name: University of Alabama Science and Engineering Complex
location: Tuscaloosa, AL
HVAC / plumbing cost: $20 million (estimated)
total cost: $60 million (budgeted)
description:
The University of Alabama Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) is the first phase of an expansion to the research, development and scientific studies facilities at the University of Alabama. This expansion also includes additions to the Northeast Campus Utilities infrastructure to provide central chilled water and (heating) hot water plant capacity for the new SEC as well as other future facilities.
The additions to the Northeast Campus Utilities, centered at the existing UA Shelby Hall Central Energy Plant include the following:
- Conversion of an existing conventional (180°F) hot water boiler plant to a pressurized (225°F) hot water plant.
- Addition of a 4000 KW electric boiler to the existing gas/fuel oil dual fired boiler system, with designed capability for the installation of an additional future 500 boiler horsepower dual fuel boiler.
- Conversion of the existing primary only chilled water system to a primary-secondary type system.
- Addition of (2) 1000 ton chillers, with designed capability for the installation of an additional 1000 ton future chiller.
- Relocation of existing cooling tower facility to a remote location, connected by approximately 2000 ft of below grade 32” HDPE piping to accommodate the re-routing of Hackberry Lane through the UA Campus. The relocated cooling tower facility has been sized to accommodate the simultaneous operation of up to (5) 1000 ton chillers, with designed expansion capability to support an additional 1000 ton chiller at the central plant.
The Science and Engineering Complex is an approximately 215,000 square foot facility which includes classrooms, teaching laboratories, office areas and research laboratories. Specialized laboratories include an optical/microscopy suite, dissection laboratories and a biological safety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory suite.
The 270,000 cubic feet per minute, 100% outside air system is designed to meet the goals of energy efficiency as well as mechanical system flexibility and safety. Energy efficiency is achieved by the use of constant volume, high efficiency, low flow laboratory fume hoods and the use of energy recovery systems on non-hazardous/non-laboratory exhaust. Mechanical duct and pipe routing is designed to allow for conversion of space usage/occupancy without major modifications to the mechanical systems. Laboratories are furnished with independent pressurization controls and building overall pressurization is monitored to prevent infiltration.
Other key systems/features are as follows:
- Laboratory Steam Systems
- Compressed Air Distribution System
- Laboratory Natural Gas
- Deionized Water System
- Specialty Gas Distribution Systems