Penn State – Beaver Stadium Capital Improvement Projects
Following a comprehensive maintenance evaluation of Penn State’s Beaver Stadium that Precis performed, Precis remains engaged for architectural and engineering design services to implement various capital improvement projects for the nation’s second-largest stadium.
Projects include a major renovation of the third floor of the East Suites to accommodate functions relocated from the West Press Box as part of the major Beaver Stadium Renovations, the “Tunnel Club” VIP suites, the addition of new walk-in freezers, beer and wine coolers, various concession stand upgrades, a female officials’ locker room, and a visiting team female staff locker room. Precis also is currently involved with other VIP and fan experience concept designs to help envision the future of Beaver Stadium.
University of the Sciences – Sciences and Technology Center Phase II
The University of the Sciences, now Saint Joseph’s University, developed its new Sciences and Technology Center (STC) to promote energy, water, and environmental efficiency. The new 57,000-sf, three-story building features innovative learning spaces and student lounge space with simulation labs, a clinical lab, mock patient exam rooms, and conference rooms.
Precis provided detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design and construction administration, utilizing BIM modeling and energy modeling. Precis worked with the university and architect to develop the most energy efficient envelope design with first cost and payback period evaluated. The building utilizes triple-glazed windows and natural lighting to reduce energy consumption. In addition, a 20,000-sf green roof absorbs nearly 15,000 gallons of water when fully saturated. All mechanical equipment selections were driven by energy efficiency, resulting in a 40 percent energy reduction. The building achieved 684 out of 926 possible points for a 74 percent score and 3 Green Globes rating.
PennVet Utility Master Planning
In an initial project, Precis developed a utility master plan for upgrade of the electrical service and power distribution system for the 700-acre School of Veterinary Medicine New Bolton Center Campus, which is world renowned for its large-animal hospital and research centers. The master plan included options and conceptual design for replacement of the existing campus utility 34kV single circuit with two new redundant 34kV electrical service circuits to the campus from PECO, the local utility company. The plan outlined phased replacement of the existing 4,160-volt electrical distribution, which was then replaced and upgraded to 34kV with a new double-ended 34kV substation with automatic throw-over and a campus-wide 34kV loop. New site underground duct banks for the 34kV distribution were planned for and provided around the entire campus for existing and future connections to individual building substations and large loads. New site underground duct banks for the campus IT systems, including fiber optic trunks, were planned for and provided around the entire campus for existing and future connections to individual buildings and the main data center.
In a subsequent phase of work, Precis performed a complete facilities condition audit for all 45 campus buildings and provided a report compiling all building data, systems information, recommendations, and estimated costs for maintenance upgrades to help the school project maintenance spending over a 10-year period. Precis continues to provide the university with engineering services in support of equipment replacements and system upgrades identified in this report.
Most recently, Precis updated the utility master plan with an enhanced focus on mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection systems in support of, and to resolve, potential conflicts with several major new construction and renovation projects planned for campus.
Aerial photo © Halkin | Mason Photography
Duke University – Marine Laboratory Campus Chilled Water Upgrade
Duke University’s year-round Marine Laboratory Campus in Beaufort, N.C., is home to research, teaching, and student life facilities for the Nicholas School of the Environment. Precis was tasked with a chilled water upgrade for the campus. The project included the installation of a new air-cooled chiller to provide energy efficiency and support an existing geothermal heat pump system that was having difficulty maintaining temperature setpoints during warmer months.
The new chiller features enhanced corrosion protection to compensate for the corrosive coastal environment. It operates in a variable-primary arrangement for efficiency during warmer months; the geothermal system continues to provide service during cooler months. A direct bury piping network was used to back-feed existing campus buildings with chilled water. The project improved efficiency, supported a struggling but otherwise effective system, and brought chilled water to more buildings on campus.
Penn State – Bryce Jordan Center Chilled Water Plant Replacement
Precis was hired by Penn State to provide engineering design for the removal and replacement of two water-cooled chillers, cooling towers, associated pumps, and medium voltage switchgear at the end of life from Bryce Jordan Center, the university’s 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena.
The items were replaced with two new 700-ton, 316 stainless steel plate and frame heat exchangers. These were connected to the campus chilled water loop with flow meters and redundant campus and building pumps. The project included upgrade of all existing air-handling unit chilled water coil control valves with Belimo energy valves for improvement of system delta-T, as well as outside air flow monitoring for the arena air-handling units, and associated sequence-of-operations upgrades to allow for demand-controlled ventilation within the arena.
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.
