-
lines for designers.
Gene C. Nelson, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE,
Madison, Wis.
CO2 Taking Too
Much Heat in
Climate Change
Conversation
Regarding the article by Thomas
Lawrence, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE,
and Costas Balaras, Ph.D., Fellow
ASHRAE, in the February 2023 issue
of ASHRAE Journal—first and fore-
most, carbon dioxide (CO2) is not
a pollutant. This determination by
bureaucrats is a gross violation of
science. CO2 is necessary for life on
planet Earth. Photosynthesis, plant
life and the creation of oxygen does
not occur without CO2. Regulation
of CO2 is best left to the oceans and
plant life, not bureaucrats.
CO2 is a small factor in supposed
global warming compared to water
vapor, solar activity and other con-
tributing factors. Never do the eco
people mention their “acceptable”
levels of CO2—100 ppm? 200 ppm?
Or that good greenhouses need
800 ppm to 1,400 ppm of CO2
(added into the greenhouses) to
grow crops for consumption by
humans and animals.
ASHRAE has made multiple
errors from following bureaucrats
with no responsibility—how about
shut-off VAV boxes and reduced
outside air causing huge claims for
sick buildings in the late 1970s/
early 1980s? The electric grid cannot
provide power to electric cars and
the proposed heat pumps. I live
in Nevada where the utility must
purchase 40% of the power from
adjacent states.
All humans and animals emit
CO2. What is next? Will ASHRAE
support the bureaucrats to elimi-
nate human and animal life? Heat
pumps, despite improvements, do
not work below 32°F (0°C) without
electric heat.
Karl M. Petroff, P.E., Member ASHRAE,
Henderson, Nev.
LAWRENCE, BALARAS
RESPOND
We appreciate your interest in
the article and the opportunity to
respond to points you raise. As a
general comment, the authors have
used and presented information and
other arguments based on techni-
cal data and scientific knowledge
from international resources, such
as the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) of the United
Nations. These are not “bureau-
crats,” but rather scientists whose
careers have been spent studying
this issue.
But first, let us consider the defini-
tion of the term “pollutant,” as that
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LETTERS
was the key point of your lead-in
sentence. A commonly accepted
definition of a pollutant (in our
paraphrase) is the emission of a
substance that will have a negative
impact on some aspect of the natu-
ral environment.
For CO2 there are some potential
positive factors, that you point out,
but there are also negative factors,
which you do not. Indeed, as you
mention, increased CO2 levels up to
a point increase the photosynthetic
potential of plants, which has been
recognized as a possible benefit.
For a well-sealed agricultural
greenhouse, the consumption of
CO2 by plants can decrease the CO2
levels of the air inside that green-
house to the 150 ppm to 200 ppm
level (compared to the current
concentration in the air outside a
greenhouse that is in the range of
the low 400s ppm). Greenhouse
operators may therefore choose
to add CO2 to their air to help the
plants continue growing. Hence,
one may confuse what is an accept-
able level of CO2 in the range of 100
ppm or 200 ppm, as you mention in
your response.
However, that does not recognize
the reality that the actual ambient
concentration in the earth’s atmo-
sphere now exceeds 400 ppm. In
preindustrial times (before 1800),
the CO2 concentration was roughly
280 ppm, and based on the real-sci-
ence ice core samples that we have
it has not exceeded 300 ppm in the
past 400,000 years. Thus, scientific
evidence has clearly documented
that volcanic activity or other natu-
ral phenomena other than human
activity did not increase the CO2
concentration to anywhere near the
current levels.
14 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
Furthermore, solar activity is not
a driving factor to consider since
the amount of solar energy incident
on the earth has actually slightly
declined in the past few decades
(see “Is the Sun Causing Global
Warming?” from NASA: https://
tinyurl.com/2p97y9e4). There is
also clear scientific evidence that
global ambient CO2 levels of the
800 ppm to 1,400 ppm range have
not been that high for at least 20
million years, while there is a
strong scientific belief that these
would be actually catastrophic for
the environment and humankind.
The global environment is chang-
ing, and increasing temperatures
are recorded throughout the world,
with records from worldwide
sources documenting global warm-
ing. Although CO2 is not the only
factor, it is recognized by world
leading scientists who do this work
and international organizations
like IPCC of the United Nations as it
being a significant factor.
The last half of your letter deals
with many issues outside the topic
of our article—for example, the
thinking that ASHRAE “followed
bureaucrats” when deciding on
outdoor airflow rates for buildings.
The reduction in outdoor air set by
ASHRAE Standard 62.1 in response
to energy concerns of the 1970s was,
admittedly in hindsight, a mistake
but this has been corrected and
lessons learned in terms of taking
the necessary precautions in the
efforts to handle energy savings
while securing the proper indoor
environment.
On one of your other points, it
is true that heat pumps’ perfor-
mance drops near freezing, but
already heat pump technology is
making good progress even in cold
climates. In any event, there are
different considerations and opti-
mal solutions for different build-
ings in different climate zones. The
issues related to how fast we should
proceed with the electrification of
buildings, transportation and the
electrical grid by exploiting differ-
ent solutions and technologies are
key issues of the overall decarbon-
ization discussion.
More energy efficient buildings
can be designed, constructed and
operated to have a much lower
energy demand and rely less on car-
bon emitting energy sources. At the
same time the electrical grid must
be adapted to lower carbon emis-
sions, but that is an issue beyond
the topic of this article. All of these
will take time but we also as a society
need to move in the right direction.
Thomas Lawrence, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE,
Athens, Ga.; Costas Balaras, Ph.D., Fellow
ASHRAE, Vrilissia, Greece
What About Water
Vapor as a GHG?
I read, with interest, the article by
Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Balaras. I am
100% supportive of the role ASHRAE
is developing to decarbonize build-
ings and appreciate the leadership
both authors are exhibiting.
My only problem is this sentence:
“Carbon dioxide has long been
recognized as the most significant
GHG...” This is categorically untrue.
In fact, water vapor is the most
significant and greatest quantity
GHG. Even NASA has recognized
that moisture and clouds could
create significant impacts, both
radiative and infrared feedback.
They commenced a study of such

in 2021, but have yet to publish
results. And our climate models do
not adequately reflect moisture or
moisture changes.
It would be appropriate to say
that carbon dioxide is the most
significant anthropogenic GHG,
although even that statement
requires a comparison with water
vapor, which currently doesn’t
exist. We do know that a 1 degree
increase in temperature results
in 10% more moisture in the
atmosphere (think psychrometric
charts). But it is uncertain the exact
form (invisible gas, clouds) such
moisture takes.
Tom Werkema, Member ASHRAE,
Louisville, Tenn.
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LAWRENCE, BALARAS
RESPOND
We appreciate your interest and
feedback on the article. First, let
us state that we agree that the
wording in that sentence should
have stated that carbon dioxide is
the most significant anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emission. You
do bring up the interesting point
about water and water vapor in
the atmosphere. Yes, water vapor
does also help trap the emitted
thermal radiation from the earth,
as a greenhouse gas does. But
water vapor in the form of clouds
also can serve as a cooling effect
by increasing the reflectance of
incoming sunlight compared to
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M AY 2023
LETTERS
most earth surfaces below the
clouds (ice not withstanding).
Humans do contribute to a larger
atmospheric level of water vapor
through its release via things
like electric power plant and air-
conditioning cooling towers (or
your boiling a pot of water for your
spaghetti dinner at home). As you
point out, more research and study
is needed on the comparative effect
of water vapor on the greenhouse
effect, and in particular the relative
contribution to any additional
anthropomorphic water emissions.
Thomas Lawrence, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE,
Athens, Ga.;
Costas Balaras, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE,
Vrilissia, Greece
© Armacell, 2023
ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 15
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16 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org
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2023 Decarbonization Conference for
the Built Environment, Oct. 25–27,
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terey, Calif. Contact the National Environ-
mental Balancing Bureau at 301-977-3698,
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NOVEMBER
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Contact organizers at info@beccconference.org
or www.beccconference.org
RETA Conference, Nov. 14–17, Jacksonville, Fla.
Contact the Refrigerating Engineers & Techni-
cians Association at 844-801-3711, info@reta.
com or www.reta.com
DECEMBER
HARDI Annual Conference, Dec. 2–5, Phoe-
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frigeration Distributors International at
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2024
MARCH
Hot Water Forum & Hot Air Forum, March
12–14, Atlanta. Contact the American Council
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APRIL
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M AY 2023
CALLS FOR PAPERS
ASHRAE JOURNAL
ASHRAE Journal seeks applica-
tions articles of 3,000 or fewer words.
Submissions are subject to peer
reviews and cannot have been pub-
lished previously. Submit abstracts to
https://tinyurl.com/JournalSubmit
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ASHRAE’s Science and Technology for the
Built Environment seeks papers on origi-
nal, completed research not previously
published. Papers must discuss how the
research contributes to technology. Pa-
pers should be about 6,000 words. Ab-
stracts and papers should be submitted
on Manuscript Central at www.ashrae.
org/manuscriptcentral. Contact Jeffrey
D. Spitler, Ph.D, P.E., at spitler@okstate.
edu.
ASHRAE TECHNICAL, CONFERENCE OR
TOPICAL CONFERENCE PAPERS
For more information, contact
hblauridson@ashrae.org or tel: 678-539-
1121.
OCTOBER
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lumbus, Ohio. Contact the American Soci-
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OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA
JULY
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tact organizers at info@hb2023-asia.org or
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AUGUST
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SEPTEMBER
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OCTOBER
Eighth International Conference on En-
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800-527-4723, meetings@ashrae.org or
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2024 EXPO
M c C o r m i c k P l a c e // J a n 2 2 - 2 4

Chicago
Cybersecurity
For Building
Automation
Systems
BY RON BERNSTEIN, MEMBER ASHRAE

S ecuring building automation systems is a

critical aspect of any commercial building design.
Building owners, network and system designers,
contractors and suppliers all must account for
both physical and logical aspects of security.
This article provides an overview and
identifies the physical and logical considerations
for designing a robust security specification.

WHO OWNS THE CYBERSECURITY PLAN?

One initial question that is often asked: Who is
responsible for the cybersecurity of the building automation
system (BAS)? The answer is somewhat complex as the BAS design
and implementation crosses multiple domains and has responsibilities
across varying project entities.
Ron Bernstein is CEO of RBCG Consulting in Encinitas, Calif. He is a voting member of ASHRAE Technical Committee 1.4, Control Theory and Application,
and of SGPC, Specifying Building Automation Systems.

18 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 FEATURE

ISTOCK.COM/ANDREY SUSLOV

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 19

FEATURE

Ultimately, the facility owner is the responsible party
for many of the elements of BAS cyber/physical security.
The owner must be part of the discussion to ensure a
full site risk assessment and security plan are part of
the project. The owner is typically made up of a team of
professionals with different responsibilities. Depending
on the size and scope of the project/owner, that team
can include:
„ Facility management;
„ IT manager;
„ Human resources;
„ Legal counsel;
„ Security/risk officer; and
„ Executive management.
This team sets the facility high-level owner project
requirements (OPRs), which is then used by others to
FIGURE 1 ASHRAE four-tier model with cybersecurity vectors.
Tier 1
Enterprise IP Network
Building Data Abstraction
vectors for each tier.
One well understood cybersecurity model is the risk
management framework (RMF) initially developed by
the U.S. Government’s National Institute for Standards
and Technology (NIST), which is now being adopted
by many in the public and private sectors. The RMF
provides an extensive assessment and engagement
model to identify the strategic and tactical areas to
address. For military facilities, the list of criteria is
extensive. It’s less so for schools and much less so for a
gas station. The RMF follows three basic principles:
„ Development of the risk assessment model;
„ Identifying level of paranoia; and
„ Assign responsibility.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses the Defense
in Depth approach (Online Figure A; see this and Online
Figure B at https://tinyurl.com/
JournalExtras). It is the practice of
arranging defensive lines so they can
External Hacked BMS defend each other, especially in the
Cloud Service Corruption case of an enemy incursion.
Data Center Breach
BAS system specifications that
define cybersecurity requirements

Tier 2 Internal Access BAS Network

Building Level Network External Access via VPN, VLAN,
Wi-Fi, Cellular Modems, DSL Lines
Tier 3 Internal Access to Cabinets,
Subsystem Equipment Devices, Equipment,
User Interfaces
Physical Access to Sensors, IoT
Tier 4
Hacks, Bypassing Network Security,
Field Devices
Back Door Access by Contractors
typically will address both the
physical and logical aspects of
the system. Segmenting the
specification into the physical and
logical components helps define the
responsible party. One way of doing
this is by defining the information
technology (IT) and operational
technology (OT) requirements.

create specifications, standards, playbooks and design IT Best Practices

frameworks. If the owner has multiple buildings in The following is a short list of some of the technical
their portfolio, these OPRs typically are consistent tools IT professionals have at their disposal to manage
from project to project. In many cases, these roles are cybersecurity risks:
performed by third-party consultants, contractors or „ VLAN setup;
advisors. „ Port lock downs;
„ Encryption;
Assembling a Cybersecurity Plan „ Bandwidth monitoring;
ASHRAE Guideline 13-2023, Specifying Building „ Firewalls;
Automation Systems, defines a BAS/BMS four-tier model. „ Password/passphrase changes;
The model defines the physical and logical tiers of a „ Network monitoring and restricted access;
building controls system segmented to roughly follow „ Two factor/level authentication;
how projects are contracted. Figure 1 shows the four-tier „ Isolated IP address access and management; and
model overlayed with the potential cybersecurity attack „ Proper VPN setup.

20 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

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FEATURE
FIGURE 2 Physical attack vectors for BAS/BMS systems.
Direct
Connections (via
Physical Access)
Network Ports
(Router, Switch
Hub)
MS/TP FTT Ethernet
Operational Technologies (OT) Best Practices.
The following is a short list of some of the operational
elements of a cybersecurity plan that more directly relate
to personnel and the physical aspects of the system:
„ Human resources onboarding and offboarding for
user credentials;
„ Corporate policies for compliance;
„ Locked equipment rooms and cabinets;
„ Access restrictions;
„ Passphrase requirements for building management
system (BMS) and equipment access;
„ Control network protocol connectivity/security;
„ Supplier device level security requirements;
„ Limiting network connectivity from public to the
BAS network; and
„ Limiting “back door” access to Wi-Fi and cellular.
BAS Cybersecurity Attack Vectors
Before developing a plan, however, it is critical to
understand the risks for the facility and to its build-
ing operations, which range from mild to catastrophic.
Knowing the source of the risk, referred to as an attack
vector, helps designers harden their systems without
overdesigning. Building systems are vulnerable to a
myriad of attack vectors. Two basic categories of threat
vectors exist: physical and logical.
Physical Attack Vectors
Physical attack vectors are sources of risk facilitated by
gaining unauthorized access to BAS equipment through
22 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
Physical
Vectors
Unauthorized Direct to
Computers Equipment
Network USB User Interface Panel Control
Protocol Laptops Devices Access Access Hardware
Connections Access
Wi-Fi ZIGBEE Modbus
physical means, such as direct access to the physical
network, direct access to a port on equipment, accessing
a locked panel or plugging in an unauthorized laptop
computer into the owners’ IP network, among other
possibilities. Common physical threat vectors are shown
in Figure 2.
Logical Attack Vectors
This relates to accessing the BAS network through logi-
cal intrusion to the system, typically occurring using an
IP network connection external to the facility, though it
could be internal by gaining physical access. Some typi-
cal logical attack vectors are shown in Online Figure B.
It is worth noting that design engineers may be faced
with specifying either the entire system, or, more com-
monly, only a part of the system as part of a retrofit proj-
ect. For new construction or a complete replacement,
strong IT practices will help. For the partial upgrade of
the system, many of the cybersecurity infrastructure
elements may already be in place without the ability to
upgrade them. Therefore, the designer needs to work
with the owner as to the scope and goals of the design.
System Threat Assessment
The threat potential of a facility varies from mild to
very serious depending upon the type of facility and its
operations. It is important to assess the relative impor-
tance of cybersecurity to the general scope of the facility.
Building systems can be breached in several ways. There
are inadvertent breaches and malicious ones. Some

