1 City View HVAC & BMS Upgrade

Building Integrity, Elevating Environments.

At Axis Align, we approach every project with a commitment to integrity, precision, and holistic building solutions. The City View Site upgrade is a testament to our expertise in delivering integrated mechanical services that enhance building performance, occupant wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. One of the most significant challenges in this project was the transformation of the building’s use—from a Class 5 commercial office space to a Class 9 educational facility. This shift triggered a major change in regulatory requirements, particularly around fire safety compliance. Class 9 buildings, which include schools and universities, are subject to stricter fire codes due to their higher occupancy levels and the need to ensure safe evacuation for vulnerable groups. This meant the existing infrastructure had to be thoroughly assessed and upgraded to meet the new standards.

Challenges Addressed

• Mechanical Fire: Assessing and modifying existing systems such as stair pressure pressurisation to be able to conform the new standards.

• Aging Infrastructure: Replacement of end-of-life HVAC units that were causing frequent breakdowns and tenant discomfort. Systems required to be broken down and rebuilt in plant rooms on multiple levels.
• Energy Inefficiency: Integration of smart BMS controls to reduce energy consumption and improve system responsiveness. Ageing network infrastructure needed to be upgraded for the effective communication of control systems.
• Complex Coordination: Multi-level installation requiring precise scheduling, engineering, and stakeholder communication.

Project Scope

This comprehensive HVAC and Building Management System (BMS) upgrade spanned five levels (2, 8, 9, 10, 11) of the City View Site. Our team undertook the design, installation, and commissioning of advanced mechanical systems, including:

• Essential Mechanical Fire Fans: Installation of essential fans operating the mechanical pump room housing all the firefighting equipment. Integrating essential fans to the fire indicator panel and fire fan control panel.
• Water-Cooled Supplementary Units: Installation of 36 units with condenser water line systems, isolation valves, strainers, and motorised shut-off valves for lecture theatres.
• Air Distribution Enhancements: New flex ducting, swirl diffusers, cushion boxes, and sheet metal supply ducts to optimise airflow and comfort.
• Electrical Upgrades: MSSBs with fire trip integration, controller installations, and future-proofed switchboards for scalability.
• Commissioning & Engineering: Full air and water balancing, updated floor drawings, and detailed O&M documentation for both mechanical and fire
• BMS Integration: Deployment of ECY-450 and ECY-S1000 controllers for centralised control, energy monitoring, and enhanced operational efficiency.
• VAV Controller Replacement: Upgrade of 51 standalone VAV zones with Distech ECY-VAVs and Niagara EC-Net 4 Supervisor for improved zone control and energy savings.
• Central Plant Unit Upgrades: Upgrade of central systems in plant rooms connected back to both BMS and cooling tower Rebalanced to condition outside air and lower carbon dioxide levels.

Our Holistic-Solution Methodology

We treated the building as a living ecosystem for a university and its needs—integrating HVAC, BMS, and Mechanical Fire Safety systems to deliver a seamless, energy-efficient solution. Our tailored approach ensured:

• End-to-End Delivery: From consulting and engineering to installation and commissioning.
• Proactive Maintenance Planning: Asset audits and lifecycle analysis to prevent future disruptions.
• Optimal Energy Efficiency: Systems aligned with NABERS and Green Star standards.

Client Impact

• Improved Comfort & Air Quality: Enhanced occupant experience through better airflow and temperature control.
• Operational Reliability: Reduced breakdowns and maintenance costs with modernised systems.
• Sustainability Gains: Lower carbon footprint and energy usage through smart controls and efficient equipment.
• Improved Building Safety and Compliance: Upgraded mechanical fire systems insured building complied with new codes and occupant evacuation was improved in an emergency situation

Why Axis Align

This project reflects our brand pillars:

• Customer-Centric Care: Dedicated consultants and responsive support.
• Holistic-Solution Methodology: Unified systems for long-term building health.
• Optimal Energy Efficiency: Smart strategies for sustainable performance.
• Proactive not Reactive: Insight-driven maintenance and asset management.

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