Besides engineering designs, RCI Engineering, Inc. also provides commissioning, assessment, forensic and inspection services to existing Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection (MEP/FA/FP) systems.

“If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it” Lord Kelvin.

Our experience includes Inspections and Commissioning Services during the construction phase and at completion, participating as the Commissioning Agent on LEED® registered projects or if required by the client and generation of reports with all the findings and possible solutions.

Generally, if our design involves an existing building, our initial evaluation consists of a comprehensive assessment of all electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire protection systems, which will be the information we will use during the design process. Our findings will also be reported to the client and all other disciplines in case remediations are required besides the MEP scope. Later we can reinspect the project after is built to verify performance of all the MEP/FA/FP installations are as per specifications.

If the MEP/FA/FP was designed by another engineering firm, we can participated as a third party which can guarantee that owner and/or engineers intent is complied by the contractors during the construction phase.

  • Power distribution
  • Interior and exterior lighting design and control
  • Emergency and standby systems (UPS, generators and second power source)
  • Power generation
  • Fault current and coordination studies
  • Power quality analysis
  • Low voltage security and communication
  • Lightning protection
  • Code compliance design reviews and surveys
  • Field investigation and assessment of existing electrical systems

The following four focus points are standard in all our inspections:

Visual Assessment:

A visual inspection is to inventory and take note of all installed equipment and their specifications (rating, capacity, wattage, etc). This is generally the only type of inspection performed by the majority of other engineering firms but it lacks verification of equipment real performance.

Thermographic Inspections:

The technology of Infrared Thermal Imaging is utilized to very rapidly detect the functional defects in building envelopes, electrical or mechanical systems more than our eyes can see. The typical components evaluated through thermography are:

  • Electrical equipment: search of hot spots in wires or equipment to avoid costly future failures.
  • Mechanical equipment: verification of abnormal temperatures on compressors, fans, pumps, etc.
  • Unplanned air leakage: detect any building air leakage affecting the air conditioning performance.
  • Insulation integrity: Missing, poorly or incorrectly installed insulation in walls, ceilings, floors, attic, accessible HVAC ductwork, etc.

Air Distribution Verification:

Air measurement is utilized to verify that HVAC and related systems are operating and performing to the manufacturer’s specifications or design intent. Air distribution verification can guarantee occupant’s comfort and identify excessive duct leakage which can otherwise increase operating costs and the wear and tear on HVAC equipment.

Data Logging and Electrical Measurements:

We will confirm performance of equipment with voltage and load measurements. Also ambient verification with lighting levels, temperature and humidity measurements. If required, data logging devices can be installed and left on site to record electrical consumption of any services/feeders or temperature/humidity of specific zones in a building.