Currently ranked 15th in the world for passenger traffic, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, NV is about to handle even more passengers with the addition of Terminal 3. The project covers 1.87 million sq. ft. of space including 14 additional gates, an immigration processing center, baggage claim, ticketing, and parking facilities. What’s even more amazing is upon completion, it will allow the airport to serve over 53 million people a year! Situated within a desert landscape, the structure was inspired by the surrounding geography and features long, open spaces where small areas of light accentuate the calming, canyon-like walls.

Product Solution

In addition to meeting the architectural needs of Desert Plumbing & Heating (DPH) of Las Vegas, Krueger was faced with the issue of a non standard ½” recessed installation. With a commitment to world-class service, Krueger Engineering provided a mock-up to show both Jerry Kechter of LONG Building Environments and the Project Manager, Bill Bird, how the installation plays a part in the DesignFlo’s performance. Based off the sketch (below, left) provided by DPH, our clients were able to experience first-hand the flexibility of DesignFlo by witnessing a successful smoke test (below, right). To perform the smoke test, the units were installed in the Krueger lab to simulate the installation conditions where smoke was injected into the airstream. At a design criteria of ~325 CFM, the DesignFlo displayed excellent throw patterns, at both isothermal and +15ºF delta. The main jet coming from the units had ceiling velocities of 120 FPM at 10’ and 45 FPM at 20’ from the unit.

Product Installation

Satisfied with the solution and performance of the product, Krueger was faced with a demanding order schedule amounting to OVER 6 MILES of DesignFlo. Over the course of one year Tammy McCabe at LONG Building Environments expertly planned the logistics and release schedule of DesignFlo to Krueger. Tammy ensured all the products were correctly submitted on time to meet the stringent delivery schedule.

Objectives

To upgrade its central plant to meet new and improved standards.

Solutions

This client chose Mesa because of its extensive experience in performing air conditioning retrofits and its ability to deliver the project on a turnkey basis, ensuring consistently high levels of quality, precision, and professionalism. The project focused on the client’s central plant, which Mesa upgraded to a new, more reliable, and energy efficient plant.

EMCOR’s work began with the development of complete mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering drawings, which were reviewed by the owner and the city to ensure the customer’s goals and code compliance requirements were met. The company created a construction schedule, including equipment lead-times and system downtime.

But while EMCOR’s goal was to build up, it started by tearing down, since the existing equipment had to be decommissioned and removed. This equipment included centrifugal and reciprocating chillers, chilled and condenser water pumps, and a tenant loop cooling tower. The company removed a wall section of the penthouse, so it could rig old and new equipment in and out of the chiller room. The wall was replaced with steel double access doors. Mesa installed structural and seismic supports and modified the existing concrete pads to accommodate the new chillers.

At the height of the project, Mesa also managed the crane services, which the company conveniently scheduled overnight on a Friday and into Saturday morning, when both local traffic and tenant occupancy were minimal. The services included removal of the equipment listed above and setting of the new equipment on the roof for rigging into place.

EMCOR then installed two new 285-ton chillers, two new 20-horsepower chilled water pumps, and two new 20-horsepower condenser water pumps, and a tenant loop cooling tower, all with VFDs and two-contactor bypass assemblies. The airside builtup vane axial fans were retrofitted with two 150-horsepower and two 50-horsepower VFDs on the supply and return fan motors, respectively. The chiller room received a new ASHRAE 15 monitoring and ventilation system.

Background

The building: ` constructed in 1966 and owned by Trafalgar Platinum Fund ` 5 stories with net lettable area (NLA) of 5,400m2 ` 2 star NABERS Energy Rating, as assessed ` Commonwealth tenants, with single retail tenant leasing part of ground floor, Commonwealth leases were set to expire ` existing HVAC reaching end of operational life, unreliable and expensive to maintain ` difficulty maintaining occupant comfort using existing HVAC system. In order to retain capital asset value the building owner decided to upgrade the building to target a 4.5 star NABERS Energy Rating

The upgrade was also done in the context of:

• requirements to meet the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations Policy requirements for Australian Government tenants1 , and the ACT Environmental Leasing Policy requirements for Territory Government tenants2
• the impending Australian Government Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) regulations requiring an energy performance rating to be disclosed when advertising for lease or sale3
• minimal disruption to business was also required so that tenants could continue to occupy the building throughout the upgrade
• a limited budget of $1 million, supplemented by $500,000 from the now closed Green Building Fund4 .

Results

Improvement from 2 to 4.5 star NABERS Energy Rating, and aiming to achieve a 5 star NABERS Energy Rating in 2013. ` Improved systems monitoring through the installation of a modern building management system (BMS). ` Annual energy cost saving of $120,000. ` Increase in asset value estimated at $1.4 million. ` 70% reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions equating to 786 tonnes CO2 -e

Conclusion

4 Mort Street Canberra was in a situation common to many aging commercial buildings. The building was performing poorly (estimated at 2 stars NABERS Energy), the existing HVAC system was nearing the end of its operational life (unreliable and expensive to maintain), energy prices were increasing, and some of the government tenancy leases were due to expire. In order to retain the building’s capital asset value it was necessary for the energy performance of the base building to reach a minimum 4.5 star NABERS Energy Rating in line with the Australian and State and Territory Government leasing policies. Faced with a limited budget for capital expenditure and a requirement that the existing tenants remain in situ throughout the improvements, the task of upgrading the building was not a small one