BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATE CENTER

CHARLOTTE, NC

Project Status: 

 6^th Floor – Completed and Occupied November 2006

19^th Floor – Completed and Occupied October 2006

21^st Floor – Completed and Occupied November 2006

14^th, 20^th, 23^rd floors under construction

IAQ Upgrade complete for all floors; awaiting implementation of corrective measures for final commissioning

 

Project Description:

 

This is a LEED® for Commercial Interiors project that involves two separate projects. 

 

The first is complete renovation of 6 of the 60 floors of the building (approximately 24,000 square feet each).  Existing central air handling units were retained, with a new air distribution system connected to the units.  New single-duct and parallel fan-powered boxes were installed.  Space CO₂ sensors provide demand control ventilation for multi-occupant spaces.  Liebert fan coil units were provided for telecommunication rooms.

 

The second is an Indoor Air Quality upgrade for the entire building.  Existing outdoor air handling units were retrofitted with variable frequency drives and new three-stage (particulate and gas-phase) filtration.  Exhaust fans were also retrofitted with variable frequency drives.  New variable air volume DDC air terminal units were added to the outdoor air riser at each floor.  Return duct CO₂ sensors modulate the air terminal units to increase or decrease outdoor air to the floor.

 

In addition, a new Johnson Controls open protocol backbone was provided to interface existing and new controls.

 

The project energy-related systems included:

 

• Johnson Controls Building Automation System integrated into existing building control system.
• Trane central air handling units with DDC-controlled variable air volume reheat air terminal units.
• Variable volume outside air treatment and exhaust systems.
• Demand control ventilation via CO₂ sensors.
• New filtration systems for floor air handling units and outside air treatment units.

 

Project Contacts:

 

 

Construction and Commissioning Schedule:

 

Construction is on a rapid schedule.  System WorCx is currently involved in post-occupancy follow-up of the completed 6^th, 19^th and 21^st floors.  The 23^rd, 20^th, and 14^th floors are scheduled to be complete in January, February, and March respectively.  The IAQ Upgrade project requires new fans and motors for the air handling units, and is scheduled to complete in January, 2006.  The commissioning schedule has been closely aligned with the rapid construction schedule to ensure completion of commissioning activities prior to occupancy.

 

Construction cost:  $15 million

 

Size of project:  144,000 SF

 

System WorCx Scope of Work:

 

System WorCx was hired as a consultant to AME Engineers and Zapata Engineering, who is the overall commissioning authority for the project.  System WorCx is commissioning the HVAC and controls systems for the project.   The commissioning scope includes design, construction, and post-occupancy phases of construction to satisfy both the LEED® Fundamental Commissioning Prerequisite and the Enhanced Commissioning Credit.

 

The original commissioning scope did not include the existing air handling unit or its controls.  Once involved, System WorCx determined that the Owner would benefit from some retrocommissioning of the air handling units along with all of the new HVAC equipment and controls.  By doing this, issues with unit capacities, nonfunctional cooling coil drains, and dirty units were identified.

 

Principal in Charge/Project Manager/Commissioning Authority:  Michael Mantai, PE

 

Project Similarities:

 

·       This project involves renovation to an existing building, using a combination of existing central HVAC equipment and new distribution and controls systems. 

·       The project is a LEED® project. 

·       The project is in uptown Charlotte.