breaches can come from physical access to the system
like plugging in a USB stick or attaching a computer to
the building network. This requires physical access to
the BAS. Other breaches can come from external sources
who have gained access to the BAS via the control net-
work or data network using cyber hacking means.
Physical security (i.e., intrusion detection) and cyber-
security (i.e., a firewall penetration) should have the
same level of event response associated with them. Just
because a penetration of the cybersecurity system is
typically not as visible does not mean it should not be
treated as a significant event and managed with a high
level of urgency. System cybersecurity issues should be
part of the overall monitoring and alarming structure.
A significant risk to a facility is also not knowing that a
breach has occurred or that a hack is in process.
BAS equipment and the associated network control-
lers are ultimately the final gate to ensure minimized
negative effects of a breach. Equipment suppliers must
ensure that their equipment cannot be put into a mode
that will cause a safety or security issue. This requires
the equipment controls programmer ensure appropri-
ate fail-safe operations. If, for example, a hacker tries
to change a value of a compressor to something out of
range to compromise the equipment, it is up to the com-
pressor controller programmer to validate any network
data point changes to ensure it is within safe limits and
to implement all necessary internal fail-safes, safety
checks and alarms.
BAS Intrusions
Security intrusion can be defined in two major catego-
ries, internal sources and external sources. Each has a
wide variety of threat vectors or points of entry into the
system where negative effects can be implemented.
Internal threats are typically security breaches
implemented by employees, contractors, occupants,
tenants and others who have been given certain
access privileges that have been abused. Overcoming
these risks requires strong physical access privilege
monitoring and maintenance and ensuring that physical
access restrictions to systems are managed according to
the potential threat level.
External threats typically originate from outside the
facility’s physical environment from sources that do
not have access privileges or have stolen privileges from
authorized entities. As more BASs become internet
FEATURE
enabled, the more vectors for accessing building equip-
ment are opened. Once equipment is exposed, it
becomes a target. Proper firewalls and protections are
required to limit these threat vectors.
Design Principles
When designing building automation systems’ cyber-
security requirements, it is critical to understand not
only the initial design of the system, but also its ongoing
monitoring and management. As mentioned, good sys-
tem alarming and alerting is crucial. Real-time moni-
toring and alerting of anomalies can be specified as a
requirement of the BMS front end and of each controller
and piece of equipment on the network. Many sources
of good design information are available. Notably, work
is currently underway by a team of volunteers with the
Coalition for Smarter Buildings and the Smarter Stack
effort using the CSI Division 25.25 structure. It provides
a framework for interoperability of building controls
data (digital twin), API application integration and a
framework for cybersecurity design.
Internal Threats
These are threats that emanate from internal sources,
typically from personnel who do something either
knowingly or unknowingly that causes a breach.
Internal threats are best managed through proper
access privilege restrictions both physically and logically.
Only personnel with specific needs should be allowed
to physically access critical equipment. Keep sensitive
equipment behind locked cabinets and locked doors and
manage access privileges through an ongoing creden-
tialing program. Access credentials should be reviewed
and become an active part of any BAS/BMS system.
Access to the BAS network should include two-factor
authentication, just like banking systems. If that’s not
possible, consider enforcing a more robust password.
Making it harder for intrusion is part of the process. A
balance exists between managing the process and the
incumbrance to the facility staff.
External Threats
These are threats that emanate from outside of the
physical location and typically gain access through
unprotected open communication ports—primarily
the internet. Many building automation systems and
building management systems are directly connected to
M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 23
FEATURE

the internet for a wide variety of reasons. One question TABLE 1 Building types.
the designer should ask is if this is absolutely necessary BASIC MODERATE ADVANCED
for the facility to operate. Certain facilities can operate Small Office Building Schools Hospital
without any outside network connection, thereby sig- Restaurant Shopping Center or Mall University
nificantly reducing/removing external threats. Supermarket Medical Outpatient Manufacturing Facility
An example of a significant external threat is the use Convenience Store Facility Large Office Building
of back-door networks. These are the cellular or open Gas Station Regional/Local Corporate HQ
Government Office Research Lab
Wi-Fi connections put in by contractors, integrators or Small Apartment Complex
Medium-Sized Leased Operations Center
equipment suppliers unbeknownst to the owner or used Space Office Building Data Center
for “temporary” setup and commissioning prior to the Government Campus
full IT network being in place. However, the temporary Military Facility
access becomes permanent when the contractor forgets Broadcast Media Facilities
to remove the interfaces. Emergency Services Facility

One best practice for helping secure building systems

is to build in continuous monitoring of the various
threat vectors in the base system design. Simple
monitoring of communication systems for anomalies
can provide a rapid response mechanism for facility
managers. Often systems are not designed with any
network traffic monitoring. When a breach occurs, it
may be hours, days or weeks before anyone realizes it,
and the damage is done.
transient occupants, such as a store where a person has
a limited amount of time within the facility and mini-
mal interaction with the BAS system, or where there is
a smaller core group of occupants with a higher level of
transient occupants that arrive for services (shopping,
eating), and then leave. It also may not have many on-site
assets of note. This type of facility typically does not have
any dedicated IT staff or IT resources available locally.

Facility Cybersecurity Assessment Moderate Building Type

Part of any good risk assessment is starting with a good
understanding of the owner’s risks and paranoia. “What
could happen? How concerned am I if it does? And what
would be the impact?” The answers vary depending
upon what kind of facility is involved. A model for risk
assessment based on facility type and use is provided in
ASHRAE Guideline 13-2023. The owner should take the
lead when doing the initial cybersecurity assessment
and bring together the right team members and experts.
The outcome is a set of guiding principles, procedures
and requirements that are handed to the design team
to implement.
There are three levels of facility types (Basic, Moderate
and Advanced) based on potential risk and negative
impacts of a cybersecurity breach (Table 1).
Basic Building Type
Basic buildings may have minimal occupant levels per
square foot and minimal information data (such as BAS
access credentials, key cards), health risk or negative
effects if a BAS breach did occur. There may be limited
or no major assets, and the building may only have some
basic HVAC equipment. These buildings often have very
This type of facility has more risk to the occupants and
moderate levels of potential disruption in the event of
a breach. Moderate occupant density and type may put
this facility in a moderate category of risk. There may be
some critical assets like computer systems or products
that are at risk. More specialty systems are found in
these types of buildings, including access to controlled
substances, more personal data and more complex BAS
systems (i.e., air quality monitoring, advanced physical
security screening and risk and more critical workforce
task risk).
Additionally, these types of facilities will often have
some IT expertise available either as part of the local
staff or from an on-demand service supporting the
facility or the organization. The IT staff will typically be
involved in some level of securing the building through
setup of the IP network.
Advanced Building Type
Buildings that could pose a very high risk either to
personnel, information, assets or the facility’s process if
compromised cybersecurity-wise fall into the advanced
building type category. These types of facilities require

24 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 FEATURE

extensive engineering and design of the building sys-
tems, their interconnections, integrations and access
measures, all of which have potential threat vectors.
The facility typically has human resource and legal poli-
cies that may guide and advise on any liability, human,
information or asset risk factors. They will also have a
dedicated IT staff with a degree of proficiency who may
be involved in the overall system design and specifi-
cation of the BAS cybersecurity system. However, the
IT staff may not be familiar with the idiosyncrasies of
building automation systems and, therefore, will need
guidance in the design specification to establish key risk
areas and develop a mitigation design plan.
In most cases, these buildings have a process that is
tightly interconnected with the facility that’s running
that process. This could be, for example, the scheduling
of classrooms in a university, the running of a labora-
tory in a medical research facility or the production line
of a manufacturing facility. It may also be the process-
ing of highly sensitive data such as that performed by a
financial institution, medical facility with patient data
or government records office. In these cases, the risk to
human life may be equal to or higher than the risk of
a data breach of privacy data. So, the design of the BAS
cybersecurity system must consider the nature of the
facility and the “what if” scenarios.
Summary
While there are many elements to address when it
comes to securing BAS technology, it should be done
with the owner’s needs in mind. One should design sys-
tem requirements to meet the needs of the facility type
and scope, the staff that will maintain the system and
the level of risk associated with the facility.
As mentioned, ASHRAE Guideline 13-2023 provides
sample specification language as a starting point for
designers. The 2023 update of the guideline is in pub-
lication now, greatly expanding the design and imple-
mentation examples, language and resources of the
previous version. For online materials and more infor-
mation on how to effectively secure building automation
systems, visit https://tinyurl.com/JournalExtras.

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M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 25

 2023 ASHRAE TECHNOLOGY AWARDS

2023 ASHRAE
TECHNOLOGY
AWARDS
FIRSTPLACE
FIRST
CASE
CASE
PLACE TOWERING INNOVATION:
STUDY
STUDY
HIGHLY EFFICIENT
FROM THE GROUND UP
BY ADRIANNE MITANI, P.ENG., MEMBER ASHRAE;
GREG SNAITH, P.ENG.

70 Gloucester Street
is a 179,000 ft2 (16 630 m2),
29-story residential tower in
downtown Ottawa, Ontario.
The high-rise is part of the
larger Loop by Claridge
development, sharing a
multilevel podium with a
second residential tower that
is part of a second phase of
construction. Construction of
70 Gloucester was completed
in 2021, and at the time of the
Technology Award submission
the building was 80%
GLEB GOMBERG

occupied. Key design features

of the building project
included a geothermal and
hybrid heat pump system,
energy recovery ventilators
and a wastewater energy
recovery system.

26 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 FIRST PLACE 2023 ASHRAE TECHNOLOGY AWARDS CASE STUDY

Energy Efficiency energy recovery ventilators to provide fresh air and

The design was required to meet stringent energy
efficiency outcomes in order to secure Federal National
Housing Strategy funding. The overall energy goal of the
project was to achieve an energy and greenhouse gas
reduction of 50% or greater compared to a traditional
natural gas-based National Energy Code for Buildings
(NECB) 2015 reference building. To meet this target, a
variety of design options were reviewed and modeled by
the design team’s energy modelers. Energy compliance
with the Ontario Building Code 2015 was demonstrated
through the performance path of SB-10 using NECB 2015.
A vertical geothermal system with a closed-type
ground heat exchanger was implemented as an energy
source and sink for heating and cooling the building
(Figure 1). Due to their superior heat recovery perfor-
mance during shoulder seasons when compared to
two-pipe fan coil units and conventional water-source
heat pumps, 241 hybrid heat pumps were chosen to
provide heating and cooling to the building’s suites.
When in cooling mode each hybrid heat pump’s internal
compressor is on, and when in heating mode it is off.
Because of this, in shoulder seasons each hybrid unit’s
heating load can be satisfied entirely by recovered heat
from the building loop. When the overall system is in
exhaust for the suites. This minimizes heating and cool-
ing ventilation loads by transferring both sensible and
latent energy (both heat and humidity) between the
incoming and outgoing airstreams, reducing the overall
heating cooling requirements of the building. In the
winter, the incoming air doesn’t require as much heat-
ing; in the summer, the incoming air doesn’t require as
much cooling and dehumidification from the evapora-
tor of the hybrid heat pump. This also improves occu-
pant comfort, as it helps to deliver consistent humidity
levels in the suites. Internal rather than external energy
recovery ventilators were used, resulting in a cleaner
installation, less ductwork, simpler controls and less
overall space required.
Compared to a standard OBC-compliant building
utilizing the NECB 2015 path of SB-10, 500,117 kWh
of electrical energy was saved through the building
design, with a peak reduction of 820 kW. The amount
FIGURE 1 Seasonal heat transfer via geothermal and hybrid heat pump system.
Backup/
Trim Boilers
Heat

a net heating mode and absorbing heat from the geo- Recovered Recovered
Heat Heat
thermal field, a central heat pump in the lowest parking
level is used to absorb heat from the geothermal loop.
Heat From
The energy recovered between hybrid heat pumps Storage
during shoulder seasons, where some units are in heat- (Central
Heat To Storage
Central
ing and some are in cooling, improves overall efficiency Heat Pump

COURTESY OF SMITH + ANDERSEN

Heat Pump Bypassed)
of the building. Instead of consuming additional energy
Geothermal Geothermal
to heat a space, heat being rejected from a space being Field Field
cooled is essentially transferred to spaces requiring heat.
This is achieved indirectly from the net heating or Hybrid Heat Pump In Heating Mode Hybrid Heat Pump In Cooling Mode Compressor
cooling requirement of the building loop as a whole. As a
result, less natural gas is consumed annually to heat the of natural gas saved through the implementation of the
building, more energy is recovered between hybrid heat final design totaled 5,793 m3 (204,578 ft3).
pumps during shoulder seasons, and less overall heat is
rejected to the geothermal field annually. Indoor Air Quality
A wastewater energy recovery system was designed to Maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures and
extract heat from outgoing sanitary wastewater and use indoor air quality (IAQ) is important to the design of res-
it to preheat domestic water. For more on the wastewater idential buildings. To maximize occupant comfort, each
energy recovery system, see the Innovation section. residential unit contains a vertical hybrid heat pump,
Hybrid heat pumps in each residential suite have and is ventilated through a dedicated energy recovery

Adrianne Mitani, P.Eng., is an associate, and Greg Snaith, P.Eng., is a senior project manager at Smith + Andersen in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 27

 FIRST PLACE 2023 ASHRAE TECHNOLOGY AWARDS CASE STUDY
device within this heat pump, controlled by a local pro-
grammable thermostat controller located within each
suite. Each heat pump’s energy recovery device uses a
core type of heat transfer surface to separate the outdoor
and exhaust airstreams, providing an energy recovery of
more than 50% with minimal cross contamination. This
is separate from all other suite ventilation systems.
Zone air distribution effectiveness in common areas
has an Ez value of 1.0, meeting the ASHRAE Standard
62.1-2010’s requirement of, “Ceiling supply of warm air
less than 15°F (8°C) above space temperature and ceiling
return provided that the 150 fpm (0.8 m/s) supply air jet
reaches to within 4.5 ft (1.4 m) of floor level.” Ventilation
air for amenity areas is provided through stand-alone
core type energy recovery ventilation units, providing
ventilation, per ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010.
FIGURE 2 The wastewater energy recovery system.
Domestic Hot Water
Hot Water
Use
Warm
Drainage Recovered Heat
COURTESY OF SMITH + ANDERSEN
Waste
Holding Tank
Cooled Heat
Drainage Out Recovery Unit
Domestic Cold Water In
Parking garage levels are ventilated through intake
and exhaust air wells, strategically placed to properly
ventilate across the entire garage area. Makeup air and
exhaust air are drawn across from opposite ends of each
parking garage level to effectively sweep air across the
garage to meet indoor air quality requirements.
In terms of building operations, a direct digital control
(DDC) building automation system (BAS) controls the
major mechanical equipment. This includes the domes-
tic water pumps, hydronic pumps, boilers, central heat
pump, main control valves, domestic water heaters,
wastewater heat recovery equipment, parking ventila-
tion and corridor pressurization makeup air unit.
Innovation
The project team used several innovative solutions to
recover and reuse energy to improve the overall effi-
ciency of the building and reduce energy consumption,
including the use of geothermal field technology.
28 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
Often, the preferred type of geothermal system is
horizontal. This is relatively shallow—between 6 ft and
10 ft (2 m and 3 m)—with pipes routed horizontally
over a large nearby area wherever possible. Due to this
requirement, horizontal systems are typically suited to
large or rural areas. Because of 70 Gloucester’s built-up
location and constrained footprint, a vertical geother-
mal system was selected instead.
The heating and cooling plant contains a 200 ton
(703 kW), 2,400 MBH modular geothermal chiller, one
3,000 MBH (878 kW) and two 1,400 MBH (410 kW) con-
densing boilers. The geothermal system supplies the vast
majority of the building’s heating load and all of the 24/7
cooling load through a geothermal heat exchanger, with
a total unit capacity of 2,639 kBtu/h (774 kW) for cooling
and 3,420 kBtu/h (1002 kW) for heating.
The geothermal field comprises 64 boreholes that each
reach a depth of 600 ft (183 m), with a total length of
Water
38,000 ft (11 582 m) of piping. The size was calculated to
Heater use up the available footprint area of the parking garage
beneath the building, while also achieving a depth that
Preheated would provide enough heating and cooling capacity for
Domestic Water the calculated annual loads of the building. All buried
Preheat pipe is made of high-density polyethylene piping.
Tank A propylene glycol solution, chosen to minimize
toxicity of the solution in the loop, is pumped through
the 4 in. (102 mm) borehole piping underground.
During summer, the geothermal water loop rejects heat
into the surrounding soil, charging the ground as a heat
sink. The ground is then a heat source in winter when
the geothermal water loop absorbs captured heat from
the ground.
The wastewater energy recovery system was another
innovative feature of the project (Figure 2). Heat energy
in the outgoing sanitary wastewater is reused to pre-heat
the domestic hot water before it’s heated by the domestic
hot water heaters. The system circulates water from a
large sanitary waste retention tank, and extracts heat
using a refrigeration cycle. The heat is rejected into a
domestic water preheat tank, which the building’s main
domestic water heaters draw from, as opposed to draw-
ing directly from incoming domestic cold water. This
design reduces the energy required to heat the domestic
hot water for the building and relieves some of the load
on the domestic water heaters.
For more information on this project, visit
https://tinyurl.com/JournalExtras.
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 2023 ASHRAE TECHNOLOGY AWARDS

2023 ASHRAE
TECHNOLOGY
AWARDS
FIRST PLACE
SECOND
CASE
CASE
PLACE MODERNIZING THE
STUDY
STUDY
CLASSIC: ENERGY
EFFICIENCY SHOWCASED

CMTA, INC.

