OBO - Operations Management Audit Checklist

1. Does the Buildings Operations Plan describe standards and guidelines for operating building HVAC equipment such that all specified temperature, lighting and other environmental conditions and provided during buildings operating hours (Monday through Friday except for holidays and organizational elements that have to operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year)?

2. Are systems and equipment placed in the automatic mode to the extent practical and feasible?

3. Are routine procedures established and used to guide startups and shutdowns?

4. Are steps taken to ensure that equipment is not cycled at frequencies that will lead to premature failure?

5. Are steps taken to ensure that when duplicate systems exist, equipment is rotated to equalize usage?

6. Are utility meters read on the same day as they are read by the power company?

7. Are inventories maintained for all fuel received, stored, and used?

8. Are facility start-up procedures varied according to external environmental conditions and average office space temperatures?e

9. Are the air/conditioning and heating equipment started (and shutdown) at the same time each day?

10. Does the start/up Operating Engineer assess external environmental conditions (weather, light, etc.), and any other cognizant building-use factors, to ensure that the energy management control system has started or will start the mechanical equipment in order to have the building within prescribed environmental limits by the start of normal building operating hours?

11. Are chillers, and all auxiliary equipment, operated during the cooling season, and as needed throughout the year, in accordance with outside ambient temperatures, through the energetic management control system, to maintain prescribed building(s) interior cooling temperatures ?

12. Ad air handling units operated 12 months of the year, between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. ?

Are handlers are operated on the economizer cycle (utilizing outside air) when the outside ambient temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and in conjunction with the chillers as needed when the outside temperature exceeds 60 degrees Fahrenheit?

Is outside air used to the maximum extent possible during moderate temperature periods, based upon outside air temperature and relative humidity conditions?

13. After ensuring that the facility has reached prescribed environmental limits, are the Operating Engineers assigned additional operations and maintenance tasks?

14. Has the Engineering Supervisor been instructed that before he leaves for the day, he will review with the energy management control system Operator as to what equipment is to be shut down for the night, and when to begin the shutdown procedures; and, also, what equipment is to be started up in the morning, and what time to begin start/up procedures?

15. Are equipment start-up and shutdown procedures, as well as operating schedules, established to match normal load variations occurring during the regular course of a prescribed period ( day/ week/ month/ season/ year) ?

16. Are frequently used equipment and critical systems started prior to the peak load period, in order to prevent "start-up spikes" at the peak curve?

17. Are major equipment or systems, including elevators, escalators, security, and fire alarm systems, not operational by the start if normal building operating hours reported to the Facility Manager no later than 7:45 A.M. ?

18. Have procedures been installed specifying that during prolonged shutdown periods (weekends and holidays) for both summer and winter start-ups, that it may be necessary to advance start-ups by 1 to 2 hours, based on conditions at the time?

19. Have steps been taken to assure that all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and utility systems are operated in an energy efficient manner, to provide the required environmental conductions, consistent with current federal, state, and local requirements?

20. Are temperature controls set to maintain an indoor environment that is consistent with general industry standards; and provides generally acceptable temperatures established for human comfort?

21. During off-duty hours are temperature controls maintained at a level that ensures the protection of the facility and its systems?

22. Are steps taken to ensure that ventilation and conditioned air supply, to all occupied, and non-occupied spaces, is adequately filtered during normal hours of occupancy to assure a safe and healthy environment?

23. Is outside air utilized, whenever possible (based on outside temperature and humidity levels), to maintain specified office and shop spaces temperature ranges? During moderate weather, outside air, mechanical economizers, and/or other energy saving equipment installed, should be used to the maximum extent possible.

24. Is building ventilation provided to the maximum extent allowed by the configuration and design of mechanical equipment installed in the buildings?

25. Is air adequately filtered at all times by using only air filters capable of at least 50 percent particulate removal?

Are filters changed frequently, in accordance with best industry standards and practices?

26. Are environmental conditions maintained in special areas, such as photographic laboratories and computer rooms, to ensure the reliable operation of the program equipment as recommended by the applicable equipment manufacturers?

27. Is domestic hot water maintained at 105 degrees Fahrenheit?

28. Are lighting systems maintained to achieve the following illumination levels during normal organization work hours?<br>Public areas within buildings: 10 foot-candles<br>Normal workstations: 50 foot-candles<br>General work areas: 50 foot-candles <br>Storage areas: 10 foot-candles

Are lighting systems maintained facility-wide, at a level necessary for safety and security, at all times?

29. Is the energy management control system programmed to ensure that all unnecessary lighting is turned off, daily throughout all building?

30. Are running test checks performed on large or high-energy-use equipment such as chillers, pumps, and air-handling equipment during normal core hours of operations?

Are the running test checks prescheduled prior to performance to avoid an interruption in service, spikes in utility use, or increase in monthly electrical demand costs? Certain peak operational usage periods will be prohibited for running these tests or checks.