VHA PROGRAM GUIDE PG-18-3
April 2001
TOPIC 9. ENERGY CENTER
1. GENERAL
a. An Energy Center should house the boiler plant, chiller plant, engineering control center,
associated electrical switchgear and boiler plant emergency generator. If practical, include other
systems such as domestic water pumps, hot water generators, emergency generators and electrical
switchgear serving the hospital.
b. Design boiler plants in accordance with the Steam Generation System Design Manual. Design air
conditioning chiller plants and the Engineering Control Centers in accordance with the Heating,
Ventilating, and Air-conditioning (HVAC) Design Manual. Design the electrical equipment areas in
accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Design Criteria for Engine-Generators and
Distribution.
NOTE: It is recommended that VA technical experts in the Office of Facilities Management
review the design of each proposed facility.
2. BUILDING
a. Provide a structural system which permits access to overhead members for pipe and duct support
and allows for future expansion.
b. Design the building to allow all equipment to be installed (and removed in the future) after the
building is architecturally and structurally complete.
c. Locate the main equipment floor above finished grade to preclude flooding and to permit horizontal
rigging of equipment in and out of the building.
d. Establish roof height to provide adequate clearance above all equipment and piping.
e. Provide basement area if necessary for proper operation.
f. In boiler plants, provide a mezzanine for the feedwater heater.
g. In Energy Centers, provide a block wall partition between the chiller portion of the building and
other areas.
h. Provide overhead roll-up doors and/or removable panels through which all equipment can be
rigged. Locate roll-up security grills inside the doors.
i. Design the building to allow for future expansion of boiler plant and chiller plant areas and
associated expansion of electrical equipment.
16
Previous Page
