TRV Application???

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Next to a prison, a college dormitory is likely the most absusive institutional environment you will ever encounter.

Unlike a prison however, you have to consider "comfort" of the occupants above true human needs.

Design your hot water system carefully paying SPECIAL attention to "heat authority"--e.g. the degree of supply temperature above that required given the outside temperature--and the occupants will find HIGH comfort using standard TRVs (just set the little limiters such that you can't raise the setting to the ultimate max, nor can you set them to the absolute minimum).

For the public areas of the dorm, I would suggest tamper-resistant versions of TRV operators.

Jed_2

College Dormitory?

I am laying out a replacement system for an old three story college dormitory. Haven't surveyed the building yet, but have the original mechanical plans to reference.

Background: Plans dated Nov. 1968. Three story block/brick structure, that's it. Steam 2-pipe system, with steel-fin onvectors. Sorry, Steamhead, it's all been gutted; convectors and all.

50% sampling heat loss to compare steam radiation with calculated values; came pretty darn close, so I will use the steam convector ratings for, get this: HWBB. So, Hi-cap it is. Not my call, that's what they want.

Twin boilers, P/S. So, I have no idea if the students had any control of their room temps.

Thinking: I want to propose a P/S Main, with 2-pipe, direct return (materials & labor) using TRV's for room/bath/hall/stairwells control. Ideal, I'm thinking. A single Hall t'stat, with 2-pipe R/R would undoubtedly make for some "stressed students", I would think. As if they aren't already, right? I don't want to use the valve mounted actuator(DORM ROOM). But all the walls are 8" block. A 26' remote might work, but I'd want to visit, and will, the site.

Zone valves will drive cost up. So, I am asking for wisdom. Is this appropriate for a college dormitory environment? What are the drawbacks? Has this strategy been used successfully?

Oil fired 3-pass boilers. Reference zone? Or another control strategy. I'm thinking the Hall as a reference zone.

Thanks,

Jed

Jed_2

heat authority

Boiler staging control will govern that, with the "characteristic curve". Will need to adjust for P/S degradation. All fine. But, what are the risks in a "college dormitory", with capillary remotes. Ah! Maybe Wiremold!

Jed

p.s. Thanks. Good info, Mike. You do know these valves.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I'd suggest that a capilliary tube in a college dorm would last only slightly longer than the virginity of a cute, naive fresman who starts attending frat parties. I have a feeling that's why there's no such a thing is a remote adjusting/sensing tamperproof operator.

Bill_17

HWBB/TRVs

Jed, Sometimes you can install the direct mount operators, either regular or tamper-proof, pointing down. This keeps it completely within the baseboard enclosure and out of sight.

Jed_2

Thanks, Bill

Good talking with you, and you re-assured my approach.
Danfoss it is for 61 TRV's.

Jed

scott markle_2

what's the piont of trv's

If an occupant can't make adjustments? Self balancing I guess. Also how responsive to room temperature will a trv that is mounted within the baseboard be?

t.p.tunstall

macon valves

jed. you might want to consider macon valves. they have been aound for 50 years and can help with your exact application. call and ask for me...t.p tunstall 1-800-423-5578. thanks