60D-4.004. Criteria for Alternative Designs

(1) New construction and additions:

(a) This Rule applies to all of the following:

1. New facilities constructed for the use of a state agency.

2. Additions to existing state-owned facilities.

3. Renovations to existing state-owned facilities shall be allowed to comply with subsection 60D-4.004(1), F.A.C., when the agency determines that the scope of the proposed renovation addresses enough energy-consuming equipment and architectural elements to comply with the whole-building energy performance requirements as described in this Rule. Otherwise, subsection 60D-4.004(2), (3) or (4), F.A.C., shall apply.

(b) Alternative designs:

1. At least three alternative designs shall be developed for the agency’s consideration.

2. Each alternative design shall be modeled with a computer-based simulation program to simulate total energy usage for the entire building or addition.

3. Each alternative design shall be modeled with the same computer-based simulation program.

4. The computer-based simulation program shall comply with Rule 60D-4.005, F.A.C.

5. The computer-based simulation shall include HVAC heat load calculations and equipment sizing. The HVAC heat load calculations shall include all internal building heat loads.

6. Specific energy performance requirements:

a. Maximum allowable energy consumption: The maximum allowable annual energy consumption for alternative designs shall be based on the minimum energy performance requirement of the sustainable building rating adopted by the agency in accordance with Section 255.257(4)(a), F.S.

b. For new construction and additions:

(I) The first alternative design shall demonstrate equal or less energy consumption than the maximum allowable energy consumption described in sub-subparagraph (1)(b)6.a. of this section.

(II) The second alternative design shall demonstrate a percentage reduction in energy consumption of 10 percent, or more, when compared to the maximum allowable energy consumption as described in in sub-subparagraph (1)(b)6.a. of this section.

(III) The third alternative design shall demonstrate a percentage reduction in energy consumption of 20 percent, or more, when compared to the maximum allowable energy consumption as described in in sub-subparagraph (1)(b)6.a. of this section.

(IV) Additional alternative designs, if developed, shall demonstrate equal or less energy consumption than the maximum allowable energy consumption described in in sub-subparagraph (1)(b)6.a. of this section.

c. For renovations pursuant to subparagraph 60D-4.004(1)(a)3., F.A.C.:

(I) Two alternative designs shall demonstrate equal or less energy consumption than the maximum allowable energy consumption described in in sub-subparagraph (1)(b)6.a. of this section.

(II) The third alternative design shall demonstrate a percentage reduction in energy consumption of 10 percent, or more, when compared to the maximum allowable energy consumption as described in in sub-subparagraph (1)(b)6.a. of this section.

(III) Additional alternative designs, if developed, shall demonstrate equal or less energy consumption than the maximum allowable energy consumption described in in sub-subparagraph (1)(b)6.a. of this section.

d. The percentage reduction (PR) shall be calculated as follows:

PR = 100 × (required consumption – proposed consumption) / required consumption

(c) Selection of preferred design:

1. The selection of the preferred alternative design shall be made by the agency only after a life-cycle cost analysis is performed in compliance with Rule 60D-4.006, F.A.C.

2. For new facilities and additions, construction shall proceed only after the life-cycle cost analysis has been evaluated by the department for technical correctness and completeness, pursuant to Section 255.254(1), F.S.

(d) Preparation requirements: The preparation of alternative designs and the computer-based energy  simulation described in subsection 60D-4.004(1), F.A.C., shall be performed by an architect or engineer licensed in Florida.

(2) Major equipment-related projects:

(a) This Rule applies to renovations in existing state-owned facilities whenever any one of the following items of energy-consuming equipment is installed new or replaced:

1. Chillers with a total cooling capacity of 25 tons (300,000 BTUH) or greater.

2. Boilers with a total input heating capacity of 300,000 BTUH (88 kW) or greater.

3. Unitary HVAC equipment (single and multiple units) within a single building where the total cooling or heating capacity being installed in the project is 25 tons (300,000 BTUH) or greater. Unitary HVAC equipment as defined here shall include:

a. Self-contained air-conditioners and heat pumps;

b. Complete split system air-conditioners and heat pumps, which shall be defined here as the both the condenser and evaporator sections of the system;

c. Fuel-burning furnaces;

d. Electric heaters.

4. Service water heaters (single and multiple units) within a single building where the total input heating capacity being installed in the project is 300,000 BTUH (88 kW) or greater.

