Mechanical:
We design new and renovated mechanical HVAC systems. Our experience includes high performance energy efficient designs, extensive modernization retrofits and specialty applications. System concepts include modern geo-exchange, heat pumps, and solar in addition to traditional air handling, refrigerant, chilled water, steam and hydronic systems.

Electrical:
We design medium, low voltage and emergency power systems within buildings. This includes power service and distribution, generator systems, fire alarm, solar photovoltaic and IT tele-data.

Plumbing:
In addition to the design of water, waste and storm systems, dbHMS has expertise in compressed gasses for laboratory and medical applications. Our sustainable projects include rainwater harvesting, solar thermal and water conservation.

Fire Protection:
We design fire suppression and life safety systems. Our project experience includes such specialty applications as dry systems, pre-action, gas suppression and early detection.

The Purpose of Commissioning is to help ensure that the equipment and systems meet the Owner's Project Requirements or design intent while operating efficiently and effectively. There is an established body of accepted procedure; specified in the LEED reference guides, ASHRAE guidelines and the publications of the BCA. dbHMS is familiar with all of these standards and understands how they dictate services and how to allocate them to the phases of the project.

Existing building commissioning and the requirements of LEED EBOM are a specialty that the dbHMS commissioning team is committed to as a core mission. Existing Building Operations and Maintenance (LEED-AP EBOM) specialty is directed at the high-performance operation of existing buildings. dbHMS performs energy audits and existing building assessments as part of this mission.

Building Commissioning has been an integral portion of our practice since the inception of the company. Each project has its own story. We are dedicated to reducing energy costs, optimizing system operation, and reducing operation and maintenance costs and therefore the carbon footprint of buildings.

Energy Modeling/Building Simulation:
dbHMS advises clients on the energy implications of their building decisions. We do this through building energy simulations, studies of existing conditions and utility usage, lighting audits, and due diligence studies. We study the performance of energy efficiency measures such as efficient windows, lighting upgrades and HVAC system choices. Life cycle assessments are made for each strategy.

Green Rating Consulting & Documentation:
dbHMS advises clients on compliance and design strategies for the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. We also serve as independent peer reviewers of building systems credit applications for the USGBC, having reviewed nearly 200 projects. We have a proven track record in guiding the LEED process, with 10 Platinum, 26 Gold, 30 Silver, and38 certified projects, an additional 58 that are through the Design Review process (half-way to certification), and 17 more projects that have registered and begun the process towards certification. Additionally, dbHMS can perform as a LEED for Homes Green Rater, providing a third-party inspections and verification of sustainable strategies pursued by LEED for Homes projects, including single-family and multi-family midrise residential buildings.

Lighting Design:
At dbHMS, Lighting Design is a combination of art and science. It's using artificial and natural lighting as a tool to light a space. Lighting is unique in its ability to make us notice things, but sheer quantity is not the only way. Energy efficiency, visual interest, task lighting, way finding, security lighting and flexibility are just some of the factors to be taken into consideration when designing a space. The integration of daylighting, local and national energy codes, green design constraints, dark skies compliance, illumination requirements, and the rapid rise of lighting technologies have made architectural lighting design ever more complex and challenging. We consult our clients during schematic design of opportunities for the use of daylighting, new technologies, and innovative solutions that will make the building a cohesive system.