The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) campus in Boulder, Colorado is comprised of (30) buildings primarily used for scientific research. Non-renovated areas of Building 1 (Spine & Wings 1, 2, 4, 5) needed the domestic water system replaced, including cold water, hot water, a hot water recirculation line, and hot water equipment. As the prime consultant, 360 Engineering and their design team conducted field observations of the existing domestic water system from the service entrance to all plumbing fixtures. Based on these field observations and NIST’s project goals, 360 made recommendations for the new system and proceeded with the design once NIST made final decisions.
This project posed several challenges, including cost of construction to replace all piping in the laboratory areas, possible downtime for laboratory researchers during construction, and possible changes in design/needs due to ongoing construction projects at Building 1. 360 Engineering’s proposed solution to these challenges was a core and shell-type design that involved capping full-size pipes with an isolation valve off the main in the corridor. This option would allow the pipe to always have the same capacity as the main, making it more flexible than the existing system. Additionally, this would allow labs to be connected into the space as needed for future modifications without shutdowns, draining, or the upfront cost to replace parts of the system. This would also minimize laboratory downtime and disruption during project construction. Ultimately, the core and shell approach would help minimize changes and costs during future construction projects at Building 1.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) campus in Boulder, Colorado, has (30) different buildings (650,000 sq ft) primarily used for scientific research. Building 24 consists of a basement for storage and mechanical space and two levels above grade with office and laboratory space. As the prime consultant and mechanical engineer, 360 Engineering completed a comprehensive mechanical survey of existing HVAC equipment and utilities in Building 24. Additionally, 360’s electrical sub-consultant evaluated and made recommendations on the feasibility of reusing existing electrical equipment.
Based on the field assessments, 360 Engineering provided NIST with a primary and two alternate designs, along with preliminary cost and schedule comparisons and benefit analysis. After meeting with NIST to discuss each alternative, 360 Engineering coordinated design team efforts to fully develop the design for the chosen system. 360 Engineering recognized the need for supplementary support on the architectural and structural sides of the design based on the selected option, so additional consultants were brought on board for the final design. For the final deliverable, 360 Engineering provided a complete architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical set of construction drawings and cost estimate.
One of the main challenges with this project was providing a phased design approach strategy to allow the building to remain operational as a functioning lab building while replacing the entire HVAC system, including all ductwork, piping, and controls. Multiple conversations with NIST, their facility team, and our team allowed for an integrated approach which allows sections of the building to have the HVAC system off during the weekends as the contractor moves through the building.
Built in 1881, the Spring Hill Ranch House, located within Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, is Second Empire style architecture constructed using a wide range of materials including white limestone, a distinctive material to eastern Kansas. There are three floors of living space in the ranch house, with an additional service floor located between the first and second floors. The walls in the living space are plaster, and eight rooms and three halls in the house feature varied molded plaster cornices. The elaborate stairway post and stair railing are walnut; the remaining woodwork in the house is grained pine.
Working with Anderson Hallas Architects and the National Park Service, 360 Engineering addressed humidity concerns within the Ranch House to preserve the historic fabrics and features. Multiple site visits were conducted to supply the National Park Service with the optimal mechanical solutions, which included standalone dehumidifier units and a Direct Expansion (DX) cooling system.
The Integrated Biorefinery Research Facility (IBRF) at NREL’s South Table Mountain campus in Golden, Colorado, “enables researchers and industry partners to develop, test, evaluate, and demonstrate processes and technologies for the production of bio-based products and fuels.” For the IBRF Process Development Unit (PDU), 360 Engineering provided prime-consulting and construction administration services to upgrade the dust collection system.
The project scope of work included field evaluations of existing mechanical and electrical conditions, documentation for the removal of existing dust capture system and ductwork in the laboratory, and design for new dust capture systems; hoods and/or snorkels along with new ductwork. Detailed site observations were performed to evaluate the building’s ventilation to determine how the air would move during operations of general exhaust, dust collection exhaust, and a combined exhaust rate.
The Science and Technology Facility (S&TF) at NREL in Golden, CO, is a 71,000 square-foot-building housing laboratory and office space, supporting a wide range of scientific investigations. Within the Process Development and Integration Laboratory (PDIL), NREL was looking to construct a “Clean Zone” area with an ISO Class 6 (Class 1000) cleanroom. As the prime consultant and mechanical engineer, 360 Engineering and the design team prepared concept design and bridging documents for NREL’s use in procuring a design-build contract.
