California State University, Northridge
IN-47: Innovation A

This project has significantly enhanced CSUN’s understanding and management of its building mechanical systems, fostering a collaborative environment between building controls specialists, HVAC mechanics, and sustainability staff. The Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) program, a powerful energy management and information system (EMIS), continuously analyzes data from the Siemens Building Automation System, helping to identify potential issues and streamline diagnostic efforts. This tool has substantially improved CSUN’s operational efficiency by proactively detecting faults, such as temperature sensor malfunctions, misaligned HVAC operations, and flow inconsistencies, which might otherwise go unnoticed. The FDD program has enabled optimized programming adjustments, streamlined maintenance, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions—ultimately saving energy, extending equipment lifespans, improving building performance, and enhancing occupant comfort.

Quantification & Results:

• Currently, FDD covers over 30 buildings, including both central and satellite plants on campus.
• Since implementation, FDD has generated hundreds of reports across ten buildings. Each building integrated into the system has yielded five to 36 actionable items, which have typically tapered to fewer than five monthly as initial issues are resolved.
• To date, FDD has identified 316 distinct actions, many of which are resolved efficiently through streamlined work orders that address multiple interrelated issues.
• The reports also highlighted key programming efficiencies, which our vendor is actively incorporating into the automation software.
• A dedicated contractor has been added to assist in managing items beyond the capacity of our in-house team.
• In 2024, CSUN launched a dynamic dashboard that quantifies the cost implications of unresolved issues, guiding resource allocation and addressing operational challenges effectively.