GLUMAC - Engineers for a sustainable future

Paul Tiña, LEED^® AP, San Francisco Associate

Glumac was the commissioning agent for Savvis SC7, a two-story data center located in Santa Clara, California. The installed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were based on a design load of 75 watts/sf for a total building area of 130,000 sf. The facility was previously managed by Exodus Communications and the mechanical and electrical infrastructure was installed during the original buildout of the facility. Hence, the scope of the project included retro-commissioning of the critical support systems.

Commissioning is the systematic process of ensuring that all building systems perform individually and interactively in accordance with design specifications and owner™s operational needs. Commissioning is intended to achieve the following objectives:

4        Ensure that critical support equipment and systems are properly installed, tested and have received adequate operational checks by installing contractors.

4        Verify and document proper performance of equipment and systems.

4        Ensure that the owner™s operating personnel are properly trained in the operation of the critical support systems.

4        Maintain comprehensive documentation of equipment and systems, including all test reports, operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals and commissioning checklists and reports.

Glumac™s scope included spot checking of Level 2 start-up and reviewing start-up checklists and reports, preparation of Level 3 testing procedures and witness testing, and Level 4 acceptance testing including preparation of an integrated systems test report and final owner acceptance report. Glumac also reviewed operations and maintenance manuals and assisted in coordinating the training of operations personnel.

The critical support systems that were commissioned for the facility are as follows:

4        (31) McQuay rooftop packaged

          cooling units with economizers.

          Cooling air is distributed via common header ducts on the roof that connect to vertical air shafts extending to the raised access floor plenum on both floors.

4        Double-ended medium voltage (12,000 volts) electrical switchgear that feeds (12) 12kV to 480 volt substation transformers.

4        (12) Hitec power generation modules, consisting of ten primary modules and two reserve modules, providing uninterrupted power to the critical equipment and short-break power to mechanical equipment. Each Hitec consists of a generator, induction coupling and diesel engine.

4        (66) MGE power distribution units with static transfer switches that serve power to critical loads in the raised access floor areas.

4        Automated Logic Corporation facility monitoring and alarm system providing real-time data monitoring, trend logging and alarm monitoring.

4        Veder-Root fuel system management and monitoring.

Commissioning is a dynamic process. Commissioning exposes the critical support systems to real world conditions, which in itself is dynamic. One of the exciting aspects of commissioning is the problem solving process and determining why systems behave the way they do, as well as why systems do not perform in accordance with expectations. Instead of thinking outside the box, one needs to think inside the box when analyzing problems encountered during commissioning.

Another exciting aspect of commissioning is the learning process. One should not approach a commissioning project thinking that they know it all and that the commissioning agent is the only authority in the team. Since, as mentioned earlier, commissioning is a dynamic process, there is always something new to learn. It is important to utilize the knowledge and experience of the rest of the commissioning team (owner, contractors, technicians, etc.) during the entire commissioning process. Approach commissioning with an open mind and you will be rewarded with a project that not only benefits the company, but benefits you personally as well.