Coast CCD, Orange Coast College Mathematics, Business, & Computing Center

3QC completed LEED Fundamental Commissioning as a member of the project team for phase 1 of the new Math, Business and Computing Center at Orange Coast College. Completed in 2015, the new 78,277 SF building is home to the college’s Business and Computer Science programs. The project was constructed by Sundt utilizing a multi-prime construction methodology and includes 35 administrative offices, 200-station open computer lab, 11 computer teaching labs, nine lecture halls and 15 classrooms. Understanding that quality learning environments greatly enhance student performance, LPA designed the project with thermal and occupant comfort as a priority and included many sustainable elements that helped the project achieve the equivalent of LEED Silver certification – integrated exterior glazing, day lighting, exterior circulation areas with cross-ventilated classrooms, low water use fixtures, high performance equipment.

As Commissioning Agent, 3QC led commissioning meetings with the project team, controls contractor, and the District to coordinate the controls sequences prior to testing to address typical issues that occur during functionally testing. Meetings continued throughout the testing process to proactively resolve issues. For instance, a single fan-powered VAV room temperature sensor was consistently reading ~2F below actual room temperature. After thoroughly diagnosing potential controls issues, it was determined that issue was actually cause by conditioned air leaking into the wall cavity which affected the reading on the BMS. The issue was resolved by the District O&M staff and the contractor by placing insulation around the sensors.