North Bend Elementary School Central Plant & Fire Alarm System Replacement

Gipe Associates provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design for North Bend Elementary School’s Central Plant and Fire Alarm system. The Central Plant work involved MEP engineering design associated with converting the central plant equipment from oil to propane. Electrical design consisted of providing power associated with the central plant work and replacing the fire alarm system throughout the school.

The Central Plant Conversion included the replacement of the existing 200-ton water-cooled chiller, cooling tower, boilers, piping, pumps, and controls with a new air-cooled chiller, two new boilers, pumps, and controls. Expansion of the cooling tower enclosure was required, and we explored both a fenced enclosure and masonry enclosure. Two 2000-gallon underground propane tanks were sized and specified. A new propane water heater and associated piping were provided and new 2-way control valves for the AHU coils were specified to allow for variable flow pumping. The fire alarm system replacement required field investigations of the existing building and fire alarm system. Demolition documents for the removal of the existing fire alarm systems were provided. New addressable fire alarm and voice evacuation systems were designed with new devices coordinated with the existing so the existing system could remain fully operational until the new system was installed and tested. Gipe Associates served as the prime design professional and provided construction cost estimates, participated in the pre-bid and pre-construction meetings and provided contract administration services.

This facility was an occupied renovation that required phasing in order to minimize disruption to the facility. Gipe Associates served as the prime design professional, managing and coordinating architectural, civil, and structural subconsultants.  60,211 sf / $1,354,000

Project Type: K-12,