Innovation is in the air—especially for Buildings 2N and 2S
2017-02-05
Some people get discouraged about the small actions that are encouraged for more sustainable business. Recycling aluminum cans, unplugging power strip at night, pulling the blinds down to shade the office from Houston’s heat—these efforts can seem miniscule, and it can be hard to imagine them making a dent in Johnson Space Center’s operating budget or any difference to the impact we have on natural resources. However, just the opposite were the findings of David Youngman, Buildings 2N and 2S facility manager, and his alternates, Dr. William Jeffs and Elizabeth (Beth) Weissinger (2S).
Every building has a Center Operations engineer assigned to it to assist in operations and maintenance. The facility managers, along with assistance from a Center Operations energy-savings program team back in 2013, resulted in tens of thousands of dollars being saved every year just by changing the air-handler schedule in these two JSC External Relations buildings. Kevin McCue of Center Operations also helped arrange this new on/off schedule, and he referred Youngman to Neil MacNeil, who helped plan the exact procedures with consideration for the daily TV mission support activities.
Each of us are entrusted to “use public funds efficiently and effectively, promote the health of the planet and operate in a way that benefits our neighbors.” NASA says so, as does common sense; we have the responsibility to envision and operate sustainably.
This can, of course, seem vague. Sustainability takes many forms and can be measured in various ways. Air handlers, as most things Center Operations manages, are one of the unnoticed amenities that get easily taken for granted. The only time they attract notice, typically, is when they need maintenance. In Buildings 2N and 2S, seven air handlers keep both buildings a cool 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially tough when there are 700 people in the Teague Auditorium during an all-hands meeting or other large centerwide event. Building 2S, in particular, requires huge air handlers to cool and heat. In the Teague lobby alone, these machines moderate temperatures in a 7,000-square-foot space with 50-foot ceilings. The ceilings are so lofty that they require a mini cherry picker to be raised and lowered when changing out the 250 light bulbs one at a time. The 700-person auditorium has a similar challenge in keeping temperatures at a reasonable range.
The daily costs are impressive. Changing the schedule from 24-hour around-the-clock operations to current normal business hours (off weekends, nights, holidays and flex Fridays) quickly amassed energy savings—some 285,000 Kilowatt hours annually.
During shuttle missions, it was necessary to run all the air handlers around the clock, especially if there was a night launch, launch delay or a nighttime docking. External Relations would routinely “house” the media in the Teague lobby on tables along the sides.
“NASA had missions launched on a regular basis,” Youngman said, which meant the buildings had to be regulated at all times. “The big air handlers in Building 2N also ran 24 hours a day to support press briefings and news conferences, which are broadcast to the nation.”
Eventually, as operations moved toward a space station focus, the media dwindled down. The story had changed. There would still be coverage, but not the big crowds for launches like before. Youngman decided that resources—namely, energy and money—could be saved by reducing the hours of operation for the air handlers in both buildings.
“As a matter of fact, the director agreed and recommended it, too,” Youngman said, referring to External Relations Director Mike Kincaid.
Youngman suggested that the buildings operate a normal business hours schedule instead of 24 hours a day. Working with Center Operations, they devised a plan to shut off three of the largest air handlers that serve the Teague lobby and auditorium for weekends, holidays, flex Fridays and overnight shifts, but keep the handlers for the TV operations and press conference area in Building 2N running. The office area of Building 2N also received this treatment outside of normal business hours.
“Back several years ago things started to get serious with energy conservation, and JSC was not meeting the goals,” Youngman said in reference to the executive order for federal sustainability.
Executive Order 13693: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade requires all agencies to reduce their energy use per gross square footage by 2.5 percent annually through Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 when compared to FY2015. This is just one of the 10 major goals, and JSC is working hard to meet the standard.
Youngman is proud of the facilities in his care and watches out for the people working within. When Building 2N was transforming into one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings at JSC, he worked side by side with the Center Operations engineers, architects and LEED engineers to help enact the most efficient design. Features such as evenly dispersed air outlets were placed in the floors to minimize noise and maintain a uniform temperature throughout. Youngman, concerned that the incoming cubicle scheme would feel claustrophobic to the building occupants, decided to use glass on the top portions of the five-foot-tall cubicle separators. In addition, the large wall windows went to the people working in cubicles and offices; they were not wasted on the walkways. Building 2N was also the first to have accessible showers for personnel working long hours while supporting a mission.
Not only were these innovations useful to the health and productivity of the workers, but the transition to a LEED design proved to be budget-friendly. The long countertops in the newsroom and press briefing room may appear to be granite—but they are, in fact, recycled coke, milk and other bottles melted down and mixed with inexpensive scraps of granite and marble. It’s not just pleasing to the eye—this element also played into the Gold LEED designation.
Be it accidental, incidental or budgetary, JSC needs to meet the federal goals for sustainability. If the mission can be reached in a way that secures more resources for our planet and future needs, it is in our best interest to follow this course. Being NASA and the leaders that we are, the public has entrusted us with much more.
