Refurbishment and upgrading

Refurbishment and upgrading

Assessing existing assets and designing performance improvement paths

After a few years of operation, many urban fountains face a series of problems: decreasing quality of fountains, repeated breakdowns, difficulty in supplying parts, increasing consumption of resources, or the inconsistency of the appearance of the fountain with the surrounding space.

In some projects, the structure and an important part of the facility can still be used, and modifying a few components can improve the performance of the complex. In other projects, infrastructure constraints or change of use require more extensive intervention.

Successful reconstruction begins with understanding the existing situation. The decision to maintain, repair or replace any part should be based on technical evidence, user needs and future costs.

In introducing fountain renovation services, OASE introduces the main stages of work, assessing existing conditions, identifying improvement opportunities, implementing reforms and long-term support. Renovation and improvement services of the fountain in OASE ^[248]

The methods and calculations of this chapter are the educational framework for decision making. The final design should be done based on the actual impression, necessary tests and project requirements.

35–1. Determining the goal of the intervention

Before considering new equipment, the main problem of the project should be determined.

A goal can be one or more of the following:

• Returning the stopped fountain to operation.

• Fixed repeated failures.

• Correct water quality or safety issues.

• Reducing water and energy consumption.

• Improvement of visual quality and lighting.

• Adding display capabilities.

• Improved maintenance access.

• Replacement of unsupported equipment.

• Coordinating the fountain with the change of use of the area.

To manage the scope of work, the following definitions can be used:

This category is intended to clarify decisions and does not necessarily have the same contractual definition in all projects.

Demands such as "modernizing the fountain" should become verifiable results; For example, running specific programs, reducing the number of stops or reaching the agreed lighting quality.

35–2. Filing status quo

The assessment should begin with gathering evidence and interviewing people familiar with the operation.

Useful documents include:

1. Implementation and construction plans. 2. List of equipment and their specifications. 3. Commissioning and test reports. 4. Records of repairs and breakdowns. 5. Water and electricity consumption information. 6. Version of control and display programs. 7. Water quality records and related stops. 8. Access restrictions and working hours.

Old documents should be adapted to the actual situation. Over the years, the pump, pipe routing, or control settings may have changed and the drawings may not have been updated.

The harvest report should differentiate between these situations:

• Observed and measured.

• Confirmed by a valid document.

• According to the registered user.

• Still unclear and needs investigation.

For example, the path of a buried pipe simply taken from an old map should not be considered the same level as the observed path.

Figure 1-35 - Status quo assessment

Suggested image: general view of water fountain, view of engine room and taken plan showing the approved parts and the parts that need to be checked.

Caption: "Recording information confidence level makes restoration decisions more accurate."

35–3. Technical evaluation of maintainable components

The age of the equipment is one of the evaluation information. The final decision depends on the actual condition, repairability, compatibility with the future plan and supportability.

The result for each component can be one of four states:

Retainable, Retainable after modification, Needs replacement, Needs further investigation.

For hidden or suspicious areas, a local visit, examination or additional impression may be necessary. The scope of the review should be appropriate to the outcome of the failure.

Crystal Fountains has also introduced the evaluation of existing fountains and offering suggestions for restoring performance or upgrading technology in its services. Crystal Fountains evaluation and upgrade service ^[249]

35–4. Comparison of intervention options

It is better to examine some real options so that the employer can see the cost effect and scope of the intervention.

Prior to economic scoring, each option must be evaluated for essential safety, health, and performance requirements. An option that does not meet these requirements will not be acceptable with a suitable score in beauty or price.

Next, criteria such as life cycle cost, downtime, maintainability, display quality and expected life are compared.

The weight of the criteria should be aligned with the actual priority of the project. For an urban square, continuity of service may be a high priority; For an event-oriented series, the flexibility of the show schedule is also very important.

35–5. Defining the boundary of conservation and exchange

The renovation plan should clearly state what will remain, what will be modified, and what will be replaced.

For each connection between the old and new part, this information is required:

• Specifications of both sides of the connection.