5. Lighting fixtures within a single building where the total lighting capacity being installed in the project is 30 kW or greater.

(b) This rule excludes “guaranteed energy, water, and wastewater performance savings projects” as defined in Section 489.145, F.S.

(c) Exception: New and replacement energy-consuming equipment intended to serve as back-up equipment that only operates if primary equipment fails may be omitted from the computer-based simulation and life-cycle cost analysis requirements of this rule at the agency’s discretion.  Such back-up equipment shall be considered to have a negligible impact to the agency’s overall energy consumption due to infrequent operation. However, the computer-based simulation and life-cycle cost analysis requirements of this rule shall be applicable to all other aspects of the same renovation project per paragraph 60D-4.004(2)(a), F.A.C. This exception does not apply to supplemental equipment, which shall be defined here as energy-consuming equipment that is intended to operate regularly for the purposes of meeting peak load requirements.

(d) Alternative designs:

1. At least three alternative designs shall be developed for the agency’s consideration.

2. Each alternative design shall be modeled with a computer-based simulation program to simulate the total energy usage of all energy-consuming equipment being installed new or replaced within the project.

Exception: For projects where lighting fixtures, service water heaters, or a combination of both are the only energy-consuming equipment being installed new or replaced, the energy usage of the alternative designs shall be considered unrelated to the effects of weather and therefore may be developed manually without a computer-based simulation at the agency’s discretion.

3. The computer-based simulation shall include HVAC heat load calculations and equipment sizing for projects that include new or replacement HVAC equipment. The HVAC heat load calculations shall include all internal building heat loads for the areas affected by the renovation.

4. The computer-based simulation program shall comply with Rule 60D-4.005, F.A.C.

5. Specific energy performance requirements:

a. Each alternative design shall meet or exceed the minimum energy performance requirements of the sustainable building rating adopted by the agency in accordance with Section 255.257(4)(a), F.S.

b. Each alternative design shall demonstrate different energy consumption.

6. Equipment type requirements:

a. HVAC equipment:

(I) Water-cooled equipment replacements: When the existing HVAC equipment being replaced utilizes cooling towers or ground water for heat rejection purposes, at least one alternative design shall incorporate water-cooled equipment, unless there exist conditions outside of the agency’s control as listed in the exceptions below.

(A) Exceptions:

i. The existing supply or return well has failed and is not repairable.

ii. The permit application for groundwater consumption has been denied by the authority having jurisdiction or will not be renewed.

iii. The amount of groundwater available from the well system or permitted by the authority having jurisdiction is insufficient for proper or reliable HVAC equipment operation.

iv. New water-cooled or related equipment will not fit in the available space.

v. The space available to install new water-cooled or related equipment does not comply with the clearance recommendations or requirements of the equipment manufacturer.

vi. Applicable codes and ordinances that prohibit the installation of such equipment.

(II) Centrifugal chiller replacements: When the HVAC equipment being replaced includes one or more centrifugal type chillers, at least one alternative design shall incorporate one or more centrifugal type chillers, unless there exist conditions outside of the agency’s control as listed in the exceptions below.

(A) Exceptions:

i. A new centrifugal type chiller will not fit in the available space.

ii. The space available to install a new centrifugal type chiller or related equipment does not comply with the clearance recommendations or requirements of the equipment manufacturer.

iii. Applicable codes and ordinances that prohibit the installation of such equipment.

b. Lighting equipment:

(I) For office areas:

(A) T-5 fluorescent lighting shall be included in at least one alternative design when lighting fixtures are to be installed new or replaced.

(B) Task lighting shall be included in at least one alternative design when lighting fixtures are to be installed new or replaced.

(II) Lamp and ballast replacements for existing lighting fixtures shall be considered an acceptable alternative design.

c. Service water heating equipment:

(I) Water heater replacements: When the equipment being replaced utilizes natural gas, at least one alternative design shall incorporate natural gas.

(II) Low flow plumbing fixtures shall be considered an acceptable alternative design for service water heaters.

(e) Selection of preferred design: The selection of the preferred alternative design shall be made by the agency only after a life-cycle cost analysis is performed in compliance with Rule 60D-4.006, F.A.C.

(f) Preparation requirements: The preparation of alternative designs and the computer-based energy simulation described in subsection 60D-4.004(2), F.A.C., shall be performed by an architect or engineer licensed in Florida.

