Mechanical and plumbing systems design for this 150,000 SF, four-story academic and laboratory building, which includes 30,000 SF of vivarium areas, biology wet laboratories, research areas, classrooms, offices, a BSL 3 lab and a large Lecture Hall. This was a design/build project.
The mechanical design includes the expansion of the underground mechanical utilities (chilled and high temperature hot water) for connection to the existing campus utility distribution, large VAV and 100% outside air handling units, lab exhaust fans, steam generators and bubble tight / exhaust valve / VAV damper systems. The laboratory areas contain fume hoods, flammable storage safety cabinets, canopy hood, snorkel fume extractor, autoclaves and environmental rooms. The plumbing systems include various laboratory process piping such as vacuum, compressed air, acid waste systems, specialty, nitrogen, and natural gases.
This project is LEED Platinum certified. Sustainable mechanical features include optimized HVAC system energy performance, water use reduction, indoor air quality increased ventilation, thermal comfort design, energy management measurement/verification and water use efficiency innovation in design. Strategies include the design of variable air volume systems to minimize energy use during periods of low loads while maintaining thermal comfort with the integrated control system. The project also achieved sustainable site, on-site renewal energy, green power and recycled content/regional materials resources credit.
