Kingsville Elementary School Systemic Renovation

BKM served as the prime consultant, providing MEP design services for the renovation to the HVAC systems for Kingsville Elementary School located in Baltimore County.

The renovation included the addition of air conditioning to the school and some modifications to the current heating only system. A new air cooled chiller, approximately 115-tons, was provided to serve the majority of the 53,920-square-foot facility. The chiller was located on grade inside an acoustical sound enclosure to reduce noise concerns in the classrooms and neighboring properties. New dual temperature pumps and automatic change-over valves were provided in the mechanical room to circulate heating/cooling water throughout the building. The existing heating only unit ventilators were replaced with dual temperature unit ventilators to meet the heating and cooling needs of the classrooms. The outside air louvers for the unit ventilators were closed off and a series of DOAS units were installed to provide ventilation and relieve the humidity concerns in the classrooms. The DOAS units were equipped with packaged DX cooling, hot water heating coils and flat plate type energy recovery. The cafeteria and gymnasium spaces were provided with air handlings units connected to the dual temperature loop. VRF systems were provided for the media center, administrative area and kitchen due to the year round cooling demands in these spaces. The existing boilers, which were installed in 2000, remained under this project. In addition, architectural, structural, and civil modifications were provided to support the mechanical systemic upgrade.

To support the mechanical modifications, a new electric service was designed to convert the original 208-volt system to a new 480-volt system with a transformer external to the building. Electrical work included power, lighting, and fire alarm system design. Approximately 95 percent of existing interior lighting was replaced with new energy efficient LED-type lights and associated central control system compliant with current energy codes. Power system design included evaluation of the existing utility service entrance and the installation of new distribution system equipment to support proposed HVAC and lighting modifications. Emphasis was placed on reusing major electrical infrastructure as much as possible to help reduce project construction cost. Fire alarm system modifications were provided to support proposed HVAC work.