Fontainebleau's Cutting-Edge Spa IAQ Design Matches Luxury Accommodations

Consulting engineers defeat humidity challenges of a rain corridor, pool and spas

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. November 05, 2009

MIAMI, FL, Novemeber 5, 2009 - A 35-foot-long rain corridor, colored mists, a curtain of falling water and other aquatic features inside the 40,000-square-foot spa area of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach's $1.1 billion expansion/renovation wouldn't have been possible when the famed 1950's era facility opened in 1954.

If incorporated into the facility's original 1950's design, these large humidity load producers would have predated the 1970's invention of modern mechanical dehumidification equipment and wouldn't have been practical. Consequently, guests would either have had to bear the resulting uncomfortable muggy indoor conditions of no dehumidification or experience chilling effects of high velocity HVAC airflows in attempts to exhaust the excessive moisture.

Luckily, today's state-of-the-art dehumidification and HVAC control technology combined with the innovative mechanical design of Lawrin Ellis, P.E., LEED-AP, CxA, mechanical project engineer, TLC Engineering for Architecture (TLC), Ft. Myers, Fla., and Matthew Wiechart, P.E., LEED-AP, CxA, senior mechanical engineer, TLC, Orlando, Fla., maintains humidity to a comfortable 50 percent and makes this indoor aquatic playground possible. TLC's goal was to produce an IAQ specification in the spa area that matched the luxurious marble surroundings conceived by interiors firm, Richardson Sadeki, New York, one of eight design companies involved with the facility's expansion/renovation. HKS Architects, Dallas, was the overseeing architect for the two-year-long renovation.

The Lapis™ Spa has seven main areas and TLC specified four DRY-O-TRON® model DA-5 dehumidifiers manufactured by Dectron Internationale, Roswell, Ga., to each remove a total capacity of 90 lbs/hr. of moisture in the four humid environments. Four separate units provide more individual control for areas where temperature, humidity and occupancy vary greatly. The four aquatic areas are:

• 1) Men's Spa—2,000 square feet with a 162-square-foot whirlpool spa
• 2) Women's Spa—2,000 square feet with one large 261-square-foot whirlpool spa and two smaller individual pools and a steam room.
• 3) Rain Shower/Co-ed Pool—3,200 square feet with a 505-square foot, 82ºF lap pool and a 47-square foot, 102ºF rain shower water feature.
• 4) Wet Treatment Area—an area with a 130-square-foot whirlpool spa and a 58-square-foot spa.

Particularly challenging for TLC was the Wet Treatment area, which has several smaller suites where guests can spend entire days getting massages, spa soaking, and other services. To supplement the preferential treatments, each personal room has individual temperature/humidity control with a variable air volume (VAV) box. VAV boxes are normally supplied by variable speed air handlers, however in this instance dehumidification was a key issue. TLC and Heather L. Hsi, P.E., sales engineer at manufacturer's representative, Applied Dehumidification Inc., Tampa, Fla., worked closely with Dectron's factory engineers to verify that a modulating bypass could be utilized with the constant air volume dehumidifiers. In the event a space doesn't require peak airflow, the additional air is bypassed into the return via the modulating bypass damper.

Each Dectron dehumidifier's on-board Supervisaire® microprocessor-based control, which is compatible with all building automation systems (BAS), is interfaced with the Trane VAV systems and monitored by the entire facility's BAS. “Equipment is not available in the one to two-ton range for such small suites, therefore we found the dehumidifier/VAV box combination to be the best method of supplying perfect thermal comfort to a very high-end setting,” said Ellis.

The exclusive VIP suites are void of mechanical equipment noise and reach a Noise Criteria (NC) of 30 or below. TLC accomplished this with duct insulation, diffusion treatments and assuring that spaces, such as stairwells, closets, etc. were used as buffers between the suites and the mechanical room.

Another design challenge is a wall of windows that allows patrons to view the Fontainebleau's breathtaking views. On winter days when Miami's temperature can momentarily dip below 40°F, the dehumidifiers are critical in keeping the glass free of condensation, which is a typical problem when glass separates two vastly different temperature environments. The air is delivered via stylish ceiling flush linear diffusers by Titus, Richardson, Texas, that match the sleek spa interiors as well as provide indoor air comfort. “All the diffusers, ductwork, and other air distribution components were specified and positioned to deliver a gentle 40-ft/min. air velocity at six feet above the floor to eliminate chilling effects on the spa occupants,” said Ellis.

The overall HVAC of the Fontainebleau is provided by a four-pipe heating/cooling water loop that supplies Trane air handlers throughout the complex. The leaving water from the dehumidifiers is then rejected to the chilled water loop. A Semco, Columbia, Mo.,10,800-cfm 100-percent outdoor air make-up air unit with an enthalpy wheel heats, cools and dehumidifies Miami's outside air design conditions of 92ºF dry bulb to 78ºF wet bulb and then is delivered at space neutral conditions. TLC's green design saves a projected $16,000 in annual energy costs.

Since spa areas typically produce many types of odors from massage oils, pool/spa sanitizing chemicals, perspiration, etc., TLC also specified a scent dispersion system by RLH Enterprises, Sun Valley, Calif., a provider of concept development, design, engineering, production and installation of special effects for themed environments. The Wet Treatment, VIP suites and several other rooms include scent dispersion systems to maintain a homogeneous, natural aroma throughout the Lapis Spa.

TLC's design also calls for water-cooled dehumidifiers which reject heat into the chilled water loop. This saved considerable installation costs—mainly in piping—versus more conventional air-cooled heat rejection methodology.

The new Fontainebleau Miami Beach still retains its 1950's charm that made it a world-famous destination of yesteryear, but it's state-of-the-art equipment and design innovation of today's engineers and architects that pamper today's guests with five-star luxury and style.