Bioresearch Lab Consolidation

Salas O’Brien provided contract management, project management, and engineering services to consolidate the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region Four Science and Ecosystem Support Division and Office of Research and Development Bio-research Laboratories. Program development, planning, and renovation were all part of the project designed to comply with EPA’s BSL-2 research laboratory standards. Energy-efficient features include chillers, cooling towers, hot water pumps, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), modular condensing boilers, air handling units, airflow control valves, air terminals, and heating equipment in the renovated laboratories.

In addition, we constructed a Computational Fluid Dynamics model to simulate the behavior of polluted exhaust from fume hoods during critical wind conditions to ensure it would not be directed toward the rooftop unit systems’ air intakes. The new upgrades ensure optimal operation at partial and full loads.

Services

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection

Completion Year

2023

Size

77,318 square feet

Construction Cost

$31.6 million

Salas O’Brien developed the design using the master plan report developed by EPA. As part of the conceptual design phase, Salas O’Brien used the same A/E firm that developed the master plan report. This was very helpful and provided project continuity for design development. Overall, Salas O’Brien’s performance under this contract was very good and provided quality work within budget and on schedule.