selected work
Engineering in Practice.
A selection of projects highlighting practical engineering solutions, technical problem-solving, and verified system performance.
01 | QAQCx
Identifying Problems Before Construction.
During a technical review of an outdoor air-handling unit, FUNCTION identified a bypass damper located in the regeneration air stream rather than the outside-air stream. The equipment submittal had already been approved, and the unit was approaching fabrication.
THE CHALLENGE
Through independent equipment submittal review and coordination with the project team, FUNCTION identified the configuration error and documented the required correction. Additional reviews addressed equipment compatibility, control requirements, and construction coordination.
FUNCTION'S ROLE
Among other resolved issues, the manufacturer corrected the bypass damper arrangement before fabrication, avoiding a potentially costly field modification and helping preserve the intended system operation.
THE OUTCOME
02 | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Phased HVAC Modernization Without a Complete Building Shutdown.
THE CHALLENGE
Upgrading aging HVAC systems in an occupied commercial building requires balancing equipment performance, construction constraints, available infrastructure, and owner budgets. A complete system replacement is not always practical or necessary.
FUNCTION'S ROLE
FUNCTION develops mechanical engineering solutions that integrate new equipment with existing building systems. Designs consider phased construction, hydronic distribution, equipment selection, building automation integration, and opportunities for future system improvements.
THE OUTCOME
A practical modernization strategy that allows improvements to proceed in manageable phases while preserving usable infrastructure, supporting continued building operation, and providing flexibility for future upgrades.
03 | COMMISSIONING & TROUBLESHOOTING
Finding the Root Cause of Hydronic Problems.
THE CHALLENGE
A multi-phase data center project experienced recurring chilled-water flow problems, including suspended solids, air accumulation and system performance deficiencies. Repeated corrective efforts addressed symptoms without fully resolving the underlying issue.
FUNCTION'S ROLE
FUNCTION investigated the system through construction documentation, flushing procedures, field observations, and operational analysis. The review identified a flushing configuration that incorrectly isolated significant portions of the piping system, preventing the intended flow through those sections.
THE OUTCOME
The investigation identified a fundamental problem in the flushing procedure and its field implementation, providing the project team with a technically supported explanation of the recurring deficiencies and a basis for corrective action.
