Government

After many years of use, the Army decided to build a new state-of-the-art Training and Maintenance facility to replace the pre-World War II building in north Omaha. The facility consisting of a Training Building, and Operational Maintenance Building required the coordination of several trades to complete the project. The facility is described as an 800 soldier facility serving 14 units. An average drill weekend will support over 250 soldiers. To complete the project on time an aggressive schedule was developed to allow all trades to complete their work. Creative and innovative methods of prefabrication were adopted. Nearly fifty percent of the project was prefabricated so that when our allotted installation time came up on the schedule we were able to reduce the time allotted which helped the project to move along at a faster pace. Autocad coordination drawings were critical for the success of this project. All sub-contractors participated in this process so that at the time of construction everyone knew what location their work would be installed. The contract required a vehicle wash recycle system. This closed loop system was designed through the value engineering process and the use of cad drawings provided by Midlands Mechanical, Inc. An HVAC commissioning team was developed for the final phase of the project to verify the successful completion of the HVAC system. Some components of the pump house are:

• 1,000 gallon expansion tank
• Pre-water filter
• Water Softener
• Ultraviolet light filter

 Project Team and Statistics

• Architect: Corp of Engineers
• Mechanical Engineer: Corp of Engineers
• General Contractor: Corp of Engineers
• Completion Date: November 2009
• Bid Type: Hard bid, Plan and spec

Major Program Spaces

• Training Building – 80,121 square feet
• Maintenance Building – 20,625 square feet
• Unheated Storage Building – 4,556 square feet
• Pump house – 1,444 square feet 

Project Responsibilities

• Hot water heat Piping
• Chilled Water Piping
• Domestic Water Piping
• Insulation
• Plumbing Fixtures
• Kitchen Equipment
• Radon Mitigation Piping
• Oil product overhead dispensing system
• Hydrokleen vehicle wash water recycling system
• Mechanical Equipment Setting
• Radiant Heat system
• Temperature Controls
• Commissioning
• Natural Gas
• Hotsy Wash system
• Seismic / force protection

To improve air quality, energy efficiency, and maintain mission-critical environmental controls at one of the nation’s highest-security production facilities, the United States Mint in Denver initiated a multi-phase replacement of their aging air handling infrastructure. The project spans two phases and includes the full replacement of six large-scale, custom-built AHUs serving key production and administrative spaces.

Phase 1 included the demolition and replacement of four major air handling units (AHU-2, AHU-3, AHU-4, and AHU-35). Each unit was engineered and factory-tested to stringent federal specifications and included direct-drive fan arrays, chilled water and steam coil integration, MERV 8 filtration, VFDs (ABB ACH580 series), and custom drain pans. Phase 1 also required advanced rigging logistics and phasing plans to ensure uninterrupted operation of Mint processes during construction.

Phase 2 extends the replacement scope to AHU-37, AHU-39 and AHU-41, which serve areas with unique humidity and pressure requirements. This phase introduces additional controls integration with the facility’s BAS, incorporates factory-installed instrumentation where feasible, and continues the use of Paragon outdoor airflow measurement systems for performance monitoring. Like Phase 1, AHU components are to be field-mounted on pre-installed housekeeping pads, with platforms, access ladders, and seismic anchoring systems installed to meet OSHA and Mint safety standards.

Midlands Mechanical, Inc. served as the mechanical contractor for both phases, coordinating closely with Cator, Ruma & Associates (engineer of record) and Nortek/Temtrol (equipment manufacturer). All work adhered to NFPA, UL, AMCA, and AHRI standards for federal installations.