(3) Minor equipment-related projects:

(a) This Rule applies to renovations in existing state-owned facilities whenever any of the following items of energy-consuming equipment are installed new or replaced:

1. Chillers with a total cooling capacity of less than 25 tons (300,000 BTUH).

2. Boilers with a total input heating capacity of less than 300,000 BTUH (90 kW).

3. Unitary HVAC equipment (single and multiple units) within a single building where the total cooling or heating capacity being installed in the project is less than 25 tons (300,000 BTUH). Unitary HVAC equipment as defined here shall include:

a. Self-contained air-conditioners and heat pumps;

b. Complete split system air-conditioners and heat pumps, which shall be defined here as both the condenser and evaporator sections of the system;

c. Fuel-burning furnaces;

d. Electric heaters.

4. Service water heaters (single and multiple units) within a single building where the total input heating capacity being installed in the project is less than 300,000 BTUH (88 kW).

5. Lighting fixtures within a single building where the total lighting capacity being installed in the project is less than 30 kW.

(b) This rule excludes “guaranteed energy, water, and wastewater performance savings projects” as defined in Section 489.145, F.S.

(c) Exception: The agency shall be permitted to strive for higher energy performance results at its discretion by requiring compliance with subsection 60D-4.004(2), F.A.C., thereby requiring a computer-based simulation and life-cycle cost analysis.

(d) Alternative designs:

1. There is no minimum number of alternative designs required.

2. Specific energy performance requirement: Each alternative design shall meet or exceed the minimum energy performance requirements of the sustainable building rating adopted by the agency in accordance with Section 255.257(4)(a), F.S.

(4) Guaranteed energy, water, and wastewater performance savings projects:

(a) Applies to all “guaranteed energy, water, and wastewater performance savings projects” as defined in Section 489.145, F.S.

(b) A baseline energy model shall be developed with a computer-based simulation program to simulate the total existing energy usage for the building(s) included in the analysis.

(c) Alternative designs shall be developed with a computer-based simulation program to simulate total energy usage for the building(s) after the implementation of the proposed energy conservation measures.

(d) The baseline energy model and the alternative designs shall be developed with the same computer-based simulation program.

(e) The computer-based simulation program shall comply with Rule 60D-4.005, F.A.C.

(f) The computer-based simulation shall include HVAC heat load calculations and equipment sizing. The HVAC heat load calculations shall include all internal building heat loads.

(g) Alternative designs:

1. The agency shall specify the number of alternative designs. One alternative design shall be considered acceptable.

2. Specific energy performance requirement: Each alternative design shall meet or exceed the minimum energy performance requirements of the sustainable building rating adopted by the agency in accordance with Section 255.257(4)(a), F.S.

(h) Selection of preferred design:

1. The selection of the preferred design or scope of work shall be made by the agency only after an investment grade energy audit as defined in Section 489.145(3)(f), F.S., is reviewed by the department in accordance with Sections 489.145(4)(c) and 489.145(6), F.S.

2. Life-cycle cost analysis:

a. The investment grade energy audit required in Section 489.145(6), F.S., shall include a life-cycle cost analysis for each alternative design and the baseline energy model that complies with subsection 60D-4.004(6), F.A.C.

b. The life-cycle cost analysis for the baseline energy model shall incorporate all reasonably-expected costs based on the computer-based simulation throughout the analysis period assuming no energy conservation measures are employed.

c. The results of the life-cycle cost analysis as described in Rule 60D-4.006, F.A.C., shall not replace any part of the investment grade energy audit required in Section 489.145(6), F.S., or be used as the basis of guaranteed cost savings, but shall be based on the information contained within the investment grade energy audit in accordance with Rule 60D-4.006, F.A.C. The life-cycle cost analysis as described in Rule 60D-4.006, F.A.C., shall be used by the agency and the department in conjunction with the investment grade energy audit to assist in the evaluation of the project’s life-cycle costs pursuant to Sections 489.145(4)(c) and 255.255(1), F.S.

(i) Preparation requirement: The preparation of alternative designs and the computer-based energy simulation described in subsection 60D-4.004(4), F.A.C., shall be performed by the “guaranteed energy, water, and wastewater performance savings contractor” as defined in Section 489.145, F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 255.255 FS., Section 61, Chapter 210-176, Laws of Florida. Law Implemented 255.255, 255.256 FS. History–New 5-26-76, Formerly 13D-10.04, 13D-10.004, Amended 3-17-10.