CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION AND INSPECTION OF HVAC SYSTEMS AT THE AICM

INPAL
Apr 14
2 min read

CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION

Mexico City International Airport (AICM) is one of the busiest airports in Latin America in terms of passenger traffic. The continuous operation of its facilities requires a controlled environment that ensures thermal comfort, air quality, and optimal conditions for sensitive equipment (server rooms, check-in counters, meeting rooms, etc.).

VRV air conditioning systems, direct expansion systems, air handling units, and cooling towers are subject to accelerated wear and tear due to their high level of use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Therefore, a monitoring and technical inspection program is required to ensure their proper operation, prevent failures, and optimize energy consumption.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

Develop a systematic plan for the supervision of construction work, inspection, and assessment of the operational condition of HVAC equipment in Terminals 1 and 2, connecting areas, and administrative zones of the AICM.

Perform a mechanical, electrical, and control inspection on each air conditioning unit
Identify equipment with poor thermal performance, refrigerant leaks, clogged filters or ducts, and compressor or fan failures
Prepare a technical report prioritizing corrective and predictive actions
Monitor key parameters (supply temperature, differential pressure, electricity consumption) in real time using portable sensors or a BMS (Building Management System)
Propose a condition-based maintenance (RCM) program tailored to airport operations

SCOPE

Locations: Terminal 1 (domestic and international areas), Terminal 2, boarding bridges, transit areas, VIP lounges, technical rooms, and the facilities control center.

Equipment to be inspected:

Unidades de tratamiento de aire (UTA)
Enfriadoras (chillers) centrífugas y de tornillo
Condensadoras y evaporadoras
Fan coils y cassettes
Sistemas de conductos y rejillas
Sensores de temperatura, humedad y CO₂

Activities:

Visual and thermographic inspection
Measurement of air and refrigerant flow rates
Oil analysis in compressors
Inspection of control cards and variable frequency drives
Leak testing and cleaning of coils

Methodology

Detailed inventory and labeling of equipment
Non-destructive testing (NDT): Thermography, vibration analysis, and ultrasonic testing for leak detection
Historical records of temperatures, operating hours, and previous failures
Weekly supervision by technical staff assigned to shifts, using a digital checklist and daily reports
Weekly committee meetings with AICM staff and contractors

DELIVERABLES

Executive report on overall status (critical status indicator: green, yellow, red)
Digital database for each piece of equipment, including inspection history
Prioritized corrective action plan (30, 60, 90 days)
Recommendations for improving energy efficiency (filter replacement, condenser cleaning, setpoint adjustment)
Supervision certificate and official record for internal audits