Fast Track Mission Critical HVAC Retrofit Case Study

Two (2) 40-ton air-cooled condensing units and Outdoor Performance Trane Climate Changer AHUs

Led by Project Manager, John Faircloth, CES’s Facility Services team recently completed a successful $420K, fast track, mission critical HVAC retrofit.  

At CES, we understand that failure of a mission critical system – equipment, process, software – can result in failure of your business operations.  CES’s turn-key solutions allow us to single source system design, installation, and maintenance for our clients.

CES avoided as many scheduling and coordination conflicts as possible through employing resources including:

• In-house mechanical engineering design/assist-build services
• CAD modeling and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to reduce constructability issues;
• Providing procedures and processes for redundant temporary equipment, startup, and commissioning.

The Work Included:

• Redundant temporary HVAC systems
• Demolition of existing 90-tons of Packaged HVAC
• Installation of two (2) 40 ton air-cooled condensing units and Outdoor Performance Trane Climate Changer AHUs
• New Variable Frequency Drives
• Prime contracted General Contractor, Electrical, DDC Controls, Insulation, and Fire Alarm Services
• Start-up Test and Check including One Year Warranty

Project Challenges:

The Telecom Client retained CES as the Prime Contractor for the mission critical HVAC improvements.  CES directly contracted and coordinated the General Contractor, multiple subcontractors, materials selection, fabrication and performance of mechanical, electrical, and fire protection scopes of work. The Telecom Client had two main goals for the project:

1. The client required that the project be completed with zero tolerance for HVAC interruptions,
2. and a fast-track construction schedule of three months.

Project Success

As the Prime Contractor, CES successfully managed the General Contractor, Electrical, Insulation and Controls Contractors. CES was on time and on budget and experienced zero HVAC interruption and accidents. To achieve zero HVAC interruption CES successfully provided redundant temporary HVAC from demolition through final start-up of the new system.

CES has significant experience with difficult, fast-track mission critical projects. CES also enjoyed previous relationships with both the Telecom Client and the Engineer and understood the project’s goals and challenges. CES knew that to avoid as many scheduling issues as possible, it would require employing all its resources including:

• Using its in-house engineering support to provide design/assist services;
• Utilizing CAD modeling and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to reduce constructability issues;
• Providing procedures and processes for redundant temporary equipment, startup, and commissioning.

Additional CES Case Studies:

• #TBT 2010 CES wins 2010 ABC Eagle Awards for HVAC & PLBG -The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
• #TBT 2012 CES DBIA National Design-Build Award for LEGOLAND® Florida
• 195-ton Chiller replacement atop Doubletree’s 200’ tall resort tower a success