Facilities Management Assignment 1
When it comes to the term of facilities management, which department would be an essential part of the hospitality industry? Some people might believe the cleaning department is significant since we need to clean the room before we sell it. Alternatively, others might argue that the security department would be indispensable because nobody would like to live in an unsafe hotel. Even though both cleaning and security departments are relevant in a hotel, the property department is responsible for maintenance and energy supplement which would be the most vital part in my mind.
It appears that property plays such a fundamental role in the hospitality industry. In fact, it maintains not only the equipment and systems that ensure the property under good condition but also utility supply for the entire building so the hotel can provide standard service. Furthermore, it might maintain energy efficiency and manage waste in order to enhance the sustainability of the property. At this point, if a manager could be mindful about the maintenance, it could save operating cost in multiple ways. For instance, if a manager could do an outstanding job on preventive maintenance, he/she might be able to correct any failures on time. So equipment can be used for more than their services live. Therefore, it reduces equipment turnover fee such as replacement. Meanwhile, it increases the guest satisfaction. According to Stratton, who was a national account manager and now is a director with HD Supply, checking all the necessaries in the guest room with a detailed checklist could provide better service and result in minimizing the number of guest complaints (12).
According to the class, there are six tasks we need to complete in the Facilities Management department: Routine Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Scheduled Maintenance, Emergency/Breakdown Maintenance, Contract maintenance, and Guestroom maintenance. To interact with my future job, which is expected to be the general manager, some of the tasks ought to be linked to the management position.
For routine maintenance, it is more likely to be a day-to-day task, remaining property in a healthy and good condition. As a general manager, his/her job is to cope with the department to ensure the facilities are operating, for example, to make sure the brunt-out lightbulbs are changed in time.
For the second task, preventive maintenance, it refers to extend equipment life, remain the efficiency of equipment, and ensure the safety of the equipment operation. As mentioned above, by extending equipment life, the operation cost could be reduced accordingly. A general manager should pay attention to preventive maintenance, avoid equipment early failure in order to achieve operating cost saving. For instance, establish regular (weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the condition of the department) check and test for equipment and arrange meetings for discussing the maintenance.
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Facilities Management Assignment 1When it comes to the term of f.docx
1. Facilities Management Assignment 1
When it comes to the term of facilities management, which
department would be an essential part of the hospitality
industry? Some people might believe the cleaning department is
significant since we need to clean the room before we sell it.
Alternatively, others might argue that the security department
would be indispensable because nobody would like to live in an
unsafe hotel. Even though both cleaning and security
departments are relevant in a hotel, the property department is
responsible for maintenance and energy supplement which
would be the most vital part in my mind.
It appears that property plays such a fundamental role in the
hospitality industry. In fact, it maintains not only the equipment
and systems that ensure the property under good condition but
also utility supply for the entire building so the hotel can
provide standard service. Furthermore, it might maintain energy
efficiency and manage waste in order to enhance the
sustainability of the property. At this point, if a manager could
be mindful about the maintenance, it could save operating cost
in multiple ways. For instance, if a manager could do an
outstanding job on preventive maintenance, he/she might be
able to correct any failures on time. So equipment can be used
for more than their services live. Therefore, it reduces
equipment turnover fee such as replacement. Meanwhile, it
increases the guest satisfaction. According to Stratton, who was
a national account manager and now is a director with HD
Supply, checking all the necessaries in the guest room with a
detailed checklist could provide better service and result in
minimizing the number of guest complaints (12).
According to the class, there are six tasks we need to complete
in the Facilities Management department: Routine Maintenance,
Preventive Maintenance, Scheduled Maintenance,
Emergency/Breakdown Maintenance, Contract maintenance, and
Guestroom maintenance. To interact with my future job, which
2. is expected to be the general manager, some of the tasks ought
to be linked to the management position.
For routine maintenance, it is more likely to be a day-to-day
task, remaining property in a healthy and good condition. As a
general manager, his/her job is to cope with the department to
ensure the facilities are operating, for example, to make sure the
brunt-out lightbulbs are changed in time.
For the second task, preventive maintenance, it refers to extend
equipment life, remain the efficiency of equipment, and ensure
the safety of the equipment operation. As mentioned above, by
extending equipment life, the operation cost could be reduced
accordingly. A general manager should pay attention to
preventive maintenance, avoid equipment early failure in order
to achieve operating cost saving. For instance, establish regular
(weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the condition of
the department) check and test for equipment and arrange
meetings for discussing the maintenance.
In terms of emergency/breakdown maintenance, it commonly
occurs due to the neglect of preventive maintenance, it seems to
save the cost in the short term, but on the contrast, it has
negative long-term effects such as increased operating cost and
capital investment cost, causing cost in repairment and
replacement, etc. A general manager should have a reasonable
backup plan to reply emergency. Even though most the hotel has
backup power generator to handle a power outage, there might
not be back up equipment if it breaks. At this point, a general
manager is responsible for protecting the business. Take
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess as an example; they sign a
contract with a local company so it can have a refrigerated truck
within an hour if it is necessary to do. (Higgins, 80)
Decisions made by managers could result in significant impact
on the operations of the facilities. For example, as mentioned
the emergency/breakdown maintenance, managers’ decisions
and arrangement are largely response for these situations, it is
probably result from the overlook of the preventive
maintenance, or the insufficient arrangement of the facilities
3. checking. Thus, the manager’s value of the importance of the
facilities is critical, and by making reasonable and prudent
decisions, the operations of the facilities could be more
efficient, vice versa.
To assisting the manager, facilities department could arrange
regular meetings to report the situation of the facilities and
offer some suggestion for further maintenance or operations.
Also, regular reports are important as well to ensure manager
are well informed for the current situation.
For manager, to better help department assisting, maintain
better relationship with his/her employees would result in
efficient communication and cooperation. Also, managers can
establish reward system to motivate employees to carry out their
job smoothly.
Work cited
Stratton, Michals. "Small Maintenance Fixes Improve Property's
ROI. (MAINTENANCE DOCTOR)." Hotel Management 226.8
(2011): 12. Web.
Higgins, Stacey Mieyal. “Maintenance Prevents Refrigeration
Failure, Product Loss.” Hotel & Motel Management, vol. 219,
no. 19, Nov. 2004, pp. 80–82. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hjh&AN=149
66974&site=ehost-live.
Water and Wastewater Systems
Chapter 6
Part 1: Water supply
4. Where does water come from?
Sources:
Ocean (requires desalination)
Rivers
Aquifers
Lakes/reservoirs
Las Vegas Water Infrastructure
Getting water into your building
“City water” – potable water that is supplied by a utility
company
The water is cleaned and sanitized
Sent to your building at pressure
Well water – you pump your own water from an underground
source
You are responsible for the water’s safety and quality
5. Constant pressure systems
Water enters the building at or below ground level
For low-rise buildings, the supply pressure should be sufficient
to push water up risers and out along branches
For taller buildings, supplemental pumps are required to push
water up.
Since they need to provide continuous pressure, these systems
are called “constant pressure” systems
Can provide challenges for high-rise buildings or buildings that
have a high peak usage of water
Example: hotel guestrooms in the morning
This is likely a flow, not pressure issue
Water dynamics
1 gallon of water weights 8.345 lbs
.434 psi to raise water 1 foot,
conversely 1 psi = 2.31 ft
A 20 floor hotel, with 10’ floors, provides
60 psi of water in all guest rooms,
how much psi must be applied?
147 psi
6. Gravity-fed (downfeed) systems
Water is pumped to a tank on the roof or an intermediate floor
The tank provides water to the floors below
Gravity provides good water pressure to water-using fixtures
(the greater the distance)
When the tank’s water level gets low, a float valve signals a
valve to open and refill the tank
Unlike a constant pressure system, the pumps do not need to
operate continuously
Water distribution systems
Part 2: Wastewater systems
These remove waste water, or “effluent” from the property
Two types of sewer systems: stormwater and sanitary
Stormwater systems (or, storm sewers)
These remove environmental water outdoors, such as:
Rain
Snowmelt
Landscaping irrigation runoff
The water returns to the natural environment untreated
7. Environmental Considerations
Everything that enters the storm water system in Las Vegas
makes its way back to Lake Mead.
petroleum products, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, trash,
etc.
Sanitary sewer systems (or soil lines)
These remove wastewater from the building
The water must be treated before returning to the natural
environment
Three methods of removing water from the property:
“City sewer” – just like “city water”, the sewer system is
provided and serviced by a water utility company
Septic systems – if you are not connected to a city sewer
system, you will probably have a septic system
If you are not connected to a city sewer system and your land
cannot support a septic system, you will have to operate your
own waste treatment plant
Discharge to public sewer system
8. Sewage Treatment
Return to Source
Septic systems
Effluent from the building flows into a septic tank
Solids in the water settle to the bottom of the tank, forming a
layer of “sludge”
The liquids flow out of the tank through perforated pipes into
the “septic field” or “leach field”
The earth and its residents (insects, worms, etc.) clean the water
as it seeps downward
The water finally recharges its original source, such as an
aquifer that supplies a well
Residential septic system
9. Septic tank cleaning
Dirty Jobs
Additional sanitary system components:
Ejector pumps
If you have plumbing fixtures or appliances below grade (below
ground level), the effluent will need to be pumped up to the
sewer line
Ejector pumps are capable of moving liquid that contains some
solid or semi-solid material
Most pumps can only handle liquids
Ejector pump fails =
Additional sanitary system components:
P-traps and S-traps (a.k.a., u-bend)
All plumbing fixtures must have a trap installed in the drain
line
The trap retains some water at all times to form a liquid seal
that prevents sewer gases from traveling up through the fixture
and into the building
10. Additional sanitary system components:
Grease traps
For commercial buildings, all fixtures that handle water
containing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are required to send the
water through a grease trap
The grease trap collects the FOG so that it does not clog the
municipal sewer lines
Grease Trap
Grease trap installation / replacement
Grease traps need to be cleaned periodically
11. https://youtu.be/XsIR2uT1Xgk
Improper/infrequent grease trap cleaning
Water Quality
What’s in your water?
Perfectly potable water may have quality issues in terms of:
Color
Odor
Taste
Clarity (turbidity)
Mineral content
Hardness (high alkalinity)
Scale – your building’s enemy
“Scale” (a.k.a., limescale) is a build-up of minerals that have
precipitated out of the water; a symptom of “hard” water
12. The white, crusty scale forms a coating on the inside or outside
of pipes
Forms a layer of undesirable insulation
Can eventually prevent water flow by clogging the pipe
Will provide a harborage for microbes
Scale
Scale build-up will lead to:
Increased energy costs, since your equipment has to work harder
to do its job
Reduced equipment life
Can lead to dangerous water quality, such as Legionella
Effects of “hard water” damage
13. Hot topic: Vitamin C-infused showerheads
Hot water – how hot is too hot?