Penn State York – Main Classroom Building HVAC System Replacement
Precis was tasked with the design-build project for Penn State York to completely upgrade the HVAC and associated building components for the 30,000-sf, three-story Main Classroom Building. The project was partially funded by the university’s energy savings program.
Mechanical system modifications included replacement of the existing constant volume air-handling units, electric reheat coils, and electric perimeter finned-tube with new variable volume air-handling units, terminal units with hydronic reheat coils, and hydronic perimeter finned-tube using heating hot water from a new condensing boiler, pumps, and distribution piping. The project included replacement of the existing water-cooled chiller and chilled water and condenser water pumps and an upgrade from constant to variable speed. All air devices were replaced with selective re-use of existing ductwork distribution. New direct digital controls (DDC) were provided throughout. All fluorescent lighting was replaced with LED lighting. Replacement of all ceiling grid and tiles, selective wall painting, and selective flooring and storefront replacements were included.
Princeton University – Andlinger Center Plasma-Therm Apex SLR Installation
The Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University is a multi-disciplinary research and education center. The project included the demolition and relocation of existing plasma etching equipment to accommodate the installation of two new Plasma-Therm tools, the procurement and installation of abatement systems to support these new tools, corrective work associated with the abatement tools, and strategies, procurement and installation of new abatement tools for future purchases and associated infrastructure.
Princeton required utility modifications for the relocation and modification of existing process equipment and the installation of new equipment, including multiple process exhaust abatement systems within the cleanroom. Precis modified the existing exhaust systems, designed new process exhaust between the process equipment and abatement equipment, and revised the hazardous gas monitoring and building automation systems (BAS) for equipment integration. Coordination and staging of demolition and new work was required to minimize shutdowns of existing utilities, maintain existing operations of the cleanroom lab space for other users, and maintain dimensional requirements for egress, removal, and installation of new materials and equipment.
Precis designed the project in a 3D Revit model and provided customized piping specifications to accommodate the specialized gasses required for plasma etching as well as the broad scope of material compatibility required for the abatement systems to prevent corrosion.
Duke University – Library Services Center Renovation
Duke University’s Library Service Center (LSC) is a high-density archival storage facility located 10 minutes from Duke’s main campus. Opened in 2001 to store and preserve the expanding collections of Duke University Libraries, the LSC currently stores over 6 million items. The LSC experienced issues with two direct-expansion HVAC units that condition the LSC’s 50,000-sf high-bay storage area. The age of the units, along with the increased cost and low supply of R-22 refrigerant drove the need for replacement.
Precis designed the replacement of two large direct expansion (Dx) air-handling units (AHUs), including new condensing units and evaporating coils, and upgrading to utilize a more environmentally friendly refrigerant. In addition, Precis upgraded the system with fully automated controls that tie back to the campus-wide building automation system (BAS). The new system maintains the facility at 50 degrees and 35 percent relative humidity for optimal archival preservation.
Penn State – Recreation Hall Energy Study + Implementation
The Penn State Energy Savings Program (ESP) team identified Recreation Hall as a facility with potential to yield significant energy savings and developed a list of preliminary Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). Penn State’s historic field house, Recreation Hall, was constructed in 1929 with additions in 1950, 1963, and 2005.
Precis was asked to perform an energy evaluation that would validate and expand upon Penn State’s preliminary list of ECMs. The study aimed to quantify potential energy savings in order to identify funding for major mechanical maintenance activities. Precis evaluated the building’s energy use and identified and quantified energy conservation opportunities related to the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. Precis then provided order-of-magnitude cost-benefit analyses to facilitate prioritization of the opportunities. The energy study identified over 30 ECMs. Of those, 10 were selected to move forward into the design phase.
Precis provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design services to implement ECMs. The projects included converting an existing squash court in the Kinesiology building to a mechanical room containing new campus-to-building chilled water heat exchangers and pumps; routing campus and building chilled water, heating hot water, and domestic water piping underground between Recreation Hall and the adjacent Kinesiology building; removing an air-cooled chiller and connecting associated loads to campus chilled water; adding a chilled water return temperature sensor to more accurately measure system return conditions; converting four air-handling units (AHUs) from a single-zone, constant air volume (CAV) to single-zone variable air volume (VAV) system with demand-controlled ventilation; providing one-third/two-third control valves for the steam to hot water heat exchanger for better control during low loads; removing humidification from one AHU for steam energy reduction; replacing three-way control valves with two-way control valves to reduce pumping energy; and adding outside airflow monitoring on existing systems to allow for implementation of demand-controlled ventilation.