BY TRACY STEWARD, MEMBER ASHRAE; TOM NICOLAS, P.E., MEMBER ASHRAE; JONATHAN ROGERS, P.E., MEMBER ASHRAE

w hen setting out to design and construct the third headquarters for CMTA Energy
Solutions, three goals for the new building were established: 1) follow the design process as
laid out in the ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for zero-energy small to medium
office buildings, 2) prioritize the health and wellness of the occupants and 3) lead by
example in cost-effective decarbonization to achieve zero operational carbon. By 2017,
the company had outgrown its Louisville headquarters and decided to build a new office
building. CMTA leveraged this project to go beyond high-performance design techniques to
engineer a building that showcases health and wellness strategies and zero energy design.
30 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
 SECOND PLACE 2023 ASHRAE TECHNOLOGY AWARDS CASE STUDY

The firm designed the two-story, 25,000 ft2 (2323 m2) Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Thermal Comfort
corporate office building with environmental and The ventilation was designed to meet ASHRAE
occupant health and wellness at the forefront. This Standard 62.1-2010. But, to ensure meeting the
project completed construction in 2018 and is the International Well Building Institute (IWBI) prescrip-
first zero energy, WELL Gold Certified Building in tive indoor air quality preconditions, the minimum
Kentucky. As an early adopter of International WELL required airflow was increased by 30%, and the design
Building Institute Standards, numerous WELL features was reviewed through the lens of field-testing specific
positively impact employees’ health and productivity. contaminants. This included a study determining
Specialized characteristics include glare reduction, potential sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
daylight management to reduce solar gain and support formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, PM2.5 and PM10 par-
employees’ circadian rhythm, optimized envelope and ticles, ozone and radon. VOCs and formaldehyde were
orientation and improved indoor air quality/thermal addressed with low-emitting construction materials
comfort as features related to ASHRAE goals. and furnishing.
Since testing was performed in an occupied building,
Energy Efficiency occupants were educated on reducing the use of fra-
The building leveraged 20+ years of data and grances and perfumes to eliminate VOCs from entering
fundamental design strategies, including concepts the building. The ventilation unit is on the roof and far
like a geothermal wellfield, water source heat pumps, away from potential carbon monoxide sources. MERV
DOAS with energy recovery, variable flow water 13 filters for the outdoor air systems and 2 in. (51 in.)
distribution and high-performance lighting design. pleated MERV 8 filters for the building heat pumps
The HVAC system incorporated geothermal variable were used to eliminate the PM2.5 and PM10 particles. A
speed water source heat pumps with 14.8+ EER (full- low exhaust inlet was placed at the copier/printer loca-
load cooling efficiency) and 5.32+ COP (full-load
heating efficiency). Using variable speed water source FIGURE 1 Energy consumption vs. production of the building.

heat pumps instead of staging, the building effectively 160,000

maintains the space setpoints while reducing energy 140,000
demand and consumption requirements. The building 120,000
was designed to perform at an energy use intensity 100,000
Energy (kWh)

(EUI) of 23, but is currently at 50% occupancy and 80,000

performing at 9.8 EUI. The 108 kW net-metered 60,000
roof-mounted photovoltaic system was installed to

COURTESY OF SMITH + ANDERSEN

40,000
offset the energy use and further helps in making 20,000
this building zero-energy. Figure 1 shows the building 0
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
consumption compared to solar production. 21 21 21 21 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
In addition to focusing on system design, CMTA worked Consumed Generated
with the architect to develop envelope energy efficiency.
High importance was placed on energy efficient con- tions to eliminate ozone potential, and occupied spaces
struction by using high performing windows and ensur- were above grade and ventilated to address radon risks.
ing an airtight structure. Finally, a building flush to eliminate construction odors
Air infiltration is a primary culprit of unnecessary and pollutants was completed. Despite the measures
energy use and increases the likelihood of discomfort taken, the formaldehyde levels were ~46 – 52 ppb,
within an occupied space. During construction, a build- exceeding the goal of 27 ppb. The CMTA WELL project
ing pressure test was performed with drone thermogra- administrator purchased a formaldehyde meter and
phy to identify and repair areas of the building envelope placed it on surfaces in multiple spaces to determine if
that allowed infiltration and exfiltration. products with unknown formaldehyde were used.

Tracy Steward is partner/mechanical engineer, Tom Nicolas, P.E., is project manager/mechanical engineer, and Jonathan Rogers is mechanical engineer at CMTA in Louisville, Ky.

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 31

SECOND PLACE 2023 ASHRAE TECHNOLOGY AWARDS CASE STUDY

FIGURE 2 Indoor air quality schematic.

Exhaust
Exhaust From Building
EPA’s Monitoring Site:
Louisville Avg. Pollutant:
MERV 13 Filtration CO = 0.27 ppm
N02 = 18.97 ppb
Outside Air 03 = 0.04 ppm
PM2.5 = 7.83 mg/m3
Outside Air VAV PM10 = 16.06 mg/m3
DOAS Terminal Unit S02 = 1.92 ppb

Filtered Dehumidified Ventilation

Filtered Supply
Building Exhaust To DOAS

Carbon Infused
3rd party Tested IAQ Metrics MERV 8 Filter
Ozone <1 pCi/L0
Exhaust Relief
Return

OCC Sensor Heat

Pump
Demand Contolled Ventilation
3rd Party Tested IAQ Metrics:

COURTESY OF SMITH + ANDERSEN

C02 Sensor PM2.5 <7 mg/m3
PM10 = 16 mg/m3
Formaldehyde <20 ppb
Thermostat VOC <500 mg/m3
Carbon Monoxide <1 ppm
Copy Room Office Work Space Wellfield

Still, the IWBI levels required were so low it was not pos-
sible to identify any potential materials responsible.
In the end, the building was flushed, the humidity was
controlled below 50% and the heat pump filters were
replaced with carbon-infused filters. The retest dem-
onstrated 20 ppb of formaldehyde, and the building
achieved the metrics for IAQ in a WELL-certified build-
ing. Figure 2 shows an overview of the overall IAQ strate-
gies and results.
Overall, the building was designed per ASHRAE
55-2010 for thermal comfort, which were validated
with pre- and post-occupancy survey results. The sur-
vey results showed 84% of occupants were dissatisfied
with the thermal comfort of the leased space prior to
construction, which improved to 83% of survey takers
being satisfied after the office was built. In addition,
IAQ improved from 74% of occupants dissatisfied with
air ventilation to 95% of occupants satisfied with air
ventilation.
Innovation
IAQ is the largest category for the WELL building
standard, as well as a focus for ASHRAE, since the
peak of the pandemic left many spaces unusable and
required upgrades to return to work. CMTA created a
premier space for occupants by incorporating wellness
and IAQ metrics while achieving zero energy and no
combustibles on-site. With the growing research linking
carbon dioxide levels to cognitive function, the future
of high-performance buildings needs to ensure IAQ
metrics are achieved.
Through WELL v1 certification, CMTA validated the
occupied spaces’ IAQ metrics with third-party testing.
As a result, the building achieved IAQ preconditions
such as air quality standards, smoking ban, ventilation
effectiveness, VOC reduction, air filtration, microbe
and mold control, construction pollution management,
cleaning protocol and fundamental material safety.
Additionally, it achieved 10 optimization points,
including health entrance, air flush, air infiltration
management, increased ventilation, direct source con-
trol, air quality monitoring and feedback, outdoor air
system, pest control, combustion minimization and
cleaning equipment.
For more information on this project, visit
https://tinyurl.com/JournalExtras.

32 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

* All data pertains to a RenewAire HE2XINH ERV when compared to conventional exhaust equipment at 1,500 CFM of OA in Minnesota using DX cooling and gas heat. Future energy costs calculated based on current energy costs.

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 BUILDING SCIENCES
COLUMN

Joseph W. Lstiburek

Foundation
Insulation Protection
BY JOSEPH W. LSTIBUREK, PH.D., P.ENG., FELLOW ASHRAE

Where foundation insulation is on the exterior of foundations and touches the

ground, it needs to be protected.
Yes, this should be obvious, but it is often fiber. We done with that? Let’s move on. They all
overlooked. One of the most overlooked issues is have to be protected. All of them.
protecting insulation from bugs and critters—this Let’s start with the obvious part. Drain the water
is not just a “moisture” issue. Insulation works away from your building perimeter (Figure 1).
extremely well on the outside of slab and basement Don’t forget gutters, downspouts, whatever. Don’t
and crawl space foundations. We have known this for make surface water become groundwater beside
a very long time. What we have also known for a long your building. Send the water to your neighbor’s
time is that we don’t FIGURE 1 Site Drainage. Drain the water away from your building perimeter.
property—give them
want the insulation the problem. Just
to become an insect kidding. Slabs are
“interstate” and a easy (Figure 2). Check
home for critters. out Figure 3. Note the
I am not going to protection board
get into an argument or panel. Note the
about what flashing set in mastic
insulation system Site grading at the top of the
works best. I have slopes ground away foundation. This is
from building over
enough grief with entire perimeter for termites. This is
the carbon parts in a big deal. Note the
my car. For the sake of argument, I am going to say perimeter pest protection. This is a big deal. In many,
that they all work. They don’t all work the same way, many jurisdictions a removable strip of insulation is
but they can be all made to work. Here is my partial required to provide the ability to inspect the integrity
list—note the word “partial”: extruded polystyrene, of the “insect defenses” (Figure 4). The strip is often
expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, rigid fiberglass, “friction fit.”
spray polyurethane foam, polyisocyanurate, wood Let’s look at basement foundations insulated on the

Joseph W. Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., is a principal of Building Science Corporation in Westford, Mass. Visit www.buildingscience.com.

34 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 COLUMN BUILDING SCIENCES

FIGURE 2 Gutters and Downspouts. Don’t make surface FIGURE 3 Slab Perimeter. Note the protection board or panel. Note the flashing set in mastic at the top of
water become groundwater beside your building. the foundation. This is for termites. Note the perimeter pest protection.

FIGURE 4 Inspection. In many, many jurisdictions a removable strip of insulation is required to provide the
exterior. Guess what—same approach ability to inspect the integrity of the “insect defenses.”
as slabs (Figure 5). Note the protection
board or panel. Note the flashing set
in mastic at the top of the foundation.
Termites again. This is a big deal. Note
the perimeter pest protection. I think
I point out that this is a big deal. What
about also providing a removable strip
of insulation for inspection purposes?
Yes, I think it is a good idea, even
though it is not often a requirement in
areas where basements are common,
as the probability of exposure to ter-
mites is typically significantly lower.
What about crawl spaces insulated on
the exterior? Treat them just like mini-
basements insulated on the exterior.
Exactly the same. Get it? What if you
insulate them on the interior? Don’t
forget an inspection gap (Figure 6). This
is a requirement in many, many juris-
dictions. It is a good idea in general.

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 35

COLUMN BUILDING SCIENCES

So what type of protection works? FIGURE 5 Basement Foundations. Same approach as slabs. Note the protection board or panel. Note the
Guess what does not work very well? flashing set in mastic at the top of the foundation. Termites again. Note the perimeter pest protection.
Wait for it—stucco. What? OK, let me
tell you a story—a funny story now, but
not in 1978—for me anyway. I used to
be a builder. I insulated foundations
on the outside. I protected them with
stucco. Seemed to make sense. Then
I got a call: “Joe, you are not going to
believe this, but on the driveway side
of our house our kids have busted the
stucco because they have been playing
hockey with pucks on the driveway,
and the pucks have poked holes in the
stucco.” Yup, clearly a Canadian prob-
lem—hockey pucks, stucco and foun-
dation insulation.*
So, can you use stucco? Yes, but you
have to “warn” folks that it has limita-
tions. It actually looks very good (Photo
1). Don’t throw baseballs† against it.
Back in the day I used to use a fully
adhered membrane roofing strip to
protect slab edge insulation (Photo 2).
The image brings back memories—it
was Dallas, 1995, the first Building
America Department of Energy
demonstration project. I had to sleep
at the site playing loud music to keep
the copper pipes from being stolen.
So, what works today? Let me tell
you that there is no real consensus.
Most manufacturers of fiber-cement
sheets do not recommend ground
contact with their products, but sheets do not recommend ground contact, but not all manufacturers.
not all manufacturers of fiber- Let me tell you what I did way back when, but would never do
cement sheets. It is a manufacturer again. I used pressure-treated plywood sheets to protect exterior
to manufacturer issue. Most rigid foundation insulation. I think the risk is too great. Just, me
manufacturers of cement board personally—even though I did it in the early 1980s.
Let me tell you what I did way back when, and would do again. I used
*I think we exported this problem to the United aluminum sheet board stock to protect exterior rigid foundation insu-
States to get even for the Wayne Gretzky lation. Did it on my own house. It is 30 years old and still going strong.
trade—yes, I have used this line before. Note,
when I moved to the U.S., I used the phrase Check out Photo 3—rigid insulation with a membrane seal prior to
“weed wacker problem” rather than hockey installation of the aluminum. The aluminum is installed directly on the
puck problem—even though I had never seen
a weed wacker cause a problem. Yup, I made rigid insulation—the membrane seal is to handle insects. Also check out
things up. Photo 4—the current condition looking almost brand new.
†Needed an “American” citation. Check out Photo 5 and Photo 6—a house we were involved with in

36 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

COLUMN BUILDING SCIENCES

FIGURE 6 Crawl Spaces Insulated on the Interior. Don’t forget the inspection gap. This is a requirement in Carbondale, Colo., in 2006—where
many, many jurisdictions. It is a good idea in general. the exterior foundation insulation
is protected by rigid metal
sheeting installed directly over the
insulation. The design credit goes to
architect Steve Novy.
What else works well? Cellular
PVC. Check out the detail in
Figure 7, a shallow frost-protected
foundation that has the rigid
horizontal insulation protected by
a concrete “skirt” as well as a fully
adhered membrane and a strip of
aluminum or alternatively a strip
of cellular PVC (Photo 7, Photo 8 and
Photo 9).
So, where are we after all of these
years? Stucco works—just be careful.
Fully adhered membrane strips
work. Aluminum sheets work. Fiber-
cement and cement board sheets
work—just follow the manufacturer’s
installation instructions. Note that
not all manufacturer’s recommend
their products for this application.
Cellular PVC works. Lots of options.
Just remember to absolutely,
positively deal with the insect
pathways. Did I mention the insect
pathways? Insects can be a pest.

FIGURE 7 Shallow Frost Protected Foundation. Rigid horizontal insulation protected by a concrete “skirt” as well as a fully adhered membrane and a strip of aluminum or
alternatively a strip of cellular PVC.

38 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 COLUMN BUILDING SCIENCES

PHOTOS 1-9 Foundation insulation protection approaches.

Photo 1: Stucco as Protection. It has impact limitations, but it actually looks very good. Photo 2: Fully Adhered Membrane. “Roofing” strip used to protect slab edge insulation.
Photo 3: Aluminum Sheet. Rigid insulation with a membrane seal prior to installation of the aluminum. Photo 4: Current Condition. Looking almost brand new. Photo 5: Carbondale,
Colo. Exterior foundation insulation is protected by rigid metal sheeting. Photo 6: More Carbondale, Colo. The design credit goes to architect Steve Novy. Photo 7. Shallow Frost-
Protected Foundation. Rigid horizontal insulation. Photo 8: Concrete Skirt. Protecting rigid horizontal insulation. Photo 9: Cellular PVC. Fully adhered membrane and a strip of
aluminum or alternatively a strip of cellular PVC protecting the insulation.

