Engineering Systems

Construction

The owner hired Reynolds as a CM agent with a lump sum contract. On this project, Reymolds does not hold any other contracts with trades and acts as a representative for the school district. The owner also holds a contract with an architect with a lump sum, who in turn hired a consultant under them. The district holds individual lump sum contracts with seven prime contractors, including general, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, abatement, and casework.

Electrical

The 12.5kv line serves the building first passes through a transformer outside and feeds the switchgear out of the basement mechanical room. Also outside are 2 diesel powered generators, one for emergency power, and the other to keep the server room operational. Also proposed was the inclusion of solar panels on the roof, the structure was designed and built to support the added weight and conduits were installed from the roof down into the basement. Should solar panels ever be installed, there are already the proper preparations made.

Lighting

The architect designed the new school to optimize the use of natural light. Every classroom has a large window allowing plenty of light in. The lighting is mostly made up of LED fixtures. Two atrium spaces allows natural light to reach the center of the building and brighten the common spaces.

Mechanical

In the heating months the temperature is maintained via boilers in the basement that provide hot water to the variable air volume boxes in smaller spaces as well as fan powered variable air volume boxes in larger spaces like classrooms. Fresh air is brought in through the rooftop air handling units. In the warmer months when cooling becomes needed, there are condensing units on the roof as well.

Structural

The Foundation is made entirely of cast in place concrete footings. Concrete masonry units are used in the 4 stairwells and 2 elevator shafts, but the area that CMUs are used are the most is the auditorium, mainly for acoustical reasons. The main skeleton of the building is structural steel with w-beams in the columns and floors and K-joists to support the roof.

Fire Protection

The high school is classified as a combination of ordinary and intermediate hazards, meaning that the sprinklers will activate when the surrounding temperature reaches 155 degrees fahrenheit. All sprinklers installed in areas without heat are dry pipe sprinkler heads connected to a wet pipe sprinkler system. The wet pipe sprinkler system is only located in heated spaces on the interior side of all building insulation.