Riddle Memorial Hospital – Chiller Plant Upgrade
Precis led an in-house team of mechanical engineers for upgrades to Riddle Memorial Hospital’s main central utility plant. Engineering design was preceded by a study of the existing 1,500-ton primary-secondary plant and analysis of return on investment (ROI) for different chiller options.
Key components of the project included an analysis of the hospital’s natural gas and electric tariffs; complete operating energy analysis of the central plant, including mathematical models of upgrade alternatives; and a master plan of upgrades to the hospital’s distribution systems.
Precis designed a replacement chiller and new header system, upgraded pumps, optimized the cooling tower, provided a new free cooling system, and replaced the central plant control system. The solution resolved operational problems that had plagued the hospital since its original construction in 1961.
Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals – Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) Manufacturing Suite
Precis designed a 10,000-sf oral solid dosage (OSD) manufacturing suite expansion for Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals, a specialty generic pharmaceutical company. The architectural design included layout, code analysis for high hazard occupancy, and specifications for partition systems and finishes. The engineering design included mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems required for solvent dispensing, solution preparation, and controlled humidity, along with HVAC systems and ductwork, electrical distribution, and chilled water, steam, and compressed air distribution. The design also included spaces for future expansion.
The manufacturing suite incorporated Glatt GPCG 120s with three-column Wurster coaters and thermal oxidizers, drum and bowl inverters for bin loading, bin blending and handling (1,000L), a central chilled water plant, a waste neutralization system, and support spaces including protected and utility corridors, a wash area, and USP water system.
In addition to the manufacturing space design, the team performed a central utility upgrade, adding a new 1,200-ton chiller plant, as well as a new central batch-type waste neutralization system.
Image © Ivan Milovanov / IM Imagery OU
QO Micro/Sterility Lab Consolidation
Precis provided process, automation, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering services for the renovation of an existing maintenance shop to consolidate several existing QO micro-sterility laboratories into one new space with shared support areas. The QO lab will support vaccine testing for the entire site and increase reliability and efficacy of overall facility function. Key components of the project included lab programming, lab and process equipment specification, hazard analyses, expansion of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) purified water loop, installation of a new mechanical penthouse, and design of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure to support lab processes. The automation design included instrumentation for the USP loop expansion, including service to new parts washers and autoclaves via an Allen-Bradley programmable logic controller (PLC) control system.
Great Valley Community Center
Precis undertook a master plan for future building additions to Great Valley Community Center designed to enhance the experience of the community center and its programs. The first phase of the multi-phase project involved design of a 16,500-sf building featuring basketball courts, a concession area, restrooms, utility spaces, a small office area, and a lobby.
Future phases of the project will include an elevated track and a fitness center; several multipurpose areas for senior programs, education, and after school programs; and offices and conference rooms for Great Valley Community Organization (GVCO) staff.
The master plan scope included future building additions to accommodate a 200-seat, auditorium-style multipurpose space, complete with a stage and an upper-level observation mezzanine; a new 20,000-sf field house with synthetic turf field for a variety of indoor sports programs; and exterior site amenities such as an exterior plaza with concessions, playing fields, outdoor courts, and a drop-off area.
Wisler Pearlstine, LLP – Law Office Renovation
Precis programmed and planned an updated and sophisticated office renovation for law firm, Wisler Pearlstine, LLP. Designed to accommodate continued growth and to integrate new law practice technology, the renovated office consists of 16,400 sf of office space and an additional 3,000 sf of archival storage.
The interior layout included private and open offices, board and conference rooms, reception and common areas, file and storage rooms, a cafeteria, coffee areas, and a server room. The design featured an intercommunicating stair open to both floors that became a central organizing element to the project.
Images © Don Pearse Photographers, Inc.
Princeton University – Campus Network Core Relocation
Princeton University required the relocation of the campus network core from the existing data center to an abandoned data center across campus. The project initially included replacement of existing campus chilled water computer room air-conditioning (CRAC) units and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment, as well as the redistribution of power from two new UPSs for redundancy. The scope included replacement of lighting, new paint, raised floor tiles, and provision of new cable tray and security devices. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was performed to optimize and confirm the layout of CRAC units and perforated floor tiles with consideration for underfloor obstructions and redundancy scenarios.