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 39

 IEQ APPLICATIONS
Column
Max Sherman

Still Cooking With Gas?

BY MAX SHERMAN, PH.D., FELLOW/LIFE MEMBER ASHRAE

The phrase “cooking with gas” started its life in the 1930s and 1940s as a marketing
slogan by the gas industry. But the public, enamored with the benefits of gas cooking,
soon adopted it to mean anything that was done really well. Of late, the star power of
gas cooking has dimmed as air quality concerns have made gas stoves a shady suspect.
Policy makers have in places banned the technology, and much has been written in
the press—but is gas cooking really deserving of all that shade?
The recent kerfuffle has been due to a perfect storm Outdoor (Ambient) Air Quality
of both indoor and outdoor environmental concerns Ideally, combustion appliances would produce only
that have come to our collective attention in the last carbon dioxide and water vapor, but real-world gas
few years, but these are not the only issues to consider. appliances also produce oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
Concerns in increasing order of relevance to ASHRAE Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) specifically is one of the criteria
include safety, outdoor air quality, decarbonization contaminants listed in the National Ambient Air Quality
and indoor air quality (IAQ). Let us look at them Standards2 (NAAQS). Low-NOx technology for burners
individually. is steadily improving and is required in some jurisdic-
tions, but NO2 production is not expected to go to zero,
Safety and that gives regulators cause for concern.
Appliance safety may not be the most relevant to In some areas, household-generated NOx can be a
ASHRAE’s activities, but it is the oldest and most major contribution to ozone production (i.e., smog).
important issue with a cooking appliance—regardless of For such outdoor air quality reasons, California—hav-
its fuel source. Fortunately for the public, the appliance ing a lion’s share of noncompliance areas—recently
industry is well aware of that and has developed announced that it intends to ban gas water heaters and
industry standards. ANSI Z21.1/CSA 1.1, Household Cooking gas furnaces at the end of the decade.3 The important
Gas Appliances,1 is a well-developed standard. Stoves can thing to note about that is they did not include gas cook-
certainly be dangerous appliances when improperly ing appliances in that ban, although the production of
operated or operating, but industry standards have NOx in cooking equipment is significantly larger than
reduced safety concerns to the point where it has for the low-NOx burners California currently requires
not been an issue for the public. Presumably, safety for water heaters and furnaces.
standards can always be improved, but nothing has The reason gas stoves are not in that banned list is
changed significantly in the last few years for gas not hard to understand: such a policy does not pass a
cooking appliance safety that would suggest banning Max Sherman, Ph.D., is principal, EPB Consulting Group and a professor at University
them was appropriate. of Nottingham.

40 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023


similar benefit-cost test. Cooking comprises a small
percentage of home energy consumption, and gas cook-
ing also comprises a small percentage of gas consumed
by gas heating and gas water heating. So, the benefit to
outdoor air quality in banning gas stoves would only be
a few percent of the other two gas appliances; the costs,
however, would be proportionately much higher.
When replacing a gas appliance with an electric one,
the wiring of the house must be
rated to take the maximum draw
of the appliances. California envi-
sions that gas water heaters and
furnaces will be replaced by heat
pumps, which are—as we know—
much more efficient than electric
resistance appliances and so may
only require 5 kW – 10 kW of capac-
ity. Electric stoves, however, will
require 10 kW – 15 kW for a much
smaller impact. Increasing elec-
tric capacity might be a minimal
cost in a new all-electric develop-
ment, but devastating in a retrofit
situation.
ISTOCK.COM/DRAGANAB
Additionally, but importantly to
many, a key cost is the loss of the
utility associated with cooking with
gas. To many people who cook, switching from gas to
electric would be an enormous degradation of building
service. The costs do not come close to justifying the
benefit to outdoor air.
Decarbonization and Climate Change
ASHRAE currently has a focus and position on decar-
bonization4—the first step of which is energy efficiency
improvement. One might naively think that replac-
ing any gas appliance with an electric one would also
advance that, but the situation is not that simple, as
the type of appliance and its interaction with the elec-
tric grid is very important. A case can be made that we
should not be pushing building electrification at all at
the moment,5 but the decarbonization case for banning
gas stoves, in particular, is even poorer—and for the
same reasons as they are for ambient air quality: replac-
ing a high-peak, low-energy gas appliance with an elec-
tric resistance one is not going to be a winner until green
electricity is too cheap to meter.
COLUMN IEQ APPLICATIONS
Indoor Air Quality and Health
ASHRAE Standard 62.2 has recently prohibited
unvented space heaters based on their indoor air quality
impacts. There is, after all, no doubt that nitrogen
dioxide is produced and that nitrogen dioxide is an
indoor contaminant of concern. If there were a good
justification for banning gas stoves, it would make sense
it would be IAQ.
The situation, however, is a
bit more complicated than for
unvented space heaters. NO2 may
only be produced by gas cooking,
but there are a lot of contaminants
produced by any kind of cooking.
Even low-temperature cooking
will produce water vapor, which
can be problematic in some
climates; high-temperature cooking
like frying, roasting, searing,
broiling, etc., will produce a host
of contaminants including volatile
organic compounds, polyaromatic
hydrocarbons and particles. Many
of these contaminants, being
“fresh,” will be reactive and thus
can be expected to have enhanced
health risks. While only gas stoves
will produce combustion by-products, electric stoves
will produce additional contaminants as food and dust
particles interact with high temperature coils.* It is not
clear which is worse.
Regardless, then, of the fuel source, the by-products of
cooking should be vented. This, in fact, is what ASHRAE
Standard 62.2-2022 requires—that there be a range hood
that exhausts outdoors regardless of the fuel source. If
that range hood is used, the combustion by-products
should be exhausted along with the other contaminants,
and the gas stove essentially becomes a vented appli-
ance. The requirements in Standard 62.2, while demon-
strably effective, are not perfect and, of course, could be
improved, e.g., with higher capture efficiency or auto-
matic operation.
Some studies, often quoted in the press, show a link
between asthma and gas stoves as support for banning
*The newer induction cooktops may not suffer from this, but they
are substantially more expensive (along with the necessary cook-
ware) than coils and thus represent another economic barrier.
M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 41
COLUMN IEQ APPLICATIONS
gas stoves. No reason exists to disbelieve the correla-
tion, but the causal nature is in doubt. A review of these
studies is beyond this column, but they certainly do not
show that any significant health impact difference exists
between gas and electric stoves when both have prop-
erly operated range hoods in compliance with Standard
62.2-2022. Such a study would be quite valuable.
Conclusion
From its ventilation standards to the Epidemic Task
Force, ASHRAE has shown it is a leader in indoor air
quality. If gas stoves were really an inherent IAQ prob-
lem, we would have seen it long ago. More likely the IAQ
problems seen are due to insufficient ventilation and/or
kitchen exhaust that can happen when energy efficiency
is pursued without adequate concern for IAQ or ventila-
tion. Such problems are what standards like Standard
62.2 were written to address—and no indication exists
that they have failed for gas stoves. No substantiated IAQ
reason exists to restrict gas stoves in Standard 62.2-com-
pliant homes.
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42 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
If they are following industry and professional stan-
dards, those who wish to have electric cooking can do so
in a safe, healthy and environmentally responsible man-
ner. The same, however, is true of gas cooking. While
differences may exist between gas and electric cook-
ing—and individuals may choose one over the other for
their own reasons—there is no significant technical or
environmental justification for a ban on gas (or electric
resistance) stoves. ASHRAE members should make it
clear that if one is meeting the intent of Standard 62.2,
one can still be cooking with gas.
References
1. Intertek. 2017. ANSI Z21.1/CSA 1.1, “Household Cooking Gas
Appliances.” Intertek. https://tinyurl.com/2vvbf4u5
2. EPA. Undated. “Criteria Air Pollutants.” U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants
3. Gargaro, K. 2023. “California Bans Natural Gas Furnaces.”
ACHR News. https://tinyurl.com/2cn34724
4. ASHRAE. 2022. “ASHRAE Position Document on Building
Decarbonization.” ASHRAE. https://tinyurl.com/mr2e446y
5. Sherman, M. “Electrification Fever? Too Fast, Too Furious.”
HPAC Engineering. https://tinyurl.com/27xum38e
Do Your Projects Meet the Latest ASHRAE
Standards for Ventilation and Acceptable
Indoor Air Quality?
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022, Ventilation
and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2022,
Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in
Low-Rise Residential Buildings
Expanded and revised for 2022, both standards specify minimum
ventilation rates and IAQ requirements in order to minimize adverse
health effects for occupants. Learn more about the updates found
in the 2022 editions at ashrae.org/standard62.
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 TECHNICAL FEATURE

Changes to Envelope
Requirements in
ANSI/ASHRAE/IES
Standard 90.1-2022
BY RAHUL ATHALYE; JONATHAN HUMBLE, FAIA, MEMBER ASHRAE; CHRIS MATHIS, FELLOW/LIFE MEMBER ASHRAE; BEN MEYER; LEN SCIARRA, AIA, MEMBER ASHRAE; MIKE TILLOU, P.E.,
MEMBER ASHRAE; ROBERT ZABCIK, P.E., ASSOCIATE MEMBER ASHRAE

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 regulates the energy efficiency and renewable

energy use of buildings except low-rise residential buildings. The 2022 edition of
Standard 90.1 incorporates numerous changes to the building envelope, lighting,
mechanical, service hot water and renewable energy systems. These changes span
both the prescriptive and performance compliance paths and will be described in
a series of articles in ASHRAE Journal over the next several months. Throughout this
series, we will cover the major topic areas, including HVAC, lighting and power,
energy credits and energy modeling and performance. This month’s article will cover
several changes that were introduced to the envelope requirements of Standard
90.1-2022.
Changes to Envelope Requirements in Standard 90.1-2022 1. Thermal bridging: Specifies new requirements
This month and in June, we will look specifically at the for thermal bridging of various assemblies, including
updates concerning Section 5, the Building Envelope mitigation of various thermal bridges, rules for
provisions of Standard 90.1-2022. The major changes to accounting of thermal bridging in the performance
the envelope requirements are as follows: compliance paths and methods for verifying compliance

Rahul Athalye is program director, codes and standards, NORESCO, Davis, Calif. Jonathan Humble, FAIA, is regional director, American Iron and Steel Institute, West Hartford, Conn.
Chris Mathis is president, MC2 Mathis Consulting Company, Asheville, N.C. Ben Meyer is building enclosure business director, Siplast, Moseley, Va. Len Sciarra, AIA, is architect/
technical director, Farr Associates, Chicago. Mike Tillou, P.E., is mechanical engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Buffalo, N.Y. Robert Zabcik, P.E., is president, Z-tech
Consulting, Katy, Texas.

44 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 TECHNICAL FEATURE

with thermal bridging requirements. variety of joint configurations, allow-

June’s article will further discuss “Standard 90.1 continues to adapt ing use as either a roof or wall panel.
thermal bridging. to the needs of the building industry In either case, they may be used as
2. Insulated metal panels (IMP): and provide a cost-effective energy exterior cladding or provide a host
Adds a definition for IMPs and new effi ciency standard that benefi ts surface for traditional roof or wall
requirements specifically for IMPs. stakeholders and society as a whole.” cladding materials. Their rigidity
3. Cold-formed steel-framed roof —Don Brundage, allows them to meet the span require-
and wall compliance calculations: Chair of SSPC 90.1, 2020-2023 ments for a variety of framing systems
Adds a new method for calculating and spacing. IMPs are approved for
the U-factor of cold-formed steel roof use in exterior roof or wall construc-
and wall assemblies using the ANSI/AISI S250 Standard. tion as well as interior partitions through common
4. Wall solar reflectance: Adds minimum wall solar third-party certification agencies.
reflectance requirements for certain climate zones. Although IMPs have been used in building construc-
5. Air leakage: Revises air leakage requirements in tion for 40 years, they were not specifically recognized in
a number of ways, including lower air leakage testing building codes until recently. While IMPs were originally
threshold, revised test and measurement requirements designed for use in cold-storage facilities, increased
and revised performance compliance requirements. stringency of envelope requirements in building energy
6. Roof replacements: Specifies requirements standards has made them practical in other applications
for cases where the existing roof structure does not and has resulted in a large growth in the number of
allow insulation requirements to be met during roof manufacturers and gross volume.
replacements. Depending on how IMPs are implemented for a given
7. Envelope commissioning: Relocates requirements project, they may be viewed as a building material,
as described on page 49 for consistent
organization throughout the standard.
8. Envelope backstop: Limits the New TPS, New Paths
amount of envelope performance
that can be traded off in performance A
long with a brand-new mandatory section, Section 11–Additional Efficiency
compliance paths (Section 12 and Requirements (aka Energy Credits), the latest version of the standard integrates nearly 90
Appendix G). new addenda. Notably, the Title, Purpose, and Scope (TPS) of the standard has also been
expanded, and now includes “sites.” This expands the scope of the standard to include not
Insulated Metal Panels just the building but also equipment that may be not be directly associated with the building
Standard 90.1-2022 has added spe- (for example, parking lot lighting not connected to the building electrical service). Under the
cific requirements for IMPs in several new TPS, users can achieve more credit for on-site renewable energy production beyond
sections of Section 5 and Appendix what’s directly attached to the building. It also means that energy use associated with the
A. IMPs were not previously recog- exterior and parking areas of the building must be considered.
nized by Standard 90.1; therefore, The committee has also added four new appendices supporting technical content in the
a product definition was added to main standard. These are: 1) Appendix I–alternatives to energy cost-based compliance, 2)
Section 3, Definitions, of the standard. Appendix J–performance curves for chillers for use in modeling, 3) Appendix K–Informative
These changes were introduced in Figures in support of the thermal bridging criteria and 4) Appendix L–a mechanical system
Addendum cg, which was approved by component trade-off method.
the 90.1 SSPC in July 2022. Standard 90.1-2022 now contains a discipline-specific trade-off compliance path for each
IMPs are factory-made composite of the major building components (envelope, lighting and mechanical). They are contained in
panels formed by bonding two sepa- Appendix C for envelope, Appendix L for mechanical systems and Section 9.5.2 for lighting.
rate metal skins to an insulative core Each of these specialized trade-off methods could be used in the future to establish incentive
capable of transferring stress between programs related to industry sectors or to help establish contractual requirements within the
the skins, creating a rigid two-way architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.
slab. The metal skins are formed into a