Domestic hot water (DHW): the temperature of water coming
out of the tap should never exceed 115oF (46.1oC) to reduce the
chance of scalding someone
Test this with a thermometer, not with your hand
Use faucets and showerheads with anti-scald protection
(mixing / tempering valves)
For process water, such as laundry or dishwashing, high
temperatures are required
Provide employees with proper protective equipment to prevent
scalding
14. Heating hot water (HHW)
HHW is used in some buildings to provide heating
(HHW) is not potable; it is never intended for human contact or
consumption
Water is chemically treated to maintain water quality, HHW
systems recirculate the water
How water is heated
Direct water heating system
The water comes into direct contact with the heating element
Indirect water heating system
The water comes into contact with pipes containing very hot
water or steam, which is made in a separate heating system
Water heating equipment
Boilers – large tanks that heat and store water
Fire-tube: a tank of water with pipes running through it; flames
shoot through the pipes to heat the tank of water
Water-tube: a tank of fire has pipes running through it; water
flows through the tubes to pick up heat from the fire
15. Instantaneous water heaters
Also called “tankless” water heaters
These are direct heaters and use either an electric element or are
gas-fired to heat water as it enters the unit
The water heats instantly; no storage tank is required
Advantages over traditional boilers and storage tanks:
No energy is used to keep stored water hot (although a lot of
energy is used to heat the water instantly). Overall, significant
energy savings
No storage tank means that the risk of Legionella is reduced
These units take up a lot less space than traditional boilers and
tanks. They also weigh a lot less.
Legionella (Legionnaires Disease)
Legionella is a type of bacterium, a serious health concern when
it grows and spreads in human-made building water systems.
Can be fatal!
First identified in 1976 after an American Legion convention in
Philadelphia, PA, caused by a bacterium identified as legionella
pneumophila.
The bacterium thrives in warm stagnant water: plumbing
systems, hot water tanks, cooling towers, and hot tubs are ideal.
Cases & liability
16. 2006, OH, an outpatient died after drinking water from a
contaminated faucet, $1.2 million settlement
2013, PA, four people contracted the disease from a building
decorative fountain, $1.1million
2017, Las Vegas, 7 reported cases at the Rio Hotel
2017, Disneyland, 9 related cases
Property owners, managers, equipment manufacturers,
maintenance companies among others, could face liability in the
case of an outbreak
Water for recreation
If your property has a swimming pool, spa, water park, or wave
pool, you must ensure that it is safe and sanitary
Swimming pools: need to manage
pH – not too high, not too low
Sanitizing systems
Chlorine or bromine systems
Ozone systems
Saline systems
Sanitizing chemicals break down faster with:
Temperature increases
Sunlight
Heavy usage
17. Weird but true…
If your pool area smells strongly of chlorine, you may need to
add more chlorine
A strong chlorine odor indicate that the chlorine is working
really hard to fight unsanitary conditions, releasing chloramines
(which is what you smell)
This indicates that the chlorine is breaking down
Therefore, the chemical levels should be tested and adjusted to
ensure safe operation
Spas and hot tubs
Since these amenities operate at higher temperatures than pools,
we need to be even more vigilant
Typical temperatures range from 102–105oF (38–40.5oC)
Good temperature to support microbial growth
Viruses, bacteria, mold other fungi: infect skin or be inhaled
through water vapor
Spas are especially dangerous for people with certain medical
conditions, pregnant women, and small children
Water Management
Water management includes:
Preventing water stagnation, bacteria growth, scale and
corrosion
Conservation
18. Good water conservation is less consumption, without affecting
guest comfort or satisfaction.
Low-flow fixtures: faucets, toilets, showerheads
1.1 gal/flush vs. 3.5 gal, 1.5 gal/min vs 5 gal
Guest participation: linen & towel reuse program
Kitchen operations: thaw food in refrigerator vs. water,
EnergyStar rated equip., pedal-activated faucets
Laundry: outsource service, high-efficiency equip., ozone
laundry equipment.
Eliminate water-cooled equipment: walk-ins, ice machines
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Solid Waste Management
Chapter 5
What is waste?
Material left over from a function or activity
All material that enters the property will eventually leave
Liquid waste (effluent) leaves through the sewer systems
Solid waste = garbage
Waste stream: flow of waste generated by a building or its
inhabitants. 2 streams, 2 classifications:
Non-hazardous
19. Hazardous
Average hotel guest generates 2lbs of trash per day (NY Times)
Where does solid waste go?
Landfills
Highly engineered systems to hold solid waste and prevent it
from polluting the surrounding environment…or exploding
The problem with landfills…
Expensive to build and operate
Difficult to find a location for a new one
They are expensive to maintain safely, even after they are
closed
Some areas cannot support a landfill, due to geographic or soil
conditions
Landfill Lifecycle: Construction
Apex Landfill Addition of New Basins
Lining with impermeable material to prevent soil contamination
20. Landfill Lifecycle: Operational
Apex Landfill receives between 9,000 -15,000 tons of trash each
day.
Landfill: Shutdown
The Sunrise Landfill was in operation as the City of Las Vegas’
exclusive landfill site since before 1950 and officially closed in
1994. One concern was flashfloods, inability to use vegetative
erosion control. In 2011, the final closure activities included:
drainage channels, impoundment dam
a methane collection system
material to cover the 700- acre site
Estimates are another 30-40 years of active management
($40 million)
21. Waste-to-Energy (W2E)
Transporting solid waste to the landfill
Do it yourself (not common, unless small B&B, family ran,
remote location)
Hire a waste management contractor (common)
In most areas, you will only have one or two contractors to
choose from (US only; may vary in different countries)
You will not have a lot of bargaining power
Low bargaining power = few options to shop around for a better
price
You will need to control or reduce your costs some other way…
Solid waste contract management
Contract billing will usually be based on one or more of the
following elements:
Cost per trip
22. Cost per “tip”, or per trash container that is “tipped over” to
empty it
Cost based on weight (pounds or kilograms)
Cost based on volume
Solid waste contract management
Manage your solid waste costs by:
Reducing the number of trips
Reducing the number of “tips”, or containers that are emptied
Reducing the weight of your trash
Liquids and food are heavy
Reducing the volume of your trash
Reducing the waste going to the landfill
Your property is going to generate solid waste. Reducing the
amount going to the landfill will:
Reduce your property’s environmental impact – improving
sustainability!
Reduce your tipping/pull fees (landfill costs)
Some options yield other benefits for your property, your
employees, or the community
23. Options for reducing solid waste
Reduce (source reduction)
Reuse BIG 3
Recycle
Pulper systems
Food digesters
Garbage disposals
Reduce (source reduction)
Reduce the amount of waste that is generated to begin with
Good purchasing and inventory control practices will lead to
better cost control overall, and much less waste that must be
disposed of
Minimize or eliminate the use of disposable serving items
Avoid disposing of “unintended throwaways”
Minimize the amount of packaging for items purchased
versus
Reuse
24. Most of these techniques involve avoiding single-use containers
and instead using refillable containers or reusable packaging
Examples:
Beer kegs and soda tanks instead of single-use cans/bottles
Use glass bottles (soda, beer) that can be cleaned and refilled
(just like in the old days…)
Use old towels as cleaning rags
Wood/plastic pallets vs cardboard boxes
Recycle
Recycling transforms the original material into a new product
Common materials for recycling include:
Paper – used to make new paper products and cardboard
Glass – if it is recycled (and not reused), it is crushed and used
as filler in a variety of construction materials
Metal – they are shredded and used to make building materials
and other equipment
Plastic – depending on the type, it is shredded and then used to
make furniture, clothing, carpeting, or a wide variety of other
products
Republic Services single-stream recycling facility in North Las
Vegas
CES, WOC, NAB, HBA, CONag/EXPO
Recycled Products
OCC 30%
Paper 25%
25. Wood 20%
Metal 9%
Plastic 8%
Carpet 6%
Glass 2%
15,494 tons of solid waste removed
6,753 tons recycled (44%)
$58,805 in commodities rebates
Soap, shampoo recycling
Hotels generate a lot of waste consisting of leftover shampoo,
conditioner, and soap
Clean the World is a non-profit that collects these leftovers
The amenities is ground up, sanitized, and re-formed into new
hygiene products
They are assembled into hygiene kits that are distributed to
regions that have a critical lack of sanitation products
These hygiene kits save lives and improve the quality of life for
many people who would otherwise suffer from diseases that are
preventable through good sanitation
Clean the World
Food Waste
Heavy
Smells
Contaminates recyclables (paper, OCC, etc.,)
26. Solution
s
Food only containers
Food & contaminated materials compactor
Recycle
Reuse
Pig Out
Source reduction technique – leftover food donation programs
A hot trend is for food & beverage operations to donate leftover
food to local food banks to serve the needy
The food should be leftover portions that were not served,
usually from a catered function
Not for food scraps! They should be recycled.
This is not without cost. The donor property will need to:
Package the leftovers and store them safely (proper
temperature)
27. Transport the food or provide an employee to meet the food
bank’s staff member to donate it
Catering Food Rescue
Food recycling
Not the same as leftover food donations!
Food recycling takes food scraps – and other organic (plant-
based) materials – and transforms them into another product
Animal feed: the food scraps are sent to a factory that makes
animal feed
Composting: the food scraps are decomposed to make
landscaping fertilizer
28. Garbage disposals, pulpers, and food digesters
Garbage disposals are in the sink
Grind up food, send the waste down the sewer
Prohibited in many jurisdictions (for commercial use; usually
permitted for residential use)
Food pulpers mix food scraps and water
Mixture is ground up to form a fine slurry
Liquid is strained/squeezed out and sent down the drain
Remaining solid material is lightweight and fluffy
Send to landfill (you have reduce the weight and volume)
Compost it!
Food digesters
Food waste enters a closed system and is mixed with enzymes
that will decompose the food waste rapidly
The end product is a liquid that is disposed of down the drain
29. Hazardous materials and hazardous waste management
These are heavily regulated by a wide variety of government
agencies in the US, including:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Other federal, state, provincial, county, and local authorities
Compliance can be complex and frustrating, but it’s also very
important!
bulb eater
Hazardous materials
Hazardous material – a chemical or other material that poses a
danger
Four characteristics that determine if a material is hazardous:
Ignitable – spontaneously combustible or otherwise has a low
ignition temperature
Corrosive – can corrode metal storage containers
Reactive – unstable under “normal” conditions or can easily mix
30. with water. Often explosive or will release dangerous fumes.
