ASHRAE Journal - June 2023 - 27

SECOND PLACE
2023 ASHRAE TECHNOLOGY AWARDS CASE STUDY
The baggage-handling system, elevators and stairs
were refurbished. Additionally, the scope included
significant seismic, mechanical, electrical and communication
upgrades.
Maintaining the continuous operation of the facility
was essential. In particular, the project team needed
to keep public access to the existing main vertical
circulation core and maintain existing systems in a
mechanical penthouse until the existing building was
no longer occupied.
Therefore, the project was reconstructed in two
phases: (1) expansion and (2) renovation of the existing
portion of the building. The project was delivered three
months ahead of schedule, below budget and exceeded
the Port of Seattle's requirements.
Energy Efficiency
The North Satellite Modernization eQUEST model
achieved an energy use intensity (EUI) of 131 kBtu/
ft2 (1488 MJ/m2), an overall 40% savings over the code
baseline EUI of 219 kBtu/ft2 (2487 MJ/m2). The existing
campus steam boiler and chiller plant provide chilled
water and heating hot water to the seven air-handling
units providing a total airflow of 404,000 cfm (190 660
L/s). Preconditioned-air systems with thermal storage
provide cooling of the aircraft cabin while parked at the
gate, saving 117,900 ton-hours (1.5 billion kJ) of operation.
Also, escalators use a sleep mode that slows them
down when not in use, which saves 47,000 kWh/year.
New baggage-handling systems use variable frequency
drives and advanced controls, saving 255,000 kWh
per year. Also, energy-efficient LED lighting will save
approximately 1.7 million kW annually.
Actual energy used during July 2021 through June 2022
(as provided by the Airport Facilities and Infrastructure
Operations Management Team) was 29.7 million kBtu
(8.7 GWh), a 58% savings over code baseline. (Note that
some concessions, airlines and tenant improvement
buildout delays occurred due to COVID-19.)
The commissioning team advocated for energy efficiencies
from initial design review comments to efficiency
measures discovered during testing. During testing,
the commissioning team helped verify all the design
parameters that were programmed into the control system.
Two hundred comments during design review led
to improvements and the resolution of 250 issues, many
related to energy efficiency.
Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort
The minimum outdoor air provided exceeds code
requirements by a minimum of 30%, which also assists
in maintaining a positively pressurized building to prevent
jet fumes from entering the building. Custom airhandling
units are equipped with MERV 8 pre-filters,
MERV 13 bag filters, and are 12 in. (305 mm) carbon filter-ready
for the future. As a result, North Satellite was
COVID-ready even before the pandemic hit. Outdoor air
intakes are directed from the east, on the opposite side
of the terminal building from the runway and apron, to
minimize the risk of jet fumes entering the mechanical
systems and into the building.
While temperature controls are not accessible to passengers
and staff, the Port's maintenance staff addresses
temperature control problems 24/7 via a dedicated line
for hot and cold calls. Thermal comfort performance
was assessed via a thermal comfort survey of occupants
(defined as workers with a permanent office or workstation)
approximately six months after building construction
was completed in June 2021. A corrective action
plan and control strategy have been developed.
Because North Satellite was occupied during construction,
comfort was essential. As soon as a space became
occupiable, the commissioning process engaged the
mechanical contractor and the Port's facility engineers
to monitor the temperature and air-quality conditions
24/7. The commissioning team provided ongoing commissioning
support and retested equipment multiple
times. During construction, two temporary air-handling
units needed to be fully functionally tested to provide
indoor air ventilation and thermal comfort in the
occupiable parts of the building. If the contractor and
commissioning team could not immediately deploy to
resolve an issue, the Port's facility staff responded. This
customer service log identified issues with commissioned
systems, and the commissioning team tracked
and rectified them.
Innovation
One project goal was to validate the outdoor airflow
needed to maintain positive pressure in the building.
Peter Arthursson, P.E., is project manager at Mazzetti in Seattle. Angela Templin, P.E., BCXP, is commissioning manager at Glumac in Seattle.
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27

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ASHRAE Journal - June 2023

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