How can you ensure mechanical equipment is properly installed and integrated with building systems?

Ensuring the proper installation and efficiency of mechanical equipment is of paramount importance, and a critical aspect of this is the collaboration between the BMS contractor and the mechanical contractor right from the design phase. The BMS system plays a crucial role in controlling and monitoring these mechanical systems to ensure their smooth and efficient operation. Unfortunately, it's all too common to see both contractors focusing solely on their respective scopes of work without effective communication, often leading to issues and blame-shifting. While it may involve additional time, engineering efforts, and compliance with project timelines, it's essential for these contractors to work together to find solutions.

To ensure proper installation and integration of mechanical equipment with building systems: - Plan thoroughly, verifying compatibility. - Hire qualified technicians and contractors. - Assess the installation site for suitability. - Coordinate schedules with other trades. - Implement rigorous quality control and inspections. - Conduct comprehensive testing and commissioning. - Prioritize safety measures and training. - Maintain detailed documentation. - Train operators and establish a maintenance plan. - Monitor equipment performance and seek feedback for improvements. - Comply with regulations and conduct post-installation reviews to optimize functionality, ensuring efficient and safe operation.

Through proper design which includes collaborating with other services/trades, followed by the required level of construction monitoring for the given project complexity.

Always important to get a full understanding that the BMS needs to FULLY control and monitor any plant being installed. That includes any interfaces required, software, head-end drawings and metering interfaces to whatever meter data collection system us being deployed. Get all of this and then visibility and control is available

Interesting to see and compar (EPC) design energy assessments with actual energy usage once area is in full occupation with real people. This is normally the first indication of any anomalies that can be scrutinised/explained......sometimes a little bit of "tweaking" of controls can account for some excess carbon emissions this way.

I am a contractor, I know how to do what needs to be done or fixed. I take pride in what I do- some don’t, even if I don’t understand what is going on. By that I mean the process the client is trying to accommodate. My work and name are immaculate and so I stay in business. I do appreciate having inspections on a regular, I don’t appreciate someone looking over my shoulder. Meticulous is one thing but the other is detrimental. The faster to get things done and installed is better. Close it s not good enough, has got to be between the lines. If it takes an extra minute, it works better later. Although minutes add up, in the end they add to success. Always measuring twice to cut once!

I have seen many equipments in facilities are barely maintained after few years of installation. Though the maintenance plan is implemented after the equipment comes under operation, they are not followed properly. Constantly reviewing the SOP and maintenance procedure based on equipment condition should be followed to maintain sustainability. Attention should be paid through frequent inspections and audits.