Mechanical and HVAC Engineering Design

Mechanical systems are usually the largest first cost and the biggest operating cost in a building, and they take up the most space above the ceiling and on the roof. We design them early, size them accurately and coordinate them with the architecture so the permit set is clean and the installed system works the way the owner expects.

What we design

• Comfort HVAC for retail, restaurants, offices, multifamily, warehouses and light industrial: packaged rooftop units, split and VRF heat pumps, PTACs, furnaces and boilers, with the zoning and controls that match how the space is used.
• Ventilation and exhaust: outdoor air per ASHRAE 62.1, toilet and general exhaust, commercial kitchen hoods and makeup air, process and dust exhaust for industrial spaces, and parking garage ventilation.
• Hydronic and refrigerant piping: chilled and heating water, condenser water, refrigerant line sets and the refrigerant concentration checks required for A2L systems.
• Specialty spaces: commercial kitchens, laboratories and pharmaceutical storage, data and IT rooms, salons and grooming areas, and tenant spaces inside a base building with landlord-provided systems.

How we approach it

1. Scope and existing conditions. We confirm the building type, occupancy, utility services and any landlord or franchise standards, and survey existing equipment when the project is a renovation.
2. Loads and concept. Load calculations drive equipment capacity and the duct and pipe sizes. We settle rooftop equipment locations, shaft sizes and ceiling heights with the architect before the design is detailed.
3. Permit set. Plans, schedules, details, sequences, specifications and the energy compliance forms, sealed by a PE licensed in the project state.
4. Plan review and construction. We answer examiner comments, review submittals, respond to RFIs and issue as-built drawings when the job closes out.

Energy codes and right-sizing

Oversized equipment short-cycles, costs more and often fails the energy code. We size to the calculated load, apply the economizer, ventilation and controls provisions of the IECC or ASHRAE 90.1 edition adopted in your jurisdiction, and document compliance on COMcheck or REScheck so the forms match the drawings.