Hospitality

Starwood Hotels and Resorts contracted Horizon Engineering Associates (HEA) to provide a condition assessment survey of the Westin Maui Resorts and Spa.

The focus of the survey was to review the current operation of the facility with an in-depth review of the major facility systems, sub-components and the manner in which the facility is operated and maintained. The information gathered provides a life cycle cost analysis and is the basis for future capital planning recommendations. Additional scope included an inventory of equipment, including: name plate data, year of installation, present condition and operational narrative with a review of the current preventive maintenance measures. Recommendations for staff training and potential conservations measures were developed as well.

To facilitate this survey, HEA coordinated with the Director of Engineering at both facilities to conduct a recovery of system documentation. Once on-site, HEA initiated the site survey by reviewing each system and logging the condition and nameplate information for each piece of equipment. HEA prepared One-Line Diagrams for each major system to provide an overview of the associated equipment, function and areas served. HEA reviewed the preventive maintenance program with the assistance from the Director of Engineering.

Throughout the survey, a detailed list of issues have been noted and tabulated into a Master List of Findings with associated recommendations for remediation. Overall, the field survey was productive resulting in identifying over ninety (90) operation issues at each resort, bringing light to the physical condition of the mechanical areas with examples of poor or insufficient maintenance measures.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (Starwood) contracted Horizon Engineering Associates (HEA) to provide Building Inspection services for their Westin Los Cabos Resort & Spa (Westin). HEA was contracted with the task of planning and executing field assessments of Air Handling Units (AHUs), Exhaust and Supply Fans, Chiller Plant Equipment, Steam Systems, Domestic Hot Water Systems, Domestic Water generating and distribution systems, along with electrical distribution systems throughout the resort. HEA then generated recommendations for repairs and system/equipment enhancements.

HEA coordinated with the Westin Maintenance Director, as well as, various maintenance and operation staff members, in order to become familiar with the system layouts, locations and past issues or concerns with the equipment and system operation. Throughout the inspection detailed notes and data were generated and tabulated into a Master List of Findings, Equipment Schedules and Single-Line diagrams. Major Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems were reviewed; such as guest room ventilation systems, air handling systems, chilled water systems, domestic hot water, domestic water distribution, and central electrical distribution.

HEA identified one hundred eighty five (185) issues and recommendations during our inspection, some of which included:

• Identified in detail hurricane damaged equipment and systems
• Recommended areas and methods where Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) was not being maintained and methods to repair/improve
• Recommended improvements for control and energy savings of the chilled water systems
• Identified cause of poor domestic hot water availability to guest rooms, and recommendations for improvements

HEA was hired by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide to provide existing building commissioning (EBCx) for the mechanical systems associated with the Westin Peachtree Plaza. HEA evaluated the systems in the mechanical spaces, guest rooms, meeting spaces, guest services and lobbies by investigating, analyzing and optimizing the performance through the identification and implementation of low/no-cost and capital intensive energy conservation measures.

Systems commissioned included air handling systems, air terminal units, fan coil units, exhaust air, chilled water, heating hot water, domestic hot water and building automation systems (controlled devices, sensors, control loops, logic and graphical user interface).

Hord Coplan Macht, Inc. hired HEA to provide LEED commissioning services for the Brightview Senior Living facility located in Bethesda, MD. The facility will include 98 assisted-living units, with 29 providing specialized memory care. Commissioning services provided will satisfy LEED Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite: Fundamental Commissioning and Verification and Credit: Enhanced Commissioning for LEED v4. Commissioning activities for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and renewable energy systems and assemblies will be in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 and ASHRAE Guideline 1.1-2007 for HVAC&R systems, as they relate to energy, water, indoor environmental quality and durability.

Systems included in HEA’s scope of work include: HVAC, electrical distribution, emergency electrical distribution, domestic hot water, plumbing piping and lighting controls.

Flank Development contracted HEA to provide both commissioning services and construction management support for the 71 Smith Street residential project. HEA’s scope of work included commissioning of the HVAC systems, in-room hotel automation system, Building Management System (BMS), lighting controls, emergency electrical systems, plumbing and life safety systems. Construction management support entailed a full-time on-site presence as a supplemental MEP super for the General Contractor.