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 45

TECHNICAL FEATURE
insulation or even an assembly by a Standard 90.1 user.
Generally, Standard 90.1 provisions treat structure,
cladding, insulation and building materials separately
with different requirements for each. Not all require-
ments apply uniformly to IMPs, depending upon how
they are used. This results in multiple potential compli-
ance paths, each with a possibly different determina-
tion. Addendum cg clarifies this by providing a clear
path of compliance, making Standard 90.1-2022 easier
for users and building officials to apply.
The specific additions to the language are as follows:
• Section 3 defines an insulated metal panel as “a
factory-manufactured panel consisting of metal facings,
an insulative core and a panel joint intended for use in
an assembly forming an exterior wall, an exterior wall
covering or a roof covering of a building envelope.”
• Section 5 adds new sections for IMPs on roofs
(5.5.3.1.5), walls (5.5.3.2.3), ceilings (5.5.3.4.2), which
each clarify that the maximum U-factors of assemblies
that use IMPs are determined by the class of construc-
tion to which the IMP attaches.
• Appendix A adds Section A9.4.7, which states “U-
factors of insulated metal panels shall be determined
by two- or three-dimensional finite difference or finite
volume computer models or by testing in accordance
with Section A9.3.2 and shall include panel side joints.”
These additions work together to provide a clear path
of compliance for designers and authorities having juris-
diction (AHJs) when employing these assemblies and
during compliance verification.
Cold-Formed Steel Walls Compliance Calculations
Normative Appendix A, Section A3.3 entitled Steel
Framed Walls, was modified to allow two methods of
determining compliance with the Section 5 Building
Envelope U-factor requirements. The first method uses
Table A3.3.3.1, which contains a listing of precalculated
cold-formed steel walls and the associated U-factors
based on different R-values of continuous insulation.
Note that this method is limited to steel walls with a
framing depth of 3.5 in. or 6 in. (90 mm or 152 mm),
spacing of 16 in. or 25 in. (406 mm or 610 mm) and
thickness up to 54 mils (0.0538 in./1.37 mm).
The new second method uses ANSI/AISI S250-21, North
American Standard for Thermal Transmittance of Building
Envelope With Cold-Formed Steel Framing, 2021 Edition,
for determining compliance with Section 5 Building
46 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
Envelope requirements. This standard provides an
opportunity for the user to calculate the U-factor for
cold-formed steel framed wall assemblies using fram-
ing spacing from 6 in. to 24 in. (152 mm to 610 mm) on-
center, framing members depths from 3.5 in. to 12 in.
(90 mm to 305 mm) wide, framing thicknesses from
33 Mils to 64 Mils (e.g., 0.033 in. to 0.064 in. [0.839 mm
to 1.63 mm] thick base metal thickness), as well as insu-
lations located in the cavity only, in the cavity and out-
side the cavity and when outside of the cavity only.
The new option allows the user greater flexibility
to experiment with or choose multiple variations of
a building envelope design using cold-formed steel
framing, which the original Table A3.3.3.1 did not
cover. This method also allows the design professional
or owner to avoid having to submit a costly and time-
consuming alternative means and method request to a
jurisdiction for approval to use something other than
what is currently listed in Table A3.3.3.1 to demon-
strate compliance.
Wall Solar Reflectance
Several changes were made to the wall solar reflec-
tance requirements. The first is the removal of “reflec-
tance” as a defined term within the standard. The
Envelope subcommittee agreed that the previous defini-
tion for reflectance was inaccurate and that there is no
question about what the term reflectance means. In an
effort to simplify the standard, it was decided to remove
the definition rather than amend it. The second change
was to remove the use of solar reflectance index (SRI) for
walls and replace it with the more accurate and relevant
term—solar reflectance. (SRI is still used when refer-
ring to roofs.) Finally, new requirements were added for
south-, east- and west-facing walls to have a minimum
solar reflectance of 0.30 in Climate Zone 0.
For solar reflectance, three options have been provided
for measurement: (a) ASTM C1549, (b) ASTM E903 or (c)
the “G197GT90” output of the Surface Optics 410-Solar-i
Hemispherical Reflectometer. For emittance, ASTM
C1371 was the simplest and least expensive measure-
ment method, but other options have been provided.
Initial reflectance was specified because there isn’t a fully
developed measurement technique for measuring aged
wall reflectance. Preliminary testing shows that walls get
much less dirty than roofs because they are vertical sur-
faces. Finally, planted material as a shading option has
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TECHNICAL FEATURE

FIGURE 1 The compliance path and flow for air leakage requirements in Standard 90.1-2022.

Or Or
5.4.3
Air Leakage

5.4.3.1.1 5.4.3.1.2 5.4.3.1.3

Less than 10,000 ft 2 Greater than or Equal to Alteration or Addition
5.4.3.1 and Single Zone 10,000 ft 2 and Multizone
Whole Building Air
Leakage Testing
And
5.4.3.2
Continuous Air Or
Barrier Design and Or
Installation
And
5.4.3.3 5.4.3.1.4
Measured Air Leakage FP&T per 5.9.1.2
Loading Dock
Weatherseals
And
5.4.3.4
Vestibules and
Revolving Doors

Less than 10,000 ft 2 and Single

Greater than or Equal to
Zone: ASTM E779, ASTM E1827, 10,000 ft 2: ASTM E3158
or ASTM E3158

been removed because plants are not considered durable
or guaranteed to last the life of the building.
Air Leakage
Continuous air barriers have been required in most
buildings for a number of Standard 90.1 editions. Air bar-
rier requirements for commercial buildings underwent
significant changes in the 2022 edition through adden-
dum t. They include clarifications to the Whole Building
Performance testing methods, stringency, design phase
requirements, material and assembly requirements and
on-site installation verification requirements. These
updates improved performance related to air tightness
requirements and were found to be cost-effective. Figure 1
outlines the compliance path and flow for air leakage
requirements in Standard 90.1-2022.
Whole-building air leakage threshold criteria have
been updated in the following ways:
• The air leakage rate for compliance without hav-
ing to conduct further diagnostics was lowered from
0.40 cfm/ft2 to 0.35 cfm/ft2 (2.0 L/s·m2 to 1.8 L/s·m2).
• The air leakage rate for compliance when fur-
ther diagnostics are performed was lowered from
0.60 cfm/ft2 to 0.45 cfm/ft2 (3.0 L/s·m2 to 2.2 L/s·m2).
• Whole-building air leakage testing and measure-
ment was required to be performed on buildings with
less than 10,000 ft2 (929 m2) of gross conditioned floor
area, while for buildings larger than 10,000 ft2 (929 m2),
the option remains to test or perform a visual inspection.
• ASTM E3158, Standard Test Method for Measuring the Air
Leakage Rate of a Large or Multizone Building, was added to
the acceptable test list. Its inclusion allowed alternate
test methods based on building size and complexity to
better align with the scopes of the ASTM standards.
• A clarification was added to Section 11, Normative
Appendix C and Normative Appendix G that accom-
modated performance differences when compliance is
achieved through whole-building testing as opposed to
the verification without testing option. In addition, the
language modifications in Appendix G better describe
the path for capturing air leakage improvements when
minimum performance requirements are exceeded.
Other improvements to air leakage requirements
across Standard 90.1-2022 are as follows:
• Definitions for “air leakage” and “infiltration” and
their use in the standard are updated to correspond to
the correct requirements of Section 5.
• The SI value of 75 Pascals is the underlying require-
ment for whole-building air leakage testing and is now
reflected in the revised I-P value.

48 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023


¥ Clarity is added regarding alteration compliance
options with air leakage. As part of this, roof replace-
ment alterations have been defined and the compliance
scope clarified.
Roof Replacements
Addendum bi clarifies requirements surrounding the
addition of insulation when existing buildings undergo
roof replacement. The committee has long believed
the time of roof replacement is the lowest cost and best
opportunity for existing buildings to be brought up to
code or as close to code as possible. However, until now,
the standard offered no guidance on how to address
existing building roofs with obstacles to installing the
minimum insulation required, especially for roofs with
insulation entirely above deck. Addendum bi clarifies
what must be done when existing roof conditions limit
full thickness insulation levels.
This new addendum recognizes that existing building
roof replacements can be challenging and requires roof-
ing professionals to provide an inspection report identi-
fying obstacles to installing the full thickness of insula-
tion and to describe on construction documents how the
Restructuring
of the Standard
Within the standard, requirements for New Buildings, Additions
and Alterations have also been organized across all the sections.
Each Section is organized as follows: X.1.2 outlines the scope for
new buildings, X.1.3 has requirements or directions for Additions,
and X.1.4 has requirements or directions for Alterations. (Note: this
maps to 9.1.1.2, 9.1.1.3, and 9.1.1.4 in the Lighting section).
The last structural change relates to the location of Inspection,
Verification and Testing and Commissioning requirements.
Inspections have been moved to Section 4, as they are a
jurisdictional administrative function or requirement. Verification
and Testing (or Functional Performance Testing) provisions have
all been located in an X.9.1 section, with the more involved
commissioning provisions located in an X.9.2 section within each
major section (Sections 5 – 10).
Finally, users should note that, with the introduction of Energy
Credits, the Energy Cost Budget Method has moved from Section
11 to Section 12.
TECHNICAL FEATURE
proposed design intends to minimize deviation from the
insulation requirements.
It further clarifies the definition of roof replacement as
an alteration that involves removing all existing materials
down to the roof deck and installing a new roof assem-
bly above the roof deck. And it reinforces the standard’s
requirement that two layers of insulation with staggered
joints must be installed in roof replacement designs. This
requirement is the same for new roof construction.
Envelope Commissioning
While inspections, verification and commission-
ing provisions did not change with this edition, they
were moved and section numbering was aligned
between all sections. In Standard 90.1-2022, anything
related to inspections has been move to Section 4, the
Administration and Enforcement section; anything
related to verification and/or testing has been moved to
a X.9.1 section within each section; everything related to
commissioning has been moved to a X.9.2 section.
Envelope Backstop
A new requirement was added into the performance-
based compliance pathways of both Section 12–Energy
Cost Budget and Appendix G that limits the trade-off of
prescriptive envelope performance. The trade-off limits
are based on the envelope performance factors calcu-
lated in accordance with the building envelope perfor-
mance compliance option (Appendix C). For residential
building types the proposed envelope performance fac-
tor cannot exceed the base envelope performance factor
by more than 15%. In nonresidential building types the
proposed envelope performance factor cannot exceed
the base envelope performance factor by more than 7%.
These new trade-off limits recognize the importance of
maintaining a robust, well insulated building envelope.
Summary
In summary, several changes were introduced to the
envelope requirements of Standard 90.1-2022. These
changes are intended to improve energy efficiency, ease
compliance and improve the clarity of the standard. In
the next article, we will delve deeper into changes to the
thermal bridging requirements, which are completely
new in the 2022 edition. Other articles will cover changes
to the lighting, mechanical, service water heating, power
and other, and performance compliance sections.
M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 49
 TECHNICAL FEATURE

Air Quality-Based
Ventilation for Hospital
Energy Conservation
BY AUSTIN BAROLIN, P.E., ASSOCIATE MEMBER ASHRAE; TRAVIS R. ENGLISH, P.E., MEMBER ASHRAE

In response to a grant solicitation by the California Energy Commission (CEC), a

project team estimated hospitals use 30% to 40% more natural gas than necessary
to meet the air quality standards for safety and occupant comfort. The CEC-funded
demonstration project discussed in this article researched methods to reduce natural
gas consumption in hospitals and installed a network of indoor air quality monitoring
sensors to see how ventilation rates affect air quality and energy.
Airflow in noncritical hospital zones were converted
from constant air volume (CAV) to variable air volume
(VAV). Airborne contaminant levels (PN1+, CO2, TVOC,
O3) were continuously measured, as were building sys-
tem variables (temperature, relative humidity, airflow,
energy consumption). This article is a summary over-
view; a detailed final report is available in “Advanced
HVAC Technology Demonstration Project to Reduce
Natural Gas Use in Hospitals.”1
It was predicted lower ventilation rates during VAV
would increase airborne contaminant levels, as illus-
trated in Figure 1. However, levels saw little or no change.
Contaminant levels were low, relative to thresholds,
both before and during project work. The project data
showed no relationship between ventilation rates and
contaminant levels for 2 air changes per hour (ach)
to 12 ach. This result is surprising, given that high
Austin Barolin, P.E., is a senior energy and decarbonization analyst for Mazzetti. Travis R. English, P.E., is the chief design engineer and director of engineering for Kaiser
Permanente.
ventilation rates in hospitals have long been assumed to
be related to controlling airborne contamination.
Health-Care Ventilation History (“Air Change Tables”)
The current U.S. ventilation standards origi-
nate largely from two historical periods (Table 1) of
development.
First, the ventilation rate 2 air changes per hour comes
from the late 19th century. In the period beginning circa
1860 and extending into the 1920s, hospital designs
were frequently wards with natural ventilation. The
architectural literature of the era established conven-
tions of 100 ft2/bed (9 m2/bed), 1,000 ft3/bed (28 ft3/bed)
to 1,500 ft3/bed (42 m3/bed), and 2,000 ft3/h/bed
(57 m3/h/bed) to 3,000 ft3/h/bed (85 m3/h/bed)—hence,
2 ach.2
Second, from 1965 to 1990, the so-called “air change

50 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 TECHNICAL FEATURE

table” used today was expanded and changed (Table 1). FIGURE 1 Theoretical relationship between contamination levels and ach.
The earliest air change tables appeared in ASHRAE
Guidebooks in 1959 and 1962. The 1966 version con-

Space Contaminant Concentration

tained 17 lines of requirements. By 1982, the air change No Generation Rate

table contained over 40 lines. Changes in rates were
common from version to version, diminishing over
time. By 1997, all the air change rates used today were in
the table.
In the modern era, 2008 to present, the air change
tables continue to grow. However, changes to the rates
are rare. The 2021 air change tables contain 155 lines of
requirements, but they are highly repetitious. Forty-
three of the 155 lines call for 2 ach outdoor air and 6 ach
total air. The 19th century legacy requirement, 2 ach, is
still widely used; it is the outdoor air requirement for 114
of 155 lines (74%).3
State of the Art: Evidence Basis of the Air Change Rates
In 2019, an ASHRAE research project, in collaboration
with American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE)
and Facilities Guidelines Institute (FGI), gathered the
available literature and reviewed the evidence-basis
behind the air change requirements.4 They found very
little available evidence. Appendix A of the report lists
144 ach rates. For 120 of 144 (83%), there was no available
evidence. Where evidence was available, it was incon-
clusive. The researchers concluded only that further
investigation is necessary.
Traditionally, infection control or disease transmis-
sion is sometimes implied to be the reason underlying
certain air change rates. However, the known evidence
to support this is sparse. The 2019 research project
acknowledged the potential importance of ventilation
but could not identify evidence to support the pre-
scribed rates. This echoes numerous meta-research
studies across decades.2
Based on the lack of strong evidence, an opportunity
exists to evaluate the effects of ventilation rates on both
(Contaminants /Volume)
“Low” Generation Rate
“Moderate” Generation Rate
“High” Generation Rate
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Ventilation Rate (ach)
air quality and energy consumption.
Project Description
This demonstration project took place at a U.S. hospi-
tal tower that was constructed in 2015 located in Harbor
City, Calif. (south of Los Angeles). The tower holds 140
patient beds and is 280,000 ft2 (26 000 m2). The HVAC
system is 100% outdoor air, with two-pass filtration and
constant volume reheat zones.
Planning
The design process included HVAC design, multidis-
ciplinary development of the indoor air quality thresh-
olds, development of the hospital and infection control
monitoring protocols and agency approvals.
A multidisciplinary team of engineers, department
leadership, hospital leadership, infection control and
industrial hygienists developed the project air quality
thresholds and action levels, which are shown in Table 2a
and Table 2b.
All project plans were reviewed and approved by the
state authority having jurisdiction (Office of Statewide
Health Planning Design). The approvals process was
lengthy, since several novel variances from California
code were involved. The engineering design process

TABLE 1 Historical air change rates in selected non-operating or isolation spaces (total ach/outside air ach).
1959 1962 1964 1966 1968 1971 1974 1978 1982 1987 1991 1993 1997 2001 2006 2008 2013 2017
Recovery 4 4 4 15/6 15/6 15/6 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2
Nursery 8-12 12 12 12 15/5 15/5 15/5 12/5 12/5 12/5 12/5 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2
Patient Room 1.5 1.5 2 4/2 4/2 4/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 4/2 2/1 2/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 4/2 4/2
Intensive 6/6 6/6 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2
Care
LDRP 4/2 2 2/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2 6/2

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 51

TECHNICAL FEATURE

TABLE 2a Air quality thresholds and action levels: continous monitoring.

