HVAC System Standard is open for public comment.
Press Release Summary:
Open for public review until April 30th, ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180P Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems would establish minimum requirements that aid system's ability to achieve thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and commercial building air quality. In response to comments on Section 5, committee created 25 tables, each for a specific system component, while 563 optional inspection points were reserved for inclusion in a future guidance document.
Original Press Release:
HVAC System Inspection, Maintenance Standard Open for Public Comment
ATLANTA - A proposed standard setting requirements for inspection and maintenance of HVAC systems is open for public comment.
ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180P, Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems, would establish minimum HVAC inspection and maintenance requirements that aid a system's ability to achieve acceptable thermal comfort, energy efficiency and indoor air quality in commercial buildings.
The standard is being developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). It is open for public review until April 30.
"The comments we received during the first review were almost universally supportive and constructive," Robert Baker, chair of the Standard 180 committee said. "There were several excellent comments that helped us to clarify and re-word some areas to avoid confusion. Most of these revisions were minor and could have been considered 'editorial' in nature. The committee, however, preferred to be conservative so voted to submit the entire document for public review again."
A more significant set of comments was directed to Section 5 which described mandatory inspection and maintenance items, he said. Although the suggestions for text revision were minor in nature, the layout of the section was seen as difficult and potentially confusing to use.
As a result, the committee created 25 separate tables, each of which deals with a specific type of system component. In addition several comments observed that the proposed 563 optional inspection points were better reserved for inclusion in a future guidance document as they detracted from the clarity and impact of the standard. The committee concurred and removed these, according to Baker.
Proposed ASHRAE standards are available during public review periods. To read the addenda or to comment, visit ashrae.org/publicreviews.
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.
ACCA is the nationwide association of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors, representing members in every state. For over 40 years ACCA has served the educational, policy, and technical interests of the small businesses who design, install, and maintain indoor environmental systems.
