SBEC is the mechanical and electrical Engineer of Record for the Leeds School of Business Renovation & Addition, which became LEED® Gold Certified in 2007 and included the renovation of 100,000 GSF and the addition of 65,000 GSF. The expanded facility includes classrooms, offices, conference and meeting rooms, research labs, student lounges, library, information commons with a cafe, full commercial kitchen, atrium and computer labs.
As part of the project, SBEC evaluated the existing building mechanical and electrical system capacities to determine their adequacy for the renovated space needs. Ultimately it was determined that the existing systems would not be adequate to support the newly renovated spaces and as a result, a portion of the existing building was served from new mechanical and electrical systems located in the new building addition.
The mechanical and electrical systems design included the following:
- Replacement of existing absorption chiller with new 500 ton centrifugal chiller and 80 ton process chiller
- Conversion of existing pneumatic temperature controls to DDC controls
- Waterside economizer with plate and frame heat exchanger
- Cooling tower with remote (indoor) sump
- Renovation of three existing air handling units totaling 102,000 cfm
- Two new air handling units for addition totaling 80,000 cfm (fan wall technology)
- Chilled water coils with staged direct evaporative cooling
- Variable speed pumping for chilled and heating water systems
- CO2 sensors for ventilation control
- CFD modeling of typical classrooms to analyze air flow patterns and temperature profile
- New smoke control system
- Balancing and testing for existing units to establish air flows and capacities
- Pressure testing of ductwork to determine integrity
- Reinsulated ductwork where there were breeches
- Energy efficient lighting with daylighting controls
- Rough-in for data and telecommunications, intercom system, access control, security, CCTV, and audio/visual systems
- New fire alarm system
This project was the 2007 Gold Hard Hat Award Recipient.