office (208) 342-1231
fax (208) 336-3927
ro-bar@ro-bar.com

Core Competencies and Environmental Services

Ro-Bar Technical Services provides the professional certifications and extensive track record of technical expertise, but also provides the “real world” knowledge of how to ensure that projects culminate with a healthy, energy efficient and functional building:

Whole Building Commissioning

Through Building Commissioning (Cx), Ro-Bar staff ensures that a building performs to the original design intent, project team specifications and the owner's operational needs. Due to the technical advancements in building construction and the sophistication of building systems installed in new construction, today, commissioning is absolutely necessary.  Cx is, however, not automatically included as part of the “everyday” design and construction process. In the most efficient Cx project, the experts at Ro-Bar would be hired by the owner as part of the original design team in an effort to ensure the building is successfully constructed, staff is properly trained and the building operates as effectively and energy efficiently as possible, which will ensure a productive and comfortable environment. In essence the Cx Agent and the Cx process will ensure that a building is: 

  • Comfortable
  • Energy levels are optimized
  • Building operators are trained to operate systems properly
  • Tenants are happy, while operating costs are reduced
  • Less change orders during construction for the project team
  • Fewer call-backs for warranty work by the general and sub contractors

 Retro-Commissioning of Existing Buildings

Ro-Bar utilizes an additional building commissioning process called “Retro-Commissioning”, which is a systematic survey or investigation of a building’s current operation and maintenance.  Retro-Commissioning is implemented to ensure a building continues to perform properly over the course of time.  Ro-Bar will complete an inclusive and systematic review of how equipment and systems operate, but also to optimize how all systems are functioning together in a holistic manner.  Ro-Bar has extensive knowledge of the building systems that must be maintained to ensure proper energy efficiency, comfort and productivity for the owner and/or tenants. 

 During this process, Ro-Bar may include recommendations for capital improvements, retro-fit, or renovations to the building or building systems, but the focus of these recommendations are made in order to ensure the owners have a facility that has: 

·      Equipment performing at optimal state

·      Reduced complaints

·      Reduced energy and demand costs

·      Increased equipment life

·      Improved indoor air quality

·      Increased tenant satisfaction

·      Improved facility operation and maintenance

·      Reduced staff time spent on emergency calls

·      A productive, efficient and healthy environment


 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) - Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB)

At the nucleus of Ro-Bar Technical Services core competency, HVAC Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) is the art and science that has spawned Ro-Bar’s expertise in the other complement of services, which are now available to its owners and clients.  The true purpose of the TAB process is to assure that an HVAC system is installed per the project team’s specifications, but most importantly is to provide maximum occupant comfort at the lowest energy cost possible.  Ro-Bar believes the TAB phase of any building construction or renovation is intended to verify all HVAC air / water flows and pressures meet the design intent and equipment manufacturer's operating requirements. It is rare to find an HVAC system of any size that will perform completely satisfactorily without the benefit of adjustments. This is why it is considered a "best practice" for the designer to specify that TAB work be part of the overall HVAC system installation and regular “check-ups”.

 Energy Auditing

Ro-Bar staff has the certifications, equipment and expertise to perform the inspections, surveys and analysis required for a proper “energy audit” of building systems and envelope.  Through the use of data loggers and power metering devices, our experienced staff, will assist owners in prioritizing their energy usage to ensure a holistic approach to energy savings and a productive environment, which meets the overall goals of the owner.  In many instances, a general energy audit morphs into a retro-commissioning project when an owner realizes that the objective of an energy study changes from the simple reduction in energy input and cost to that of maintaining or improving human comfort, health, safety, and productivity.  Our staff will work with the owner to make the proper decision about retro-commissioning a building to ensure the process is necessary and will assist in the transition of scope.

 Indoor Environmental Quality Verification 

The Ro-Bar team is a group of proven professionals with extensive experience working to ensure proper indoor air quality is maintained.  This process can be established via many avenues, but in most cases it is certifying that minimum outside air standards are being maintained via the OEM equipment.  Moreover, Ro-Bar certifies that the OEM energy saving systems work properly and balances the energy savings function with the specified amount of outside air, comfortable temperature and humidity that may be necessary.   In most cases, these systems will need to be adjusted over the course of time to maintain proper indoor air quality.

Sound and Vibration Measurement and Certification

Ro-Bar professionals have been contracted by numerous high-tech companies, universities, or medical facilities that utilize highly sensitive equipment in a laboratory or fabrication facility where sound or vibration can cause equipment damage or inconsistencies in lab results.  Ro-Bar employs highly specialized equipment to determine the amount of sound and vibration that may exist and what frequencies that these disturbances maintain.  In some cases changes to lab locations or noise dampening measures have been taken to manage sound and vibration challenges.

 Fume / Exhaust Hood Measurement and Certification

Ro-Bar’s experienced professionals can execute quantitative testing to ensure that air or bio fume hoods are performing at a level that meets acceptable ASHRAE and OSHA safety standards.  Our staff will perform face velocity readings at various sash openings, room pressures and temperatures to observe and certify optimum operating conditions.

 Medical Isolation Measurement and Verification

Following years of HVAC TAB experience in medical and laboratory facilities, the Ro-Bar team has become experts in the setup, calibration and certification of medical/biological isolation systems in hospitals and laboratories.  Members of the Ro-Bar staff have extensive knowledge in working with isolation systems such as Phoenix Valves, Rosemex Systems, and AccuAire.