Toxic – harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed.
Hazardous material versus hazardous waste
Hazardous material is the product while it is being stored or
used
Hazardous waste is the product when you are ready to dispose
of it
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide information on proper
storage, handling, disposal, and emergency response
requirements
You should have an SDS for each chemical on your property or
access to an online library
Hazardous materials should be:
Stored in closed containers
Labeled properly
If necessary, the closed containers should be stored in metal
31. cabinets (especially if the material is flammable)
Discarded if the packaging becomes damaged
Discarded when the material is no longer needed (i.e., don’t
keep it in inventory forever)
Hazardous wastes must also be:
Stored in closed container that only contains one type of
material
Don’t put a bunch of different chemicals in the same container
Containers must have compliant labeling, marked as Hazardous
Waste
Label templates are available online
Do not stack the containers
Containers must not leak
Liquid containers must be placed in a pan (in case of leakage;
but the containers shouldn’t leak)
Containers must be inspected and logged once a week. Good
recordkeeping is critical.
Hazardous waste must be disposed of within 90 days of the start
32. date on the label
Best practice for hazardous waste?
Minimize your use of any hazardous materials to begin with
If there are non-hazardous options available, choose them
If you have old hazardous material that is never going to be
used, dispose of it (properly)
Hazardous waste disposal costs 3 to 10 times more than
disposing of non-hazardous waste. Therefore, reducing your
hazardous waste will save you a lot of money!
Infectious wastes
Unfortunately, these are not uncommon in the hospitality
industry
Cuts, abrasions, other bodily fluids
Used medical sharps (needles, etc.)
Both from employees and guests
Infectious wastes are treated as hazardous wastes
33. Special handling procedures are required, per the Bloodborne
Pathogen Standard
Your company should also offer a hepatitis B virus (HBV)
vaccination program to employees
Life Safety and Security Systems
Chapter 12
34. Historical background
Notorious hotel fires spurred requirements to install fire
sprinkler systems and smoke detectors
1980 MGM Grand and Las Vegas Hilton fires
1986 Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino
1990 Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act (US)
Any hotel that wants to do business with the US federal
government must comply
Today: not all hotels/motels have sprinkler systems!
Some have chosen not to retrofit and some have elected to not
install them in new construction. “Retrofit”- adding a new
element to an existing property.
Fires
Fire tetrahedron
Oxygen
Heat
35. Fuel
Chemical chain reaction
Remove any one of these elements, and the fire cannot survive
Fires produce:
Heat
Smoke
Gases
Our building should be able to:
Compartmentalize the fire, limiting its access to oxygen
Limit the spread of heat/flames – fire rated doors
Limit the spread of smoke/gases
A good fire safety program will include:
Prevention
Detection / Notification
36. Suppression
Smoke control
Recovery
Key fire hazards/characteristics
Asphyxiation- body’s oxygen is displaced by another gas, such
as carbon monoxide (CO).
Smoke
Fatally irritate the respiratory system
Smoke particles can reignite if temps are high enough
“flashover”
Fills a room from the ceiling down
Heat – ceiling more than 1000°F, several hundred degrees at 5-6
ft., 2 ft. around 100°F, stay low (crawl) 600°F will scorch your
lungs
Step 1: Fire prevention
Work with your property’s insurance company to identify ways
37. to reduce the risk of fire-assign a risk management consultant
All employees should be vigilant
Cleanliness, in all departments, will reduce the risk of fires
Good banquet/catering practices
Good kitchen management practices
Exhaust hood cleaning program
Laundry department management
Maintenance practices
Security vigilance
Prevention by department
F&B
Wash (dish machine) grease filters daily
Clean exhaust hoods according to use, monthly for heavy use
Catering
Use induction heating verses Sterno, proper disposal
Inspect extension cords before each use
Laundry
Lint & terry products are extremely flammable, cleaning
processes
38. Prevention by department
Engineering
Loose electrical connections: electric shock, arc flash, set dust
& dirt on fire.
Dirty equipment and poorly adjusted equipment runs hotter and
increases risk of fire.
Security
Doors closing properly
Emergency exits unblocked
Suspicious activity
FF&E:
Fabrics meet fire retardant / high temperature combustion points
Upholstery, carpeting, draperies, wallcoverings (wallpaper) all
meet minimum requirements of fire codes
39. Step 2: Detection
Detection systems / Types of detectors
Smoke
Heat / Fire
Flame
Smoke detectors
Smoke detectors (2 types)
Photoelectric – a beam of light is directed at a reflector, which
sends the light beam to a receiver
If smoke breaks the beam of light, the detector is activated
Steam from showers may cause false alarm
40. Ionization detectors provide both a photoelectric detector as
well as a sensor that can detect pre-ignition ions from a fire
May detect the fire before smoke has a chance to form,
providing earlier notification
Heat detectors
These are used in areas where we expect a lot of smoke or dust
during normal operations
Parking garages
Kitchens
Outdoor storage areas
Two types of heat detectors:
Absolute temperature – will activate when the ambient
temperature hits a preset temperature
Rate-of-rise – will activate when the temperature rises too
quickly, such as during a flare-up or explosion
41. Flame detectors
Not very common in hospitality
Probably only used in areas with chemicals or other materials
that will burn without producing a lot of smoke
Detector maintenance
They should be both “hard-wired” into the building’s electrical
system and have a battery back-up (in case the building’s
electricity fails during an emergency)
Require periodic cleaning and testing, usually 4 times per year
Change batteries – twice a year
Use compressed air to blow dust/dirt out of the detector
Step 2 (cont.): Alarms/notification systems
Smoke and heat detectors may be single-station, multiple-
station or remote alarms
42. Single-station = only one alarm sounds; no other system is
connected
Multiple-station = multiple alarms sound; may notify an entire
section of the building (or the whole building)
Remote alarms = send a signal to an off-site location
Alarm signals may go to:
Fire control panel, usually located in the property’s front office
or the fire command center
Addressable systems – pinpoint the exact location of the alarm
Remote annunciation systems – identify the general vicinity of
the alarm, but not the exact location
Annunciator panel = fire control panel
Will often show alarms from smoke/heat detectors, as well as
flow alarms from the fire sprinkler system
43. Voice notification
Some properties have systems that will provide verbal
instructions to building occupants
Unfortunately:
A lot of people ignore the instructions
The sound quality is not great, leading to unintelligible
instructions
The systems often only provide instructions in one language
Exit signs
The number and location of exit signs is usually dictated by fire
code
Usually located above doors, high on a wall
44. What happens if there is a fire and smoke covers the exit sign
above the door?
Some codes now require exit signs to also be provided at floor
level
Even if code does not require floor-level exit signs, you can
still install them (you are usually permitted to exceed code)
Fire suppression systems
Recall that if we remove one element of the fire tetrahedron, we
extinguish the fire
Suppression systems are designed to either cool the fire, limit
the fire’s access to oxygen, or to break the chemical chain
reaction
These systems include:
Hand-held fire extinguishers
Fire sprinkler systems
45. Fire extinguishers
Type A: wood, paper, cloth, combustibles
Type B: fat, oil, grease fires; chemical fires
Class K: for animal or vegetable fat, oil, or grease fires;
appropriate for kitchens (see Chapter 14 for more information)
Type C: electrical fires
Type D: metal fires (usually found in the engineering
department, especially if welding is performed)
Type ABC: “universal” extinguisher
Extinguishers containing CO2 (B&C) can cause frostbite
Fire extinguishers (cont.)
46. Hydrostatically tested and inspected annually by a professional
Inspected monthly (in-house)
Accessible
Mounted correctly
Pressure gauge
Pin & seals in place
No damage
Nozzles are clear
Using a fire extinguisher: PASS
Pull the pin
Aim the extinguisher’s nozzle at the base of the fire (not at the
top of the flames)
Squeeze the trigger to activate the extinguisher
Sweep the spray back and forth across the base of the fire
Only use a fire extinguisher on very small fires! If the fire is
“bigger than a breadbox”, close the door, sound the alarm, and
proceed with fire evacuation procedures!
47. PASS
Automatic fire sprinkler systems
Sometimes also known as “standpipe” systems
They use water and fusible-link sprinkler heads to extinguish
fires
Wet-pipe systems: full of water at all times; instant response
once a sprinkler head is activated
Dry-pipe systems: used in areas that are prone to freezing. Full
of pressurized air or inert gas. When sprinkler head is
activated, the air is pushed out of the system, followed by
water.
48. Sprinkler system layout
Fusible-link sprinkler head
The sprinkler system is full of water in pipes
Sprinkler heads spaced every few feet, primarily a device with a
plug to hold back water until the head is activated.
The plug is held in place by a “fusible” (or melting) link made
of a quartzite material or a liquid-filled tube
When the fusible link reaches a certain temperature, the link
melts or burst, allowing the plug to fall out of the pipe. Water
then flows out of the pipe and onto the fire
49. The color of the fusible link indicates the temperature at which
it is designed to melt.
Sprinkler heads
Only one sprinkler head is activated at a time
There are “deluge” systems, but they are uncommon in
hospitality facilities
Most fires are extinguished by only one or two sprinkler heads
https://youtu.be/U3TJznlbq2k
https://youtu.be/-fuulLKmxxg (insurance company risk
manager)
Once a sprinkler head is activated, large volumes of water will
flow until the head is blocked or replaced
The main sources of damage from a fire are actually water and
smoke damage
You need to wait until the fire department gives you permission
to turn the fire sprinkler system off to replace the sprinkler
50. head!
Sprinkler head concerns
The fusible link is very fragile
easily broken if you hang something from the sprinkler head,
such as a clothes hanger or clothesline!
Use “do not hang” stickers to notify your guests to not tamper
with the sprinkler heads
Reduce the likelihood that you’ll have a flood
Possibly assist in recovering costs of flood damage if it is
caused by the guest (you told them not to hang stuff from the
sprinkler head, but they did it anyway)
Sprinkler head concerns
Aesthetics
Appearance is undesirable, cover plates provide a flush
appearance
51. Designed to automatically release at a set temperature
Color palette changes, do not paint over the plates, replace them
Painting over the plate may harm its ability to detect
temperature and release as designed, and may violate fire codes
resulting in fines
Helping the fire department
When you have a fire, the fire department will arrive with a fire
truck
The truck has hoses and a pump
One hose connects a nearby fire hydrant to the truck
One hose connects the truck to the building’s “fire department
connection (FDC)” (a.k.a., Siamese connection)
The FDC permits the fire department to supply water directly
into the fire sprinkler system
52. Smoke control
During the fire, smoke is a major danger to building occupants
Ventilation ductwork often includes smoke or fire dampers that
close the duct; they are activated by the fire control system or
by a fusible link
After the fire, you need to get the smoke out of the building as
quickly as possible
Newer buildings will use the exit stairwells to remove smoke!
