Overview
P2S was contracted to provide mechanical and plumbing engineering services for the new 65,000 sq. ft. science building on the Fullerton College campus. The new building houses Physics, Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, teaching labs, lecture halls, classrooms, offices and support spaces. These laboratories include over 25 fume hoods, Class II Type B3 biological safety cabinets, hazardous chemicals and cold storage rooms.
Challenge
Fullerton College and the District requested P2S to design a highly energy-efficient laboratory building while providing a high standard of safety, health and comfort for the building occupants. The entire design team collaborated and worked together to achieve the project goals.
We focused on improving energy efficiency by reducing cooling and heating loads through the use of energy efficiency glazing and lighting systems. We worked with the design team to allocate adequate space for HVAC duct and shaft locations to allow for efficient supply and exhaust ducting.
The District mandates all new buildings exceed Title 24 energy requirements by minimum 20%. To achieve this requirement, P2S worked closely with the architect to design the building envelop and the electrical engineer for lighting system design. Energy efficient air handling and distribution systems were utilized to achieve the District goals. These two buildings achieved a little more than 19% better efficiency than minimum Title 24 requirements.
Action
As the mechanical, plumbing and technology consultant, P2S was responsible for engineering, design and construction support of the entire project. To meet the objectives of the project, P2S designed the following systems:
Mechanical system
- variable volume with 100% outside air and stack exhaust systems
- compatible exhaust systems from the labs were manifolded to take advantage of the VAV fume hood diversity
- air handling systems included roof mounted custom VAV air handling units, staged exhaust fans, duct mounted reheat coils and sound attenuation.
- reduced cooling requirements in unoccupied office spaces by using occupancy sensors
- fume hoods utilize sash stops at 18” to promote lower sash heights during operation.
- lower fume hood face velocity to 60 fpm when nothing is in front of fume hood by using fume hood zone presence sensors
- chilled water and heating hot water was supplied to the building from the existing central plant
- Controls included building management DDC and laboratory temperature and pressurization control.
Plumbing system
- Low-water fixtures were utilized for the restrooms to maximize water savings
- Laboratory plumbing systems include reverse osmosis (RO), deionized water (DI), vacuum, compressed air, industrial hot and cold water, gas and laboratory waste systems
- Domestic hot water was provided via steam to hot water heat exchangers and back-up electric domestic hot water system
- P2S provided careful planning, coordination among disciplines and timely response to submittals and requests for information/issues during construction. This lead to a successful completion of the project within schedule and budget.
Results
P2S completed this project on schedule and within the allocated budget. By meeting project goals and objectives, this science building enables users to utilize the facility as planned.
Fullerton College was extremely satisfied that the project was completed on time and to the user satisfaction. This new science building is expected to be 20% more efficient than the building it replaced by utilizing the mechanical systems indicated above.
