Grainger – Northeast Distribution Center

Precis provided detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) 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.