Shelter Development, LLC contracted HEA to provide commissioning services for the Lake Tappan Senior Living Community project. HEA’s services included but were not limited to reviewing of design documents, shop drawings, commissioning of all mechanical, control and building envelope (moisture air, vapor and thermal control layers associated with the subgrade waterproofing at the foundation systems, the exterior wall systems, storefronts and roof) systems and balancing verification.

The Extell Development Company contracted HEA to provide commissioning services for the 157 West 57th Street project, now known as One57. This project is a 75-story condominium tower that includes 92 units.

HEA’s services included commissioning of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment, control systems, and balancing verification.

The following are three examples of how the commissioning process attributed to improved equipment performance, proper life safety and tighter building envelope:

• An Emergency Power or Pull the Plug test was completed by HEA which ensured all emergency power systems operated as required in the event of a loss of normal power. The systems inspected included emergency lighting and egress, vertical transport, fire alarm, smoke exhaust, UPS, IT, BMS and mechanical systems.
• Inspections for mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment ensured the equipment would operate according to the manufacturer’s required specifications, and was installed as per the Design Engineer’s specifications.
• Sensor calibration and point to point testing for mechanical controls ensured all information depicted at the BMS is accurate and all commands issued from the BMS are executed in the field.

Overall, the commissioning process to date has been a success due to the number of issues that were found and resolved by HEA.

HEA was contracted by Kings & Queens Maintenance Services to provide Local Law 87 (LL87) energy audit and retro-commissioning services for the Dumont Hotel renovation project, located at 150 East 34th Street in New York, New York. As per the requirements of Local Law 87 of 2009, the objective of the project was to assess and benchmark the building’s current energy use and to reduce the building’s overall energy consumption.

HEA provided commissioning services for the transformation of The Metropolitan, a 14-story neo-Gothic building, built in 1925. The Metropolitan was a showplace to house jewelry showrooms, artisan and milliners studios, dress stores, beauty shops, artists’ studios, advertising agents, and other related businesses. The building has been transformed into Detroit’s first extended stay hotel: Element by Starwood. The hotel has 110 one- and two-bedroom hotel rooms, 2,000 sf of meeting space on the second-floor mezzanine, approximately 7,000 sf of retail space on the ground floor and lower level and a rooftop bar and patio.

This luxury resort project encompassed 780,000 sf with a construction cost of $73 million. HEA was hired to provide MEP commissioning services for their 390 luxury villas, 10,000 sf lagoon-style pool, beach bar, restaurants, retail and fitness spaces located on 16 acres of Maui’s Kā‘anapali Beach.

HEA provided MEP commissioning services, including: co-generation system, air handling units, VAVs, smoke control, variable and fixed speed exhaust fans, condenser water pumps, water source heat pumps, booster pumps, source and rejection well equipment, backup hot water boilers, heating water pumps, industrial water pumps, electrical main and distribution gear, emergency generator, electrical sub-station, domestic water booster pumps and piping, pool and spa equipment, fire protection, fire alarm, lighting control system and building management systems.

The Sofitel New York, a stunning midtown Manhattan hotel, received the 2000 Emporis Best New Skyscraper Award for design and functionality. A contemporary statement in limestone and glass, it boasts 400 luxury guest rooms, eight conference rooms, and a 2,500 sf ballroom.

The commissioning process was so successful that 99% of the hotels guest rooms were available upon opening for business, and HEA identified more than $200,000 in first-year cost savings related to energy efficiencies and maintenance deficiencies. These savings included approximately $71,000 related to the resolution of piping layout deficiencies; $24,000 related to the resolution of dirty intake air filters; and $10,000 associated with an uninsulated air duct. Most importantly, it took the owner just under two years to recoup the cost of commissioning.

The Sheraton Bal Harbour was demolished in 2007 to make way for the new construction of the 28-story St. Regis Hotel & Residences. The St. Regis brings a new level of luxury to the Miami area with world class concierge service, fine dining, luxury retailers and new condominium homes. With the heightened level of anticipation and expectations, HEA was hired to provide commissioning services for all three glass towers.

HEA was hired to provide LEED commissioning services for this 52-story tower that will total 780,000 sf. Once completed, it will have 700 rooms of which 240 rooms will be dedicated under the W Hotel flag and 460 rooms under the Element by Westin flag.

HEA’s scope of commissioning services includes the necessary requirements to satisfy the LEED Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning and Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning. Systems to be commissioned include: building automation, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, interior and exterior lighting and controls, emergency lighting, domestic hot water for plumbing efficiencies and visual and audible fire alarm systems.