Tracer System Provides Comfort and Ease of Maintenance for Mansfield School

Mansfield's K-8 school will house an integrated comfort system that will provide the appropriate climate of learning for hundreds of children.

The comfort system chosen for this DeSoto Parish school utilizes a central plant including two (2) Trane Series R chillers for cooling and a hot water boiler for supplying heat to the variable air volume terminal units. The air side of the system incorporates MarCraft custom air handling units controlled with Magnetek variable frequency drives. Downstream of the air handling units are individual Trane VariTrane Direct Digital Control (DDC) variable air volume terminal units. The entire system is integrated from an automation and control standpoint through a Trane Tracer Building Management System.

This overall system focuses on comfort, energy efficiency and ease of maintenance. The system provides quality indoor air at current standards as well as flexibility for future requirements. To further increase Comfort and control, each classroom and office is supplied with its own variable air volume terminal unit. By utilizing direct digital control (DDC) throughout the facility, there is tighter control on variation in temperature ranges.

The chillers are optimally controlled through the Tracer Building Automation System, such that a second machine is brought on or turned off to maximize plant efficiency. This Tracer is what provides ease of maintenance. Its features help the facility manager properly maintain the system. The system can be viewed to be sure of proper operation as well as preventing potential problems before they become critical. The Desoto Parish physical plant staff will be able to control this facility as well as communicate through the Tracer, with North DeSoto Middle School when it is completed at the end of the year.

In choosing the right system for a school, comfort, efficiency and ease of maintenance play an important role. With the cooperation and contribution of the following people, this school has made high marks in building comfort.