Commercial office building HVAC/lighting upgrade permitting questions
Hi guys, I'm thinking of doing lighting and HVAC upgrades for a 7 story 150,000 sqft office building in TX. I'd like to understand the process:

- Would a permit be required if I were to upgrade the HVAC system to an energy efficient system?

- Would this require MEP plans to be drawn &amp; stamped?

- If I'd like to install power meters like the WattNode[WattNode](https://ctlsys.com/product/wattnode-modbus-wide-range/) and simple lighting/HVAC control systems, without upgrading/replacing the HVAC unit, would a permit need to be pulled?
[{"id": "ifhlh30", "text": "Hey man!\n\nTo answer ur questions, as I\u2019ve done AC replacements on office towers. And suggest a few things. \n\n1. Yes, you will need a permit. You are altering the mechanical calculations of building. \n\n2. Yes get plans. They will serve as ur blueprints, because it\u2019s not just as simple as upgrading the units, it\u2019s everything else. Is there enough power, do the cooling towers or chillers have the capacity, or the current water supply lines big enough, are condensation pumps sufficient. \n\n3. If it\u2019s just lighting types and HVAC control system, I wouldn\u2019t get permits unless your adding VAV boxes and all. I would require the contractor to supply shop drawings for my records. \n\nAlso make sure you verify HVAC unit sizes and they will fit through the elevators. You may need to remove a window to get them in which incurs crane costs etc. \n\nHope this helps", "replies": [{"id": "ifhlpk6", "text": "Cool thanks for the suggestions! What's a vav box?", "replies": [{"id": "ifhs473", "text": "VAV boxes are used to control temperatures in individual rooms. It\u2019s a damper that lets in more or less cold air from the main unit and therefor allows u to control space with thermostat. \n\nIn one office we had VAV boxes in each office also hooked up to the smart system so we could control and monitor every space remotely", "replies": [{"id": "ifhsulv", "text": "Oh that's awesome! So pretty much a controllable vent. What smart system did you guys use and why did you go with that solution?", "replies": [{"id": "ifi8irq", "text": "u/hcardona111793 replies are all spot on. Definitely follow these suggestions. Source: I work for a global MEP engineering firm.\n\nthe VAV box is a little more than just a controllable vent as they can also have a heating / cooling coil, i.e. more power draw. Essentially, if you see a Tstat in each office or conference room, likely it's controlling the local VAV.  You may be able to keep some of your existing equipment if you start with monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing components in the system via a tool like Tridium or SkySpark. These need a professional to configure, but it's not uncommon to collect sensor data and see where you're burning unnecessary energy. Does your building have a current BMS platform it's operating on?\n\nYour lights can also be managed by the same BMS software. If the lighting controllers are managed by the BMS, you can have them triggered from the same occupancy/vacancy sensors as the HVAC and vice versa. So ideally, you are only lighting and conditioning a space based on actual occupancy, in theory reducing energy spend.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "ifj85im", "text": "Not to mention street closing costs and traffic redirection costs and other misc fees if applicable to a crane or even more expensively for a helicopter.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ifrf3r2", "text": "Former MEP engineer, electrical!\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\n1. Yes you need permits\n2. Depends on your city! Drawings are usually required, but not stamps. If this is the case you can skip the MEP step and have a contractor draw it out for you. Some contractors will even have a side piece engineer who will stamp their drawings. \n   1. Pros of skipping MEP:\n      1. Cheaper\n      2. Faster\n   2. Cons: \n      1. Less quality work\n      2. Might not be the most cutting edge\n3. Should be fine without a permit, definitely get drawings", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]