Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, PHILADELPHIA, PA

Automation Retrofit

CLIENT OBJECTIVES

Faced with rising electrical utility costs, the client solicited design/build proposals to upgrade and optimize their existing Johnson Controls Metasys Building Automation System with the goal of significantly reducing utility costs. Despite facing strong competition from OEMs like Johnson, Honeywell, and Siemens, EMCOR Services Fluidics’ Energy and Controls Division was awarded the installation contract. Included with Fluidics’ proposal was a "guarantee" of electricity cost reduction of $100,000 over five years.

VALUE DELIVERED

• A modern, cost-effective building automation system allowing flexibility, better control, and cost-effective maintenance, upgrades, and expansion
• A simple payback of less than 12 months
• A significant electricity cost reduction of $95,000 achieved in only three years with savings that will continue into the future. In addition, through Fluidics’ advocacy efforts, an energy rebate of $40,000 was paid to e Kimmel Center for Performing Arts by the local utility in early 2013.
• Improved occupant comfort during performances
• A means of tracking building efficiency and operations, 24/7/365, via remote monitoring

PROJECT SOLUTIONS

Fluidics’ Energy and Controls Division staff re-designed, programmed, and optimized the existing sequences of operations, schedules, and set-points to reflect current building operating practices and usage, which had changed over time. Damaged and obsolete sensors, actuators, controllers, and wiring were repaired or replaced with state-of-the-art DDC components. Demand-controlled ventilation of the theaters and common areas was achieved without compromise to comfort parameters. A Honeywell/Tridium front-end was installed as an overlay to the existing Johnson Controls backbone, which allows the client broader contractor selection and cost efficiencies when faced with on-going system maintenance and so ware upgrades. e system also facilitated automatic mechanical equipment shut downs to curtail area-wide energy use during periods of high demand across the regional electricity grid. Password-protected, web-based access was designed into the system to remotely facilitate troubleshooting, inquiries, and changes by the client and Fluidics staff.

CLIENT BACKGROUND

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the premier performing arts venue in the tri-State area (PA, NJ, DE), presenting a gross program area of 430,000 square feet. Opening in 2001, it is also home to Verizon Hall, a 2,500-seat concert hall, and Pearlman Theatre, a 650-seat recital theater. It is the crown jewel of the Avenue of the Arts, which runs 20 blocks south of City Hall on Broad Street, and punctuates the skyline with its massive glass and steel barrel vault roof. From its opening in 2001 through to 2014, EMCOR Services Fluidics has provided a full complement of building infrastructure services, including a 24/7/365 staff of eight on-site building engineers, a full coverage maintenance agreement on all mechanical systems, periodic equipment repair and replacement, and a maintenance contract on the Building Automation System (BAS).

CLIENT:
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

		Design/Build
		Bid Build
		New Construction
		Retrofit/Renovation
		Electrical Construction
		Mechanical Construction
		Facilities Services
		Consulting Services