During the fire emergency, fans push air (positive pressure) into
the stairwell to prevent smoke from entering the stairwell
After the fire, the fans pull the air out (negative pressure) of the
stairwell (and the building) to suck the smoke out of the
building
53. Step 4: Recovery
Remove smoke
Remove water
Most properties will have an emergency recovery contractor on
speed-dial
Call the contractor during the emergency so that they can enter
the building and start clean-up as soon as possible!
Carbon Monoxide detection
Carbon monoxide is often associated with fires, but it is a by-
product of all fossil-fuel fires, including kitchen production,
gas-fired laundry equipment, or water or air heating
Currently (CO) monitors are not required in every guest room
Detectors should be installed in the area with the fossil-fuel
54. burning equipment, as well as spaces adjacent to:
Rooms and areas with fossil fuel burning equipment
Parking garages, and loading docks
Carbon monoxide can travel through holes in the wall, electrical
outlets, etc.
Other safety hazards in hospitality
Slips, trips, and falls
All flooring static slip coefficient rating >0.5
Lifting injuries
Medical emergencies
Automated external defibrillator (AED), for cardiac arrest
Theft and vandalism
Guest rooms
Automatic door locks, dead bolts, peep holes, carriage locks
Complete window coverings
Exterior entry doors, guest room key/card access
Fire alarm pull station deterrent (blue dye)
55. Electronic locking systems
Electronic locks should be interrogatable, providing a report of
which key was used and when
New trend of keyless entry (smartphone access) for hotel
guestrooms
Hackers!!!
56. Security cameras – good?
If your property has security cameras, great
Someone has to monitor them 24/7
Failure to monitor is like not having a camera at all
Honest people will take more risks if they believe that security
is watching
Fake cameras are much worse than not having cameras at all!
Criminals quickly figure out that the cameras are fake
Guests take risks that they would not have taken if they didn’t
believe that security was watching
Accessibility
Chapter 18
1
57. Origins
Pre-1990, there were many “handicapped” codes for building
design and construction
In 1990, the US Congress enacted the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)
It is illegal to discriminate against people with disabling
conditions – it is a violation of their civil rights
Today, the US and many other countries have accessibility laws
which are “harmonized” under the International Building Code
2
In the US…
The ADA is updated periodically
Since it is a civil rights law, and not a code, there is no
“grandfathering” provision
However, the 2010 update included a “Safe Harbor” provision
for buildings that were compliant with the ADA prior to 2010
Not all building components have Safe Harbor, though
58. The ADA is enforced almost completely through litigation
3
Title III – Public Accommodations
This section of the ADA covers buildings that members of the
public will enter
All commercial buildings must:
Comply with the ADA guidelines, as long as they are “readily
achievable”
Make reasonable accommodations
The challenge is that there is no clear definition of readily
achievable or reasonable accommodation
Please note: The rules are different for transportation and public
housing
4
59. What are disabling conditions?
Mobility-related conditions
Sensory-related conditions: hearing and sight
Dexterity-related conditions: use of hands
At this time, we are not required to accommodate cognitive
disabilities, although there are good reasons why the hospitality
industry should
5
Compliance vs. friendliness
Frequently, a property that is ADA-compliant does not present a
friendly or easy to manage environment
Example: wheelchair lifts can pose many operational problems
and inconveniences. Designing the space so that it does not
require a lift will probably be friendlier for everyone
60. Also, if we design a space properly, it will not only comply
with accessibility requirements, it will create a better
environment for all of our guests
6
Wheelchair Jimmy
Jim Parsons, founder of the WheelchairJimmy.com website, is
on a mission to help wheelchair-bound travelers have a better
trip and to have more fun while traveling!
7
Our goals for the ADA:
To Increase Guest Satisfaction
and
61. To Reduce ADA Complaints
8
8
There is no reason why this cannot be a win-win for operators
and guests.
We want you to learn how to win at this game.
ADA Requirements
9
ADA Elements to Consider
Measurements -- the ADA Guidelines provide clear
measurements for compliance
Path of travel
62. You must remove all barriers to compliance along the path of
travel
The path starts at the property line, then follows whatever path
a guest is likely to travel to arrive at their end destination at the
property, such as:
Dining room
Guestroom
Recreation area
Meeting room
10
Mobility-related disabling conditions
11
Accessible Route of Travel
63. 12
12
Accessible Route
Glue that Holds the accessible environment together.
3 issues
36” width
Accessible route can narrow to 32” for a distance of 24”
80” height - in all circulation areas
No abrupt changes in level greater than 1/4”
1/2” if beveled at 1:2
Range of Reach: Optimum reach range is between 3 and 4 feet
above finished floor
13
64. 13
Another space issue is where we put stuff that we expect people
to use.
There’s an optimum band between 3 and 4 feet.
Everyone can reach there, even tall people with back problems
and kids or short statured people, or wheelchair users.
What’s wrong with this picture?
14
Sensory-related disabling conditions:
Visual Impairment
15
65. 15
What does the Guide Dog do?
Protruding objects and people with visual impairments: All
circulation paths and areas
http://www.ada.gov/lodblind.htm
16
16
DOJ has some good tips about how to provide service to blind
and low vision guests on its website.
Visual Impairments - Long Cane Technique
17
66. 17
Typical conditions.
Serious hazards that occur in many places where blind people
might be walking.
Not just on accessible paths.
Sensory accommodations are also necessary for people with low
vision (as opposed to no vision)
Major impact on signage
High color contrast between background and foreground
Raised and Braille markings
Simple font
Placement above finished floor (“AFF”) – usually 60” on center
(a.k.a., 60” o.c.)
Also impacts your flooring and other objects
Should have contrast markings when flooring texture, height,
etc. change
Especially with stairs!
Older people need 3x more light to see, which creates problems
in dim restaurants and bars
18
67. Sensory-related disabling conditions: Hearing
Assistive Listening Systems
19
19
People with Hearing Impairments need special equipment at
meetings and events, so they can clearly hear the program.
Hotels are required to provide them.
Other kits of visual warning devices are required for a
percentage of your guestrooms.
Hearing impaired guestroom
20
68. 21
Dexterity-related disabling conditions
Dexterity - Hardware and Controls
Limited ability to use your hands. Think about using controls,
remotes, or anything that requires gripping or twisting
22
22
The last group is people with limitations in their ability to use
their hands.
And it affects the hardware and machines we use to control our
environment.
69. Overcoming the need for a “Power Grip”
23
23
People can do three basic types of Hand function:
The power grip
Overcoming the need for a “Precision Grip”
24
24
The precision Grip
Only possible with splints, but very limited
70. What’s wrong with these pictures?
25
This is better
26
20% path of Travel Rule
27
20% path of travel rule – not well understood by most
hospitality (or commercial property) managers
71. If you are renovating a space where a guest may go (i.e., not the
back-of-house, where guests will not go):
You will develop a budget for the renovation project
You must then be prepared to spend up to an additional 20% of
the renovation’s cost to remove barriers along the path of travel
You do not have to spend more than the 20%; if you have one
major barrier whose cost would exceed the 20%, you will not
have to remove it
If you have no barriers, or if you remove some barriers and they
do not cost the entire 20%, you do not have to spend the entire
20%
Documentation is critical here!
28
Service animals
29
72. Accommodating service animals
Prior to the 2010 ADA update, we had to accommodate all
animals that guests claimed as service animals or emotional
support animals
The 2010 update now limits our requirements (although in most
cases, we can choose to accommodate whatever animals we’d
like to)
Only required to accommodate service animals, not emotional
support animals
The only service animals that must be accommodated are
service dogs and service miniature horses
30
Service animals vs emotional support animals
Service animal (dog or miniature horse) performs a task
Emotional support animal does not perform a task, although it
does provide emotional support
73. When a guest arrives with an animal, you can ask:
Is the dog/horse a service animal?
What task does it perform?
That’s it. Do not deviate from this script, or you could get your
company in trouble.
Can you ask to see it demonstrate its task?
Can you ask to see the animal’s documents?
31
Dogs performing tasks
32
And here is a miniature horse in action
74. 33
Fake service dogs
If a guest shows up with an animal that you suspect is not
legitimate, what can you do?
Service dogs and horses are trained to be calm and unobtrusive
If the animal (real service animal or fake) begins to misbehave,
you can tell the owner that the animal must leave
You cannot tell the guest to leave, just the animal
34
What happens if a guest shows up with one of these?
75. 35
Only dogs and horses
Hotels and other types of hospitality facilities may choose to
accommodate other types of animals
Restaurants and other food & beverage establishments cannot
accommodate any other type of animal
Health department code violations
36
Swimming pool lifts
These devices are used to lower mobility-impaired people into a
swimming pool, then to lift them out when they are finished
swimming
76. Each body of water must have its own lift
Swimming pool
Wading pool
Jacuzzi/hot tub
Etc.
The lift is not required if the body of water has a roll-in entry
ramp
37
Hotels – distribution of guestroom types
In the past, hotel operators would place all of the accessible
guests rooms in the same area, usually on a lower floor
Today, we must ensure that every type of room has an
accessible option, e.g.,:
Low floor, high floor
View, non-view
King, queen-queen, suite, petite suite
77. This requires a long-term plan and a major investment in
property renovations
38
Safety and accessibility
If the property needs to be evacuated and the elevators are not
available, how do you get a guest with a disabling condition
down the stairs?
Evacuation chairs
39
Future updates to the ADA
Today (2019), furniture is not covered by the ADA, but it is
likely to be covered under the next update
79. Cooling Systems
Chapter 10
1
Cooling concepts
Adding to the concepts covered in Chapter 9 Heating Systems:
Cold – there is no such thing! There is only heat energy or the
absence of heat energy!
1902 Willis H. Carrier created a cooling system for indoor
spaces, prior to 1902, fans and the evaporation process were the
means of cooling.
Heating and cooling are closely related, both move air over or
across a source that changes the airs temperature.
Heating via electrical resistance, hot water or steam; cooling
with cold water or refrigerant (gas).
Both use the same or similar systems.
2
Cooling Terms
80. “Air conditioning” is incorrect, it is “conditioned air”.
Heat always flows from warm to cool, attempts to equalize temp
British thermal unit (BTU) – the amount of energy necessary to
raise or lower the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree
Fahrenheit
Cooling ton – 12,000 Btu’s
Evaporation – transforming a liquid into a vapor or gas,
increases with air flow. Stage in the refrigeration cycle, cold
refrigerant chemical cooling air or water.