• Mechanical, electrical or communication conditions.

• Installation and sealing method.

• Acceptance criteria.

• Responsible for connection implementation and testing.

• The effect of connection failure on other parts.

sample

Maintaining the existing cable for the new light requires checking the cross section, length, insulation condition, number of strands, voltage drop, control and connection method. The sameness of nominal voltage alone does not prove the adequacy of the cable.

Similarly, the connection of the new pump to the existing flange should be checked in terms of dimensions, loads on the connection, operating point and suction conditions.

At this stage, the necessary space for future repairs is also controlled. A new device that fits in place but cannot be opened has not solved the issue of exploitation.

Figure 35-2 — intervention map

Suggested figure: plan of the fountain with three colors for "preserve", "improve" and "replace", along with the numbering of the connections between the old and new sections.

Subtitle: "The boundaries of the intervention must be the same on the map, list of values and executive responsibilities."

35–6. Hydraulic upgrade and limitation of existing pipes

Changing the nozzle or increasing the number of outlets can change the required flow rate and pressure. Before selecting a new pump, the existing circuit must be recalculated.

The items to be checked are:

• Required throughput in each display mode.

• Internal diameter and actual length of pipes.

• Loss of connections, valves and strainers.

• Suction conditions and prevent air entry.

• Water return capacity and tank.

• Transient behavior due to rapid current change.

• Flow distribution among branches.

Educational example: increasing the flow rate in a fixed pipe

Suppose the flow of a route increases from 20 to 28 cubic meters per hour:

$\frac{Q_2}{Q_1}=\frac{28}{20}=1.4$

With the internal diameter constant, the average speed also increases by 1.4 times.

For initial estimation in turbulent flow and assuming almost constant friction coefficient:

$\frac{h_{f2}}{h_{f1}}\approx (\frac{Q_2}{Q_1}{)}^2=1.96$

If the frictional drop of the same track was already three meters:

$h_{f2}\approx 3\times 1.96=5.88m$

This increase is only related to the friction loss of the investigated section. The static head and the required pressure of the nozzle must be calculated separately. The actual operating point is also obtained from the interaction of the pump and system curves.

As a result, increasing the pump power should be done after checking the capacity of the entire circuit. Modifying the path, choosing a more suitable nozzle or changing the grouping of circuits may be a more effective solution.

Sources of the US Department of Energy also consider the improvement of pumping performance to be an issue at the level of the entire system and evaluate equipment and operating conditions together. Resources for improving the performance of pumping systems ^[250]

35–7. Improving water management and changing the type of use

Refurbishment is a good opportunity to fix problems such as insufficient circulation, inadequate filter access, difficulty sampling or unstable control of the compensation water.

But increasing the capacity of a device does not necessarily improve the performance of the entire system in the same proportion. For example, a larger filter without proper flow, or a disinfection system without controlling the working conditions, does not guarantee the expected result.

The review should include the following:

• Water circulation in real volumes and routes.

• Filtration and disinfection capacity.

• Compatibility of materials and equipment with water quality.

• Low circulation points and the possibility of cleaning.

• Sampling and monitoring method.

• The capacity to drain and dispose of water resulting from maintenance.

• Protecting the compensatory water connection to the supply source.

Transforming a decorative fountain into an interactive one

Entering users into the water or directly contacting the fountains is an important change in the design basis. In this case, water quality, treatment, disinfection, drainage, electrical protections and surface details should be revised to suit the new use.

CDC guidelines for aquatic play spaces emphasize the operation of purification and disinfection systems, regular monitoring, and prevention of water accumulation on the surface. These requirements must be adapted to the regulations of the project site. Guidelines for using CDC water playgrounds ^[251]

35–8. Renovation of electricity and lighting

The electrical assessment should cover the condition of the entire power supply and protection path. Maintaining a part of the existing network requires checking its usability in the new plan.

The main topics are:

• Feeding capacity and load distribution.

• Status of the panel and protective components.

• Cables, routes and connections.

• Protection against electric shock.

