Repair Dormitory B776
Building 776 is a 195,000 sq. ft. three-story dormitory facility located at Sheppard AFB. This facility is generally two separate dormitory structures connected by a common area facility that houses a kitchen, vending, offices, and lounge-type area for relaxation and entertainment.
Project Scope
The purpose of this project was to significantly extend the useful life of this dormitory facility through mechanical and plumbing upgrades in lieu of demolition and new construction.
Mechanical upgrades included the replacement of the existing cooling tower and HVAC central plant equipment with a new packaged, skid mounted central plant complete with 350-ton air-cooled chiller, condensing boilers, pumps, controls, auxiliary heating and ventilation equipment, and a new BACnet Direct Digital Control (DDC) System throughout the facility including connection to existing six roof mounted Dedicated Outdoor Air Units (DOAU) and one roof-mounted Air Handling Unit (AHU) serving the kitchen area.
Plumbing upgrades included the replacement of the existing sanitary waste, exterior sewer, domestic water heaters, domestic hot and coldwater distribution piping to the connection to the main distribution systems, selected natural gas lines and replacement of the shower pans, trim, and valves.
Design charrettes
We conducted a design kickoff meeting with all the project stakeholders where the Basis of Design was presented and discussed.
Concept designs
Our team oversaw the development of all conceptual designs and developed a Design Analysis to delineate the project's design objectives, assumptions, and associated calculations.
Planning and scheduling management
The planning and scheduling management process involved creating a detailed project timeline, identifying critical milestones, and allocating resources effectively. This ensured that tasks such as equipment procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning were completed efficiently and on schedule Design submittals for this project include:
- 65% Design & 95% Demolition Submittal
- 95% Design & Approved Design (IFC) Demolition Submittal
- 100% Backcheck Submittal
- Approved Design (IFC) Submittal
Preparing drawings and specifications
Drawings and specifications were prepared to communicate the design intent and technical requirements. These documents included detailed architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings, as well as utilizing SpecsIntact software to develop technical specifications in UFGS format outlining materials, finishes, and construction methods.
The site civil design included a new concrete pad for the HVAC package unit and new 8-10 inch sanitary sewers.
Experience in providing quality designs consistent with the firm’s design quality management plan
Our team has a well-established IDP outlining processes and procedures for ensuring the quality of design deliverables. This includes measures such as peer reviews, quality control checks, and adherence to USACE and DOD standards.
Project Challenges
Challenges for the B776 project included coordinating the replacement of the cooling tower and HVAC central plant equipment while minimizing disruption to occupants, ensuring compatibility with existing building systems, managing budget constraints, and adhering to strict timelines.
Innovation
The team performed a life-cycle cost analysis to determine the most efficient HVAC design to serve the existing dormitory, which resulted in a new four-pipe system. The boilers and pumps were located in a skid-mounted prefabricated mechanical room capable of being relocated to other facilities in the future. This packaged solution provides added value to the Tulsa District because it can be easily re-used when the life of the facility is no longer viable. The revised mechanical infrastructure reduced energy consumption of the HVAC Systems and domestic water use. The project replaced the HVAC system, interior and exterior sanitary waste lines, and the entire domestic water distribution system.
We recommended included pre-cast shower pans that resulted in savings for the Tulsa District in time and cost.