Evaporative cooling – sensation of heat transfer, air across your
skin, no actual temperature change; however, it feels 5°-10°F
cooler.
3
Cooling loads
A cooling load is any event or activity that leads to the need to
remove heat from the space (or, cool the space)
Internal loads – warm things that add heat to the building; we
then need to remove the heat
People – temperature (and humidity)
Cooking
81. Lighting and other appliances (motors)
External loads – warm air (and humidity) that causes heat to
transfer through the roof, windows, and walls. Also includes
heat that infiltrates through poorly-sealed windows, doors, and
cracks in the building envelope.
4
How do we make “cooling”?
Refrigeration Cycle
5
Vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
Boyle’s Law – at a constant temperature, the volume of a gas is
inversely proportional to the pressure upon it
Therefore,
As volume decreases, the pressure increases
As volume increases, the pressure decreases
(volume = the amount of space the gas takes up)
82. 6
Components in the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
Refrigerant – a chemical whose properties allow us to change
its temperature by manipulating volume and pressure. The
refrigerant will exist as a gas and as a liquid in the vapor-
compression refrigeration cycle
Freon is a trademark brand name for the Chemours Company’s
The refrigerant’s specific formula will determine its operating
temperatures
Identified by the letter R, followed by a number: R-22, R-341a,
etc.
7
83. Refrigeration equipment – the refrigerant chemical will cycle
through:
Compressor
Condenser
Expansion valve (or metering device)
Evaporator
Heat exchangers: the condenser and the evaporator are the
system’s two heat exchangers. They permit heat to transfer
from one substance to another.
Evaporator permits the refrigerant to absorb the heat from the
building’s interior
Condenser expels the heat in the refrigerant to the outdoors
8
Refrigeration equipment characteristics
Compressor
3 types: reciprocating, scroll or screw, centrifugal
“compresses” gas into smaller volume, gas gets hot (molecules
rub each) and motor is hot, refrigerant (gas) absorbs this heat
84. Condenser
cools refrigerant, causes it to condense into liquid, transfer heat
to outdoor environment
Expansion valve (or metering device)
opens & closes to allow a controlled rate of refrigerant to enter
a larger space evaporator (higher volume, lower pressure)
causing it to expand
Evaporator
Larger space & lower pressure allows gas to return to gaseous
state. Refrigerants boil at very low temps with right pressures,
absorbs heat from air or water surrounding the coil.
9
Refrigeration cycle
Refrigerant enters the compressor as a cold, low pressure gas.
The compressor reduces the volume (compressing the
refrigerant). The refrigerant leaves as a hot, high pressure gas.
Refrigerant travels to the condenser. The condenser removes
85. heat from the refrigerant, allowing it to condense to a warm,
high pressure liquid.
The refrigerant travels to the expansion valve. When the system
receives a signal requesting cooling, the expansion valve opens
and permits a small amount of the warm, high pressure
refrigerant liquid to pass into the evaporator, which offers a
larger volume space.
The refrigerant enters the higher volume space and the pressure
drops rapidly. The refrigerant is formulated to boil off into a
very cold, low pressure gas here. The cold, low pressure gas
can now absorb heat from the building.
The refrigerant, having absorbed the building’s heat, now
travels back to the compressor as a cold, low pressure gas to
repeat the cycle.
10
Refrigeration cycle diagram
11
86. Decentralized Cooling Systems
12
Decentralized cooling systems
Decentralized: not part of a centralized HVAC system. Often
called DX systems, blow air directly across the evaporator
pipes/coils.
Window units
PTAC units, for smaller spaces (i.e., guestrooms)
Package units for larger spaces, also known as:
Split systems
13
87. Refrigeration cycle: all-air system
14
PTAC Units
Essentially large window units.
Through walls vs. windows “through-the-wall unit”
15
Split systems
A.K.A.- package, DX or central air conditioning units
In theory a large PTAC unit.
88. 16
Split system (a.k.a., DX system or “package” unit)
This is the same equipment we saw for heating systems
17
Heat pumps
In the vapor-compression cycle, we can reverse the direction of
the refrigerant flow
The condenser (which is located outside) becomes the
evaporator and picks up heat energy from the outdoor air (even
when it’s “cold” outside, there’s still come heat energy in the
air)
The evaporator (located inside) becomes the condenser, which
89. rejects heat energy to the indoor air
Simply stated: absorbs and transfers heat energy from outdoors
to indoors
This heat pump is much more energy efficient for providing
heat than an electric-resistance strip heater!
18
Heat Pump
19
Centralized Cooling Systems
Usually “all-water” systems
20
90. Centralized cooling systems
These systems are all-water systems, meaning the heat in the
building is picked up by water and then rejected to the outdoors
via water as well. The heat transfer process:
Chilled water (CHW) picks up heat in building in the FCU or
air-handler; returns to the chiller to get rid of the heat
At the chiller, heat in the CHW and from the compressor are
transferred to the condenser
Condenser water (CW) picks up heat from the refrigerant in the
condenser, then travels outdoors to the “cooling tower” to reject
the heat to the outdoor air
Building Chiller Condenser/CW Cooling Tower
21
Centralized all-water refrigeration cycle system
92. Highway for heat transfer from building
Label the pipes!
24
Fan coil / air handler units
Heat exchangers – removes heat from rooms to the chilled water
(CHW)
25
Cooling towers
Always located outdoors; transfers heat from the building to the
outdoors. Receives the heat-laden condenser water (CW)
CW trickles down through the cooling tower; air blowing over
93. the water picks up heat
The heat, and some water vapor, leave the cooling tower
Water loss due to evaporation must be replenished “makeup
water”
Float valve allows for the introduction of makeup water
26
Scheduled maintenance: cooling tower shut-down and start-up
27
CHW, condenser and cooling tower water
Cleanliness is critical for here, since stuff grows in the cooling
94. tower and can be sent into air. Cooling towers and condenser
water require significant chemical treatment and testing:
Ideal breading areas for dangerous microbes, like Legionella
Evaporation leads to higher mineral concentrations
Open system; birds, insects and other animals cause
contamination
Control/balance pH, mineral content
28
Coil maintenance
Cleanliness – keep all equipment clean to improve energy
95. efficiency, dirty coils will:
Create unwanted insulation, prevent heat transfer
Increase energy consumption and cost
29
96. Coil condensation
Reducing the airs temperature results in dehumidification.
Moisture (condensation) must go somewhere. Drip pan.
Clear drain line
Pan can grow fungus, bacteria, viruses, etc.
Overflow can damage: ceilings, floors, walls, equipment
30
Refrigeration leaks
Refrigerant gas is in a closed-loop system: continuously reused
and recirculated. Leaks should be repaired as soon as possible:
System will not be able to maintain cool temperatures
97. System will run continuously trying to maintain desired
temperatures
Increase energy cost
Cause equipment to fail, compressor overworked
Environmental impacts:
Older refrigerants are harmful to the environment
All refrigerants harmful to humans
OSHA and EPA require continuous monitoring and proper
storage and handling
31
Environmental Regulations
Until 1990’s refrigerant made of chemicals:
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs)
Both harmful to the ozone
New chemicals hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) not harmful to
ozone; believe to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental regulations for refrigerants expected to
significantly increase
98. Rule changes for refrigerants more than likely affect properties
equipment, refrigerants are not interchangeable (compressors
cannot different types)
32
Other energy efficiency opportunities
Ceiling fans can provide the sensation of lower temperatures at
a fraction of the cost of running a compressor
Lighting – if your property has not converted its lighting to
LED lamps, you may want to do so. These lamps emit little
heat and will reduce your property’s cooling loads.
Correct sizing: Old practice – install largest even if it was more
than needed. Emerging trend: install multiple smaller chillers,
use only what is required, additional cooling requires less
energy, improves conservation practices.
33
One final note…
99. Almost all of the…:
Refrigerators/coolers
Freezers
Beverage coolers
Ice machines
…equipment that you will use in the hospitality industry at this
time uses the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
For more information, see the chapter on foodservice equipment
34
The Building’s Structural Components
Chapter 16
1
100. 1
This chapter will focus on:
Foundations
Framing
Exterior finishes
Insulation
Windows
Roofs
…or how the building is put together
2
2
Foundations
Buildings are heavy, and perhaps tall
The weight and movement of the building needs to be anchored
to a secure surface below ground
101. A building’s foundation gathers the weight and movement of the
building, then transfers it to a stable sub-strate (layer) of
material below ground
Prevents the building from:
Sinking
Tipping over
Twisting
Collapsing
Breaking
Sliding away
3
3
What kind of soil is on-site?
Sandy
Clay
Rock or other mineral deposits
Bedrock
Loam
102. Ideally, you should be able to rest the building’s foundation on
bedrock or very stable clay
4
4
Types of foundations
Shallow foundations (e.g., mat, slab, or raft)
These are literally like a raft that floats in the pool. The
building rests on the slab, which rests on top of the ground (or
just below the surface).
Good for low-rise and lightweight buildings
Deep foundations
The building will sit on a slab, but the slab will be supported
below by pilings or piers that go deep into the soil to rest on the
stable substrate
Suitable for tall buildings and/or heavy buildings
5
104. 7
Building “loads”
We use the word “load” in a lot of different ways in facilities
management
Here, it refers to the combined weight and movement of the
building and its occupants
Four types of loads:
Static (dead) load
Dynamic (live) load
Seismic load
Shear load
The weight and kinetic energy of the movement of the weight
needs to be transferred to the foundation (and then down to the
stable substrate)
8
105. 8
Framing and walls
Framing collects the weight and movement (loads) of the
building, then transfers it down to the foundation
Framing materials include:
Wood
Structural steel
Concrete masonry unit (CMU)
Poured concrete with steel reinforcement
9
9
What is concrete?
Artificial stone, made of:
Portland cement
Aggregate
Water
106. Interesting note:
Concrete does not dry – it cures
10
10
Concrete has high compressive strength, but weak tensile
strength
Can bear very heavy weights, but…
Requires reinforcement so that it does not snap in half
107. 11
11
Concrete (cont.)
Poured-in-place concrete is mixed and poured on-site into forms
Pre-cast concrete can be made in a factory and then transported
to the job site
Reduces the installation time
May improve the quality of the concrete, since it is made under
factory conditions
12
108. 12
Now that we have a foundation and a frame for the building, it’s
time to close the building’s sides
13
13
Exterior finishes
Once we have a frame, we close the “box” by attaching siding,
such as plywood or oriented strandboard (OSB)
We can then attach the exterior finish of the building
First, we’ll look at applied siding, which is attached to the
exterior
109. 14
14
Siding
Wood – very traditional material
Long strips (clapboards) or shingles or shakes are nailed to the
framing
Advantages and disadvantages?
