hvacr designer tips

BY AMANDA McKEW

EQUIPMENT STARTUP CHECKLIST: Cooling Tower

Equipment type: Equipment designation: CT-1 Bar code designation: ELECTRICAL INSPECTION:
Electrical completed and disconnect install per code compliance. Starter and wire sizing per contract documents. Terminations and panel circuit labeled. Voltage and motor amps (per phase) documented.

NOTE:
Refer to equipment manufacturers literature for additional data and requirements. This checklist should be completed prior to system commissioning process. Review condenser water flow over top of draw-through tower when unit is furnished with multiple inlets to verify correct water balancing. ES

YES

NO

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION (PER CONTRACT DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATION): YES NO Piping complete. Vibration isolation complete. Seismic restraints complete. Float switch installation complete. Heat tracing installed per manufacturers recommendations. Equipment has been cleaned inside and out. Noise level acceptable. Manufacturers O&M available. Manufacturers startup sheets attached with this checklist. Warranty certificate available. DISTRIBUTION (TO AND FROM EQUIPMENT):
HVAC piping complete per contract documents. Drain piping complete per contract documents. Makeup water piping complete per contract documents. Piping pressure tested per contract ducuments. TAB report and field notes attached with this checklist. Identification per contract documents.

YES YES YES

NO NO NO

AUTOMATIC CONTROLS:
End devices stoked for full open and close. Distribution and terminations labeled. Temperature controls complete and labeled. Control points confirmed. Electrical system interlocks complete.

DESIGN REVIEW AND TRICKS-OF-THE-TRADE:

Confirm safe access to the equipment. Confirm there will not be short circuiting of exhaust air into air intakes and/or other building openings. Spot check cooling capacity to condenser pump capacity by multiplying 3 gpm/ton. Spot check total pump head for excessive/inadequate water pressure drop. Review net positive suction head from tower sump to pump inlet taking into consideration dirty strainer effect. Gauges per contract documents/details. Strainers cleaned and tagged. Attach equipment schedule and design criteria to checklist. Attach sequence of operation to checklist. Attach associated contract details drawing to checklist. Complete missing equipment data sheet for CMMS when providing initial PM workorder requirement.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions regarding this designer check list, contact Amanda McKew at amckew@rdkimball.com. This column is meant to provide some basic guidelines for good design. Always consult all necessary codes and resources relevant to each particular project.

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Engineered Systems

September 2003