• Earthing and connection according to the relevant plan.

• Compatibility of drives and protective equipment.

• Environmental protection and installation conditions.

• Possibility of disassembly and repair.

In lighting, upgrades may include changing the light source, beam angle, grouping, color control, or placement.

Reducing the nominal power of the lamp alone does not determine the quality of the result. Effective lighting on water, color uniformity, glare and visibility from key points should be checked by sample or on-site testing.

Reuse of old housing or installation site also requires control of sealing, heat dissipation and mechanical compatibility.

After the change, the tests should cover both new components and effective connections to existing facilities.

35–9. Improve control and maintain usable information

Before changing the control system, a usable version of the existing programs, settings and addressing should be prepared.

If the original program file or tool required for access does not exist, this limitation should be included in the work estimate. Viewing the current operation does not reveal all the internal logic of the system.

In checking compatibility, the following are important:

The presence of a common protocol name on two products does not guarantee their complete compatibility. Channel mapping, proprietary properties, and error behavior should also be considered.

Adding remote control requires defining users, access levels, change logging, and a managed communication path. Necessary safeguards should be provided in the design of the system itself.

After changing the controller or equipment, the display coordination must be readjusted and tested; Because the response time may have changed.

35–10. Improving the architecture and audience experience

Part of the quality of the fountain is related to its relationship with the environment. In the reconstruction, it should be checked whether the viewing points, movement path and stopping place of the users are still appropriate.

Possible actions include:

• Repair damaged edges and covers.

• Improve drainage and reduce water accumulation.

• Redesign of repair valves.

• Correcting the placement of lights.

• Adjusting the height and direction of the fountains.

• Improved seating and viewing.

• Coordinating the show program with the activity hours of the collection.

• Control of splashing and sound disturbance in sensitive areas.

In water fountains with historical or identity value, key elements should be identified. Changing materials, form or visible equipment may require review of relevant regulations and permits.

It is better to take before and after pictures from the same location, angle and conditions. Differences in exposure or camera angle should not replace the actual display of changes.

35–11. Sample implementation before generalization

When consistency or visual outcome is uncertain, limited sample execution can reduce decision risk.

The sample may include a nozzle group, a lighting circuit, a control connection, or sealing details.

Before implementation, it must be specified:

1. What subject is tested? 2. How similar are the sample conditions to the project. 3. What data is recorded. 4. How the result is accepted or rejected. 5. What are the limitations of generalization?

For example, running a new light with an existing cable does not prove that all lights will work at full load. Voltage drop, path length and number of equipment should also be checked.

Crystal Fountains introduces the prototyping and testing of various arrangements from design review tools and installation conditions. Crystal Fountains prototyping facilities and technical support

Figure 35-3 — Upgrade demo

Suggested image: A limited section of the fountain with new equipment next to the existing section, with specifications for test conditions.

Caption: "Sample testing will clarify the outcome of the upgrade and the limitations of connecting to existing infrastructure before a wider rollout."

35–12. Implementation planning and management of uncertain conditions

Renovation faces constraints that are less common in new construction: limited access, incomplete maps, outdated equipment, and the need to maintain the functionality of adjacent sections.

The implementation plan must specify:

• What parts will be stopped and for how long.

• How to separate water, electricity and control.

• How the opened equipment is identified and maintained.

• How healthy parts are protected from damage.

• What checks are done after opening.

• Who makes decisions about unforeseen circumstances.

• The opening of each stage depends on what tests.

For hidden tasks, there should be a clear mechanism for recording status and assigning changes. The time and financial reserve of such cases should be determined based on the ambiguity of the project.

Draining the pond, cutting the structure, opening the panel and entering the confined spaces, each of them needs a suitable investigation and work method.

Removed equipment should also be recorded with a clear status: reusable, repairable, spare part or requiring disposal according to relevant requirements.

35–13. Estimating and measuring energy consumption reduction

To compare before and after, the service provided and the measurement boundary should be clear.

