Design-Build Criteria

The Design-Build Criteria assessment step often is completed for each energy efficiency measure (EEM) selected for implementation.

It provides the details that the design-build general contractor (who is responsible for both the project design and construction) will use, and it includes revisiting the facility to verify implementation logistics.

Through the Design-Build Criteria tasks, we document the anticipated scope of work that will be required to complete the retrofit installation of the EEMs that were selected for implementation because they met management's financial criteria. (Retrofit projects are much less involved than new facility installations.)

The Design-Build Criteria document defines for the contractor such things as the specific type and manufacturer of the equipment or system to be installed, including the size and style (and often detailed specifications for selected models). This document includes all of the information contractors need to bid on the project and describes the scope of work.

It is important to note that the Design-Build Criteria document only describes the general intent of the project and does not provide all of the details. The design-build contractor will have an in-house engineering staff who is responsible for designing the project according to the Design-Build Criteria document, for creating detailed facility blueprints, for seeing through the code and permitting paperwork, for the actual installation, and for other detailed aspects of the project.

As the contractor performs the work on the project, the engineering company visits the site to oversee the implementation.

After the contractor has finished the installation and the project work is complete, the engineering firm performs acceptance tests that are conducted to determine whether or not a system functions up to specifications.

Acceptance tests specify exactly how the new system is to be tested and what data is to be collected, under what conditions, and what test results fall within accepted parameters. An acceptance test puts the system through its paces to verify performance (kW/ton) that was specified in the Design-Build Criteria document. As examples, acceptance tests make sure the desired chiller temperature is being delivered, that the lighting that was specified was installed, and that variable speed drives (also known as variable frequency drives) are functioning as specified.

The Design-Build Criteria document will contain for each of the selected EEMs:

• General implementation logistics

• Floor plan sketches of existing and proposed systems

• Flow diagram sketches of existing and proposed systems

• Equipment manufacturer's information (including specifications for selected equipment and components)

• Scope of work (work definition and considerations)

• General project considerations and conditions