SEQUENCE OF OPERATION-AHU

Building Management System

Air Handling Units

Sequence of Operation
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Air Handling Units – General Information

Typical Air Handling Unit (AHU) within Pearson office is of variable volume type and designed to supply
constant discharge air temperature. This is achieved by controlling speed of the AHU using VFD’s and
modulating the valve actuators in chilled water coils.

Equipment capacity of the AHU varies for different campuses based on the load to which it caters.

Each AHU has a DDC Controller (ALC / Sauter) which controls the AHU in an efficient manner. A common
sequence of operation has been created to cover the overall functionality of the AHU operation.

AHU Startup:

Each AHU has its own Time Schedule (adjustable) based on which the unit operates. On receipt of
requirement to run from an automated routine or by operator override the AHU will be enabled for
operation.

Time Schedule: AHU will run based on the pre-defined time program

Override On: AHU will be switched on irrespective of time schedule defined

Override Off: AHU will be switched off irrespective of time schedule defined

Optimal Start Routine

Purpose of this logic is to start the air handing unit fan only when the required temperature of chilled
water is achieved during start-up. This logic will work with AHU operating schedule only and only during
the first start-up of the day. In case of power outage any time during the day this logic will be bypassed

When the AHU is enabled to run based on a time schedule program, initially only the chilled water valve
actuator will be opened 100% before running the supply fans. This is done to make sure that the chilled
water system is under full operation and chilled water temperature is achieved before the fans are
running.
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AHU start-up routine

The fans will start when chilled water temperature reaches the optimal startup set point of 10°C
(adjustable)

The supply fan will run at minimum speed until the status feedback is received at the controller.

AHU Shutdown:

The supply fan will be switched Off whenever,

1) The AHU is in Override Off OR

2) AHU is in Schedule Off OR
3) Auto/Manual selector switch is in Manual position OR
4) AHU has failed i.e. Supply fan command is On, but status remains Off for pre-defined duration of
time delay OR
5) Fire/Smoke alarm signal is active

Alarm will be generated in case of the following conditions,

➢ When the AHU has failed

➢ When there is a Fire/Smoke alarm

Supply Fan VFD Speed Control

Scenario I: Variable air volume system

The VFD/Bypass selector switch / command should be in VFD mode in order to achieve speed control
through VFD drive.

Whenever the AHU is enabled for operation, after completing the optimal start routine, the supply fan
will start and ramp to its minimum speed (adjustable). On receiving the run / air-flow status the VFD
speed will be varied based on the duct static pressure and its set point.

Whenever the pressure in the duct increases the speed of the drive will be ramped down and when the
pressure decreases the speed control signal will be ramped up. This is achieved by using a P+I control
routine.

The set point for duct static pressure will be determined during the air balancing. While performing this
exercise, it is mandatory to confirm that all the zone terminal units are kept at 100% open position.
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When the air balancing is completed and the design CFM is achieved at all the terminal points, the static
pressure and VFD frequency will be recorded. This Static Pressure value will then serve as the static
pressure set point for the associated unit.

There is an option available for forcing the desired VFD speed through operator intervention. During
this, the VFD will be running at a fixed speed irrespective of pressure/temperature changes. This can be
reset back to auto routine as required.

Alarm will be generated in case of the following conditions,

➢ When the return air temperature is below/above limits

➢ When the duct static pressure is above limit (as applicable)

Scenario II: Constant air volume system

For systems which don’t have duct static pressure sensors (i.e. with no variable air volumes / automatic
diffusers) speed control will be based on return air temperature and its set point.

Whenever the temperature is more than the set point, the speed control signal will be ramped up.
Whenever the temperature is less that the set point the speed control signal will be ramped down until
it reaches the minimum speed set point (adjustable). AHU will be locked for min / max speed

Chilled Water Valve Control

The Chilled water coil installed within the AHU acts as the medium of heat transfer. The amount of heat
transfer is proportional to amount of water being circulated through the coil.

The amount of water flowing through the coil is controlled by a modulating valve using a motorized
actuator.

Scenario I: Variable air volume system

Whenever the AHU is enabled for operation, after completing the optimal start routine and after
receiving the run/air-flow status the chilled water valve actuator control routine will be enabled.

