Commonwealth of Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Whole Building Commissioning
Direct-to-Owner Engineering
opposite page: Kentucky’s Centralized Lab entrance
top right: Exterior panels (before)
Commonwealth of Kentucky | Frankfort, KY
Kentucky’s Centralized Laboratory houses critical lab functions for multiple state agencies including the Kentucky State Police, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Division of Environmental Program Support. The facility includes forensic labs, tuberculosis labs, and BSL-3 containment labs.
The building is of 1980’s construction. Due to equipment age as well as tenant modifications, regular investment in critical HVAC systems is required to keep the building safe and functional. The building is connected to a campus central plan which is a key component of its smooth operation and system redundancy.
Paladin’s first project in 2015 was needed because of two significant factors — large utility bills and mold and significant water infiltration. We began a process of existing building commissioning to identify simple repairs, like enabling heat recovery, as well as complicated repairs such as notable building pressurization problems creating extreme negative pressure.
Subsequent projects have included fit-up renovations for an expanding Kentucky State Police Forensic Lab, BSL-3 lab improvements, lab air handling unit replacements, and central utility plant upgrades.
opposite page: Atrium with challenging daylighting
above: Multiple Cabinet departments housed in the lab
Envelope investigation included thermography, extensive functional testing, and a building envelope skin investigation to evaluate installation techniques. Paladin’s investigations revealed that incomplete installation of details on the metal-panel cladding would require reskinning.
Our mechanical systems investigations included operating conditions documentation and the functional testing of utility services and air distribution. Paladin identified the need for revised sequences of operations, the reclamation of 40,000 cfm in unidentified exhaust, CAV/ VAV retrofits, and central plant chiller replacement.
Paladin’s work at the lab involves multiple phases intended to establish clear causality of system issues prior to implementing a commissioning or engineering solution. This is particularly important to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in order to preserve capital budgets and ensure that funds are applied to the highest and best use.
To keep the improvements in place, each of Paladin’s projects has involved extensive owner training and legacy documentation. Owner training modules are customized describing how to run the building in multiple scenarios. Legacy documents are specific to the building and include items like room-by-room air flows, record sequences of operations, and continuously updated current facility requirements.
In the first project Paladin completed at the Centralized Lab, Paladin’s solutions and whole building approach reduced the annual energy consumption by 16.9% (approximately $200,000/year).
Subsequent efforts have seen those savings retained and steadily increasing over the years.
In 10+ years, the Commonwealth has seen a 20% energy reduction. And even though the price per kilowatt hour has increased from $0.051 in 2009 to $0.077 in 2020—an increase of over 50%—the total cost of electricity per year has increased by only 11%.
opposite top: Thermography reveals issues in metal panel cladding
opposite bottom: Fan Speed vs. Economizer
above right: CEMCS data reveals steady and strong annual increases
right: Improvements to all labs
far right: Paladin investigated all MEP systems
Paladin coined Game changers in building systems TM because of our commitment to your building’s potential. Founded in 1986, we built upon engineering roots and
COMMISSIONING
Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities encompass the entire built environment where we work to ensure seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with the team to achieve your project goals.
Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities encompass the entire built environment where we work to ensure seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with you to achieve your project goals.
the strategy and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward, creative, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of how we work to bring about the best outcomes for you.
As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you and your project team to reach the levels of sustainability you desire. We help unlock why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop the strategy and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward, creative, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of how we work to bring about the best outcomes for you.
As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you and your project team to reach the levels of sustainability you desire. We help unlock why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop
Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you to leave status quo behind. We check our egos at the door and focus on your building’s working as intended. We are paladins— supporters of your project, defenders of your goals, and champions for your building’s success.
We work in existing buildings and on process improvements to address aging infrastructure, identify energy conservation measures, and solve operational deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.
We work in existing buildings and on process improvements to address aging infrastructure, identify energy conservation measures, and solve operational deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.
coined
TM because of our solid commitment to your building’s potential.
Founded in 1986, we built upon engineering roots and now deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability services, and direct-to-owner engineering for new and existing facilities.
Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you to leave status quo behind .
We check egos at the door and focus on making your building work as intended.
We are paladins — supporters of your project, defenders of your goals, and champions for your building’s success.
