HISD - Burbank Middle School Renovations

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Owner: HISD
Architect: Kirksey Architecture
MEP Engineer: Infrastructure Associates
General Contractor: Gamma Construction
Construction Budget: $12 Million

                                                                        PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Renovation of this Burbank Middle School is one of the most successful school projects that Infrastructure Associates (IA) has performed to date.  The school’s original campus opened in 1927 with an educational emphasis on agriculture science and was named after the famous botanist, Luther Burbank.  The renovation for this 190,000 SF facility had a construction budget of $12.0 Million and was considered one of largest HISD school renovation projects in 2011.  The facility assessment report that had been prepared for this school identified the majority of existing plumbing fixtures and equipment, and most of the electrical and HVAC system components as outdated and beyond their useful life expectancy. This report had recommended replacement of all these components.  The Total anticipated MEP cost for this project was estimated at $8.5 Million, which comprised majority of project budget.  Kirksey Architecture selected Infrastructure Associates as the sub-consultant and MEP engineer of record for this project. The initial phase of the engineering effort was focused on verification of the “facility assessment report” and to document the condition of equipment in the field.  As part of this process IA staff visited the facility numerous times over a three (3) month period to record any variances with  the 2—year old assessment report.  IA recorded certain minor repairs to the system during this period such as replacement of a few fan coil units in the classrooms. The heating and cooling systems consisting of chillers and boilers were far passed their useful life cycle and were constantly being worked on by maintenance. Qualified maintenance personnel with knowledge and experience to work on these old boilers and chillers were also limited due to high demand by other facilities in the district facing similar equipment breakdown.  It then became obvious that the school campus had suffered from lack of capital improvement budget as it was reflected by condition of equipment in the field. This list includes the following HVAC equipment upgrades/replacement:

• Two (2) existing 300 ton chillers.
• Two (2) existing 1,753 MBH boilers.
• Four (4) existing chilled water pumps for the primary/secondary system required replacement.
• Two (2) existing hot water pumps.
• All existing exhaust fans serving toilets, kitchen, and all other applications required replacement
• Existing 9000 CFM AHU’s serving common area and support offices required replacement
• All of existing 25 Split DX’s / FCU’s units required replacement.
• Total of (48) unit ventilators serving classrooms required replacement.
• Eight (8) existing individual unit heaters.

In addition to the above equipment list, the entire two pipe (chilled/hot water) distribution system, serving existing unit ventilators in classrooms, were also replaced with a new four pipe system.  HISD’s new standards and design guidelines mandates replacement of all two pipe system in existing facilities, and recommends a new four pipe system or a two pipe system with electrics heat depending on project condition.  As part of the schematic design and replacement system recommendation, IA evaluated and considered a new combination of central AHU and individual fan coil unit per classroom.  This option was eliminated due to required additional space for AHU’s.

The upgrade of the facility electrical system was also extensive due to the age and condition of main switchboard and distribution system.  Most of the equipment was not in compliance with current codes and were beyond their useful life, creating safety concerns. 
List of electrical equipment recommended for replacement includes:

• Replacement of existing electrical distribution with a completely new 3,000A, 480V system, including replacement of every existing electrical panel and distribution feeder.
• Replacement of 1st and 2nd floors lighting system.  Approximately 1,600 light fixtures were replaced or added throughout the facility.
• Replacement of 51 new electrical panels boards.
• Replacement of 19 step-down transformers (480 V – 120/208 V).

Another system in desperate need of upgrades was the plumbing system.  Fortunately, the facility had a crawl space and the majority of existing sanitary lines under the slab were installed within this space and could be replaced cost effectively. The existing domestic water (both hot and cold) were found to be corroded and required replacement. A list of plumbing equipment designed for the project included:

• Replacement of complete domestic water system.  Approximately 8,000 feet of cold water piping.
• Replacement/addition of 54 Plumbing fixtures.
• Replacement of six (6) water heaters.