AlfaTech Big Book: SoCal – Higher Ed

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

COMPTON COLLEGE — UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER PLAN & IMPLEMENTATION

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE

COMPTON COLLEGE RETRO-COMMISSIONING PROJECT

Compton, CA

Torrance, CA

Compton, CA

Type: Higher Education, Utility Infrastructure Size: 75-acre campus

Type: Higher Education, Utility Infrastructure Size: 126-acre campus

Type: Higher Education

The firm provided MEP engineering services for this project which consisted of three existing buildings—Math & Science, Voc. Tech and Child Development, as well as the existing central plant.

The firm first conducted preliminary site surveys of the 75-acre campus and developed a needs assessment report to identify deficiencies and outline recommendations for improving campus utility systems such as chilled water, natural gas, electrical, sewer, storm drainage, security, fire alarms and technology. In collaboration with the client, this data was used to prepare documentation for inclusion in an FPP to the state. Subsequently, upon obtaining approval from the state for funding, the firm began preparation of the utilities infrastructure master plan to address the major utility systems with a focus on incorporating energy savings measures, then prepared the design for the upgrades as the prime consultant with related architectural, landscape, civil and structural components under our direction. Significant features of the project included a new 2000-ton central plant and associated piping loops to the campus, a complete replacement of the campus-wide 4.16KV electrical distribution system, and a new 60KW photovoltaic system. One challenge was an existing 6,000-ton-hour thermal storage system that was not functioning. The firm was asked to recommission the system, which included investigation of leaks and control sequences. The new 2000-ton central plant will accommodate both existing needs and future growth. Three electrical centrifugal chillers will be provided for staging. The entire system, including the building in which it is housed, requires less than 0.65KW per ton and provides significantly improved life-cycle costs in comparison. The new facility will potentially qualify for several hundred thousand dollars in rebates for the college from the California Community Colleges/Investor Owned Utilities (CCC/IOU) Energy Partnering Program. A significant feature of the project was the replacement of the entire campus-wide site lighting. LED pole-mounted fixtures were provided for all parking areas and walkways. Each fixture was equipped with a dimming driver and wireless controller. A lighting control system provided the college individual control over every fixture and allowed the college to program the fixtures for increased energy-efficiency as well as a means for wayfinding. The control system was also integrated with campus security systems to substantially increase the safety of students and faculty.

Phase III Utility Infrastructure: The firm was contracted directly with El Camino College for the construction portion of the Phase III scope. This project encompassed a complete overhaul of campus-wide hydronic piping, fire-water piping and fire hydrant installation, domestic water, natural gas, IT/telecommunications, and 12KV electrical distribution. The project included complete underground utility corridors. The work was carefully coordinated with the facilities master plan to provide for future building construction without major disruption to the new utilities. The campus occupies 126 acres. Phase IV Utility Infrastructure Upgrades Electrical Conversion: The electrical conversion project consisted of implementing a campus-wide changeover from the existing 5KV electrical distribution system to a 12KV system. In addition, it includes complete new cabling infrastructure for the campus IT/telecommunications system. The 12KV system includes cabling, pad- mount transformers, pad-mounted SF6 distribution switches, and new switchgear for every building on campus. The challenge for this project is keeping the entire campus operational during the switch-over to the upgraded system. The project is designed in multiple phases. The specifications include extensive requirements for temporary power systems to allow all buildings to be operational during construction including buildings actively involved in the switchover. The IT system was designed with redundant paths and with the flexibility to allow the installation of a second server node at a remote location without the installation of additional cabling.

The purpose of the project was to identify and remediate installation and operational deficiencies to maximize the energy efficiency of the existing HVAC systems. The project was constructed as an energy related project under the 4217 code and the college identified their preferred contractor at the outset of design. The firm, in conjunction with the contractor, performed a detailed survey of the buildings and the central plant and developed a comprehensive list of tasks required to resolve operational and equipment deficiencies. Among the deficiencies were items that included clogged filters, unprogrammed control devices, fan coil units that were initially installed without any electrical power connections, leaks in the central plant piping, a thermal storage system what was completely non-operational and numerous other issues. Once the survey was complete, we assembled a task list which the contractor then used for pricing. Together with the Contractor and the College we worked together to analyze and adjust the pricing to provide fair and reasonable compensation to the contractor for the scope of work. During the course of the retro-commissioning, we regularly reviewed the work and provided input and direction to the contractor to ensure that the work contracted for was completed. The contractor provided excellent work and with the collaborative effort of all the parties, the college was able to obtain over $100,000 in incentive money from the CCC/IOU partnership and saw an immediate decrease in the energy consumption of the buildings.

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