RECOMMENDED RANGE RANGE ACTION REFERENCED PROBABLE PROCEDURE AFTER EXCEEDING
PARAMETER ACCURACY RESOLUTION LIMIT
METHOD (MIN) (MAX) LEVEL STANDARDS SOURCES ACTION LEVEL
Outdoor air,
PM2.5 Real-time light 0.012 0.015 EPA NAAQS, construction/ Identify source, check HVAC
scattering or 0.001 150 ±5% flow ±1%
(mg/m3) mg/m3 mg/m3 CARB renovation, and building pressures
gravimetric maintenance

Carbon Non-dispersive 500 ppm

3%, 700 ppm ANSI/ASHRAE Check ventilation, occupant
dioxide infrared 1 5,000 1 ppm over 62.1-2016 Human activity
50 ppm over OSA Appendix density
(ppm) radiation (NDIR) OSA D

Temperature ASHRAE ANSI/ASHRAE

Thermistor 32 140 ±1 0.1 Assess HVAC system
(°F) 55* 55-2013
R = thin film 30% to ANSI/ASHRAE
Humidity (%) 5 95 ±3% 0.1 Assess HVAC system
capacitative 50% 55-2013

Housekeeping
LEED v4,
±3% at cleaners, anti-
TVOCs (ppb) Photoionization 1 ppb 10,000 calibration 1 ppb 300 ppb 650 ppb EQc 3.2; septics, equip- Identify, control sources
detector ppm Molhave,
point ment, building
et al. materials

Ground level
LEED v4, ozone (non-
500 EQc 3.2;
Ozone Electrochemical 1 ppb 5% 1 ppb 60 ppb 75 ppb attainment HVAC, filtration
ppb Molhave, areas), office
et al. equipment
* 68°F to 75°F for winter and 73°F to 79°F for summer

TABLE 2b Air quality thresholds and action levels: lab testing-intgrated sampling. intervals continuously throughout the project. A two-
PARAMETER RECOMMENDED METHOD DETECTION LEVEL month period of data was collected prior to any changes
Formaldehyde ASTM D5197 1 µg to the ventilation system. In addition to air quality
Acetaldehyde ASTM D4710 50 µg data, building automation data was collected including
Volatile organic compounds EPA TO-17 1-3 µg ventilation rates; duct static pressure; supply, return,
Fungi ASTM D7391 13 s/m3
and zone temperatures; fan speed; and chilled water
(Aspergillus fumigatus) and boiler energy data for all affected air handlers in
Hydrogen Peroxide Galson Labs LC SOP-57 2 µg the building.

for VAV zone and system calculations, which was devel-
oped for this project, was published through ASHRAE in
2021.5
Phase 1: Sensor Installation and Baseline Data Collection
The project team installed airborne contaminant sen-
sors in 76 locations in the hospital and one location on
the roof. Sensors were installed in administration and
staff offices, workstation suites, conference rooms, engi-
neering office, physician dining room, waiting rooms,
nurses’ stations and patient rooms. Sensors measured
temperature, humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2), par-
ticulates (PN1+). Twenty-six sensors also measured total
volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Two indoor sensors
and the roof sensor measured ozone (O3).
The indoor air quality data was collected in 15-minute
Phase 2: Variable Air Volume (VAV) Conversions
The project team reprogrammed existing constant-
air volume (CAV) terminal units to VAV operation. The
VAV conversion affected most zones in the tower, except
those designated as critical areas. Critical areas were
the emergency department and any space with a code-
required pressurization.
At the time of this project, the California mechani-
cal code allowed a minimum of 2 ach in patient rooms
with 100% outdoor air. Readers should note that
ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017 requires a minimum
of 4 ach of total air; as such, the minimums imple-
mented in this project would not meet some codes.
Phase 3: Airborne Contaminant-Based Ventilation
The final phase of the project involved further

52 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

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ventilation changes in administration and common
areas. Ventilation delivered to a zone was controlled to
meet the temperature setpoint. Phase 3 minimum ven-
tilation setpoints were set based on ASHRAE Standard
62.1-2016. (Note to readers outside of California: at the
time of the project, 2 ach was the lowest ach for any
space in a hospital, including administrative spaces.)
The baseline data collection period, Phase 2 data col-
lection period and Phase 3 data collection period were
60 days of 15-minute interval data for all airborne con-
taminant and energy points.
Industrial Hygiene Assessments
In addition to the mounted sensors, an industrial
hygiene team performed two sets of air quality assess-
ments, one during Phase 1 and the second at the end of
Phase 2. The industrial hygiene assessment included
measurements of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic
acid, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, volatile organic com-
pounds and bioaerosol fungi and bacteria.
Infection Control Monitoring
During project design, an infection control risk assess-
ment (ICRA) was performed. The hospital infection
control leads identified which data fluctuations would
be concerning. Project stop criteria were identified. A
regular reporting schedule was established with hospital
leadership.
At no point in the project were the stop criteria
reached. During the project, infection control investi-
gated several spikes in data. One set of high VOC read-
ings was investigated and found to be near a hand sani-
tizer station. Several sets of unusual particulate readings
were investigated, revealing work practices that contrib-
uted to elevated particulate contamination.
Indoor Air Quality Data
Comparison of the Phase 1 baseline data to the Phase 2
and Phase 3 data yielded the following.
Temperature and RH: The quality of comfort con-
trol was unchanged from the baseline period through
Phase 2 and Phase 3. The overall level of comfort control
was reasonably good: 80% of per-zone and per-ach aver-
age temperatures and RHs fell between 68°F and 72°F
(20°C and 22°C) and between 51% and 62% RH.
CO2 Levels: Contrary to the theoretical relationship,
54 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
CO2 did not decrease when zone ach increased. This was
particularly surprising, since the system in the hospital
is 100% outdoor air. Rather, the data did not show an
obvious relationship between CO2 and ach in the zones
(Figure 2).
Also contrary to expectations, there was little variance
in levels from space to space or from space type to space
type. All rooms fell into the same range. Patient rooms
and work spaces, for example, which have significantly
different occupant characteristics, did not have notably
different contaminant levels.
Throughout the project, the average CO2 levels across
all zones were in the range of 500 ppm, ±50 ppm, which
suggests over-ventilation. To consistently achieve
500 ppm to 550 ppm of CO2 requires ventilation at or
above 100 cfm/person (47 L/s), which is likely well in
excess of what is necessary to meet the thresholds of
Figure 2. The overall median of all CO2 data points was
477 ppm. (The median CO2 for outdoor air was 460 ppm;
thus, in terms of CO2, indoor air was indistinguishable
from outdoor air.) The per-zone, per-ach averages were
between 460 ppm and 660 ppm. Eighty percent were
between 440 ppm and 530 ppm. In Phase 3, ventilation
in administrative zones was reduced further. As ventila-
tion levels were reduced, CO2 did not follow any notice-
able correlation to ventilation rates, down to rates as low
as 0.5 ach.
Particulate Levels: Also contrary to the theoreti-
cal relationship, particulate levels did not noticeably
decrease with higher zone ach. Similar to CO2, all spaces
and space types in the hospital had very similar levels
(Figure 3). The median value of outdoor air particles was
2,400 N/L; N is the number of particles in this discus-
sion. (Please note that the outdoor level is too high to
be displayed on Figure 3; the indoor air had consistently
lower levels than the outdoor air.) The team’s established
action level was 846 N/L. The overall median of the par-
ticulate data set is 61 N/L. Eighty percent of the per-zone
and per-ach medians were from 15 N/L to 119 N/L.
Particulate levels stayed well below action levels
throughout the project. Eighty percent of the indoor
particulate data fell between 1% and 8% of the outdoor
levels.
Volatile Organic Compounds: Several spikes occurred
in which VOC was above the action level of 300 ppb.
Based on the team’s field investigation, these VOC spikes
were attributed to cleaning products or hand sanitizer.
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TO MEET LGWP REQUIREMENTS
Petra Engineering completed a new project initiative
in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) that aims to replace
refrigerants that contribute to Ozone Depletion and have
a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) factor.
The initiative implements use of Low GWP propane (R290)
as a refrigerant in the manufacturing of large commercial
unitary roof-top HVAC units of up 113 Tons (400 kW).
The project is “considered as a unique cooperation
testing initiative with the UNIDO to manufacture large
Package Unit with
HVAC equipment with a Low GWP factor”. R-290 Refrigerant
It was conducted in response to a decision by the UNIDO
executive committee to use natural refrigerants and
adopt the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
Complying with the fluorinated greenhouse gases
regulation (EC517/2014), commonly referred to as the
F-Gas Regulation, that introduced a phasedown of high
GWP gases by limiting the amount of gas that can be
placed on the market and considering the A2L Low GWP
refrigerants as a new safety classification from ASHRAE
denoting lower flammability, sometimes referred to as Air Cooled Water Chiller
“mildly flammable”, Petra is testing multiple Low GWP with R-452B Refrigerant
gases such as R-32, R-1234ze, R-452B and R-454A, B, C &
D of the A2L family and a replacement for the common
nowadays used refrigerants of R-134a and R-410A. Package Unit with
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Another characteristics Petra is considering is “Flammability”
of the new LGWP. A2L refrigerants have lower flammability
and slow flame propagation (burning velocity <10 cm/sec)
Petra’s product offering using low GWP refrigerants
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TECHNICAL FEATURE

FIGURE 2 CO2 levels of all rooms in Phase 2 of the project, plotted versus ach. to Phase 2, total fan energy decreased 34%. A 30% annual
Carbon Dioxide vs Air Changes Per Hour (Phase 2/All Rooms)
reduction in chilled water energy and a 22% annual
1,400 reduction in boiler energy was measured. (Associated
High Limit = 1,200 ppm pumping energy was reduced by 46%; however, the
1,200
magnitude of that savings was much lower.)
Action Level = 1,000 ppm
1,000 A weather bin analysis, based on 15 years of historical
weather, was used to extrapolate energy savings for the
800
whole year from the Phase 2 data. Savings were applied
C0 2 (ppm)

600 to chilled water and boiler energy, based on the reduc-

tion of air. Cost savings were calculated using $0.16/kWh
400
and $0.52/therm. The resultant savings were a 17%
200 decrease in overall building energy consumption, with a
cost savings of more than $375,000.
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
ach Phase 3 Energy Data and Savings
In Phase 3, the energy savings is a result of the
FIGURE 3 Particulate contamination levels (PN1+) all rooms in Phase 2 of the
reduced ventilation levels for the zones on the first
project, plotted versus ach.
and second floor. Since this was a small change to the
Particles vs Air Changes Per Hour (Phase 2/All Rooms)
facility relative to the entire tower energy baseline, the
1,000
data was extrapolated to determine the full Phase 3
900 Action Level = 864 #/L
savings potential. The calculations show that if Phase
800 3 minimum ventilation setpoints were applied to
700 every eligible administrative room, the average cfm
600 could be reduced an additional 9.3%. Phase 3 energy
Particles (N/L)

500 consumption and savings were also calculated from the

400
300
200
100
0 Energy Savings for the Project Site
0 2 4 6
ach
The random occurrence and magnitude of the spikes
suggest episodic contamination rather than steady-
state or continuous contamination. Aside from the
spikes, the overall average TVOC level was 76 ppb, well
below action level.
Ozone: Indoor ozone levels were consistently less than
outdoor and below action levels. Zone data indicates that
indoor ozone is a diluted fraction of outdoor ozone, with
no relationship to zone ventilation rate.
Phase 2 Energy Savings
In Phase 2, the terminal units were converted from
CAV to VAV. This change directly reduced the overall air-
flow to and from the building. From the baseline period
temperature bin analysis above. From the baseline, this
calculation yielded fan energy savings of 50%, chilled
water energy savings of 36% and boiler energy savings of
29% (Figure 4).
8 10 12
The overall projected savings from the project is nearly
95,000 therms, or 29% of the boiler energy and 21% of
the total natural gas consumption of the tower. The proj-
ect is also projected to save over 2.8 million kWh of elec-
tricity, or 25% of the total electricity consumption of the
tower. These projections show an annual cost savings of
nearly $460,000 per year and a carbon emissions reduc-
tion of over 2,460 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. That is
the equivalent of removing 539 passenger cars from the
road each year.
COVID-19’s Effect on Project Changes
In early 2020, during the COVID-19 patient surge,
the hospital reset the VAV minimums, reverting to CAV
systems at full flow. In June of 2021, after most of the
patient surges passed, the hospital reestablished the

56 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 TECHNICAL FEATURE

VAV sequences and minimum set- FIGURE 4 Energy savings of Phase 2 and Phase 3, compared to baseline.
points. Since the project changes were Projected Annual Energy Consumption for AHUs (kBtu)
primarily controls programming, con- 1,000,000
verting the system from VAV to full flow 900,000
800,000
and back again was simple for the facil-
700,000
ity operators. 600,000 34% 50%
500,000
Related Code Changes and Opportunities 400,000
300,000
In California, there have been two 200,000
code changes since the beginning of 100,000
this project related to the future viabil- -
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
ity of hospital VAV. In 2019, after the
Baseline AHU Phase 2 AHU Phase 3 AHU
start of this project, California issued
a supplemental code change allow- Projected Annual Energy Consumption for Chilled Water Plant (North Tower Only) (kBtu)
2,000,000
ing use of Standard 62.1 in admin- 1,800,000
istrative areas of hospitals. In 2021, 1,600,000
1,400,000
California changed the mechanical 1,200,000
code to eliminate return air VAV boxes

Dollars
kBtu

1,000,000
for rooms that do not have pressure 800,000 30%
600,000 36%
relationships. 400,000
The final research project report 200,000
includes a further recommendation -
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
that California require VAV controls Baseline Chilled Water Phase 2 Chilled Water Phase 3 Chilled Water
in hospital zones. This would align
Projected Annual Energy Consumption for Boiler Energy (kBtu)
California to ASHRAE Standard 4,000,000
90.1-2016, where VAV controls are 3,500,000
required in hospitals, and to other 3,000,000
nonresidential zones in California’s 2,500,000
29%
22%
Title 24 building energy standards. 2,000,000
The final report recommends 1,500,000
two changes be considered by 1,000,000
ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170. The 500,000
first is to reduce excess ventilation -
minimums. Project data shows no Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
demonstrable air quality benefit Baseline Boiler Phase 2 Boiler Phase 3 Boiler
to ventilation in excess of 2 ach.
As such, code minimums could be
reduced with no measurable effect on air quality. Project Conclusions
Second, several noncritical spaces in ASHRAE/ Based on air quality data from an operating hospital,
ASHE Standard 170-2017 require positive pressure the research concluded that there was no direct or
(e.g., laundry storage, medication rooms). This is strong relationship between air quality and ventilation
ostensibly to protect “clean” air in those rooms from rates above 2 ach. Minimum ventilation of 2 ach
“contaminated” air in neighboring rooms. The project satisfied the air quality needs in all patient spaces.
data showed similar contamination levels in all There was no beneficial value to increased ventilation,
spaces. The noncritical positive pressure rooms that from 2 ach to 12 ach, toward measurable reductions of
were tested in this project are not, in fact, cleaner than contaminant levels.
their neighbors. Clean and safe indoor air environments achieved

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 57

TECHNICAL FEATURE

using less ventilation yielded significant energy savings.
Boiler natural gas consumption was reduced by 22% to
29%, and fan, pump and chilled water electricity was
reduced by 31% to 39%.
For some hospitals, these ventilation changes can
be done after careful design with programming and
software, requiring very few or no new components.
Design engineers must still take special consideration
to maintain required outdoor air rates, required
pressurization of certain rooms and any additional
equipment that may be necessary for a given facility,
such as variable frequency drives or bypass ducts.
As demonstrated by COVID-19’s occurrence at the
project site, such “software-only” features can be
easily overridden during emergency conditions and
reestablished afterwards.
Extrapolating the results of this project as an oppor-
tunity for U.S. hospitals, the project team estimated an
economic opportunity of $2.5 billion. The associated
decarbonization value could be 14.5 million metric tons
of CO2e, or the equivalent of removing over 4 million
cars from U.S. roads.
References
1. Barolin, A. 2022. “Advanced HVAC Technology Demonstration
Project to Reduce Natural Gas Use in Hospitals.” California Energy
Commission, Energy Research And Development Division.
2. English, T., D. Koenigshofer. 2015. “A history of the changing
concepts on health-care ventilation.” ASHRAE Transactions
121:45 – 62.
3. ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2021, Ventilation of Health Care
Facilities.
4. Mousavi, E., R. Lautz, F. Betz, K. Grosskopv. 2019. “Academic
Research to Support Facilities Guidelines Institute & ANSI/ASHRAE/
ASHE Standard 170 (ASHRAE CO-RP-03).” ASHRAE Research Project
CO-RP-03, Final Report. Facilities Guidelines Institute, ASHRAE,
and American Society of Healthcare Engineers.
5. English, T., A. Barolin. 2021. “How to Design a Variable Air
Volume Central Hospital Air Handling System (VC-21A-CO51),”
ASHRAE Conference/ASHRAE Transactions.

