Allen County Public Library
Tracer Summit™ ES systems are a dramatic change from the hodge-podge of systems that we had.
• Comprehensive Project by Trane to Integrate HVAC, Lighting, Security and Multiple Other Systems in a 15-Building County Library System
Challenge
In 2001 Allen County Public Library (ACPL), one of the top U.S. libraries, and its 14 locations had a varied collection of HVAC systems, controls, fire alarm, access, security and other systems. With the planned addition of 127,000 square feet and renovation of 240,000 square feet at the main library in Fort Wayne, ACPL used the opportunity to upgrade, standardize and integrate buildings, systems and equipment.
Solution
ACPL called on MSKTD & Associates to develop an upgrade, integration and construction plan. Jim Kelley, P.E. and Senior Mechanical Engineer at MSKTD, wrote the RFP and specifications that allowed suppliers to bid the projects, as required when public tax funds are involved. All suppliers could bid, but also had to prove that their products had open communications protocol allowing easy integration with all other systems. Each top-end building automation system supplier had to prove their system could integrate with, monitor, report, trend and control other makes of controls. Ultimately only Trane met the specs. Trane literally collected and mounted other makes of controllers on demonstration boards to prove Trane capabilities and earn the systems integration contract.
Results
Work began on the main library in May, 2004, reopening to the public
in January 2007. Branch locations were upgraded in stages during those
three years. Using a Tracer Summit™ ES Web-based, multiple buildings
facilities management system, Trane provided single-source
responsibility, control, monitoring, management and interoperability
for these systems throughout ACPL buildings.
• In
addition to supplying two new, reliable and efficient Trane Series R™
chillers and an energy-saving CALMAC ice storage system for the main
library, Trane monitors and controls a number of Trane HVAC systems at
branch locations for patron comfort and materials preservation.
• Monitor/control lighting systems for best lighting and
efficiency.
• Fire Alarm: Trane partnered with Esco
Communications to monitor/control fire protection equipment throughout
the library system.
• Evacuation Paging: Provide evacuation
directions building-wide in fire or other emergency.
• Access
Control: Trane and Esco Communications partnered to monitor and
control personnel access at all controlled doors.
• Intrusion
Security: Monitor internal/external access points.
• Closed
Circuit TV: Monitor and control in real time internal/external
points.
• Monitor electric consumption at service entrance and
other loads.
• Elevator Control: Monitor, intercept
floor-to-floor service requests. Coordinates elevators during
emergencies and while operating on emergency power.
•
Monitor/control backup and emergency power equipment, including
generators which are also used for load-shaving to maintain constant
demand.
• Lift Station Monitoring: Monitor/control pumps, basin
level alarms and controls for sanitary, storm and other gray-water
systems.
• Maintenance Control & Management: Monitor all
serviceable equipment for run time, start/stops and other metrics to
develop and initiate preventive maintenance procedures. ACPL chose
Trane for a maintenance contract to preserve system continuity and
single-source responsibility. ACPL is exploring more Tracer Summit™
system uses such as paging personnel if systems like the automatic
book drop/return system go down.
ACPL is one of the most
sophisticated, extensive integration projects completed by Trane. Jim
Gumbel, ACPL Properties Manager, said, "We can easily monitor and
control the main library and branch locations and make operating
changes very quickly and easily. We are seeing significant energy
savings. In the past HVAC systems ran 24 hours a day. Now, 90 percent
of those units go into night setback. We have better lighting control
for additional energy savings. We’ve worked with Trane many years and
were very comfortable when this project went to Trane. Trane stands
behind their products. If there is an issue, they’re just a phone call
away."
Jeffrey Krull, ACPL Director, said, "The
new systems are a dramatic change from the hodge-podge of systems that
we had. We now have unified, integrated systems that make it easy to
monitor and control all of the buildings within the library system. It
gives us flexibility for future expansion and changes in equipment and
control systems. We truly are getting the most benefit for the
taxpayer’s money."
About Allen County Public Library
ACPL has served Fort Wayne and area since 1895. Today it includes
the main library in downtown Fort Wayne, 13 branches in the city and
outlying communities, and a warehouse/IT services center. Fort Wayne
has been cited as the Best Read City in the United States by Places
Rated Almanac, due largely to ACPL’s collections. One of the finest
and largest publicly-held genealogy centers in the U.S., ACPL is also
well-known for its rare books collection and is a home to Internet
Archive, an independent operation that is part of a network of
scanning centers that are putting rare books and documents on the
Internet for public use. ACPL was recently named a co-recipient of
collections of the Abraham Lincoln Museum of Fort Wayne that closed
after 80 years. ACPL will receive numerous documents, photos and books
from the collection that is valued at more than $20 million.
About MSKTD & Associates
Based in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, MSKTD &
Associates provide comprehensive design services including in-house
architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, civil and
structural engineering and cost estimating. Their portfolio includes a
wide array of project types including healthcare, educational,
industrial/food processing, corporate and community facilities.
