Bowling Alley Cooling

[emalsyd]

We have been brought in to look at the existing mechanical system in a bowling alley. I'm working the heating/cooling loads for the bowling areas. Each area is 12,300 sq. ft. Minimal to no insulation in each area. The north lanes load is 32 ton, south is 34 tons.
Since all of the people & activity is towards the interior space. (Bowling on left side, concourse in middle, bowling on right side) do I need to figure the full tonnage for each area. There is a separate unit that handles the concourse area.
It doesn't need to be 70* down near the pins but I'm not sure if I figure smaller units, the heat will migrate towards the interior space and the whole bowling area will not be satisfied. Currently, the ductwork only goes about 1/4 way down the lanes towards the pins. Their existing system doesn't keep up in the summertime. They have about 20 tons on each side now.

 

[sspeare]

Whatever you do, make sure you include reheat. Relative Humidity can be a major problem in a Bowling alley job.

 

[IRstuff]

While being a pinsetter is no longer available as a job, sometimes, the operators do need to go into the back to clear up jams, and it would certainly be nice to have a reasonable temperature back there.

12300/500 = 24.6 tons 12300/700 = 17.6 tons, so it looks like the existing system is sized about right for the floor area with adequate insulation. One question to ask is whether the cooling was ever adequate, or was it marginal from the get-go. Perhaps, due to the age, it simply need a major tuneup, ii.e., cleaning the ducts, replacing the exchangers, etc. Or, can additional insulation be installed, which might be cheaper than redoing the A/C system.

Do you know whether the concourse is adequately sized, or is it stealing capacity from the bowling alley?

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[emalsyd]

There are gas fired duct furnaces downstream of the air handlers to act as re-heat. Any advice on duct distribution or sizing. The owner didn't seem to keen on extending the duct down the lanes but I'm worried the heat from farther down the lanes will migrate towards where the people bowl.

 

[emalsyd]

The current owner wasn't the original but since he has owned it, it hasn't been adequate. From what they said, in the summer when the leagues are playing 300-400 people, it is unbearable. The walls are 8" block from 1965 so probably no insulation. Roof is metal deck with minimal insulation. I ran the spaces through Trane's Trace load calc software which came up with the 32 and 34 ton cooling loads.
Currently there is a 60 ton air handler. Off the supply plenum, the duct splits into three. Duct is sized for 20 ton to north lanes, 20 ton to concourse, 20 ton to south lanes.
Each of the three branches has a duct furnace 300,000 btu each.

 

[IRstuff]

OK, I can see that. The people load is considerably higher than residential, and the walls are also considerably worse than residential. How well does the Trane software model this type of building?

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[emalsyd]

It models it very well. It's designed for commerical buildings.

 

[MechEngNCPE]

When in doubt, make it stout. It looks like the minimum OA cfm/person is going to drive the load here. One thing I can't stand is people comparing the cfm/sq ft of area. That ratio varies so much depending on the occupancy/loads for various types of buildings it is practically worthless unless you do cookie cutter jobs.

 

[emalsyd]

MechEng,
If I go with 2-35 ton units, would I have to distribute the air/duct throughout the lanes or could I get away with dumping most of it where the bowlers sit and 1/3 down the lanes?

 

[MechEngNCPE]

I would do just what you are saying, think of it as two different zones. One with a high density of people that requires lots of ventilation and cooling, and the other as simply sensible. I think the one-third two-thirds will work just fine. Remember its the people who care what temp it is.

 

[emalsyd]

Thanks for your help.