At Hafer, our engineers know that great design doesn’t end when a building opens its doors – it’s only the beginning. By thinking beyond Day 1, we create systems that are not only high-performing from the start, but are also safer, easier to maintain and more cost-effective over time.
In this Q&A, Hafer Vice President and Mechanical Engineer Ron Steinhart offers his insights on designing building systems with maintenance in mind.
Q1: What does “thinking beyond Day 1” mean to you with mechanical system design?
A: Many of our clients are repeat clients with whom we have 30-plus-year relationships. We aim to design systems that last just as long, if not longer, than these relationships. A few of the things we think about are easy-access maintenance design, creating extra capacity, sizing piping and ductwork appropriately, and adjusting fan speeds for energy efficiency.
Take healthcare, for example. Complex medical equipment must be changed out frequently to maintain optimal performance. When we’re sourcing equipment, we look for ways to create more capacity and flexibility in whatever we design so that changes can be made, maintenance can be performed, and equipment can be replaced without having to make changes that get very expensive down the road. Alongside flexibility, systems must be very reliable and energy-efficient to handle all the changes that take place in these environments.
Q2: When you approach a new project, how do you balance immediate needs with long term maintenance considerations?
A: Performance and maintenance always go hand in hand. When designing a mechanical system, we make sure to create ample space with easy access to equipment for maintenance technicians. Great design allows all partners on the project team to do their part just as well as anyone else. We have found over the years that if you don’t make it easy for maintenance technicians to access, it creates unnecessary barriers to maintenance that affect the lifetime of the systems and the overall project. Before we make any decisions, we discuss with each client what is right for them when we make decisions to ensure it’s something they can maintain properly and frequently enough to maximize the longevity of the equipment.
Q3: How do you collaborate with facility managers, contractors, and end users to ensure maintenance needs are integrated into the design?
A: I grew up playing sports, so I’ve always had a team mindset. When we’re working on a project, our team includes both the client and Hafer. At the beginning of a project, our design team sits down with the owner and stakeholders to understand their likes and dislikes. We encourage that maintenance staff be involved in our process. Ultimately, you need their buy-in with the design. You can design what you think is the best system ever, but if the maintenance staff says it’s too complex or difficult for them to take care of, then it doesn’t work. Collaborating with them early and often is the way to go.
Then, there’s a point where we bring in the contractors, and they become members of the team just like everyone else. What makes us a good team is mutual respect. We respond to their needs and make it clear that we’re open to any suggestions or feedback. This allows us to keep the client’s best interest as our first priority and create the best final product possible.
Q4: Can you share an example of when a design choice made a difference for a client?
A: One example is geothermal systems, which have a lot of advantages. Though the first cost can seem intimidating, we are seeing the long-term benefits for our clients that have taken that step. Geothermal systems are energy-efficient and save resources for the next generation. Many times they take up less space inside the building and don’t have large exterior equipment that can be noisy.
Another choice we made years ago that makes Hafer unique is the services we offer in-house. Our architects and engineers work alongside each other from the very beginning of projects, which improves communication and coordination and results in better projects for our clients.
Q5: If you could give building owners one piece of advice about maintaining their mechanical systems, what would it be?
A: An issue we have run into is that when an owner is concerned about staying within budget, they cut their water treatment systems. The water used inside of boilers and other equipment has to be specially treated to remove minerals to maintain the performance and life expectancy of the equipment. When the water isn’t treated, it will rot the inside of your pipes and coils. They often don’t see the impact of this decision until they notice a leak, or that their equipment isn’t performing well, or they notice they can’t heat the space as well as before. These events often come as a result of the decision to forgo chemical water treatment. What seems like a cost-saving decision can turn out to be a very expensive, several-years-long service and replacement for your whole system. While first costs are important, you should also think about what a decision will mean for the long-term.
Q6. How does designing for easier maintenance contribute to a building’s overall sustainability and lifecycle performance?
A: We’ve found that when systems are easy to maintain, they last longer and run more efficiently. This reduces energy waste and replacement costs and it also helps maintenance teams operate the building as it was intended. Preventive maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken, it’s about ensuring that the building is at optimal performance for decades. A system that’s designed to be accessible supports both the owner’s bottom line and sustainability goals.
Interested in learning more about Hafer’s MEP design expertise? View our portfolio. You can also contact Ron at rosteinhart@haferdesign.com.