University of Pittsburgh
OP-4: Building Operations and Maintenance

All University of Pittsburgh buildings are managed under a multi-attribute custom operations and maintenance program that takes into account energy use, water use, overall building performance, stormwater management, indoor air quality, green cleaning, integrated pest management, and occupant satisfaction.

Many of these approaches are systematized across campus by Facilities Management, while a few are building-specific.
1) UTILITIES: Both energy and water consumption are monitored daily by controls and personnel in Facilities Management’s Energy Center. Additionally, a cross-departmental Facilities Energy & Sustainability team meets biweekly to review building-specific and campus-wide issues (among other opportunities). And, since 2014, the annual whole building energy and water performance of Pitt buildings are input into the U.S. EPA Portfolio Manager software, which serves as a way to both review
2) VENTILATION: Procedures are also in place to increase outside air ventilation as needed. The University has an added air quality monitoring component of the building automation system along with automated fault detection and diagnostics for the purpose of Automated Continuous Commissioning. (See more on IAQ below)
3) CONTINUOUS COMMISSIONING: Starting in 2018, Pitt began installing the Clockworks Energy System’s continuous commissioning sensors and software in 6 buildings, allowing for the quick identification, prioritization, and correction of inefficient equipment operations,. By the end of 2020, Pitt has this continuous commissioning running in 19 buildings, helping ensure that both individual components and full buildings are being managed and maintained with energy conservation and preventative maintenance in-mind.
4) WATER: Due to new real-time metering installed by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, the University now has immediate information about water consumption that allows for close attention to leaks and over consumption(see AASHE STARS OP-21). More on PWSA real-time water usage information: https://www.pgh2o.com/residential-commercial-customers/account-billing-info/check-your-water-usage
5) DESIGN: The University’s professional design standards often exceed required regulatory standards for new construction and renovation projects. In addition, regular commissioning, re-commissioning, and retro-commissioning schedules and procedures are in place to maintain design standards. The standards are updated regularly to incorporate new practices and technologies. Learn more: http://www.facmgmt.pitt.edu/sustainability/designconstruction.html
6) DESIGN MANUAL: Pitt’s Design Manual is at: https://www.fm.pitt.edu/design-manual
7) INTEGRATED PEST MANGAGEMENT: Integrated pest management is ensured by both the Facilities Management Custodial team and Auxiliaries’ Housekeeping team. Both types of facilities have external IPM providers with IPM certifications as verified in AASHE STARS Credit IN-29.

8) INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is monitored across campus via maintenance, occupants, and controls. In most Pitt buildings, IAQ is monitored via maintenance personnel and occupant concerns. Pitt takes IAQ concerns very seriously, with all verbal and written IAQ complaints referred to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), which has professional IAQ complaints or allegations may include but are not limited to: Temperature, humidity, and other comfort concerns; room “stuffiness” or “closeness;” air contamination such as odors, vapors, mold, particulates or secondhand smoke; and actual or perceived medical conditions such as allergic type reactions and other health-related symptoms that became manifested or exaggerated while in a space or room. EH&S then has a process to contact the individual reporting an IAQ concern for more information; engage appropriate departments for necessary adjustments, visit to determine additional issues, sources of concern, and solutions; create an action plan for remediation; and collect additional short-term or extensive IAQ data. For IAQ standards, Pitt EH&S uses ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2019; ACGIH Threshold Limit Values; and EPA-published Environmental Standards.

Additionally, the University of Pittsburgh uses Aircuity systems to improve air quality in over 125,316 square feet of space. These Aircuity systems constantly monitor indoor air quality and adjust ventilation to maintain and improve it through Pitt's Building Management System managed by Facilities Management; they are installed in the following buildings:
• Benedum Hall: 23,145 sq ft
• Clapp Hall: 19,369.91 sq ft
• Heinz Hall: 5,815.67 sq ft
• Graduate School of Public Health: 3,683.41 sq ft
• McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine: 39,961.7 sq ft
• Nuclear Physics Laboratory: 3,934.602 sq ft
• Salk Pavillion: 29,405.36 sq ft

Pitt Facilities’ Management Sustainability webpage: https://www.fm.pitt.edu/sustainability

Pitt Facilities Management Design Manuals: https://www.fm.pitt.edu/design-manual

Pitt’s Environmental Health and Safety Staff includes an Industrial Hygiene Manager and Research Environment Specialist: https://www.ehs.pitt.edu/people%20

University of Pittsburgh Safety Manual, Indoor Air Quality, Section 01-005: https://www.ehs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/docs/01-005IndoorAir.pdf