For the new state-of-the-art cleanroom, relative humidity needed to remain above 30%, and temperature control within +/- 2 degrees F. Process support systems included hazardous exhaust abatement for hydride exhaust, specialty gases from adjacent cabinets to the tools, and waste neutralization for acid etch. A mezzanine (platform) was designed above the cleanroom to provide an enclosure for the clean zone humidity control, space for air handling equipment, exhaust abatement unit, and to suspend the cleanroom ceiling.
Lab 229 is one of more than 40 laboratories in the Field Test Laboratory Building (FTLB) at NREL’s South Table Mountain campus in Golden, CO. As the prime consultant and mechanical engineer, 360 Engineering’s team provided NREL with Architectural and Engineering design services, and Construction Administration Services, for the replacement of 2 stainless steel electric steam boilers in lab 229.
The design team performed field evaluations of existing conditions based on lab use, equipment, and the lab’s functional layout. Removal of the existing utilities included steam piping, drain piping, and feed water piping to the existing boilers. Ceiling tiles were removed and replaced to remove and install new steam piping and new DI piping.
The mechanical engineers designed new steam piping from the new boilers to the existing autoclaves, new drain piping from the new boilers to the existing drains, and new feedwater piping from the main DI building water loop. Electrical design included disconnecting power feeds to the existing boilers and four control circuits and reconnection of power feeds to the new boilers and control circuits.
The Gateway Arch Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri, reflects the City’s role in the Westward Expansion of the United States in the nineteenth century and is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in the expansion. The Museum at the Gateway Arch, renovated in 2018, now offers the National Park’s visitors an interactive experience.
For the remodel of the visitor center and museum store, 360 Engineering designed new mechanical and plumbing systems. One unique challenge of the project was designing all of the HVAC ductwork to hide in the cloud drop ceiling. Through close coordination with the architect and design team, the result was an aesthetically pleasing gift shop for visitors to enjoy.
The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) provides healthcare services to veterans across the Colorado front range. The old ECHCS facility at 9th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Denver consisted of a Medical and Surgical Center and Community Living Center. 360 Engineering was hired by the VA as the prime consultant and mechanical engineer to determine why the building’s heating water pipe system was failing and to offer solutions within their budget.
The 9-floor hospital building had a separate Central Utility Plant, with piping running in chases to the main building. 360 Engineering conducted thorough field investigations of the piping, including sending samples of the failing heating water piping to an analytical laboratory. Through careful analysis and coordination with the VA facility maintenance team, the cause of the failing piping was determined to be oxygen pitting.
360 Engineering provided multiple solutions and the pros and cons of each solution, including any possible downtimes, impacts to operations, and associated costs to mitigate effects. Also, 360 Engineering designed each chase individually, with its own price, which allowed the VA to select the best solution for its budget. During construction, 90% of the work was completed without entering occupied space. Stairwells and the building’s exterior walls were utilized for the selected chases, and all chases were designed to work with the existing architecture.
360 Engineering provided prime consulting and mechanical engineering services for the refurbishment of a lab space within NREL’s Solar Energy Research Facility (SERF) Laboratory. This complete remodel converted an existing double-height space to produce two usable floors and eliminated the partitions between Labs W215 and W216 to create one large space, then relocated existing equipment within the new space. The project also involved revisions to the existing engineered systems, including relocating an existing 8-ft. poly fume hood from SERF W132 to SERF C121 and re-engineering the HVAC system in C121 to accommodate the hood. 360 Engineering also redesigned the area for electron microscope study to meet radio frequency and magnetic requirements provided by NREL.
NREL’s Field Test Laboratory Building (FTLB) houses more than 40 labs, including Lab 105. For this retrofit, 360 Engineering provided both prime consulting and mechanical engineering services. Undertaken so the existing two-story space could house new custom lab equipment, the project involved plumbing and mechanical design and modification. The mechanical scope involved providing a new air handling unit (AHU) to connect to the existing heating water, chilled water, and energy recovery loops within the building. The new mechanical system designed introduces additional makeup air into the building, with an energy recovery unit and associated exhaust fans. The laboratory makeup air and exhaust air systems now handle air change rates per NREL lab standards and the additional heat generated by the new equipment. To accommodate a chemical hood, seven gas cabinets, and several snorkels, the team designed a new variable volume supply system and variable air volume (VAV) exhaust system. The system includes Venturi air valves to maintain proper differential pressure with the adjoining spaces. A new plumbing system includes an acid-resistant sump pump beneath a laboratory sink that routes lab waste to a central processing tank within the building. Seven independent gas lines were installed to support the lab hood and lab equipment operations.