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two new electric tankless water heaters: the
Tronic 4000 C for point-of-use, under-
sink installations and the Tronic 6100 C
for whole-house applications. The 4000 C
is one of the smallest and most energy-
efficient such heater on the market. The
6100 C provides on-demand hot water for
the entire house.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-151
C Hydrofluoroolefin Refrigerant
The Chemours Company introduces
Opteon™ XL41 (R-454B) hydrofluoroolefin
(HFO) refrigerant, which is an R-410A
replacement in new air-conditioning and
heat pump applications. Opteon XL41 offers
zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and
an approximate 78% reduction in global
warming potential (GWP) when compared to
R-410A (AR4 GWP).
www.info.hotims.com/84453-152
D Floor-by-Floor Cooling
Nortek Air Solutions has reintroduced the
Mammoth® V-Cube Slim system, which is a
high efficiency solution for floor-by-floor air
conditioning in medium- to high-rise com-
mercial and institutional buildings. It com-
bines advanced features such as FANWALL
TECHNOLOGY® and factory-installed
variable frequency drive with expansive ap-
plication flexibility for use in a wide variety
of applications.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-153
Residential Boiler
WM Technologies, LLC, introduced the
Weil-McLain® ECO® Tec Series 2 high-effi-
ciency residential boiler, which integrates
control software allowing for multiple boiler
configurations without the need for a third-
party control component. The Series 2 is
compatible with the Weil-McLain ProTools™
App via Bluetooth®, enabling contractors
and technicians to view operational logs that
provide trending data.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-154
Drives
Servo drives are able to meet exacting
requirements for accuracy, precision and
dynamism by offering fast cycle times in
the microsecond scale and the ability to
synchronize hundreds of axes. As a result,
machines can move faster, in a highly
repeatable manner, increasing productivity
and throughput.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-155
M AY 2023
Case Controller with App
Emerson’s CC200 case controller, a stand-
alone controller, is designed to handle the
unique challenges of retail grocery refrigera-
tion environments. The Cold Chain Connect
app was designed as an innovative solution
to communicate with the controller.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-156
Ultracompact Power Supplies
Carlo Gavazzi introduces the new SPDE
Power Supply series, single-phase DIN-rail
power supplies designed for electrical
panels. Their ultracompact housing design
allows them to save up to 50% panel space,
making them ideal for applications where
space is limited.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-157
Laboratory Sensors
Endress+Hauser announces the launch of
five new laboratory sensors compatible with
its Liquiline CML18 handheld laboratory
analysis device. The Memosens CPL53E,
CPL57E, CPL59E, COL37E and CLL47E liquid
analytical sensors join the CPL51E to further
amplify the company’s goals of trustworthy
measurement, easy operation for end-users
and enhanced good laboratory practice.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-158
Mixing Valve
The LFUSG-HWP, a new Under Sink Guard-
ian® by Watts, is a point-of-use mixing valve
with hot water purge. This unique four-port
valve features a hot water purge lever that
allows facilities to perform a sanitization at
the faucet with the flip of a switch.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-159
Plastic Backward-Curved Fans
Rosenberg USA’s Ecofit® PA plastic backward-
curved fan modules create high ventilation
efficiency with no increase in noise or vibra-
tions. Suitable for many different environ-
ments, the new fan modules have a wide
operating temperature range, from -20°C to
60°C (-4°F to 140°F).
www.info.hotims.com/84453-160
Water Filters
SPX Cooling Tech, LLC’s Marley®
WaterGard™ is a water use optimizer and
filtration system that helps reduce waste-
water and overall water use on packaged
evaporative cooling products. WaterGard
uses membrane technology to precondition
cooling tower water and limits salt introduc-
tion into the tower.
www.info.hotims.com/84453-161
THE MAGAZINE OF HVAC&R TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS ASHRAE.ORG

2023 AHR EXPO

INNOVATION
AWARDS
PRODUCT
REVIEW
A SPECIAL SECTION IN THE
MAY 2023 ISSUE
2023 AHR EXPO INNOVATION AWARDS

PRODUCT REVIEW
A SPECIAL SECTION IN THE MAY 2023 ISSUE

T he AHR Expo Innovation Awards are an exciting opportunity for HVACR manufacturers to be
recognized in what has become an annual metric for year-to-year industry development and
growth. Since debuting in 2003 the show has dedicated efforts to identify manufacturers who are
creating innovative solutions to new and existing challenges that create new avenues for growth. Today,
they serve as direct correlation to just how fast the industry is growing through innovation and provide a
key indicator of how HVACR is being called upon to solve worldwide issues. To be honored with an award
is a means to showcase company contributions and to be celebrated by industry peers.

2023 AHR EXPO INNOVATION AWARDS WINNERS

Each year, the awards draw hundreds of
manufacturers who are designing new and never
before seen solutions or improvements upon
existing products and technologies launching into
the marketplace. Entries are reviewed and scored
by a third-party panel of distinguished ASHRAE
provide opportunities to highlight this innovation
trajectory and honor those that are pushing the bar
to create real solutions to difficult problems with a
celebratory reception, special booth signage and
features in our communication channels.
The 2024 Innovation Awards will honor winners in
ALL PHOTOS © DAVID ALEMAN/F-STOP PHOTOGRAPHY

members. Submissions are evaluated based on

overall innovative design, creativity of the
product or service offered, product or technology
real-world application, as well as overall potential
market impact.
As we lead into the annual show, as well as when
we are on the ground in our hosting city, we
ten industry categories, including building
automation, cooling, heating, indoor air quality,
plumbing, refrigeration, software, sustainable
solutions, tools and instruments, and ventilation.
Award submissions will open in mid-June (2023)
and will close at the end of July. Information will be
available on AHR Expo website.

We look forward to seeing who is blazing new trails as we head into Chicago!
62 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023
 2023 AHR EXPO INNOVATION AWARDS

PRODUCT REVIEW A SPECIAL SECTION IN THE MAY 2023 ISSUE

2023 AHR EXPO

INNOVATION AWARDS WINNERS
BUILDING AUTOMATION
CIELO WIGLE INC.
Cielo Breez Max
COOLING
CHEMOURS
Opteon™ XL41 Refrigerant
(Above and left)
HEATING ASHRAE
COPELAND™ HVAC COMPRESSORS President-Elect
ZPSK7 Scroll Compressor Ginger Scoggins
presents the
INDOOR AIR QUALITY 2023 AHR Expo
BELIMO AMERICAS Product of the
Year to winner
Room Sensor Cielo WiGle Inc.
PLUMBING
CALEFFI HYDRONIC SOLUTIONS
Caleffi 536 Series PresCal HP Piston-type
Pressure Reducing Valve
REFRIGERATION
COPELAND™ REFRIGERATION
COMPRESSORS
ZFW Variable Speed Scroll Solution for
Low-Temperature Refrigeration Applications
SOFTWARE
COVE.TOOL
loadmodeling.tool
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
TACO COMFORT SOLUTIONS (Above and right)
Mark Stevens of AHR Expo,
System M along with ASHRAE
TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS President Farooq Mehboob
and Kevin Wheeler of AHRI,
NAVAC INC. present the 2023 awards
BreakFree® Power Flaring Tool donation to Dr. Tasharah
Wilson, Principal and CEO
VENTILATION of Atlanta College and
SMARTD TECHNOLOGIES Career Academy, and
SmartD Clean Power VFD Ms. LaShica Howard, ACCA
School Business Manager.

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 63

Actions to Improve
IAQ in Schools
In recent years, schools have begun to recognize that
various environmental factors can influence the academic
performance and overall health of their students. Accurate
monitoring of air quality, carbon dioxide (CO2), humidity,
and temperature are critical for providing students
with a suitable learning environment. Abnormally high
levels of CO2 can significantly impact concentration,
decision-making, and test scores. Sensors that measure
CO2, temperature, and relative humidity have become
commonplace in many preschools, primary and secondary
schools, vocational training centers, and adult education BELIMO ROOM SENSORS
D E TA I L S A N D S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
facilities. The Government of Quebec is leading the way
With simple, clean aesthetics, they are ideal for
as the first province in Canada to deploy measures that installation in visible areas and have the slimmest
aim to ensure proper air quality in all classrooms within its profile of all sensors on the market.

school network. Quebec schools are expected to monitor

their ventilation systems, identify problematic classrooms, Type of Device ambient
temperature sensor
and take corrective action when needed.
Type of Sensor air quality

Proper indoor air quality and ventilation help reduce Type of Product sensor
the aerosol transmission of diseases. Because indoor
Measured Values CO2, temperature,
CO2 is mostly produced by the occupants of a space, humidity
a concentration below 1500 parts per million (ppm)
Electrical terminals
indicates good ventilation, with the ideal target set by the Connection
Ministry being below 1000 ppm. Installation room

Enclosure Rating IP30, NEMA 1

Belimo room sensors have been installed worldwide,
standing out for their precision, stability, and dual- Measuring Range 0...100% RH
channel technology. They deliver accurate readings free of Humidity

of measurement drift, eliminating the need for calibration. Measuring Range 32...122°F [0...50°C]
of Temperature
Built-in Near Field Communication technology allows
for quick and easy access to data, on-site control, Output Signal 0...5 V, 0...10 V,
2...10 V, MP-Bus
commissioning, and troubleshooting using a smartphone
Voltage AC/DC 24 V
and the Belimo Assistant App.

Simplicity, accuracy, reliability, and connectivity make

commissioning and maintaining Belimo room sensors a
quick and easy process.

Learn More
www.belimo.us
Belimo
Room Sensors

Healthy and comfortable room environment

Belimo room sensors accurately measure temperature, humidity, dew point,
and CO2. They are available with or without an ePaper touch display to meet
your application needs. Integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) provides
easy field adjustability, commissioning, remote display capabilities, and
troubleshooting even without power. These sensors are maintenance-free
and provide long-term reliability for a comfortable room environment.

Discover the advantages

www.belimo.us
Fujitsu General’s A inning Split Terminal
Heat Pump (STHP) Series Offers Hotels Bottom Line
Boosting Energy-Efficiency, Comfort and Quietness
is better air mixing to eliminate stratification when heating
F ujitsu General America, a leading provider of duct-
less cooling and heating systems and VRF technology
for residential and commercial use, introduces its
award-winning Split Terminal Heat Pump (STHP) HVAC
and the user can direct cold air where needed when cooling a
room. The indoor unit includes a handheld remote control for
optimal guest convenience.
series for use in hotel, motel, and all other types of lodging
properties. The innovative inverter-driven heat pump offers Management is empowered with complete advanced
a more energy-efficient, reliable, and quieter alternative to system control by incorporating various potential options.
conventional Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) and Interlocking with external devices makes the system capable
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump (PTHP) units – ideal for either of being controlled through a field supplied key card switch or
system upgrading or new construction. other sensors. Compatible with Fujitsu’s BACnet and Modbus
gateways, it can be easily integrated into most centralized
This 2022 Dealer Design building management systems. Various remote-control options
A and 2023 are available including Fujitsu’s free FGLair app that enables
AHR Innovation A nalist remote operation via smartphone or tablet anytime
offers an array of features and or anywhere.
benefits to optimize overall
return-on-investment and
end-user guest experience.
Maximum energy-efficiency is
vital to a hotel’s bottom line.
STHP units boast up to a 58%
reduction in electricity costs
because they reach the set
temperature faster than their
PTAC counterparts and maintain
the desired temperature for a
longer period of time. They provide up to a 21.3 SEER
rating, well above the Energy Star minimum of 14.5 for
air conditioners.
Perfect for extreme weather, the systems are effective even
with outdoor temperatures as low as 5 degrees. The systems
are a solid long-term investment proving to have 2-3 times the
lifespan of most PTACs and are supported by a 10-year parts
warranty, representing a customer commitment that is twice
as long as many PTAC warranties.
“American hotels spend a whopping $2,196 per available “Selecting an HVAC system to improve the financial
room each year on energy, representing about 6% of all bottom line boils down to delivering superior functioning,
operating costs,” said Dennis Stinson, Vice President of Sales cost-effectiveness and comfort levels at below-average
for Fujitsu General America. “Our new STHP series makes operational costs,” continues Dennis. “The Fujitsu STHP hits
good business sense by delivering a powerful combination of every mark by improving energy output, cost efficiencies, and
energy-saving capability that effectively slashes bills in half guest experience, all while providing a great solution to
and provides superior system performance.” renovations of PTAC-style units and new construction, alike.”
Guests will enjoy an ultimate experience and satisfaction
level. Comfort and quietness are the stalwart of hospitality
promoting repeat visits and glowing recommendations. The
new systems are up to 87% quieter than a standard PTAC
system. Constant comfort levels are optimized with seven
louver settings with auto-swing offering control that can be
adjusted in multiple steps. This customization means there Visit fujitsugeneral.com
58%
Up to

energy savings1

THE NUMBERS ADD UP

87%
Up to

TO A CLEAR ADVANTAGE
OVER PTACs
quieter than a
standard PTAC

10yr
parts warranty2 -
2X longer than PTACs

2-3X
product lifespan than
most PTACs

Split Terminal Heat Pumps from Fujitsu General deliver ultra-quiet, long-lasting,
energy-saving performance…plus constant comfort.
PTACs have a well-deserved reputation in the HVAC industry. They’re wickedly inefficient, remarkably
loud, and notoriously unreliable. Luckily, they are also becoming scarce. That’s because Fujitsu’s new
ultra-quiet Split Terminal Heat Pumps (STHP) have arrived with powerful, energy-saving features and
superior long-term performance. Get the award-winning system that blows PTACs away for good…
and begin calculating the savings on day one.

1  PTHP with electric heat used for energy consumption calculation.

2  When registered within 60 days of install.

Visit fujitsugeneral.com
Award-Winning System M on the Leading
Edge of Green Comfort Solutions
Taco Comfort Solutions is a leader in high-efficient home comfort systems, leveraging over a century
of expertise in hydronics, pumping and system integration. We have partnered with Glen Dimplex, a
leading German based manufacturer of intelligent electric heat pumps and renewable energy solutions
to introduce a complete heating, cooling and domestic hot water solution for a low carbon society.
The ideal solution for homeowners who want to Moving Towards Green Energy
reduce their carbon footprint while increasing
20% of all U.S. utility-scale electricity is currently being generated from green,
their indoor comfort.
renewable energy sources,* with many states and utilities setting a goal of 100%
System M is a radically innovative air-to-water heat green energy in the next 10-20 years. System M is the perfect solution to take
pump system that provides comfortable, efficient advantage of these green energy trends, as
heating, cooling, and plenty of domestic hot water well as energy-efficient equipment rebates
to homeowners without the use of fossil fuels — and tax credits.
so it doesn’t create CO2. This complete, packaged
*U.S. Energy Information Administration
system is simple to install, simple to operate, and
a simply unique solution for low-carbon heating
Enjoy Optimum Quiet and Comfort
and cooling.
• 44,000 BTU/h heating capacity
Simply put, System M is a Milestone. System M also • 3-1/2 tons cooling capacity
enables the addition of even more comfortable
• Max COP >4
heating and cooling options, like radiant floor
(Coefficient of Performance)
heating, towel warmers, or integration into a
central cooling system. • Outdoor unit produces 29 dB(A) @10m -
equivalent to a whisper
The ultra-efficient System M is comprised of a • Award-winning design
sleek, whisper quiet, inverter-driven outdoor heat
pump that can be up to 4 times more efficient
than a gas furnace. The outdoor heat pump
seamlessly integrates with Taco’s exclusive indoor
HydroBox to provide a complete system. Heating
and cooling is transferred between the outdoor
and indoor unit with water, the most natural and
efficient energy transfer medium on the planet.
System M also produces plenty of hot water,
which integrates with an optional indirect hot
water tank.

System M is a true plug-n-play appliance. Its

packaged design makes installation less intrusive;
no refrigerant or gas lines are needed. System
M seamlessly integrates with almost any high-
efficiency heating and cooling system and is
perfect for both new construction and existing Powered By

Glen
Dimplex
Home

Current

74.0°
Target

70.0°

HVAC systems.

Accessing System M is easy with the user-friendly

indoor HydroBox touch screen display or the
intuitive mobile app. See everything at a glance
and control it with your fingertip. You or your
service company can remotely monitor or adjust
the system and be notified of any issues through
www.tacocomfort.com | (401) 942-8000
the convenient mobile app on your smart device.
Introducing System M
What if you could heat and cool your home with pure, natural water?
No need for carbon-emitting gas furnaces or refrigerant lines running
through your home. And what if that system could be powered by
green energy - residential solar systems or carbon-free renewable
electricity sources like wind, water, and the sun?

