Projects – Investigations, Analysis, Troubleshooting, Forensic Engineering, Expert Reports

Michael D. Haughey, P.E., CEM, HBDP, LEED AP, Principal:

 

Indoor agricultural grow facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado

HVAC Expert, Investigation of the HVAC chilled water systems design, capacity, and suitability.  Expert report.  Detailed analysis of dehumidification and cooling capability and recommendations for correction.  Concept design for repairs and system modifications.

Schriever Data Center troubleshooting

Peer review and analysis of mechanical design and installation during commissioning.  The system included chilled water with ice thermal storage.  Results of analyses included development of remediation design to increase capacity and reliability of a high-criticality facility.  Discovered that main backup pump did not have sufficient NPSH.

David Skaggs Research Center, Boulder, Colorado

Chilled water systems analysis and concept designs for improvement and remediation; hydronic economizer (flat plate) system design

Single Family Residence, Westminster, Colorado

HVAC Expert, Boiler Leak Investigation

Single Family Residence, Boulder County, Colorado

HVAC Expert, Radiant Heat Investigation,

Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Plumbing Expert, Leak Investigation

Restaurant, Denver, Colorado

Plumbing Expert Consultation regarding toilet installation in injury case

Church, Arvada, Colorado

Plumbing Expert, Investigation of work installed vs. plans,

Reverse Osmosis System Leak Investigation, Colorado

Plumbing Expert, Investigation of the cause of a residential RO System failure and leak.

19-Building, 264 unit Apartment Complex, Evans, Colorado

HVAC Expert, Investigation, documentation, and Expert Report of hail damage to HVAC equipment.

6-Unit Housing Development, Boulder, Colorado

HVAC Expert, Investigation and Expert Report of HVAC equipment, code, and sound ordinance alleged installation issues; Trial Testimony.

9-Building, 19-unit Condominium Complex, Salida, Colorado

Plumbing Expert, Investigation and Expert Report of plumbing issues/allegations.

Single family residence in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Research, Expert Report, and deposition related to alleged PEX piping issues.

Multi-family Air B & B in Moffat County, Colorado

Investigation of alleged issues with mini-split HVAC systems.

Ten-story 474,525 sq. ft. hotel

Forensic engineering and document research for hotel that included guest rooms, condominiums, employee housing, banquet facilities, restaurant, spa, laundry, retail, children’s center, and support areas.  Expert witness research, analysis, documentation, and report writing services.

University Medical Teaching Facility

Forensic engineering, analysis, and expert witness investigation of compressed air system design and performance issues for a 176,000 sq. ft. multi-story university medical teaching facility.

Mid-rise 112 unit Condominium, Colorado

Forensic engineering.  Field investigation and engineering analysis of heating and plumbing system problems.  Site testing and data logging of systems temperatures and pressures.  Thermal imaging of building envelope specific to frozen pipe investigation.

School explosion investigation

Forensic engineering.  Field investigation, photo-documentation, testing witnessing, and engineering evaluation of damage from water heater explosion.

Twelve building Townhouse Complex

Forensic engineering, field investigation, photo-documentation of existing conditions and code compliance issues of HVAC and plumbing systems.

Fourteen building Condominium Complex

Forensic engineering, field investigation, flue draft testing, photo-documentation of existing conditions and code compliance issues of HVAC and plumbing systems.

Eighteen building, 408 unit Condominium Complex

Forensic engineering, field investigation, photo-documentation of existing conditions and code compliance issues of HVAC and plumbing systems, and fire protection sprinkler freeze-burst issues.

Forty building Townhouse Complex

Forensic engineering, field investigation, building envelope thermography, photo-documentation of existing conditions and code compliance issues of HVAC and plumbing systems.

Twenty-seven Building Townhouse Complex

Forensic engineering, field investigation, photo-documentation of existing conditions and code compliance issues of HVAC and plumbing systems, report of findings.  Flue draft and combustion testing of water heaters and furnaces.

136,000 square foot Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential Complex

Forensic engineering, field investigation, photo-documentation of existing conditions and code compliance issues of HVAC, fire protection, and plumbing systems, including acoustic issues involving sound transmission and hydronic turbulence-generated sound, balcony drain leaks, snowmelt leaks, and report of findings.

Palmer Ridge High School

Peer review for new high school.  Systems include ground-coupled heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and a variety of measures intended to make this school one of the lowest energy use high schools in the State.

GSA: Araj U.S. Courthouse, Denver, Colorado.

Peer review and commissioning support for new US GSA courthouse facility in Denver, Colorado. Systems included displacement ventilation, high-efficiency lighting/controls, photovoltaics, and district heating and cooling.

Confidential Client, Denver, Colorado

Investigation and troubleshooting was performed for a confidential client in the City of Denver.  Existing heating systems were experiencing equipment shut-down problems in multiple buildings with similar systems.  The cause was found to be improper venting, damaged attic vents, and control problems related to tempering valve selection.

Confidential Client, Denver, Colorado

Investigation project for a confidential client looked into uneven heating and cooling.  The cause was found to be related to building pressurization problems and inadequate return air paths.

Great West Life; Tower II Balancing Consultation; Englewood, Colorado

Project Manager and Project HVAC Engineer for system troubleshooting consultation. Evaluation of apparent stack effect problems and HVAC system imbalances. During the project, discovered numerous contributing problems including substantial ductwork and plenum leakage and damper control problems.

Lincoln Center; Stack Effect Study; Denver, Colorado

Project Manager and Project Engineer for HVAC system evaluation. During the evaluation, discovered numerous related problems including fan tracking control problems and apparent stack effect problems due to modifications made to counteract freeze-up problems.