Overview
RMF holds two active term contracts with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide engineering services for assisting public facilities across Massachusetts to become compliant with Executive Order 484, which requires facilities to reduce energy consumption by 25%. To date, RMF has provided these services to several universities and correctional facilitates.
The largest and most comprehensive of the projects was at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where its three campuses comprise approximately 3,000,000 SF, and are expected to increase by 20% in the next three years. RMF developed a campus-wide energy conservation plan for 35 buildings to meet the goals of the Executive Order.
RMF’s scope of work under this contract included an existing conditions assessment and an energy audit to identify potential Energy Conservation Measures (ECM’s), for building mechanical and electrical systems, as well as major boiler and burner components including auxiliary equipment; fuel tanks, fuel pumps, deaerator, condensate transfer pumps, and cooling systems including chillers, towers, and pumps.
Typical tasks to assess the buildings and develop the ECM’s include the following:
- Review design drawings
- Review building automation control sequences
- Review equipment operation and schedules
- Interview building staff
- Review building operating schedules
- Measure lighting levels
- Review maintenance problems
- Develop recommended improvements, construction budgets, schedules
Throughout the process the field investigation team provided a list of minor repairs or critical items that needed to be addressed immediately. The work has resulted in significant energy efficiency improvements at the following sites:
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Westfield State University
- Berkshire County Jail
- MCI Framingham
