| They seem to go together, don't they? Together they stand and together they
fall . . . in the minds of end users, architects, public officials, etc. What
are some of the factors associated with the positive and negative perception of
relocatable factory-built commercial buildings and the wall mount HVAC system? One
of the first thoughts people have is . . . they go together. Think of a mobile
office, or relocatable classroom, and most generally a wall mounted HVAC system
visually pops into our mind. This is not a bad association by any means,
however the end result of this union can cause some to wonder if any design
choices were available to our customer. Why do relocatable buildings sometimes
trigger these emotional reactions? Perhaps it is due to the variety of
applications in use today.
Relocatable buildings are selected either for temporary or permanent use, are
set in poor temporary conditions or on a good permanent foundation, are
maintained very well for longevity or poorly for cost, are designed for
specific applications or quickly designed/ordered for cost savings, and are
probably not occupied by the decision maker of the above choices.
However the occupant may become involved when it comes to the HVAC system
selection on their relocatable building, but not always. There are many
choices: wall mount, roof mount and split system air conditioners, heat pumps,
gas/electrics, etc. Like the building design itself, the HVAC system is
selected based on many factors: Customer specifications, architect or
mechanical engineer involvement, mechanical supplier recommendations, dealer
lease decisions, manufacturer desires, cost effectiveness, etc.
I believe we can all agree that the most common scenario purchased or leased by
the customers of the commercial factory built industry involves the relocatable
building with a wall mount HVAC system, selected for the least cost per square
foot, set on a site with the least set up cost, and maintained poorly because
they are "just the relocatables."
Next comes the complaint from some well-meaning parent, public official, or
occupant of the relocatable as to the poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ,)
the inside or outside aesthetics, or the deferred maintenance (because they are
"just relocatables"). The wall mount HVAC system is criticized because it is
noisy, has poor aesthetics, or because of its inability, as applied, to deal
with the IEQ situation. And those of us in the commercial factory built
industry wonder why we have teachers complaining that the wall mount HVAC
system is noisy, or why a public report states that relocatables are unsafe?
These challenges are not a "given" with every relocatable building or with every
wall mount HVAC system. They arise out of the building design, the
specifications, the buyers desire to get the most bang for his buck, the
industries haste to close a deal without offering upgrade options, the
placement of the relocatable on the site, the inside and outside maintenance of
the building, etc.
 A quiet, comfortable climate with a
wall mount HVAC system is yours for the asking. The occupant can get what they
want before the move in instead of complaining afterwards. Wall mount HVAC
manufacturers have new improved quieter wall mounts available. Your relocatable
building can be designed with a fully ducted air distribution system, instead
of a noisy free blow (non-ducted) system. The HVAC system can be selected to
deliver the correct number of air changes in the room for the application. To
address IEQ concerns, wall mount manufacturers offer UV air purification,
intake and exhaust ventilation devices, energy saving units and controls, high
quality pleated filters, etc. To address the aesthetics issue, wall mount
manufacturers offer both outdoor and indoor wall mounted HVAC units.
When we back up from these scenarios and acknowledge some historical design
issues, it's easy to see why compromising habits prevail. We can rejoice at the
vast options available today. For example: Since a relocatable building is
manufactured in a factory, a wall mounted, indoor or outdoor unit is the least
expensive first-installed HVAC cost, especially if prevailing wage is an issue.
After manufacture, the relocatable building then must be transported down the
road at least once in its lifetime. That wall mount passes easily under bridges
and overpasses, again making it a popular choice. Yet consider this: A roof
mount unit is installed with a fully ducted air distribution system on a
relocatable building, so why is a wall mount unit installed with a direct
return (sometimes free blow supply)?
Let's hold onto this "big picture" perspective a bit longer and ask ourselves,
why do maintenance dollars always get spent on the $250/sq ft permanent
buildings while the relocatables are left to deteriorate in the back 40? Why
are relocatables set over grass (and sprinkler heads) and then criticized
because the floor rotted out? Why are we surprised when a public study says
that good IEQ is lacking in poorly maintained buildings with poorly maintained
HVAC systems after the occupants have shut the HVAC units/ventilation off? Why
are we surprised when outside air dampers are closed off, and filter changing
is neglected? Why are we surprised when these buildings, which had no original
HVAC specifications (or poorly written ones) on the front end, are causing IEQ
challenges later on?
In our zeal to help the customer, do we forget or discharge our responsibility
to inform them of all the pros and cons of their selection? "If you select
this, your outcome will be that." Do we offer training with maintenance guides
and instructions, or just simply hand them the installation packet from the
HVAC unit (which should remain in the unit)? Do we provide our school customers
with the EPA's TOOLS FOR SCHOOL INDOOR AIR QUALITY maintenance program? Do we
advise our customer that a direct return is noisier than a ducted system? Do
HVAC suppliers and manufacturers work as partners in the HVAC journey? Do we
offer air filtration/purification products with the HVAC systems? Do we offer
upgraded energy efficient HVAC units as an option on every bid? Do we offer
upgraded register and balanceable duct systems for better air distribution as
an option?
We can ask ourselves these same types of "big picture" questions about all
aspects of the relocatable building itself. It's tough when an industry takes a
hit from a news report or public study, especially when customer and vendor
front end choices impact the end product's criticism.
Relocatables and Wall Mounts, they are a magnificent combination for the
customer when they are correctly matched. It is up to us to help the customer
make wise initial choices to achieve the desired end result.
Surf the net this week and see if you find anything about portables or
relocatables on line. Then sit back, read, and wonder "is there anything I
could have done as an occupant, buyer, dealer, manufacturer, or vendor to have
made the article read differently?"
The temperatures are heating up this summer, so until the next time, stay
energized in
. . . The Comfort Zone.
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