15
110. 15
Vinyl siding – mimics the appearance of wood, but at a much
lower cost
Advantages and disadvantages?
16
16
Fiber-cement board
A paste of fibers and cement is mixed and formed into boards,
strips, shingles, or other shapes
Mimics the appearance of other materials
Advantages and disadvantages?
111. 17
17
Brick
Traditionally, brick served as both the framing and the exterior
finish
It is heavy and expensive
Today, we close the box of the building and then attach a thin
layer (“veneer”) of brick as a functional, decorative, non-load
bearing finish
Brick requires mortar, which can deteriorate over time
Mortar occasionally requires tuck-pointing
18
112. 18
Shingles and shakes
These are slabs of wood that are attached to the building’s sides
Usually made of a wood that is weather and insect resistance,
such as cedar or redwood
Sometimes provides an attractive haven for insects
They might not destroy the wood, but they might annoy your
employees and guests!
19
19
Glass
Glass-sided buildings are relatively lightweight, which permits
us to build very tall buildings
The steel frame is constructed, then specially-designed glass
window panels are hung on the outside of the frame
Advantages and disadvantages?
113. 20
20
Stucco and EIFS
Stucco is a traditional material made of mud or cement; it is
spread on top of the building’s “box”
Traditional stucco materials are fragile and chip easily. They
are also susceptible to water damage and deterioration from
freeze/thaw cycles
Exterior Finishing and Insulating System (EIFS) is a modern
version of stucco
Less fragile and more resistant to water damage
Comes in a wide variety of color
Very common building finish in the south and southwestern US
21
115. 23
23
Insulation
The purpose of insulation is to inhibit heat energy transfer
We measure a material’s ability to inhibit heat energy transfer
by determining the material’s R-value
Some materials are more resistant to heat transfer; these
materials are rated as having a higher R-value
Calculating a wall assembly’s R-value is like adding up how
many calories are in a sandwich
24
24
R-value
116. Each material has an R-value
These can be found online, (look for information published by
ASHRAE)
You will either see the R-value listed “for thickness listed” or
as an R-value “per inch thickness” (or per centimeter)
Find the R-value for each material in the wall assembly, then
add them together to find the wall’s R-value
25
25
26
R-Value Example
26
117. 27
R-Value Example
27
28
R-Value Calculation
Starting from the outside:R-Value
Brick 0.48
Building paper (Tyvek) 0.00
Sheathing 0.77
Studs (framing) 0.00
Insulation15.00
Vapor barrier 0.00
Drywall/gypsum board 0.45
Total16.70
118. 28
R-value calculations
Once you have found the wall’s R-value, you can compare it to
the recommended R-value for your area
If the R-value is lower than recommended, you can add
insulation to improve energy efficiency
You’ll see that some materials have an R-value of zero. These
materials perform some other function in the wall, but they do
not provide insulation
29
29
Windows and doors
30
119. 30
How are windows made?
Frame + glass
Single-pane (single-glazed)
Dual-pane (double-glazed)
Triple pane (triple-glazed)
For double and triple-glazed windows:
The panes of glass are separated by spaces that are vacuums.
This space is called a thermal break, which provides the
insulating function.
Low-emissivity (low-e) windows also provide a reflective film
and inert gas to increase the insulating power
31
120. 31
32
32
Strangely…
The insulating value for a window is expressed as its U-value,
rather than an R-value
The U-value is the inverse of the R-value
Therefore, a lower U-value and a higher R-value are desirable
33
33
121. Window safety
Many hospitality properties (particularly hotels) now have
windows that do not open
More energy efficient
Less likely to have people go out the window
However, if your property’s windows do open, you should
install window guards and hardware that restricts how far the
windows will open
34
34
Doors
Doors and door frames in commercial facilities are often fire-
rated
The fire-rating specifies how long the door and frame will
remain intact if a fire is raging next to the door assembly
122. 30-minutes, 45-minutes, and 60-minutes are typical
Do not drill into or otherwise tamper with these doors, or you
will destroy their fire rating
35
35
Roofs
36
36
Roof components
Roofs play an important role in repelling solar heat transfer,
123. weather, wind, and other forces
All roofs have a frame, decking, waterproofing layers, then a
final finish
37
37
Sloped roofs
Sloped roofs permit water to roll off of them easily
Common sloped roof finishes include:
Tile
Asphalt shingle
Wood shingle or shakes
Slate
Metal
Advantages and disadvantages?
124. 38
38
While water rolls off a sloped roof…
It falls straight down to the ground next to the building
The water can infiltrate the foundation, wick up the walls, and
create a wet interior wall (with mold)
Install gutters with downspouts that direct the water downhill
and away from the building
Gutters need to be cleaned, which no one likes to do
125. 39
39
Snow may collect on the roof; if it is very heavy and very deep,
you may need to shovel your roof to prevent collapse!
40
40
Flat roofs
126. Flat roofs aren’t really flat – they have a slight slope to direct
rainwater and snowmelt to drains that are located at the edges of
the roof
The drains direct the water down to the ground, then out to the
yard (preferably downhill, to prevent infiltration)
The drain openings need to be free of dirt and debris, so that
water flows freely
If not, pools will form on you roof, which will lead to leaks
and, potentially, collapse
41
41
Caution
Flat roofing materials are fragile and will crack or puncture if
you walk on them
If there is a path, do not leave the path!
127. 42
42
Current trend: white roofs
Lighter colored roofs reflect more solar heat than do darker
roofs
A current trend is to install a white roof, which can save as
much as 40% on your cooling costs
However…a lot of building managers forget that roofs get dirty.
A dirty white roof will rapidly lose its energy efficiency, so you
will have to keep that roof clean!
43
129. 46
Heating Systems
Chapter 9
1
Air conditioning – definition
(it’s probably not what you thought it was)
…“the process of treating air so as to control simultaneously its
temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution to meet the
130. comfort requirements of the occupants of the conditioned
space.”
Therefore, air conditioning includes both heating and cooling
the air!
2
Heat energy transfer
Always travels to where it is not – heat wants to achieve
equilibrium
It will travel up, down, sideways
It will travel through space, air, walls, windows, furniture,
bodies, and anything else it encounters
Two rooms next to each other, 1 colder than the other, air in
both rooms will attempt to equalize the temperature in both
rooms. The hotter air will move towards the cooler room.
For conditioned air, you can only add or remove heat. You do
not introduce or remove cold air
131. 1. Introducing science: Not really anything as “cold” just the
absence of heat energy.
2. Heat energy can travel in any direction, unlike
heated/hot/warmer air which always rises.
3
Types of heat
Sensible heat
what you feel
does not account for humidity
dry-bulb temp
measured with a regular thermometer
4
132. Types of heat
Latent heat
water vapor in the air combined with sensible heat
the results from an increase or decrease in the amount of
moisture held by the air.
energy needed to cause a phase change without changing the
actual temperature of a substance.
wet-bulb temp
5
Relative humidity (rh) and the dew point
Air holds water vapor; warmer air can hold more water than
cooler air
Relative humidity describes how much water vapor the air
currently contains, as a percent of the total capacity at the
133. current temperature
Air that is 70oF and at 50% relative humidity holds a lot more
water than air that is 30oF that is also at 50% relative humidity
The dew point is when the air temperature:
reaches 100% relative humidity
is completely saturated
will cause water vapor to condense out of the air
Higher the dew point, the more humid it is, which will affect
comfort
When you see/watch weather forecast and they mention Relative
Humidity (RH) is 40%, that means the air is holding 40% of the
total moisture it is capable of before dew/condensation forms.
6
Condensation
134. The glass (beverage & ice) colder than room dew point,
therefore, cannot hold as much water, point of saturation
causing air to release moisture (condensation).
As the sun rises, temperatures increase, air becomes warmer and
can hold more water.
7
Types of heat transfer
Radiant
Conduction
Convection
Natural convection
Forced convection
135. 8
Radiant heat transfer
Movement of heat thru space
No direct contact between the heat source and the heated object
No mass is exchanged and no medium is required in the process
of radiation.
Heat leaves one body and travels through the air to another,
examples:
Sun
Body heat
Lighting
136. 9
Conduction heat transfer
Direct contact between two objects
Heat is transferred from warmer object to cooler one
The better the conductor, the more rapidly heat will be
transferred.
When a substance is heated, particles gain more energy, and
vibrate more, these molecules bump into nearby particles and
transfer some of their energy to them.
Conduction in a kitchen: Using a broiler to cook meat, the meat
is in direct contact with the broiler grate, heat from metal
transfer into the meat.
10
Convection heat transfer
The transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement
of fluids. Usually the dominant form of heat transfer in liquids
137. and gases.
Warmer areas of a liquid or gas rise to cooler areas in the liquid
or gas. Cooler liquid or gas then takes the place of the warmer
areas which have risen higher, resulting in a continuous
circulation pattern.
Examples:
Boiling water,
Atmosphere, warm air rises, cooler air takes its place
Heated fluid/gas is caused to move away from the source of
heat, carrying energy with it. Convection above a hot surface
occurs because hot air expands, becomes less dense, and rises.
Hot water is likewise less dense than cold water and rises,
causing convection currents which transport energy.
Cooking food: use of convection oven, radiant heat assisted by a
fan moves heat around the food, reduces cooking time.
In a guest room or home good example is baseboard heat, heat
transfer with the movement of air, naturally creating a circular
pattern.
138. 11
Convection heat types
Natural convection
Forced convection
12
Comfort zone for comfort air conditioning
Traditionally measured at the “breathing line”
Dry-bulb temperature: 68 – 78oF (20 – 25.5oC)
Humidity: 20% - 60%
139. Depending on:
Season
Activity in the space
Air movement
Attire of occupants in the space
Breathing line is approximately 5 ft above the floor
Would the type of activity help determine/dictate any pre-set
temperatures?
13
Thermostats
Mechanical
Digital
140. Mechanical thermostats: a. inexpensive, easy to install b. use
bimetallic strips with different expansion properties (temp) c.
loose calibration
Digital thermostats: a. use a sensor called a thermistor b.
programable (days, times, etc.,)
14
Heating “loads”
A heating load is an event or activity that requires us to add
heat to the space
Internal heating loads – not too common in hospitality
141. Ex: adding heat to the audience seating area of an ice arena
External heating loads – very common
Ex: cold outdoor temperatures – heat from inside the building
tries to escape to the outdoors; we need to turn the heat on to
heat the space to a comfortable temperature
Internal heating load: freezers, coolers opening & closing,
frozen food left out to thaw, very cold items/objects brought
into the building
15
Infiltration
Cold air enters building, exterior doors, poor seals, etc. Since
heat moves to cold, infiltration is actually heat escaping through
poor seals, cracks, opening/closing exterior doors.