Radically Innovative
System M is an air-to-water heat
pump system that provides
comfortable, efficient heating,
cooling, and plenty of domestic hot
water to your home without the use
of fossil fuels - so it doesn’t create
CO2. And since System M is smart grid
and solar PV ready, you can tap into
green, renewable energy sources to
reduce your HVAC carbon footprint
even further.
When it comes to comfort, System M
uses gentle, lower temperature water
to heat your home, so you avoid the
extremely high heat of a gas furnace
as well as the dry, uncomfortable
air that it produces. System M also
enables the addition of even more
comfortable heating and cooling
options, like radiant floor heating,
towel warmers, or integration into a
central cooling system.
Learn more at www.tacocomfort.com
 INFO CENTER
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LEADING
THE The Source
for HVAC
CHARGE. Replacement
Solutions.

Belimo Retrofit App

Poorly functioning or inoperative HVAC systems can be
transformed by finding the right replacement solution. The
Belimo Retrofit App enables you to locate the appropriate
replacement product based on parameters such as
manufacturer, model, voltage, and more. Providing you what
FIND AN AAON REP you need, delivered on time.
www.aaon.com/find-a-rep
Find the Belimo Retrofit App for free on iTunes or Google Play.

Discover the advantages

www.belimo.us

The New Standard in Tank Lining Protection

Unlock Your Data
Center’s Potential.
The Key?
Kuul Evaporative
Technologies.

Only Bradford White comes standard with

Vitraglas® tank lining featuring Microban®.
• Vitraglas® provides unsurpassed protection from the corrosive
effects of water.
• Microban® antimicrobial product protection helps prevent the
growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface of the
tank lining.

Join Now.

Microban® antimicrobial product protection helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew that may affect the
product. The built-in antimicrobia properties do not protect users or others from disease-causing organisms. Microban®
is a registered trademark of Microban Products Company. ©2023, Bradford White Corporation. All rights reserved. These Are Our WaterWays • www.thekuuleffect.com

74 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 INFO CENTER
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Our NOSWEAT™ insulated valve covers are the perfect

solution for uninsulated valves that waste energy and
present a safety hazard.
˜ NEW ˜
Ask about our new 1/4” & 3/8” sized
valve wraps for VRF Systems.

FAST & AFFORDABLE

No Sweat Valve Wraps, LLC
P.O. Box 420, Newark, Delaware 19715-0420 USA
(800) 416-4610 • Fax: (302) 731-0932
www.ValveWraps.com

AIR & WATER-COOLED VRV SYSTEMS

from the world’s #1 HVAC manufacturer

NEW!

Babel Buster BB3-7302 5 Ton

BACnet IP to MS/TP Router, SNMP Gateway

2, 3 and 4 Ton Module
Modules

•BACnet Client/Server •BBMD, Slave Proxy

•SNMP v1, v2c, v3 Server •Secure built-in web UI
•SNMP v1, v2c Client •High performance, low cost
•Router or Gateway •FCC/CE, UL 916 Listed

AURORA

PO Box 10789, St. Paul, MN 55110

800-872-8613 sales@csimn.com csimn.com 2023

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 75

 INFO CENTER
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CENTURION ®

Superior Reliability &

Belimo Advanced Technology
University

Compact,
1600-2000 MBH
water heater

Efficiency Through Training Advanced O2 Trim

Belimo University provides comprehensive training in Technology
HVAC fundamentals. Our portfolio includes classroom
training, online learning modules, webinars, and
continuing education courses for Professional Engineers.

For more information or to schedule training, please

contact your Belimo sales representative or email us at
training@us.belimo.com.

Discover the advantages

www.belimo.us pvi.com/centurion

76 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

 INFO CENTER
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Take a fresh approach to cold

storage roof assemblies with GAF
Think
Inside
The
Box

© 2022 GAF 02/22

Model SQ

Greenheck SQ direct drive inline fans

with mixed flow wheel technology in a
square housing design provide a
unique combination of High Efficiency,
Cold storage roofing does more than Low Sound & Easy Installation.
keep the water out. A well-designed
cold storage roof assembly is vital for Boost performance with Greenheck
air, thermal, and vapor control. Talk to ©2023 Greenheck
the experts at GAF to learn how roof square inline mixed flow fans.
assembly control layers can improve
operations and provide a potential Specify with Confidence.
reduction in facility energy use.
Learn more at gaf.com/ColdStorage Specify Greenheck.

We protect what matters most ª

“EARLY WARNING”
Backward compatible,
future ready SenTech Refrigerant Monitors
Every Refrigeration System Needs a SenTech
Refrigerant Monitor
• Designed for Supermarket Walk-In Freezers, Coolers, and
Process Cooling Refrigeration
• Infra-Red Sensor Detects All Past, Present and Future CFCs,
HCFCs, HFCs & HFOs
• Detects Different Refrigerants in 1 to 16 Zones

Meets ASHRAE 15
ETL Listed
Reliable Controls tests every product it manufactures to EPA Section 608-
ensure compatibility with previous-generation controllers. Clean Air Act Compliant
The RC-FLEXair is no different! You can add it to Ethernet
networks that host previous-generation controllers
without the need to purchase costly third-party gateways
or accessories. To further future-proof your investment,
the RC-FLEXair features an open-source Linux operating
system renowned for its cybersecurity resilience and
global community of programming support. SenTech Corporation
Learn more reliablecontrols.com/RCFA Check our website: www.SenTechCorp.com
Call or write for additional information.
Toll-free 888-248-1988 • Direct 317-596-1988
Fax 317-596-1989

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 77

 SOFTWARE RESOURCES

RATE SCHEDULE: SOFTWARE

Classified line advertisements

are inserted in 7-point type at the
rate of $6.00 per word. This
includes heading and address.
Maximum insertion 15 lines. Prices
are net. Classified line insertions
for members are $2.00 per word.

Classified Column Inch

Border Advertisements
are inserted in 8-point bold heading
and address type of 7-point body
type at the rate of $145.00 per
column inch, includes heading and
address. Maximum length 5 inches.
Maximum width 2-1/8”. Prices are
net. Border classified insertions for
members are $65.00 per column
inch.

Classifieds are accepted in the

categories of Job Opportunities,
Rentals, Business Opportunities,
and Software.

Closing date:
Copy must be received by the
classified department by the 3rd of
the month preceding date of issue.

Address: Send request for further

information to:

ASHRAE JOURNAL
Vanessa Thompson
180 Technology Parkway
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Phone 678-539-1166 ASHRAE Technology Portal
Search ASHRAE’s vast information archive
Fax 678-539-2166
Member access to ASHRAE Journal articles and ASHRAE
E-mail: vthompson@ashrae.org Research Reports. Other content on a subscription basis.

ashrae.org/technologyportal

78 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2 0 2 3

 Advertisers Index
ADVERTISING SALES
ASHRAE JOURNAL Two fast and easy ways to learn more about
180 Technology Parkway | Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 products & services in this issue:
(404) 636-8400 | Fax: (678) 539-2174
www.ashrae.org
Go to www.ashrae.org/freeinfo to search for products by category
Greg Martin | gmartin@ashrae.org
Associate Publisher, ASHRAE Media Advertising
Vanessa Thompson | vthompson@ashrae.org
or company name. Also, click on the links below to go directly
Sr. Coordinator Advertising Production & Operations to a supplier’s web site.
NORTHEASTERN U.S.
Nelson & Miller Associates – *Regional
Denis O’Malley Company Page Company Page Company Page
1525 Kings Highway East, Suite 103
Fairfield, CT 06824 2023 Annual Conference Tampa ebm-papst Inc Petra Engineering
(203) 356-9694 | Fax (203) 356-9695 Miscellaneous Ventilation Air Conditioning
sales@nelsonmiller.com www.ashrae.org/2023annual........................59 www.ebmpapst.com .........................................7 www.petra.com ...............................................55

SOUTHEAST U.S. AAON Inc Ebtron Pottorff

Millennium Media, Inc. – Air Conditioning Instruments Sensors & Controls Ventilation
590 Hickory Flat Road www.aaon.com................................................43 www.ebtron.com .............................................21 www.pottorff.com............................................76
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Doug Fix (770) 740-2078 | Fax (678) 405-3327 AAON Inc Ebtron PVI
dfix@bellsouth.net Air Conditioning Heating
www.aaon.com/find-a-rep.............................74 Ventilation
www.ebtron.com .....................................3rd Cvr www.pvi.com ...................................................11
OHIO VALLEY U.S. AAON Inc
Chagrin Valley Media Partners – Tom Lasch Figaro USA Inc. PVI
Air Conditioning
1188 Bell Rd. Ste. 106 www.aaon.com/find-a-rep.....................4th Cvr Refrigeration Heating
https://figarosensor.com ..............................75 www.pvi.com/centurion .................................76
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
tlasch@larichadv.com AHR Expo Chicago 2024
Shows/Conventions/Seminars Fujitsu General America Inc Reliable Controls
(440) 247-1060 | Fax (440) 247-1068
www.ahrexpo.com ..........................................17 Air Conditioning Building Automation
www.fujitsugeneral.com.......................... 66-67 www.reliablecontrols.com/iaq.........................3
MIDWEST U.S. Armacell LLC
Kingwill Company – Baird Kingwill; Jim Kingwill Software & Computers GAF Materials Corp Reliable Controls
330 W. Colfax Street, Unit 102 www.armawin.com .........................................15 Building Automation
Miscellaneous
Palatine, IL 60057 www.gaf.com/coldstorage.............................77 www.reliablecontrols.com/rcfa .....................77
(847) 537-9196 | Fax (847) 537-6519 *ASHRAE e-Learning Institute
barry@kingwillco.com; jim@kingwillco.com Miscellaneous Greenheck Renewaire
www.ashrae.org/ali ........................................47 Ventilation Ventilation
SOUTHWEST U.S. www.greenheck.com ......................................53 https://bit.ly/WPDecarb ...............................33
Lindenberger & Associates, Inc. – ASHRAE Standard 62.1 & 62.2
Gary Lindenberger; Lori Gernand-Kirtley Miscellaneous Greenheck Rheem Heating & Cooling
7007 Winding Walk Drive, Suite 100 www.ashrae.org/standard62.........................42 Air Conditioning
Ventilation
Houston, TX 77095 www.greenheck.com ......................................77 www.rheemcommercial.com .........................13
(281) 855-0470 | Fax (281) 855-4219
Belimo Aircontrols USA
Instruments Sensors & Controls Rotor Source Inc
gl@lindenassoc.com; lg@lindenassoc.com www.belimo.us..................................................5 Kuul Evaporative Technologies
Air Conditioning Dehumidification
www.rotorsource.com.....................................42
CANADA & WEST U.S. Belimo Aircontrols USA www.thekuuleffect.com....................................9
Chagrin Valley Media Partners – Tom Lasch Instruments Sensors & Controls Sentech Corp
1188 Bell Rd. Ste. 106 www.belimo.us......................................... 64-65 Kuul Evaporative Technologies
Refrigeration
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 Air Conditioning
www.sentechcorp.com ...................................77
tlasch@larichadv.com Belimo Aircontrols USA www.thekuuleffect.com..................................74
(440) 247-1060 | Fax (440) 247-1068 Shows/Conventions/Seminars Shortridge Instruments Inc.
www.belimo.us................................................76 Laars Heating Systems Company
Instruments Sensors & Controls
Miscellaneous www.shortridge.com.......................................25
KOREA Belimo Aircontrols USA www.laars.com................................................29
YJP & Valued Media Co., Ltd – YongJin Park Software & Computers
Kwang-il Building #905, Dadong-gil 5 www.belimo.us................................................74 Sika USA Inc
*Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc Instruments Sensors & Controls
Jung-gu, Seoul 04521, Korea Air Conditioning
82-2 3789-6888 | Fax: 82-2 3789-8988 Bradford White Corp www.sika-usa.com..........................................76
www.mitsubishielectric.ca/en/hvac/profes-
hi@YJPvm.kr Miscellaneous sionals..............................................................47
www.bradfordwhite.com.................................74 Taco Inc
Energy Saving & Alternative Energy
INTERNATIONAL Control Solutions Niles Steel Tank www.tacocomfort.com ............................ 68-69
ASHRAE – Greg Martin Building Automation Miscellaneous
(678) 539-1174 | gmartin@ashrae.org www.csimn.com..............................................75 www.nilesst.com/microban...........................37 Trane Commercial HVAC
Hydronic Systems
Daikin Comfort Technologies N.A. Inc No Sweat Reusable Value Wraps
RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING www.trane.com ........................................ 70-71
Air Conditioning Miscellaneous
AND REPRINTS
www.daikincomfort.com.................................75 www.valvewraps.com .....................................75 Viega
ASHRAE – Greg Martin
(678) 539-1174 | gmartin@ashrae.org Pumps Valves Piping & Fittings
Daikin Comfort Technologies N.A. Inc Parker Boiler www.viega.us/valves............................... 72-73
Air Conditioning Heating
www.vrvemerion.com ........................2nd Cvr-1 www.parkerboiler.com....................................25

M AY 2023 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL 79

REFRIGERATION APPLICATIONS
COLUMN

Andy Pearson

Nonflammable?
BY ANDY PEARSON, PH.D., C.ENG., FELLOW ASHRAE

Last month’s column took a light-hearted look at the complicated and serious issue of
toxicity. This time around the spotlight is on the other side of the safety classification
coin: flammability.
With flammability, dictionary definitions are not Of course, the hazards that various refrigerants pres-
much help when it comes to the specifics of refrigera- ent when they are oxidized vary enormously. Some, like
tion. They generally talk about substances that “can R-152a, R-290 or R-600 will ignite easily and burn so
burn easily” or are “capable of being easily ignited,” rapidly that they cause a very rapid rise in air pressure,
but we need to turn to refrigeration standards to put producing shock waves that can blow down walls and
this in context. Flammability class 1 is often described send debris flying for long distances. Others, like R-32,
colloquially as “nonflammable,” but ASHRAE Standard R-1234yf and R-717 are more difficult to ignite and the
34-2022 doesn’t define flammability explicitly and the flame front spreads more slowly. This often means that
definition of class 1 in the standard is actually “no flame the pressure rise is more gradual and so the destruc-
propagation.” The standard does define tive power is much less, but given the right
flame propagation as “any combustion that fuel to air mixture the flame front will still
moves upwards and outward from the point spread once ignited and typically has the
of ignition.” This leads us further down the power to blow out windows and dislodge
rabbit hole: combustion is defined in the ceiling tiles. Refrigerants that burn but
dictionary as “the act or instance of burn- don’t show flame propagation under labo-
CC BY 3.0 DAVID SHANKBONE

ing” and burning is defined as “consuming ratory test conditions (those in flammability
fuel and giving off heat, light and gases.” My class 1) present a different sort of hazard.
take on this is that anything that is being Eddie didn’t see it coming. The combustion does not usually produce
oxidized in a process that produces heat, rapid, destructive pressure rises (although
light and oxides is being burned; however, it can in some circumstances), but the
this includes a lot of substances classified as having “no oxidation frequently produces highly toxic products
flame propagation” by Standard 34. In fact, I only found of combustion. These substances were frequently the
seven substances listed in the standard that could truly cause of illness suffered by technicians using halide leak
be described as “nonflammable.” They were helium detection torches, and they have also been linked to sick
(R-704), water (R-718), neon (R-720), argon (R-740), building syndrome.
carbon dioxide (R-744), nitrous oxide (R-744A) and sul- The hard-pressed designer of the system needs to do
phur dioxide (R-764). These are all either products of a competent risk assessment of all foreseeable hazards
combustion that have already been oxidized (for exam- in order to complete a demonstrably safe design. In this
ple R-718, R-744, R-744A and R-764) or are noble gases case it is necessary to remember another favorite say-
(R-704, R-720 and R-740), which, like the nobility, don’t ing of Professor Joachim “Joe” Paul, whom I quoted last
mingle with anything. All the other flammability class 1 month on toxicity. Joe was fond of citing Murphy’s Law:
substances, even the perfluorinated ones like R-125 and “If it can go wrong, it will go wrong,” adding what he
R-218, are capable of being oxidized given an ignition called Joe’s Law—“Murphy was an optimist.”
source that is hot enough, so in that sense, even they Andy Pearson, Ph.D., C.Eng., is group managing director at Star Refrigeration in
can be burned. Glasgow, UK.

80 ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org M AY 2023

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