Project Responsibilities:

• Removal and disposal of existing AHU equipment
• Installation of AHU-1, AHU-2, AHU-3, AHU-4, AHU-5, and AHU-35
• Chilled water and steam coil piping (with steam traps and drip legs)
• Stainless-steel triple-sloped condensate drain pans
• Custom VFDs with external harmonic filters
• Electrical coordination for 208V/3-phase power and short-circuit compliance
• Seismic anchoring, pressure testing, and SMACNA duct integration
• Airflow measurement stations (Paragon FE-1500 and FAATS 1000)
• BAS integration via Automated Logic controls (DDC)
• OSHA-compliant service platforms and access
• Factory and field commissioning including SMACNA Class A duct leakage testing

Design + Construction Team: 

Mechanical Engineer: Cator, Ruma & Associates
General Contractor / Mechanical Contractor: Midlands Mechanical, Inc.
AHU Manufacturer: Temtrol (Nortek Air Solutions)
Owner/Agency: United States Mint – Department of the Treasury
 

After many years of project budgeting, Offutt Air Force Base decided to build a new state-of-the-art Fire / Crash Rescue Station to replace the oldest and smallest station within the Air Force command throughout the world. The 48,000 square foot facility required the coordination of several trades to complete the project. To complete the project on time an aggressive schedule was developed to allow all trades to complete their work. Creative and innovative methods of prefabrication were adopted. Nearly fifty percent of the project was prefabricated so that when our allotted installation time came up on the schedule we were able to reduce the time allotted which helped the project to move along at a faster pace.

Autocad coordination drawings were critical for the success of this project. All sub-contractors participated in this process so that at the time of construction everyone knew what location their work would be installed. Seismic and Force Protection requirements were another hurdle for such items as ceilings, lights, HVAC equipment, pipe, and duct. Careful coordination of cable installation was critical to protect all contractors from being blocked away from completion of their work.

An HVAC commissioning team was developed for the final phase of the project. The task of this team was to verify that all equipment performed per the specification and at completion of the fourteen day Performance Verification test it was agreed that the HVAC system for this project was a success.

Project Team and Statistics

• Architect: Corp of Engineers
• Mechanical Engineer: Corp of Engineers
• General Contractor: Corp of Engineers
• Completion Date: April 2005
• Bid Type: Hard Bid Plan and Spec

Major Program Spaces

• New construction
• 8,000 square feet

Project Responsibilities

• Hot water heat Piping
• Chilled Water Piping
• Domestic Water Piping
• Waste and Vent
• Compressed Air
• Mechanical Equipment Setting
• Insulation
• Sheetmetal / Air Distribution
• Temperature Controls
• Balancing

To modernize aging infrastructure and improve operational efficiency, the Colorado Department of Corrections initiated a multi-phase kitchen renovation project at Sterling Correctional Facility—one of the state’s largest prison campuses. This $38.5 million effort spans two critical areas within the secure perimeter: the existing Correctional Industries Building and the Support Building.

Phase 1 includes partial demolition and complete buildout of a new central kitchen within the Correctional Industries Building. The space is outfitted with food prep areas, walk-in coolers/freezers, dry storage, offices, and full utility integration, including new MEP and security electronics.

Phase 2 involves full demolition and construction of a new scullery, meal assembly space, cart wash area, and kitchen shell within the existing Support Building.

To meet the project's aggressive schedule within an active correctional environment, the project team utilized detailed 3D coordination and phased trade sequencing. Midlands Mechanical, Inc. provided complete mechanical and plumbing scopes, working closely with all trades to avoid disruption to facility operations. HVAC commissioning and LEED v4.1 compliance were incorporated from design through construction.

A critical component of the scope was integration with detention-grade foodservice systems and compliance with Colorado’s Buy Clean, Prevailing Wage, and Apprenticeship Utilization requirements.

Project Responsibilities:

• Domestic Water, Sanitary Waste, and Vent Systems
• Natural Gas and Hydronic Piping
• Radiant Heating System
• Kitchen Equipment Connections
• Plumbing Fixture Installation
• Temperature Control and HVAC Commissioning
• Detention-Grade Plumbing Fixtures
• Grease Waste and Interceptor Integration
• High-Efficiency Exhaust and Make-Up Air Systems
• Roof and Wall Penetration Coordination
• Firestop and Seismic Protection
• Secure Utility Routing within Detention Zones

Design + Construction Team:

Architect of Record: TreanorHL
Mechanical Engineer: Schendt Engineering Corp.
General Contractor: Bryan Construction, Inc.
Owner/Agency: Colorado Department of Corrections