142. Remember: Infiltration is heated air escaping the building
16
Types of heating systems
Decentralized
Heat is created in a space, serving only that space or room
Electric baseboard
Electric radiant
PTAC units
“Package” units
Centralized
Heat is created in a central location, then transported
throughout the building
Steam systems
Hydronic baseboard
Hydronic radiant
Fan-coil units
Air handling units
143. 17
Decentralized Systems
18
Electric resistance heating
Decentralized systems: self-contained, no interface, connection
with other building systems
Electric current across high resistance coil, generating heat
Examples: baseboard, portable, electric stove coils, sub-flooring
radiant systems.
144. From an engineering prospective: least efficient
19
Package terminal air conditioning unit (PTAC)
Smaller properties ≈ 200 rooms. Most common hotel HVAC
system in North America
Easily maintained
Combined heating & cooling: heat pump w/electric strips
Noisy/loud
1. Electricity for both heating and cooling. 2. Easy to replace
is necessary vs. time consuming & expensive repairs 3. No
special skills to operate/install like centralized equipment
20
Package unit
Larger spaces: meeting rooms, restaurants, public spaces
Like forced air systems: air across heated coil, distributed via
air ducts
145. Heating commonly electric resistance
Not preferred or suitable for guest rooms
21
Residential package unit & alternatives
Residential: roof or ground install
Split systems
Residential, smaller spaces
Mini-split systems
Tight spaces, specific space/use
146. Split systems: Commonly called forced air systems.
Mini-split: Commonly called ductless systems. Advantages?
22
Decentralized pros and cons
Pros
Low material and installation costs
Usually easy to maintain
When a unit fails, it only affects one small area of the building
Cons
High energy costs (especially all-electric operation)
Noisy operation (PTACs)
23
Radiant heat systems
147. Decentralized & centralized systems
Most commonly installed in floors
Items in contact with floor are heated providing secondary
radiant heat
Considered sustainable
Outdoor applications
Electric radiant heat systems most common in bathrooms. Not
extremely efficient for entire buildings/homes. One thought:
your feet are warm your body is warm, reduced cost?
24
Centralized Systems
148. 25
Centralized Heating Systems
Circulates steam or heating hot water (HHW)
Steam or HHW is generated in a single location; i.e., engine
room, central plant, etc.
Steam delivered thru pipes or radiators
HHW circulated through pipes for hydronic baseboard, radiant
floor, fan coil or air handling (AHU) units.
Chapter 6: HHW, quick review.
149. Boilers – large tanks that heat and store water. Indirect &
direct contact: water either comes in direct contact with the
heating source or contact with tubes (heating source inside
tubes)
Fire-tube: a tank of water with pipes running through it; flames
shoot through the pipes to heat the tank of water
Water-tube: a tank of fire has pipes running through it; water
flows through the tubes to pick up heat from the fire
26
Steam heat: Step 1- create steam
27
Steam Heat
Water heated past boiling point, low-pressure steam
150. Piped to radiators
Not common in newer buildings
Hard to control heat/temp
On/off
Manual control
Radiator same temp as steam
Steam traps: trap/collect condensate from steam and return to
boiler
28
Heating Hot Water (HHW) systems “Hydronic”
152. Hydronic = use of fluids
29
Hydronic radiant systems
Commonly installed in floors, can be in walls
More efficient than electric resistance radiant heating
Entire buildings
Maintenance concerns
153. Maintenance issues: leaks, clogs, large areas under concrete.
Flooring systems must be removed to repair.
Much more efficient than electric resistance radiant systems
30
Radiant heat exterior applications
154. Cost is a consideration; however, is it worth preventing
customers from slipping and falling, or shoveling snow?
Personally, I don’t want to shovel snow anymore.
31
All-water fan-coil and air handling systems
These centralized systems use heating hot water (HHW) and
chilled water (CHW) to provide heating and/or cooling to the
conditioned spaces
Small spaces deliver heating and cooling using a fan-coil unit
Larger paces deliver heating and cooling using an air handler
For heating, the HHW flows through a pipe (a.k.a., coil) inside
the unit. A fan blows cold room air over the pipe. The air
absorbs heat from the HHW in the pipe, providing warmer air to
the space.
For cooling, the CHW flows through the coil. The warm room
air is blown across the CHW coil; the CHW absorbs heat from
the air. Cooler air is sent to the room.
155. 32
Fan-coil unit
Small units designed for small spaces, i.e., individual rooms.
HHW no DHW is used. Called fan coil: coiled-up, lots of coils
to maximize heat transfer, similar to a car radiator.
33
Air handling unit (AHU)
156. Large spaces, some are big enough for people to stand in them!
Design similar to fan coil units
34
Centralized pros and cons
Pros
Often more energy-efficient than decentralized units
Usually quieter operation
Cons
If system fails, a large part of the property is affected
More expensive to purchase and install
More expensive to maintain
May require licensed personnel to operate
35
Supply and return piping
157. 36
Supply and return piping
Supply pipes send HHW or CHW to the unit: fan coil unit(FCU)
or air handling unit (AHU)
Return pipes send the water back to the boiler or chiller
HHW – which gave heat to the room’s air – returns to the boiler
to pick up more heat
CHW – which picked up heat from the room’s air – returns to
the refrigeration machine (chiller) to get rid of heat
We have three piping arrangements
Two-pipe
Three-pipe
Four-pipe
158. 37
HHW and CHW piping: 2 pipe
Two-pipe system – one supply pipe and one return pipe. The
unit is supplied with either HHW or CHW; not both at the same
time.
The room either gets heat or cooling
Most likely to cause customer complaints
Both Fan Coil Units (FCU) and Air Handling Units (AHU) use
same type of piping systems. Do not be confused by the
illustrations.
Customer cannot have both heat & cooling, challenging in
transitional seasonal times (Oct-Dec) & (Apr-May) in LV.
38
HHW and CHW piping: 3 pipe
159. Three-pipe system: the FCU has a HHW supply, a CHW supply,
and a shared return line.
The room can receive heating or cooling; lukewarm water
returns to the boiler and the chiller.
Least energy efficient of all piping systems
Returns water less than optimal for either heating or cooling.
Want heated water to return as hot as possible and cooled water
as cold as possible, saves energy.
39
HHW and CHW piping: 4 pipe
Four-pipe system – one HHW supply, one CHW supply, one
HHW return, and one CHW return
The room can get heating or cooling; the HHW returns to the
boiler and CHW returns to the chiller without mixing
This creates good occupant thermal satisfaction while also
returning water to the boiler or chiller with a lower difference
in temperature (which is more energy efficient)
160. Most efficient and will provide guest with best comfort levels,
ability to maintain desired temperature levels.
40
Centralized heating systems safety
Pressure relief valves (PRV)
Licensed employees: > 15 psi
Equipment venting
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning!
Carbon monoxide detectors
41
161. Heating system maintenance
Scale – as covered in Chapter 6, mineral scale is the enemy of
all water systems, particular as the water gets hotter
Chemically treated water to maintain pH and mineral content
Scale can cause tubes to leak & corrode: decrease efficiency,
shorten life-cycle, failure
42
Better maintenance = Better Efficiency
Energy efficiency = $, a little additional maintenance will
increase profitability
162. Keep equipment clean: ductwork, pipes, coils
Insulate pipes & ductwork
Doors & windows: weather stripping, caulking, closers
Seal the building envelope
Replace windows
Change filters frequently. Static pressure will help determine
on larger air handling units.
43
Conservation Controls
Overhead fans
Setback thermostats, occupancy sensors
Revolving doors
163. Integrated PMS/FO systems –link occupancy sensors to the
hotel’s front office systems
Keycard systems
EnergyStar certification for building energy performance
https://www.energystar.gov/
Revolving doors are more energy efficient, traps air in a
isolated space. Integrated Property Management System and
164. Front Office systems link check-in/out to room occupancy, can
have pre-set/set back temps. Automatically turns on heat/cool
upon check-in, then returns at check-out vs. housekeeping
(variable depending on attendant, no guess work).
44
New construction or renovation projects to save energy and
improve comfort
Passive solar design
Solar water heating systems
165. 45
Utilities Cost Control
Chapter 4
What are “utilities”?
All energy and water that we purchase for the building,
including:
Electricity
Natural gas (nat-gas)
Propane
Purchased steam
Fuel oil
Water
166. Remember throughout this chapter
We are unlikely to be able to shop around for better utility rates
Therefore, our focus will always have to be controlling our
usage of the utilities
If we do this right, we will provide:
Great guest experience
Good, productive work environment for employees
Excellent cost control, so better profit!
Electricity
Electricity enters our building and is measured by a meter
Your electricity service will be measured in two ways
Consumption:
This is how much electricity you use over the length of the
billing period
Basically, it’s the total amount of electricity that you used over
time
It is measured in kilo-watt hours (kWh)
All buildings are charged for consumption
167. Demand:
This is the highest amount of electricity that you used during
any 15-minute period during the billing period
Basically, this measures the period that you had the highest
need
It is measured in kilo-watts (kW)
Not all buildings at this time are charged for demand (usually
only larger properties)
Consumption (supply) meters
Traditional consumption + demand meter
168. Demand meters for commercial accounts
If consumption is similar to a car’s odometer, the demand meter
is similar to the speedometer
What rate structure is your property on?
Most electric utility companies offer a menu of rate “tariffs”, or
rate schedules. How you are billed.
You should identify with rate schedule your property is on
Is a different schedule more appropriate for your property?
Discuss this with your customer service representative
169. NV Energy Rate Schedules (statement of rates)
What types of charges will you see?
You will see a variety of charges based on your consumption
(kWH)
Your supplier may call these “supply charges” or “usage
charges” they are the total amount of electricity consumed
during the billing period.