The chilled water valve actuator will be controlled to maintain the supply air temperature at its setpoint
(adjustable).
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Whenever the supply air temperature from the AHU increases the valve actuator will be modulated to
open. Whenever the supply air temperature in the duct decreases the valve actuator will be modulated
to close. This is achieved by using a P+I control routine.

If more than one sensor is present, consider based on demand or selection, as applicable

Alarm will be generated in case of the following conditions,

➢ When the supply air temperature is below/above limits

Scenario II: Constant air volume system

The control sequence will be same as the above

Demand Controlled Ventilation - Fresh / Exhaust Air Damper Control

Demand Controlled Ventilation adjusts the Fresh/Exhaust air flow based on the ventilation demand
created by the occupants. This is measured by using a carbon-monoxide (CO2) sensor installed in
occupied space or in return air path. The ventilation demand is directly proportional to the number of
occupants.

If the CO2 level difference between the ambient and conditioned space increases more 530ppm, the
Fresh air and Exhaust air dampers will be modulated to open.

Whenever the CO2 are within the desired limits, the dampers will be set to minimum position.

Minimum damper position will be set as 10 to 25% depending upon the design criteria and the minimum
fresh air requirements. The set point for minimum damper position is specified in the set point section
of the BMS system.

Alarm will be generated in case of the following conditions,

➢ When the CO2 is above pre-defined limit (as per the alarm standards)

Economizer will override the Demand Controlled Ventilation mode of operation.

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Economizer mode operation

During occupied hours whenever the outside air enthalpy is less, free cooling can be achieved by
opening the fresh air dampers and closing the chilled water valve actuators. This will reduce the use the
mechanical cooling, thereby reducing the energy usage.

The Free Cooling mode will be enabled whenever,

1) The AHU is in running condition AND

2) OA Enthalpy < Free Cooling Set point

During this mode, the supply fans will be running at minimum speed (as defined in the set point section
for night purge set points) and the chilled water valves will be closed to 0%.

The Free Cooling Mode will be disabled whenever,

1) OA Enthalpy >Free Cooling Set point

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Filter Dirty Alarm

The Filter Clean / Dirty status is monitored through a differential pressure switch fixed across the filter.

Whenever the differential pressure exceeds the set value (set locally at the switch), an Alarm will be
raised at the BMS system

(Set point will be provided by the AHU manufacturer - Typical set point is 100 Pascal)

Supply and Return Air Humidity

Supply and Return Air Humidity are monitored at the BMS.

Alarm will be generated in case if the value goes below or above desired limits.

Occupancy based control for HVAC

For meeting rooms the occupancy sensors that are being used for lighting controls will be used for
controlling HVAC equipments.

Unoccupied Temperature Set point: Reset to 27°C. (Applicable for cabins and meeting rooms only)

Calculations

Chilled Water Tonnage

TR = [Chilled water flow (USGPM) x Chilled water Δ T deg F] / 24

CFM based Tonnage (Applicable only if water based is not available)

TR = [4.5 x CFM X (Hi - Ho)] /12000

Hi - Enthalpy of inlet air in kj/kg

Ho – Enthalpy of outlet air in kj/kg

Coil Approach - Entering

AHU Supply air temperature - Entering chilled water temperature to the coil

Coil Approach - Leaving

Leaving chilled water temperature from coil – AHU Supply air temperature

CFM Calculation

Air Volume (CFM) = Air Velocity (FPM) x Cross Section Area (sq.ft)

Air Velocity (FPM) = 4005 x sqrt (ΔP)

Cross Section Area = Length x Breadth in feet (to be measured at the location of sensor)

Auto/Manual and VFD/Bypass Selector Switch

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Auto/Manual: Equipment will run through BMS command, only when the switch is in Auto Mode

VFD/Bypass: When this switch is Bypass position, the VFD will be bypassed and the equipment will run
at its full rated speed. In VFD position, it will run through VFD drive using speed control command from
BMS (provided if the drive is not in Hand mode)

VFD Integration

The following drive parameters are taken into BMS through 3rd party integration (Modbus / BACnet) for
monitoring,

1) VFD Frequency
2) Instantaneous Power
3) Current
4) Drive Voltage
5) Energy
6) Run Hours