Attach 12 - ACC Mechanical Room Standards.doc

FA4690-10-R-K102

Attachment 12

ACC MECHANICAL ROOM STANDARDS

1 Apr 04 General: Mechanical rooms shall reflect the following standards. This will provide an area for CE maintenance shops to safely and efficiently maintain the environmental system and electrical power equipment that supports each facility and for the integrity of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in general.

1. Introduction: Several incidents have occurred at ACC bases where our CE technicians have been seriously hurt due to poor housekeeping, lack of proper lighting, and/or inadequate labeling of electrical panels/switches and mechanical equipment in mechanical rooms. Building tenants have also stored hazardous supplies in mechanical rooms, where return-air mixes in that space, endangering the occupants of the entire facility. Mechanical rooms maintained at the following standards will provide a safe environment for all building occupants and our maintenance personnel and will ensure the integrity of our HVAC systems.

2. Architectural Requirements: Refer to Engineering Technical Letter (ETL) 01-1, Reliability & Maintainability (R&M) Design Checklist; particularly Section 12 HVAC, Section 12.10 Equipment Rooms, and Section 12.11 Color Coding.

a. Seal all wall penetrations (piping, ducts, electrical cable/conduit), except where ceiling return-air plenums are used to supply air to the mechanical system.

b. If hallways are used as return-air plenums, ensure there are no obstructions on either side of the return-air grill from the hallway to the mechanical room.

c. Preferred wall material is exposed CMU block. If mechanical room walls have been previously painted and require paint, use a highly durable paint in a color that reflects the room lighting system at the maximum level. Type of paint used will be based on wall material (sheetrock, cinder block, etc...).

d. Preferred floor material is concrete with a sealer with anti-skid characteristics. If floors have been previously painted and require re-painting, paint with epoxy paint. Concrete floors shall only be coated or repaired with materials having anti-skid ingredients. The materials shall have a coefficient of friction (COF) of at least 0.5 for level surfaces and 0.8 for sloped surfaces. Color choice should have good light reflection (light grey or light bluish-grey).

e. Mechanical rooms shall not be used for storage! Mechanical rooms will be free from all tenant excess furniture and supplies.

f. All mechanical rooms will have functional locks.

3. Electrical Requirements:

a. All electrical panels and boxes will have covers.

b. All electrical panels and disconnects will be permanently labeled relative to load served or equipment (labeling with pencil is not allowed).

c. All electrical and communication wiring will be routed overhead (above 8 foot level) in a cable-tray or supported in accordance with the National Electric Code.

d. All electrical wiring not in use will terminate in a junction box with cover. Remove unused conductors and circuit’s components.

e. Do not abandon any electrical equipment or circuit components in place.

f. Space in front of panels will not be obstructed. Floor will be cleared 3 feet deep by 3 feet wide in front of any panel.

g. All hinged panel doors or covers will be capable of being in a full open position (180 degrees).

h. Ensure lighting levels meet or exceed the standards for mechanical rooms, see IESNA Lighting Handbook -1 December 2000. Lighting shall be 30-50 foot candles plus additional task lighting over electrical panels.

4. Mechanical Requirements:

a. All chilled and hot water piping should be insulated, covered with a white PVC jacket to prevent damage, and labeled with system identification and flow arrows at 3-meter intervals, in accordance with ANSI A13.1. see Table 1 below. Natural Gas piping requires no insulation.

Table 1. Label Color Codes

b. All condensate drain lines should drain directly to a floor drain.

c. Minimize piping arrangements and ductwork at floor level. If at floor level provide wooden/steel cross-walk over systems in question.

d. There should be 4 feet minimum clearance around air handlers, so that Recurring Work Program maintenance can be performed on system components, i.e. coil removal and filter changing.

e. Any tears in existing ductwork insulation membrane will be repaired.

f. Any tears in the pipe insulation membrane will be repaired, and the insulation covered with a PVC jacket.

g. Piping arrangements/valves around air conditioning equipment will not block access doors/panels/compressors/motors/and control devices to equipment.

h. Avoid installing valves on piping systems above electrical panels.

i. Control wires or pneumatic lines if not in use will be terminated at the source connection and removed.

j. There should be special leak detector(s) installed around refrigerant equipment located in mechanical rooms, and CO detectors for boiler operations.

k. All mechanical rooms will be free from debris and non-mechanical equipment (dirty filters, tenant storage, etc…)!

5. For additional information please contact H. Lewis Stepp, ACC/CEOI, DSN 574-3056.