Some properties will also have a demand meter and will see one
or more charges based on demand (kW)
You will pay for demand – the highest 15-minute period of
demand over the billing period
You may also pay a “facilities charge” – the highest 15-minute
period of demand over the past 12 months
Time-of-day billing
Some electric rate schedules include seasonal and time-of-day
billing
170. Summer is always more expensive than winter
Summer rates may be broken into a couple of seasons (on-peak,
mid-peak)
Time-of-day schedules include at least two different rates that
will apply, depending on when you used electricity
On-peak, mid-peak, low-peak, off-peak
This is the electric company’s version of revenue management
Time-of-day/peak billing rate implications
Under these rate tariffs, you are penalized for using electricity
at the same time everyone else does
Summer is more expensive than winter (air conditioning uses a
lot of electricity)
Daytime is more expensive than night
Midday is more expensive than morning or early evening
The middle of the day in the middle of summer is our most
expensive time to use electricity – it can be dramatically more
expensive
171. Therefore…
We have serious incentives to understand our electric bills and
control our electrical usage
Controlling consumption is always good
Lowers overall usage
Lowers our environmental impact
Makes our property and the world more sustainable
Controlling demand
Most people understand the concept of controlling consumption
Demand control is less well-understood by many hospitality
managers, but is critically important for cost control (and thus
profit maximization)
Reducing demand during peak times:
Can greatly reduce our utilities costs, but…
172. Has virtually no effect on our environmental footprint
Therefore, the benefits of demand control are strictly financial
Peak-shaving systems
Peak demand control
Our goal should be to control our peak demand to the best of
our ability without negatively affecting the guest’s experience
If we do it right, they won’t even notice!
173. Use an automated load-shedding program
Reads demand (at the meter) in real time
When a demand spike begins to form, and it is close to or
during peak rates, the program will shut down pre-selected
pieces of equipment (i.e., “electrical loads”)
The equipment will only be turned back on once the program
determines that we are out of the billing “danger zone”
Which electrical loads can be shed?
Laundry operations (many facilities operate the laundry at
night, to reduce daytime demand)
Non-essential lighting
HVAC systems – yes, we often shut down the chillers and
cooling towers (see Chapter 10), which are major users of
electricity during summer peak hours
What electrical loads should never be shed?
Refrigeration and freezer equipment
174. Computers and telecommunications
Fire and life safety systems
Elevators and escalators
Guestroom electrical (remember, they are not supposed to
notice)
Sump pumps; ejector pumps
Managing electrical consumption
Work with your electric utility company to survey your property
to identify ways to save energy
You may be able to get tax incentives or rebates for upgrading
some equipment
Turn equipment and lighting off when it is not needed
Manage plug loads
Use sensors to automatically turn on and shut off equipment
Photosensor- turns lights on (dusk) turns then off (dawn)
Timers – turns equipment on/off same time everyday
Manage the setpoints on your thermostats
Use ceiling fans to supplement your heating and cooling
systems
Fans do not lower air temp, the movement of air across skin
gives the perception that cooling is occurring
175. Properly insulate your building
Clean and maintain equipment on a regular basis
Refrigerator / freezer door gaskets (tighter seal prevents air
leakage)
Non-seasonal rate structure (Oct-May)
Seasonal rate structure (June-Sept)
Natural gas, oil, and other fuels
176. Natural gas (nat-gas)
The gas utility company pumps this to your property
It goes through a meter for measurement and billing
Nat-gas is billed in units called therms
One therm = 100,000 Btu
Nat-gas is used extensively in commercial kitchens, and may
also be used for heating the building, heating water, and
generating steam
Fuel oil and propane
These are delivered to your property by a truck
They are stored in tanks (preferably above-ground, due to past
problems with below-ground tanks leaking and contaminating
the environment)
177. Managing fuel costs
Many of the same methods used to manage electrical
consumption apply here as well
Since nat-gas, fuel oil, and propane are used to heat, we should
only permit heat energy transfer to occur where and when we
intend it to happen
Insulate your building and plumbing pipes
Turn equipment off when it is not needed
Only run full loads of dishes or laundry (no partial loads)
Set thermostat setpoints to the proper level
Domestic hot water (DHW) maximum of 115° F at the tap
(faucet)
Water and wastewater management
178. Water billing
We pay for water supply and for wastewater disposal (sewer)
You will definitely have a water supply meter
You will probably not have a sewer meter
Sewer charges are based on the supply amount
In the US, you will be billed either in units of:
1,000 gallon units
Hundred cubic feet (CCF)
1 CCF = 748 gallons
CCF
Gallons
179. Water billing
Tiered rate structure, the more you use the higher the cost. Cost
per 1000 gallons increases as you exceed the maximum gallons
per tier.
Your rate per 1,000 gallons or per CCF is not negotiable, so…
You will have to manage consumption
Fix leaks
Use water-conserving fixtures
If you have landscaping, use a xeriscape program (dry, arid
areas)
use of native plants and grasses (adapted to local environment)
landscape in a style which requires little or no irrigation
Irrigate properly (don’t over-water the landscape)
Only run full loads of dishes or laundry
Recycle your water if permitted
Proper cooling tower and boiler operation and blow-down
(cleaning out mineral build-up)
Proper pool and spa filter back-flushing
Limit cooling tower operation if possible
180. Waste water (sewer) rates & management
Sewer rates are commonly set based on the amount of water
supplied. What goes in must come out, right?
Not necessarily the case for commercial properties
Swimming pools
Irrigation
Cooling towers
Water features
Sewer meters (if & where permitted)
Measures actual discharge
Potential to lower rate
Southern Nevada rate structure
Type of facility (assigned base rate)
Base rate x number of fixtures
Fixtures = anything that carries water away from the facility
Water recycling? Graywater systems
Capture lightly-used water
181. May require light filtration and sanitizing
Then use it for non-potable purposes
Irrigation
Car washing
Toilet flushing
Electrical Systems
Chapter 7
1
What is electricity?
Energy is created by the flow of electrons.
Electrostatic charge resulting from:
Electrons repelling electrons
Protons repelling protons
182. Electrical current:
When electrons are "lost" from an atom, the free movement of
these electrons constitutes an electric current.
2
Basics of Electricity:
Electricity is much like water it has pressure, flow and
resistance.
Voltage
Electrical pressure, the force that move electricity measured in
volts. Like water, pressure (voltage) drops over distance
Amperes
Electrical current or flow measured in amps.
Ohms (Resistance)
The tendency to resist the current or flow measured in ohms; "1
Ohm" is the resistance between two points in a conductor where
the application of 1 volt will push 1 ampere. Wiring
183. (conductor), equipment, etc., all have some level of resistance.
3
Ohm’s Law: Measuring Electricity
The basis for all electricity measurements is Ohm’s Law.
4
E = Volts – electrical pressure
I = Amperes (amps) – electrical current (flow)
R = Ohms (Ω) – resistance to electrical flow
Measuring Electricity
184. Q: A mixer plugged into a 110V electrical receptacle, draws 5.5
amps. What is the electrical resistance (measured in ohms)?
A: ? Ω
Q: A microwave oven plugged into a 110V circuit with 15 ohms
(Ω) of resistance draws how many amps.
A: ? amps
Q: A Keurig coffee maker draws 10 amps of power and has 21
ohms (Ω) of resistance. What is the voltage of the electrical
circuit?
A: ? volts
5
Measuring Electrical Power
185. Electricity is measured in units of power called watts.
Amps × Volts = Watts (A×V=W)
Kilowatt = 1,000 watts (power used now, demand power)
Kilowatt-hour = overall power consumed, power used over a
period of time.
Power is a measurement of how much energy you're using over
time. To find the total amount of energy, you multiply the
power used by the total number of hours used (kWh). A 1000
watt toaster operating for 1 hour uses 1 kilowatt (kWh) of
energy; the same amount as using a 2000-watt toaster for 0.5
hours or a 100-watt lamp for 10 hours. See how it works?
6
Measuring Electrical Power
186. Q: A microwave oven plugged into a 110V circuit draws 7.0
amps of power. How many watts of power are consumed?
A: ? watts
Q: A refrigerator is plugged into a 110V circuit and draws 6.0
amps. If it runs continuously for 30 days, how many kilowatt-
hours (kWh) will it use?
7
Measuring Electrical Power
1. Determine watts
V × A = 660 watts
2. Convert to kilowatts
660/1000= .66 kWh’s
187. 3. Multiple by time (hrs)
30 days x 24 hrs = 720 hrs
4. (110 × 6 /1000) × (30 × 24) = .66 × 720 = 475.2 kWh’s
or 110 × 6 × 30 × 24 / 1000 = 475.2 kWh’s
8
Power – don’t confuse this with current
Power is electricity that is used
Power is measured in watts
Watts = Volts x Amps
Kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 watts
We use power:
Right now – watts or kilowatts (kW)
188. Over time – watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Current is the flow of electrons, creating electricity
9
Electrical Circuits
A circuit overload occurs when it is trying to draw more than it
is designed to carry
Amperage draw is critical when determining electrical circuits
Drawing too much power from a circuit is a main cause of
tripped breakers /blown fuses
Q: An office has the following appliances plugged into a 10A
circuit:
Scanner 1.5A
2 desk lamps @ 0.5A each
Laptop computer 0.75A
Printer 0.8 A
Microwave oven 3.0A
Mini-refrigerator 3.0A
189. What will happen?
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Electrical current is provided as:
Direct current – no change in polarity
We usually get DC current from:
Batteries
Generators
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
Alternating current – polarity alternates between positive and
negative
We usually get AC current from:
Electric company
Inverter – take DC current from solar panel, generator, or
battery and convert it to AC current
Frequency (Hz): how often the polarity changes each second
North America: 60 Hz
Europe: 50 Hz
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190. AC vs. DC
AC
Alternates, moves in both directions,
Generated by power company
AC cheaper to produce
Transmit easily over long distances
Easy to step-up / step-down
Convert AC to DC (rectifier)
DC
Direct/constant, current flows one way
Requires additional input as it travels
Great for small appliances/electronics
Advent of solar = resurgence of DC
Generators, batteries
Convert DC to AC (invertor)
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191. Frequency
AC is supplied with positive and negative polarity meaning the
current alternates between a positive and negative charge.
Measured in hertz (Hz), the rate it cycles between polarities per
second. Simply stated, frequency is the number of times a sine
wave completes a cycle.
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60 Hz or 50 Hz
14
Frequency Issues for Guest
192. Devices like hairdryers and electric razors rated at 110V/60Hz
(US) will run faster/hotter at 220V/50Hz, the inverse is just the
opposite, both can cause failure. Use transformers to decrease
or increase v/Hz accordingly.
15
How is electricity usually generated?
A generator uses a turbine
Metal coils are attached to a shaft
The coils spin around in a field of magnetic coils, creating an
electrostatic charge
The turbine turns the shaft
What turns the turbine?
High pressure steam
Water
Wind
Sources of energy: coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, hydro,
wind.
193. 16
Turbine Generated Power
Hoover Dam Hydroelectric Turbines
17 hydroelectric turbines
4 billion kWh’s annually
1.3 million people in NV, AZ, CA
17
194. Power Generation Distribution
18
Fuel Cell Power Generation
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA
19
You can also generate electricity with photovoltaic panels
Photovoltaic (PV) panels take light and convert it to electricity
PV chips are semi-conductors
The system generates DC current
Must either use DC motors to use the electricity or use an
inverter to convert DC to AC current
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