Overview
P2S was contracted to provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and telecommunications consulting services for the Metropolitan Water District building at its Weymouth site in La Verne, CA. The new building is designed to support facilities and vehicle maintenance activities. Construction documents and construction support were provided though the architectural firm that served as the prime consultant. Part of this project also involved modifying and creating standards for the site telecommunications infrastructure.
Challenge
As with all projects, client communications is essential to ensure expectations are understood and met. Working with MWD required a delicate balance because it historically provided much of its own project engineering. P2S needed to ensure there was sufficient engineering autonomy while still meeting all of MWD’s technical requirements and adhering to its drawing aesthetic.
MWD, like many other agencies responsible for civil engineering infrastructure systems, utilizes Bently’s Microstation computer drafting platform to create and store construction drawings. Because uch of the A/E industry is standardized on the AutoDesk AutoCAD platform, this project represented a significant Microstation implementation. As such, this was an opportunity for P2S to strengthen its proficiency on an alternate CAD platform while broadening its capabilities to serve future projects and clients.
Action
P2S worked together with the AE team to balance detail and information in the construction documents. Respecting MWD’s engineering standards and presentation aesthetic, P2S took charge as required. For example, during the design of the telecommunications distribution system we realized that MWD desired improvements to its current practices. Because the P2S offers both MEP and technology expertise, our telecommunications designers were uniquely to serve the clients telecommunications needs.
To prepare for the project, P2S provided additional Microstation training and efforts to create documents to MWD’s high standards. This training included general software training through third party providers and specific standards training with the project architect and the client.
Results
The resulting building gave MWD not only a new maintenance shop for the facilities and vehicles, but also a new data center for the site operations with room for future expansion. Although there were no LEED goals for this building, P2S implemented many energy efficiency measures, including evaporative and daylighting through solar tracking skylights. The building is efficient and comfortable for the staff.
Telecommunications standard details and specifications were defined between P2S in house telecommunications engineers and MWD staff. MWD was very satisfied with the information developed and used it as a template for other projects built on site since this project. We were able to deliver long term value to MWD through our deep experience developing telecommunications master plans for many other facilities and campuses.
