BUILDING CONTROL AND COMMISSIONING

(16CVP307)
Summer 2017 Two hours

Answer Three questions

All questions carry equal marks
Candidates may use any Loughborough University approved calculator

1. (a) A proportional controller can result in a sustained offset between the value
of the controlled variable (CV) and the desired set point (SP). Describe how
the offset can be removed. [4 marks]

(b) Figure Q1 illustrates the ideal relationship between the output of a controller
and the air temperature rise across a heating coil. Describe how the type of
control valve and its authority can be selected to provide a near-linear
relationship between controller output and air temperature rise across the
coil. Illustrate your answer with diagrams showing the relationship between
the water flow rate through the installed valve and valve opening, and
between the water flow rate and air temperature rise. [10 marks]

0% 100%
Controller Output and Valve Position

Figure Q1, Heating Coil Sub-system and Ideal Output Characteristic

(c) Describe the operation of a simple time-clock supervisor and how this can
lead to errors in the required pre-heat period. Illustrate your answer with a
diagram of the building temperatures over night and during the pre-heat
period for a “warm” and “cold” night. [6 marks]

Continues/…

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2. (a) Describe various elements of Building Energy Management systems

(BEMS) and advantages and disadvantages of BEMS. [10 marks]

(b) Briefly describe with the aid of a diagram, the operation of an outstation
controlling a hot-water cylinder and explain the input conversion of
analogue to a digital signal.
[10 marks]

3. (a) Commissioning is required to ensure that the building systems are

operating correctly and to deliver the expected building performance. State
three reasons why commissioning is important and make additional
comments to demonstrate your understanding of the relevance of these
issues. [5 marks]

(b) Commercial buildings can be classified into three types, low energy
buildings, mixed mode and air conditioned:

i) Briefly discuss typical features of the systems you are likely to find in
each of these building types. [5 marks]

ii) List 10 building services systems that you are likely to find in these
buildings. [5 marks]

iii) Pick one of the systems you have mentioned in the previous question
and discuss the implications for the state of completion of the building
and of the other services on the commissioning of the system. [5 marks]

4. (a) Describe, either in words or using a flow chart, how sensors could be used
to control night-time ventilation as part of an advanced natural ventilation
strategy in a non-domestic building in summer. You must include
approximate set points in your answer. [12 marks]

(b) Based on your reading of the Building Research and Information paper
37(1), 2009 by Short et al., describe four control errors that were identified
during commissioning and fine tuning of the School of Slavonic and East
European Studies building at UCL. [8 marks]

5. (a) The term sick building syndrome (SBS) was first coined in the 1970’s to
describe a combination of ailments, some specific and some vague,
associated with work places. List six possible symptoms of SBS. [6 marks]

(b) Outline six biological and chemical pollutants that might induce SBS.
[6 marks]
Question 5 continues/…

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(c) The post-occupancy review of buildings and their engineering (PROBE)

team have delivered a questionnaire to the occupants of many non-domestic
buildings. The aim is to understand occupants’ satisfaction with their indoor
environment. Outline eight aspects of the environment examined through by
the questionnaire. [8 marks]

J Wright
M Eftekhari
R Buswell
M Cook
K Lomas