CSI Specification

1.1 SUMMARY

This section includes Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilators for indoor installation. Units may be referred to as Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for brevity.

1.2 RELATED

Drawing and general provisions of the contract, including General Requirements Division 01, Division 23 Specifications Sections, and common work requirements for HVAC apply. Section 23 09 00: Controls and Instrumentation is also related.

1.3 SUBMITTALS

• Product data: For each type or model of Energy Recovery Ventilator, include:
  • Unit performance data for Supply Air and Exhaust Air, with system operating conditions.
  • Enthalpy plate performance data for summer and winter operation.
  • Dimensioned drawings for each installation type, showing isometric and plan views, including ductwork location and service clearance requirements.
  • Estimated gross weight of each installed unit.
  • Filter types, quantities, and sizes.
  • Installation, Operating and Maintenance manual (IOM) for each model.
• LEED Submittals: Provide data for prerequisite E01: Documentation indicating compliance with ASHRAE 62.1-2010, Section 5 - "Systems and Equipment".
• Shop Drawings: For air-to-air energy recovery ventilators, include plans, elevations, sections, details, and attachments. Detail equipment assemblies, dimensions, weights, loads, clearances, field assembly methods, components, and field connection locations/sizes.
• Operation and maintenance data for air-to-air energy recovery ventilator.

1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Source Limitations: Obtain Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilator with all components from a single manufacturer.
• Fabrication, installation, and testing must use thoroughly trained and experienced workers familiar with the requirements and manufacturer's current recommended methods.
• The ERV core is warranted free of manufacturing defects for ten (10) years from purchase date. The balance-of-unit is warranted for two (2) years from installation date.
• Manufacturer must provide evidence of independent testing by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), verifying a maximum flame spread index (FSI) of 25 and a maximum smoke developed index (SDI) of 50 (UL Standard 723), meeting NFPA90A and NFPA 90B requirements.
• Certifications: Energy recovery cores must be third-party Certified by AHRI under its Standard 1060 for Energy Recovery Ventilators. AHRI published certifications must confirm manufacturer's published performance for airflow, static pressure, temperature, total effectiveness, purge air (OACF), and exhaust air leakage (EATR). Products not AHRI certified are not accepted. OACF must be no more than 1.02 and EATR must be at 0% against balanced airflow.

1.5 COORDINATION

• Coordinate size and location of building penetrations for the ERV and associated electrical systems.
• Coordinate construction sequencing for associated plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supply.

2.1 MANUFACTURERS

• Available Manufacturers: Subject to compliance with specifications, manufacturers include RenewAire.
• Manufacturer should be in business for minimum 10 years manufacturing energy recovery ventilators.

2.2 MANUFACTURED UNITS

Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilators shall be fully factory-assembled, consisting of a fixed-plate cross-flow heat exchanger with no moving parts, an insulated [single][double] wall G90 galvanized 20-gauge steel cabinet, filter assemblies for both intake and exhaust air, enthalpy core, with all specified components and internal accessories factory installed and tested. Entire unit, except for field-installed components, shall be assembled and test operated at the factory.

2.3 CABINET

• Materials: Formed [single][double] wall insulated metal cabinet, fabricated to permit access to internal components for maintenance.
• Outside casing: 20 gauge, galvanized (G90) steel meeting ASTM A653 for components that do not receive a painted finish.
• Access doors: Hinged with airtight closed cell foam gaskets. Door pressure taps, with captive plugs, shall be provided for cross-core pressure measurement allowing for accurate airflow measurement.
• Unit shall have factory-installed duct flanges on all duct openings.
• Cabinet Insulation: Unit walls and doors shall be insulated with 1 inch, 4 pound density, foil/scrim faced, high-density fiberglass board insulation, providing a cleanable surface and eliminating the possibility of exposing the fresh air to glass fibers, and with a minimum R-value of 4.3 (hr-ft²-°F/BTU).
• Enthalpy core: Energy recovery core shall be of the total enthalpy type, capable of transferring both sensible and latent energy between airstreams. Latent energy transfer shall be accomplished by direct water vapor transfer from one airstream to the other, without exposing transfer media in succeeding cycles directly to the exhaust air and then to the fresh air. No condensate drains shall be allowed. The energy recovery core shall be designed and constructed to permit cleaning and removal for servicing. The energy recovery core shall have a ten year warranty. Performance criteria are to be as specified in AHRI Standard 1060.
• Passive Frost Control: The ERV core shall perform without condensing or frosting under normal operating conditions (defined as outside temperatures above -10°F and inside relative humidity below 40%). Occasional more extreme conditions shall not affect the usual function, performance or durability of the core. No condensate drains will be allowed.

2.7 FILTER SECTION

ERV shall have 2" thick [MERV 8][MERV 13] disposable pleated filters located in the outdoor air and exhaust airstreams. All filters shall be accessible from the exterior of the unit.

3.1 EXAMINATION

• Prior to start of installation, examine area and conditions to verify correct location for compliance with installation tolerances and other conditions affecting unit performance. See unit IOM.
• Examine roughing-in of plumbing, electrical and HVAC services to verify actual location and compliance with unit requirements. See unit IOM.
• Proceed with installation only after all unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected.

3.2 INSTALLATION

Installation shall be accomplished in accordance with these written specifications, project drawings, manufacturer's installation instructions as documented in manufacturer's IOM, Best Practices and all applicable building codes. Install unit with clearances for service and maintenance.

3.3 CONNECTIONS

In all cases, industry Best Practices shall be incorporated. Connections are to be made subject to the installation requirements shown above. Duct installation and connection requirements are specified in Division 23 of this document.

3.4 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

Contractor to inspect field assembled components and equipment installation. Report results to Architect/Engineer in writing. Inspection must include a complete startup checklist to include (as a minimum) the following: Completed Start-Up Checklists as found in manufacturer's IOM.

3.5 START-UP SERVICE

Contractor to perform startup service. Clean entire unit, comb coil fins as necessary, and install clean filters. Refer to Division 23 "Testing, Adjusting and Balancing" and comply with provisions therein.

3.6 DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING

Contractor to train owner's maintenance personnel to adjust, operate and maintain the entire Make-Up Air unit. Refer to Division 01 Section Closeout Procedures and Demonstration and Training.