During design of the initial scope of work, it was determined that the campus chilled water system was less
reliable than originally thought and that backup cooling was required. It was also determined that the existing standby power generator did not have sufficient capacity to accommodate the network core equipment. Precis designed a new backup cooling system, comprised of a modular air-cooled chiller with redundant modules, redundant pumps, redundant heat exchangers to interface with the campus chilled water system, a roof screen, all associated power and piping distribution through three floors, and building automation. Precis also designed all new standby power infrastructure dedicated to the network core, including a 500kW generator concealed behind a new enclosure designed to match the aesthetic of the existing building.
These renovations prepared the data center for relocation of campus server equipment, vendor equipment, network switches, and re-routing of associated fiber feeds to each campus building by university IT personnel.
Grainger – Northeast Distribution Center
Precis provided detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design, utilizing BIM modeling and energy modeling, and provided construction administration services for a 1,400,000-sf warehouse and 44,000 sf of office space for Grainger, a Fortune 500 industrial supply company.
The warehouse utilizes a heating and ventilation system with 26 exhaust fans, with four of the exhaust fans on variable frequency drives (VFD) to provide the minimum ventilation, and the other 22 fans staged to limit the temperature increase in the warehouse to 2°F, equivalent to two air changes per hour. The warehouse is heated using 20 direct-fired heating units that run on demand. High-volume, low-speed fans are used throughout the warehouse to increase airflow and de-stratify the space while in heating mode.
Precis evaluated two mechanical systems for the 44,000-sf office: variable air volume (VAV), direct-expansion (DX) gas-fired rooftop units with electric reheat and electric perimeter heat versus fan coil units with a dedicated outdoor air system. All mechanical equipment selections were driven by energy efficiency. The lighting system in the office and warehouse uses high efficiency LED lighting with integral motion and daylight sensors.
Precis Engineering worked directly with the project owner and architect to evaluate all energy saving options for the building façade and roof insulation. Precis collaborated with an environmental engineer to evaluate the risk of heat stress and strain on all employees in the heated and ventilated warehouse. The highest risk areas were designed
with mechanical cooling systems, while in other areas, the addition of air movement was used to reduce the risk at workstations. The project was awarded LEED Gold Certification.
Decarbonization Site Audits
Precis performed a decarbonization study of four of the client’s 15 highest carbon-generating sites. These sites consisted of pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratories, warehouses, offices, and central utility plants comprising of over 3.1 million sf of occupiable space.
Precis performed detailed energy analyses to help the company achieve its decarbonization goals, with measures specifically tailored for decarbonization including renewable energy generation, electrification, and thermal energy/battery storage. Precis evaluated all energy-consuming systems at each facility including water-cooled HVAC chilled water systems; process chilled water systems; high- and low-pressure steam boiler systems; central cogeneration facility; air-handling systems for manufacturing, laboratory, and office spaces; exhaust systems; clean utilities including water for injection (WFI) and clean steam; compressed air; and lighting.
Precis identified over 375 viable opportunities across the four campuses with annual cost savings opportunities across all facilities totaling over $4.4 million. This resulted in a nearly 40 percent carbon reduction at the sites with the greatest opportunity. Strategic recommendations were made at each site to eliminate Scope 1 emissions in their entirety. Detailed energy savings calculations, cost estimates, payback analysis, and narrative to support a business case for implementing over 103 projects were also provided. Following the study, the client engaged Precis for the design of several opportunities relating to cogeneration feasibility, chilled water optimization, and boiler replacement.
MilliporeSigma – Regional Distribution Center Expansion
Life sciences products company, MilliporeSigma aimed to create a strategic regional distribution center by significantly expanding its existing distribution center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to occupy a vacant parcel of land adjacent to the building.
The larger, optimized distribution space was designed to store a variety of chemical and medical devices, adhering to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards. Various storage conditions were required, including cooler, freezer, controlled ambient, ambient, and flammable areas. The chemical warehouse was designed to store many different chemicals and hazard classes in both large and small packaging configurations.
Precis provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering design to support the MEP/FP construction and installation needs. Precis worked closely with HSC Builders & Construction Managers, MilliporeSigma, architectural, structural, and civil engineering personnel to provide engineering, design, and construction administration services.
Image © Raymond Forbes
ECFMG – Testing Center
Established in 1956, the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is a world leader in promoting quality healthcare – serving physicians, members of the medical education and regulatory communities, healthcare consumers, and researchers. Precis designed a new medical student testing center developed in conjunction with CES and ECFMG based on existing testing center locations in Philadelphia. The innovative new testing center, located minutes from the Atlanta airport, integrates three different user groups – staff, students and mock patients – into a cohesive space while being mindful of security and privacy issues for each group.
