PDC provided the fire protection, mechanical, and electrical engineering as well as sustainability and commissioning services for this $17.5M, 45,000-sf new elementary school. This innovative school design used cutting edge technology and engineering design solutions that focused on reducing long term operational costs through energy efficiency, reduced equipment, and the use of robust yet simple design philosophies. The design started with an energy charrette with MSBSD staff to discuss the pros and cons of multiple mechanical and electrical systems and their impact on long term operational costs.
The selected MEP system focused on providing an exemplary learning environment, including enhanced indoor air quality through displacement ventilation systems coupled with distributed CO2 sensors in each classroom. The use of displacement ventilation also provides a documented reduction in student sick days. The ventilation system has 100% heat recovery and anticipates to be operating at 100% outside air for a significant amount of the school year. The heating plant consists of two fully modulating condensing boilers with three main distribution pumps with VFD’s for maximum turn-down capability. Overall, the team is able to reduce the amount of maintained pieces of equipment by 30% and ventilation based power usage by over 50% compared to other recent MSBSD schools.
