HVAC Forensic Engineering: Tracking the Root Causes of Premature Chiller Barrel Failures
Large centrifugal and screw chillers are among the most valuable assets in commercial buildings, hospitals, data centers, airports, industrial plants, and district cooling systems. When an evaporator or condenser barrel fails years before its expected service life, the financial consequences extend far beyond repair costs. Lost production, emergency equipment rental, occupant discomfort, and insurance claims can easily exceed the replacement cost of the chiller itself. While preventive maintenance identifies many developing issues, forensic engineering seeks to answer a more important question: Why did the failure occur in the first place? Understanding the true root cause prevents history from repeating itself. What is HVAC Forensic Engineering? HVAC forensic engineering is the systematic investigation of failed mechanical systems using engineering analysis, laboratory testing, operational history, and physical evidence. Rather than replacing damaged equipment, forensic engineer...