Services

The Core Facility Analysis starts with an initial walk-thru to determine the baseline projects that might be needed and to form project budgets.  From there, once a preliminary budget has been selected, a comprehensive audit is completed.  This audit requires more time from facility staff, but it ensures that the facility is investigated thoroughly.  This is an opportunity for the survey team to meet the facility operations staff and communicate the types of survey activities, participants, and schedule.  Arrangements are made for building surveys including identifying acceptable times, check-in procedures at the buildings, key control, and any security issues/security systems.  A communication plan is outlined including the types of updates to send out.  Arrangements are made to meet and/or call on a regular basis.

Energy/Utility Conservation: 

Our analysis evaluates the traditional energy conservation measures such as electricity and natural gas as well as non-traditional utilities such as water and sewer.  Our objective in looking at utility conservation strategies is to capitalize on all savings potential because ultimately, the amount of facility improvements that can be addressed as part of a Guaranteed Savings project is predicated on the amount of savings generated. 

Deferred Maintenance:

Our analysis will identify and evaluate the deferred maintenance needs of your facilities.  We will be able to show solutions to get your building back to operational condition. 

Capital Improvements:

Guaranteed Savings Contracts are a “purchasing vehicle” for qualifying entities to use as a means to upgrade their facilities for improved operational efficiency, comfort and safety.  Incorporating capital improvement projects as part of a Guaranteed Savings project is quite common and, in some cases, an economical way for some clients to get expensive infrastructure improvement projects addressed.  We will work closely with you to determine if any capital improvement projects should be financed as part of a Guaranteed Savings project.

Indoor Air Quality:

Our comprehensive energy and operational analysis may also include performing indoor air quality assessments of your facilities to determine the current quality of air and the proper working condition of your ventilation systems.  With “sick building syndrome” prevalent in today’s buildings and illnesses like influenza and others causing numerous absences, we put indoor air quality first and foremost in our assessments.

Core Facility Solutions will utilize industry accepted engineering formulas and software that are available for energy savings calculations.  Examples of software are Motor Master Software® for calculating energy efficient motor savings and modeling programs such as Trane System Analyzer® and TRACE for more complex building energy simulations.

Core Facility Solutions’ experience is that the input data for calculations is much more critical than the calculation methodology and is subject to more variations.  Parameters which are critical to calculations and that need to be verified include: equipment and motor loading, set points, efficiency of central air conditioning and heating systems, and equipment daily and seasonal run-time.  Data loggers and direct measurements will be used to substantiate critical parameters.  Data will be collected from field conditions rather than relying on original blueprints as experience has shown the field condition often varies from what was shown on blueprints.

Once energy savings have been calculated they are compared with past projects to make sure that they are reasonable.  Energy savings that are interactive are cascaded or calculated in sequence to avoid overstating savings.  An example of this would be using reduced run hours when calculating energy efficient motor savings if control savings are already accounting for reduction in motor run hours.

The Core Approach will be to create or enhance any current standards of comfort in your facility.  We understand that on paper some standards do not exist for all situations, Core Facility Solutions will recommend standards of comfort based on our experience and industry standards.  We will make sure that you have a voice and sign off on all set points and schedules in any guaranteed savings contract.  Upgrades in environmental conditions (increased light levels, improved ventilation (fresh air) rates, temperature/humidity levels, etc.) that consume additional energy represent changes to the existing baseline are presented for District approval and additional energy costs will be shown in all calculations. 

Operational problems are often not visible to the occupants.  Only through an in-depth analysis and operational testing of the entire system can you truly identify issues that lay beneath the service. 

The team will review building systems and develop a commissioning plan including checkout sheets and timelines.  During this analysis we collaborate with facility staff to identify and document problems for investigation

Utilizing the CORE analysis documents, point by point functional testing is performed.  During this portion, detailed notes on equipment conditions and functionality are documented for the final commissioning report.

All data from the CORE analysis and operational testing is compiled into a single report. Utilizing this report will allow facility management to make informed decisions and prioritize future maintenance.  The team at CORE is highly interested in continuing our partnership to help you address items through one of our offered services.

Now that your building is operating at its best, why not keep it that way?  Once our team performs commissioning through a Guaranteed Savings Contract or Re/Retro Commissioning Services we want to support our partnership with you by offering Continuous Commissioning services. 

Once project has been delivered and equipment is functioning, it is important to remain watchful of performance.  We can help with continuous commissioning services.   These services at a minimum include an annual check out of the operation of the temperature controls (including temperature setpoints and schedules), HVAC equipment, and commissioning reports/logs stored online for your maintenance records.  We can customize these services to meet your needs to include preventive maintenance service (filter and belt changes), staff training, and much more. 

Distance from facility does not have to be an issue.  When problems arise, our team can work with your staff or contractors by offering diagnostic and troubleshooting support remotely.

At a bare minimum, our continuous commissioning service provides an annual review of system design, operation, and scheduling to ensure your facility is operating as desired.   We can customize these services to meet your needs to include preventive maintenance service (filter and belt changes), staff training, and much more. 

In addition to a hard copy of commissioning documents.  HVAC equipment and commissioning reports/logs stored online for easy access to your maintenance records.

The key factor in the success of any Guaranteed Savings Contract is the accuracy of the savings calculations.  Our team follows sound practices, based on actual measured data and industry accepted engineering methods for developing energy savings values.  In addition, we apply the widely accepted protocols: International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) and Federal Energy Management program (FEMP) to verify that these savings are being achieved.  We also set ourselves apart by not just guaranteeing the project by projected savings, but we will measure it against actual savings as well.  What good is showing the year over year projections, if there is no real data?  Also, new to the area and customizable, is our measurement and verification with Continuous Commissioning services. 

Utilizing the CORE analysis data and through collaboration with facility managers, we develop the best plan to address all facility issues within the agreed upon budget constraints.  During this process, we determine approved vendors for equipment and subcontractors for installations.  Although the team at Core Facility Solutions has a list of preferred contractors we have had favorable experiences with, we also understand the importance of supporting the local community.  As a result, we look to local contractors for as much of the work as deemed feasible.  By the end of this phase you will know your financial responsibility, a preliminary project schedule and the companies who will be onsite

Our project manager will be your main contact and will manage all aspects of the project.  We understand our customers have plenty of their own responsibilities and strive to ensure implementation does not interfere with your day to day business. Our project manager will also provide regular progress updates to help you answer any questions you may be asked. 

The implementation process is often completed in stages, some install items are completed faster than others.  It is with that in mind, we will separate each proposed solution.  Although manufacturer warranties often begin at equipment sale, our warranty will not start until you are satisfied with work and sign off on that individual solution.