What are common preventive maintenance schedules and checklists for building controls?

Common preventive maintenance for building controls work to provide the maximum amount of comfort with minimal energy usage. Equipment such as HVAC systems, pumps, dampers and fans must be integrated to work effectively together. Issues such as humidity, temperature and pressure need to be optimized throughout the year as the seasons change.

What are Building Controls?

Although building controls in the past had simple manual temperature controls, technology has added a level of sophistication to today’s controls. Building controls now include sensors, controllers, and terminal devices that work together harmoniously.

Sensors can provide round-the-clock monitoring of temperature, pressure, flow rate, and humidity. Sensors send alerts to controllers. Next, the controllers respond by analyzing actions required for maintenance. Then, the terminal devices perform the action, such as opening or closing dampers.

Building Controls Maintenance

The major goal of preventive maintenance for building control systems revolves around the proper functioning of sensors. If sensors provide inaccurate data, the entire system cannot operate effectively. Thus, one should calibrate and inspect sensors on a regular basis to provide accurate triggers to the rest of the control system.

Sensors and actuators that are most likely to require regular calibration include temperature of mixed air and chilled water. Static pressure transmitters, as well as air and water flow rates, are also subject to failure.

Preventive Maintenance Checklist

This building control checklist provides preventive maintenance examples that a technician completes for building controls, as well as the frequency of the tasks.

Maintenance technicians should ensure that control systems are set for the proper season each day. A visual inspection of the overall operation as well as the safety systems are also necessary daily.

On a weekly basis, inspect gauges and look for any signs of leakage. Review setpoints and schedules, as well. Sensors should be cleaned and inspected for correct output each month. Calibration of sensors, including temperature, humidity and pressure, should be completed each year.

More top checklists:

• Air compressors
• Air handlers
• Buildings Controls
• Chillers and cooling towers
• Fans
• Fire alarms and smoke detectors
• Motors
• Pumps
• Steam boilers
• Vehicles and fleets