Dallas, TX
During 1998, Trammell Crow Company and Brandt performed an extensive audit of the SMU campus's chilled water needs. This information was coupled with the university's development plans to establish the future chilled water needs. After the completion of the study, a Central Plant Redevelopment team was established. The team developed design parameters for the project and set out to design, construct, and commission a 12,000-ton Central Plant.
An eighteen hour chilled water shut down was performed in December of 1998 to separate the west and east sides of the plant. After this shut down, the university could be provided with 3,000 tons of chilled water from the west portion of the plant. During the spring of 1999 two (2) 1,000-ton Trane centrifugal chillers were re-conditioned to provide back-up cooling, a 12,000-ton pre-cast concrete cooling tower was constructed with a 25,000 gallon concrete sump, and a 2,000-ton York chiller was installed to serve as the future "low load machine." Both the 480-volt and 4160 volt electrical systems were evaluated and modified to provide fully redundant service (two separate transformers with main-tie-main automatic switching capabilities.)
During summer and fall 1999, two existing 2,000-ton Carrier chillers were removed through overhead door openings cut into the walls. Removal of these machines required complete disassembly. After the chillers were demolished, structural consultants were involved in evaluation of foundation needs for the two new 4,000-ton chillers. These chillers have an operating weight of 325,000 pounds each; proper support was critical. After several options were explored, 30" piers were drilled 18' deep inside a building with less than 14' overhead clearance. Construction of two (2) 4,000-ton York machines began immediately following the completion of the foundation work. The first was on-line for SMU's 2000 Commencement, May 20, 2000.
This project has required a true team work approach: Brandt, Trammell Crow, and SMU have had to work very closely together to complete this project meeting the critical path challenges head-on.
Currently, the mechanical and electrical portions of the project are 100% complete. Preliminary kw/ton measurements show production at 0.62 kw/ton. The 1998 survey indicated production at 0.90 kw/ton.
Gerald R. Ford Stadium and Athletic Facility
Brandt was selected as the mechanical team member via a competitive bidding process. We worked with the mechanical consulting engineer and the general contractor to maximize the value to the project.
The scope of work included plumbing system installation and air conditioning of the all sports building and the box seating area.