If the hours of operation or the height of the fountains change after the upgrade, the difference in consumption is not simply due to improved efficiency. The effect of program change should be reported separately.

Educational example

Suppose two options provide the same display and working hours:

• Reference option after necessary repair: average power of 22 kW.

• Renovation option: average power of 16 kW.

• Annual operation of both options: 1800 hours.

Annual energy reference option:

$E_1=22\times 1800=39,600kWh$

Annual energy renewal option:

$E_2=16\times 1800=28,800kWh$

Energy reduction:

$\Delta E=39,600-28,800=10,800kWh/year$

Reduction percentage:

$\frac{10,800}{39,600}\times 100\approx 27.3\%$

These numbers are hypothetical and are not a promise of savings for a product or project.

In a real project, the average power should be derived from a valid measurement or work program model. The consumption of purification, control and lighting circuits should also be included in the agreed limit.

35–14. Life cycle cost comparison

The initial cost is only part of the decision. Energy, consumables, service, repair, future replacements and downtime effects should also be considered.

Continuing the educational example

Suppose we have two technically acceptable options:

All prices and costs in this table are fictitious and calculated for educational purposes only; Tariffs or market estimates are not considered.

Simple return period additional cost:

$PB=\frac{480}{100}=4.8year$

This index does not take into account the time value of money and different expenses in future years.

For a discounted comparison:

$NPV=-\Delta C_0+{\sum }_{t=1}^N\frac{B_t}{(1+r{)}^t}$

If, just for this example, a ten-year horizon, a real fixed annual interest of 100 million Tomans and a hypothetical real discount rate of 10% are considered:

$NPV=-480+100(\frac{1-(1.10{)}^{-10}}{0.10})\approx 134.5$

The result is in millions of Tomans and is valid only under these assumptions. In the example, the residual value difference and the cost of future major replacements are assumed to be zero; They should be included in the actual evaluation.

The discount rate and the basis of the prices must be consistent; Real cost flow is checked with real rate and nominal flow with nominal rate.

It is also necessary to check the result in scenarios of less working hours, lower savings or more repairs. Tourism income or sales increase is also included in calculations only if there is defensible evidence.

35–15. Restart and confirm the result

Acceptance of the renovation must demonstrate that both the intended defects have been corrected and that previously healthy functions have not been impaired.

The scope of the test is determined according to the changes:

For before and after comparison, observation and measurement conditions should be recorded. Consumption reduction should be reported along with confirmation of expected service.

After changing the equipment, the display settings may need to be modified. The final version of the programs and reference values ​​should be registered after acceptance.

The principles of testing and delivery discussed in Chapter 30 are applied at this stage, depending on the scope of the renovation.

Place Figure 35-4 — Before and after comparison report

Suggested figure: Isometric images of the fountain next to the table of measured indicators, such as energy consumption, downtime and performance quality of the circuits.

Caption: "Result of reconstruction evaluated against comparable conditions and recorded data."

35–16. Final file of reconstruction and monitoring after delivery

The final file should clarify the new status of the collection and the scope of the work done.

The main documents are:

• Pre-intervention status report.

• Reasons to maintain, modify or replace components.

• Updated as-built maps.

• Specifications of new and remaining equipment.

• Test report of old and new connections.

• Settings and the final version of the programs.

• Revised maintenance instructions.

• List of spare parts and status of old parts.

• Education records.

• Support warranty and liability limits.

• Monitoring program after delivery.

In the urban fountain section of the GSO site, nozzle, pump, lighting, control, and design and training services have been introduced. In a renovation project, the choice of these groups should be adapted to the characteristics of the existing infrastructure and the purpose of the upgrade. Products and services of GSO urban fountain ^[252]

Post-delivery monitoring should be done at intervals that cover normal operating conditions. If critical conditions such as hot season, wind or high usage load have not yet been experienced, the relevant evaluation should remain in the follow-up plan.

The report of this course should specify which objectives have been achieved, what adjustments are needed, and what limitations of the retained parts remain. Any subsequent changes must also be recorded in the documents and reference status of the collection.

Economics and project management