Capital Region Readiness Center

BKM provided MEP engineering for the 65,000-square-foot Readiness Center that is home to multiple organizations within the Veterans Administration.

The highlight of this facility is the 10,000 SF Tier III Data Center, designed for 1,500 kW of rack load with 48″ high raised access floor. The mechanical plant consists of four 200- ton air cooled chillers in series with packaged dry-coolers (which are used for pre-cooling and free-cooling, depending on ambient conditions). The Data Center is cooled via floor mounted CRAH units complete with EC motors, fed from a Primary / Secondary pumping system in the adjacent mechanical room. Three 2,250 kW engine generators provide standby power for the entire facility.

During Phase 1 of this project BKM provided a peer review of the Design-Build Bridging Documents for the VAMC under our IDIQ with the VA. BKM provided m/e/p peer review services for this new 65,000 SF that is home to the following organizations within the Veterans Administration: Office of Information Technology (OIT), Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP), Emergency Management Strategic Healthcare Group (EMSHG), all in support of Continuity of Operation Planning and Continuity of Government activities (COOP/COG). This facility also serves to consolidate existing data centers, computer rooms, and support assets from the various VA facilities in the region. BKM provided m/e/p comments as a sub-consultant on a complete team that has performed peer review services on a number of mission critical and healthcare facilities for the VAMC.

BKM was on the successful Design-Build team that was awarded the contract to complete the construction documents and provide construction administration services as a part of the Design-Build team. This unique facility contains occupied portions of the building, including an open-plan administration area with a 6″ high raised floor (for wire management), served by packaged DX rooftop units with VAV terminals with electric reheat. Access to each organization’s space is independently controlled and monitored. More specifically, a portion of the COOP/COG area was designed as a SCIF (special compartmentalized information facility), complete with secure Video Teleconferencing and TEMPEST shielding, in accordance DCID 6/9 standards.

The 10,000 SF Tier III Data Center is designed for 1,500 kW of rack load with 48″ high raised access floor. The mechanical plant consists of (4) 200 ton air-cooled chillers in series with packaged dry-coolers (which are used for pre-cooling and free-cooling, depending on ambient conditions). The Data Center is cooled via 16 CRAH units fed from a Primary / Secondary pumping system in the adjacent mechanical room. A 40,000 gallon CHW storage tank will provide 20 minutes of continuous cooling in the case of utility failure (while the generators are being energized and the chillers ramp back up to full capacity). Fuel oil storage consists of three 20,000 gallon above ground tanks to meet the VA standard of seven days of on-site storage. The project included full third party commissioning.

Power distribution was designed such that all major distribution system components could be taken off-line in a planned fashion and not impact the operation of the data center. To achieve this, redundant generators, UPSs, and utility company services were provided. Power distribution equipment included two 480/277V, 2500KVA utility company pad mounted transformers, three 2250KW diesel generators, 8000A paralleling switchgear, four 800KVA UPSs, and other switchgear and switchboards. Energy efficient lighting with occupancy sensor control was provided. Fire alarm, voice, data, and A/V systems were provided as well.