Allison Brown Richard Mistrick Lighting/Electrical 9/12/02

Allison Brown Richard Mistrick Lighting/Electrical 9/12/02

T he National Research and Training

Institute For the Blind

1800 Johnson St., Baltimore MD.

Allison Brown Richard Mistrick Lighting/Electrical 9/12/02

Overall Existing Conditions Summary Report

Executive Summary:

I was fairly successful in evaluating the existing systems of the National Research and Training Center for the Blind and its key components by utilizing the drawings and specifications. Systems analyzed included mechanical, electrical/lighting, structural, and fire protection. More investigation needs to be performed in evaluating the project construction costs, contract information, acoustical system, and zoning limitations for future projects.

Project Team:

Owner: tenBrook Memorial Foundation.

1800 Johnson ST.

Baltimore, MD.

Architect: J.A. Ammon & Associates, Inc.

345 North Charles St.

Baltimore, MD.

M/E/P Engineers: Leach Wallace Associates, Inc.

813 Maiden Choice Lane

Baltimore, MD.

.

Structural Engineers: Cagley & Associates

6141 Executive Boulevard

Rockville, MD.

Civil Engineers: Daft-McCune-Walker, Inc.

200 East Pennsylvania Ave.

Towson, MD.

General Contractor: Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc.

Tide Point – The Joy Building

1040 Hull Street, Suite 200

Baltimore, MD.

Construction Dates:

Construction for the facility began on Oct.19, 2001 and is scheduled to be completed March, 2003.

Cost Information:

Total budget = 18 million dollars

Mechanical costs = $2,855,000.00

Electrical costs = $1,571,000.00

M/E design costs = $252,000.00

Structural Steel = $1,783,349.00

*Note: I am still in the process of acquiring a more accurate cost analysis from all designers, the general contractor and sub contactors.

Building Function:

  • Enable the disseminate the latest teaching techniques to teachers of the blind.
  • Educate parents of blind children of the cutting edge technology upon which their children’s success hinges.
  • Inform adults and older people losing vision the ease of learning Braille.
  • Foster the direction and growth of adaptive technologies through a dedicated incubator center, to develop new ways to utilize computer systems with speech and Braille.

Location and Site:

The National Research and Training Institute for the Blind is located at 1800 Johnson St. Baltimore,MD. The site is bound by East Barney and East Wells Street on the north and south respectively and by Johnson and Byrd Street on east and west respectively. The site is currently occupied by the L-shaped, 4-story Johnson/Barney Building occupying the north and east sides of the site. The southwest corner of the site contains an “L” shaped 1-story brick building. A concrete driveway enters the site from Byrd Street and extends into the middle of the building complex. The topography of the site slopes from the highest elevation of about EL 58 at the northwest corner of the block towards lower elevations of EL43 at the south and southwest edges of the block.

Architecture (Design and Functional Components)

The National Research and Training Institute for the Blind is a five story, 170,000 square foot facility serving as a unique addition to the NFB’s National Headquarters located in the adjacent existing Barney and Johnson buildings on site. The floor spaces break down as follows:

  • Lower level: Forty six space parking garage (below grade) with storage space
  • First: Forty space parking with main lobby and foyer. (Southern portion is at street level with the northern portion below grade)
  • Second: 36 classrooms, archive storage, and connection to Barney Building via a new pedestrian bridge on the northern façade
  • Third: Tenbroek Library and Research Center, classrooms, and connection to Johnson Building via a new conference center
  • Fourth: Multi-purpose center, office space, and three formal lobbies

Major National Model Codes

  • Building: BOCA, 2000 edition
  • Egress: NFPA 101, Live Safety Code 2000 edition
  • Accessibility: American with Disabilities act 101-336
  • Occupancy: Business
  • Construction Class: Type 2A

Zoning and Historical

Coordination with the existing buildings on site was considered for construction, but I am currently investigating this issue.

Project Delivery System/Method

The delivery method for the Institute is a traditional design/bid/build.

*Note: I am currently investigating the contract information from the contractors, designers, and owner.

Building Envelope

  • The exterior skin is brick veneer or precast concrete.
  • A four story insulated clear glass atrium exists on the southern façade.
  • The roof encompasses two pre-engineered pyramid dome 27’x10’ clear tempered safety glass skylights with insulated aluminum curb frames.

Electrical system

  • 260 Delta Automatic Transfer switch
  • 10 transformers 480V to 208Y/120 V, 75 KVA on average.
  • 2 Motor Control Centers: 600 A, 480 V, serving all mechanical equipment
  • Power is provided by BG&E manhole duct bank on Johnson St.
  • Main switchboard is 480/277 V, 3 phase, 4 wire, 4000 Amp
  • Emergency generator at 150 KV, 480/277 V

Lighting system

  • Primarily 2’x4’ lensed fluorescents at 277 V exist in work spaces. 6” downlights serve as a second system when multiple tasks are required.
  • Decorative pendant fixtures and wall sconces exist in lobby areas and multi-purpose rooms which are incandescent operating at 277 V and some at 120 V.
  • Skylights utilize wall mounted up-lights to create more of an open space during night hours.
  • Dimming exists in a few spaces for audiovisual purposes, but is not utilized often. Lutron dimming ballasts are specified by electrical engineers in all cases for noise control.

Mechanical system

  • 6 AHU + 1 AHU dedicated for O.A.
  • 3 (50 HP) Atrium EFS
  • 2 rooftop air cooled chillers (screw) split evap./cond.
  • 2 gas fired cast iron boilers (HHW)
  • Primary/secondary pumping (CHS, HHW) – 13 pumps total

Structural system

  • Design loads based on business construction type
  • Foundation support is belled drilled cast-in place concrete piles.
  • Lateral support provided by combination of precast concrete exterior walls and structural steel frame
  • Design column loads designed for 800 to 1050 kips, footings to be at least 18” x 30” placed at least three feet below grade for frost protection. Column spacing is typically 36’ x 54’.

Fire Protection

  • The building is to be completely sprinklered, utilizing both dry and wet systems.
  • All columns are to be spray fireproofed to two hours.
  • A building alarm condition will occur when manual stations, smoke detectors, thermal fire detectors, and sprinkler flow alarm switches are activated.
  • Voice evacuation messages shall sound on all floors in accordance with assembly occupancy building code requirements.

Transportation

  • 3 elevators exist in main lobby on street level and serve all floors above.
  • 1 elevator exists in connection to the Barney Building on the northern side of the building.
  • 2 main stairwells exist in the southeast and southwest corners of the building outlining the main circulation flow..

Telecommunications

  • Audiovisual rooms exist on the fourth floor serving the conference rooms, auditorium and multipurpose rooms.
  • A main computer/data room exists on the 2nd floor which serves all communication devices.

Special Systems:

  • I am currently investigating the acoustical systems in the multi-purpose rooms and auditorium.