It was suspected that the Chilled Beam cooling system built into the ceiling panels was not working at full efficiency or in some case not operating at all. Staff working at their desks were experiencing differing temperatures and the site maintenance team were spending a great deal of time investigating the cause of the temperature differences. 

In an attempt to overcome the issue many of the zones were being manually controlled resulting in large inefficiencies in the cooling system. 

Access to the diffusers and valves above the ceiling was only available while the building was not occupied. This incurred additional maintenance costs and was compounded by the restrictions of working above desks and office equipment to access the diffusers and valves.

PROCESS
A series of thermal imaging surveys were carried out across all of the affected ceilings in the building. Each zone of chilled beams was isolated the night before our surveys to allow the equipment to reach an ambient steady state temperature.

On arrival each zone was put into service and allowed to start to cool space. Thermal imaging was carried out to identify those diffusers which remained at the ambient temperature.

REPORT
Digital and thermal images were recorded of each section of the ceiling. Each of these images were included in our final report along with detailed images of those diffusers that were found not to be operating correctly. In consultation with the site facilities team and by reviewing the layout drawings we were able to identify the faulty diffusers by the original diffuser number and the position of the control valve was confirmed.

REMEDIAL WORKS
Following our survey, report and further consultation the site maintenance staff were able to focus resources on those diffusers and valves that were not operating within the set parameters. A program of system maintenance was put in place which allowed the site team to carry out remedial works to only the faulty valves and diffusers thereby reducing time spent accessing equipment above desks and ceiling tile unnecessarily. 

CONCLUSION
Over a period of several weeks the site staff were able to repair and replace the faulty valves and equipment to bring the system back to full efficiency. As a result temperatures across the floors are now consistent, there are fewer reports of temperature differences and maintenance staff spend far less time investigating complaints of temperature fluctuations.