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BKM is working with Harford County Public Schools to provide MEP design services for STRIVE (Structured Teaching with Reinforcement in a Visual Environment)/Autism program classrooms at several schools across the county. These modified classrooms provide a space for students to learn life skills and build a solid foundation to succeed in a general classroom setting.
Autism Program at Fallston High School: This project converted typical classroom spaces into an approximately 2,300 SF autism suite. The suite included two autism classrooms, a changing room, a sensory room, a seclusion room, and a private toilet room. One of the classrooms included a kitchenette and clothes washer/dryer to help teach students life skills. BKM extended the existing central variable air volume (VAV) system to serve the new spaces. A new exhaust fan and dryer vent were added to serve the kitchenette area and dryer. Tamper-resistant receptacles, new LED lighting, and power for all the new equipment were also provided for the suite.
STRIVE/Autism Program at C. Milton Wright High School: BKM served as the MEP engineer for the C Milton Wright High School STRIVE/Autism Program project. This project involved the conversion of a classroom and large storage space on the first floor of the school into an area dedicated for the Strive Program. These spaces include a classroom, life skills room, sensory room, de-escalation room, a locker room and a toilet room. The central HVAC system serving the high school did not have enough capacity to meet the needs of the new spaces. For this reason, an independent variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system coupled with a dedicated outside air (DOAS) unit was provided. The DOAS unit and the VRF condensing unit was located outside on grade directly adjacent to the space. Due to the sensitivity to the students using the rooms, the majority of the ductwork included duct liner to reduce HVAC sound levels. LED lights were used throughout and most rooms were equipped with tamper proof receptacles. HVAC, plumbing and power were provided to accommodate the washer, dryer, oven/range and refrigerator in the life skills room.
STRIVE/Autism Program at Abingdon and Church Creek Elementary Schools: BKM is currently in the design phase for the modifications to Abingdon and Church Creek Elementary Schools to provide the upgrades required to meet the needs of the STRIVE/Autism program in each school. Design elements will include the renovations to accommodate a classroom, life skills room, sensory rooms, as well as a de-escalation space and toilet room. HVAC, plumbing and electrical system modifications will be designed to meet the functionality requirements for each of these unique spaces.