Stacy Shutts
NASA Johnson Space Center
Every building has a Center Operations engineer assigned to it to assist in operations and maintenance. The facility managers, along with assistance from a Center Operations energy-savings program team back in 2013, resulted in tens of thousands of dollars being saved every year just by changing the air-handler schedule in these two JSC External Relations buildings. Kevin McCue of Center Operations also helped arrange this new on/off schedule, and he referred Youngman to Neil MacNeil, who helped plan the exact procedures with consideration for the daily TV mission support activities.
Each of us are entrusted to “use public funds efficiently and effectively, promote the health of the planet and operate in a way that benefits our neighbors.” NASA says so, as does common sense; we have the responsibility to envision and operate sustainably.
This can, of course, seem vague. Sustainability takes many forms and can be measured in various ways. Air handlers, as most things Center Operations manages, are one of the unnoticed amenities that get easily taken for granted. The only time they attract notice, typically, is when they need maintenance. In Buildings 2N and 2S, seven air handlers keep both buildings a cool 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially tough when there are 700 people in the Teague Auditorium during an all-hands meeting or other large centerwide event. Building 2S, in particular, requires huge air handlers to cool and heat. In the Teague lobby alone, these machines moderate temperatures in a 7,000-square-foot space with 50-foot ceilings. The ceilings are so lofty that they require a mini cherry picker to be raised and lowered when changing out the 250 light bulbs one at a time. The 700-person auditorium has a similar challenge in keeping temperatures at a reasonable range.
The daily costs are impressive. Changing the schedule from 24-hour around-the-clock operations to current normal business hours (off weekends, nights, holidays and flex Fridays) quickly amassed energy savings—some 285,000 Kilowatt hours annually.
During shuttle missions, it was necessary to run all the air handlers around the clock, especially if there was a night launch, launch delay or a nighttime docking. External Relations would routinely “house” the media in the Teague lobby on tables along the sides.
“NASA had missions launched on a regular basis,” Youngman said, which meant the buildings had to be regulated at all times. “The big air handlers in Building 2N also ran 24 hours a day to support press briefings and news conferences, which are broadcast to the nation.”
Eventually, as operations moved toward a space station focus, the media dwindled down. The story had changed. There would still be coverage, but not the big crowds for launches like before. Youngman decided that resources—namely, energy and money—could be saved by reducing the hours of operation for the air handlers in both buildings.
“As a matter of fact, the director agreed and recommended it, too,” Youngman said, referring to External Relations Director Mike Kincaid.
Youngman suggested that the buildings operate a normal business hours schedule instead of 24 hours a day. Working with Center Operations, they devised a plan to shut off three of the largest air handlers that serve the Teague lobby and auditorium for weekends, holidays, flex Fridays and overnight shifts, but keep the handlers for the TV operations and press conference area in Building 2N running. The office area of Building 2N also received this treatment outside of normal business hours.
“Back several years ago things started to get serious with energy conservation, and JSC was not meeting the goals,” Youngman said in reference to the executive order for federal sustainability.
Executive Order 13693: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade requires all agencies to reduce their energy use per gross square footage by 2.5 percent annually through Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 when compared to FY2015. This is just one of the 10 major goals, and JSC is working hard to meet the standard.
Youngman is proud of the facilities in his care and watches out for the people working within. When Building 2N was transforming into one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings at JSC, he worked side by side with the Center Operations engineers, architects and LEED engineers to help enact the most efficient design. Features such as evenly dispersed air outlets were placed in the floors to minimize noise and maintain a uniform temperature throughout. Youngman, concerned that the incoming cubicle scheme would feel claustrophobic to the building occupants, decided to use glass on the top portions of the five-foot-tall cubicle separators. In addition, the large wall windows went to the people working in cubicles and offices; they were not wasted on the walkways. Building 2N was also the first to have accessible showers for personnel working long hours while supporting a mission.
Not only were these innovations useful to the health and productivity of the workers, but the transition to a LEED design proved to be budget-friendly. The long countertops in the newsroom and press briefing room may appear to be granite—but they are, in fact, recycled coke, milk and other bottles melted down and mixed with inexpensive scraps of granite and marble. It’s not just pleasing to the eye—this element also played into the Gold LEED designation.
Be it accidental, incidental or budgetary, JSC needs to meet the federal goals for sustainability. If the mission can be reached in a way that secures more resources for our planet and future needs, it is in our best interest to follow this course. Being NASA and the leaders that we are, the public has entrusted us with much more.
Stacy Shutts
NASA Johnson Space Center
The Teague Auditorium as seen during the Apollo 1 Lessons and Legacies event on Jan. 24. The high ceilings of Building 2S make it particularly challenging to heat and cool sustainably. Image Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford
The updated press briefing room in Building 2N after a complete LEED overhaul. Image Credit: NASA
At right, David Youngman, Buildings 2N and 2S facility manager, and his alternate, Dr. William Jeffs, survey the Teague Auditorium lobby. Image Credit: NASA/Allison Bills