Originally constructed in 1986, the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering building houses offices, classrooms, and over 40,000 square feet of laboratory space. The existing CPE laboratory research building was experiencing high humidity levels and negative building pressurization.  MEP designed an innovative design solution to incorporate 160,000 CFM of new outside air handling units on the roof with exterior ductwork routed down the side of the building façade.  This scope includes a new steam to hydronic hot water heat exchanger and distribution pumps to provide preheat and reheat at the OAHUs.  In addition, portions of fifteen (15) interior air handling units were modified to replace chilled water and steam coil sections that have degraded beyond their useful life.

Project Title:  Chemical & Petroleum Engineering (CPE) Makeup Air Upgrades

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas

Project Size:  225,913 SF

Total Project Cost:  $6,021,000

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

Originally constructed in 1961, F. Loren Winship Drama Building is home to the UT Department of Theater and Dance. The university’s project goal was to replace/renew all major mechanical and electrical systems within the building over three summer construction phases. MEP Engineering, Inc. served as the prime professional service provider.

• Phase 1 scope included the replacement of all existing electrical distribution, alongside the two main 12.5kV transformers, double-ended switchgear, ATS and select main feeder and branch circuit panelboards.
• Phase 2 scope included replacement of three air handling units, as well as the existing chilled water piping, steam piping, and piping appurtenances, which were reconfigured based on the new unit structure. MEP also replaced sump pumps, a domestic hot water generator, and updated electrical room ventilation. Additional scope included upgrades to portions of electrical service, branch circuit panels, VFDs, branch circuit wiring, and LED lighting improvements.
• Phase 3 scope included removal of four existing air handlers, located on a small, cramped platform, and replacing them with a new roof mounted air handler and steam reheat terminal. This phase also replaced two AHUs in a crowded basement with a new double duct, field-constructed unit.

MEP developed construction phasing plans to allow multiple summer dance camps to proceed with minimal effect on youth campers or the construction schedule.

Project Title:  Winship Drama Bldg. HVAC & Elect. Renewal

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  108,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $6,273,305 (All Phases)

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEP Engineering, Inc. served as the prime professional service provider on this project to replace four air handling units (230,100 CFM total), two building chilled water pumps, DDC controls, the main electrical service gear and primary transformers, and existing panelboards.  Additional scope of work included replacement of building laboratory exhaust fans (57,525 CFM total), new Phoenix lab controls, additional electrical capacity for select Level 5 and 6 laboratories, and improvements to the outside air system to correct negative building pressurization issues.

Originally constructed in 1967, Jackson Geological Sciences Building is home to the University of Texas Jackson School of Geosciences.  MEP performed an initial facilities programming report to evaluate a number of options for upgrading the aging infrastructure.  Based on this study, it was determined that more than a direct replacement was needed to allow for future growth.  MEP developed an innovate redesign of the building HVAC and electrical systems, reconfiguring the gear layouts and creating a new mezzanine level for installation of hot deck air handling units above the new cold deck air handling units.

Project Title:  Jackson Geological Building HVAC & Electrical Renewal

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  152,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $5,100,000

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

This project was a renovation of an existing timber frame historic building, St. Louis Hall, on St. Mary’s University’s campus located in San Antonio, Texas. The building underwent extensive system replacement including the entire HVAC system, electrical infrastructure, fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and plumbing systems. MEP conducted an analysis to determine if the building’s HVAC systems should be connected to the university’s central plant system, yet it was ultimately determined to install a stand-alone air-cooled chiller with singe duct electric heat VAV boxes for each room.

Project Title:  St. Louis Hall Renovation

Project Location:  San Antonio, Texas

Owner:  St. Mary’s University

Project Size:  400,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $4,500,000

MEP Role:  Subconsultant

Architect:  RVK Architects

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

 

 

 

 

MEP Engineering, Inc. served as the prime professional services provider on this major HVAC renovation project.  Originally constructed in 1971, the Main Wet/Dry Lab Building (S13) serves as the primary research facility on the UT Marine Science Institute campus.  The scope included installation of seven air handling units (60,900 CFM total), five laboratory exhaust fans (37,000 CFM total), three heating water boilers, two heating water pumps, two condenser water pumps, and three instantaneous, gas-fired domestic water heaters.  The chemical fume hood and laboratory exhaust system was completely reengineered into a manifolded system with airflow-tracking supply and exhaust valves to comply with NFPA 45.  The existing steam boiler system was replaced with a hydronic heating water design for easier maintenance and tighter temperature and humidity conditions.  New DDC controls were installed, along with a new central plant refrigeration exhaust system.  Construction was interrupted in late August 2017 by the nearby landfall of Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm.  MEP and the general contractor worked closely with UT for months to assist with campus restoration efforts, resulting in the additional replacement of two existing cooling towers.

Project Title:  Main Wet/Dry Laboratory HVAC Renewal

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas

Project Size:  48,020 SF

Total Project Cost:  $5,663,000

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

Originally constructed in 1952, Townes Hall is home to the University of Texas School of Law.  The university’s project goal was to replace/renew all major mechanical and electrical systems within the building over three summer construction phases. MEP Engineering, Inc. served as the prime professional service provider.

• Phase 1 scope of work included the replacement of five legacy multi-zone and constant-volume AHUs with six variable speed AHU systems, including preconditioning outside air coils for improved humidity control within the building.
• Phase 2 scope of work included the replacement of four legacy multi-zone AHUs with six variable speed hot and cold deck AHU systems, including preconditioning outside air coils for improved humidity control within the building.  Additional scope of work included significant LED lighting and lighting control upgrades within the main auditorium.
• Phase 3 scope of work included the replacement of two hot/cold deck AHU’s and six single zone AHUs (84,800 CFM total) located in a single mechanical room. MEP’s innovative design replaced the eight existing AHUs with four larger units: two hot and two cold deck AHUs. Additionally, new air terminals were added within the mechanical room to provide zone control to the existing low pressure zone ductwork. The original aged electrical distribution equipment, including panelboards, transformers & branch circuit wiring in the areas served by AHUs, was replaced, and the electrical grounding systems were upgraded.

MEP worked closely with the university project management team to develop outage phasing plans as part of the bid documents, limiting both HVAC & electrical building outages and costly off-hour contractor work requirements. As a result of MEP’s redesign efforts, significant energy efficiency improvements were implemented along with improved equipment maintenance access.

Project Title:  Townes Hall HVAC Renewal

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  167,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $5,490,000 (All Phases)

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

MEP Engineering, Inc. served as the prime professional service provider on this project to replace seven air handling units and the building chilled water pumps in Sutton Hall on the University of Texas’ main campus in Austin, Texas.

Originally constructed in 1917, Sutton Hall is part of the UT School of Architecture and is considered a historic campus building.  MEP performed a facilities programming report to determine the best plan for replacing mechanical equipment with the least impact to the building structure and occupancy.  A plan was developed to maximize floor space efficiency by combining four of the existing air handling units into two.  In addition, UT requested the incorporation of preconditioning outside air coils into the units, which was accomplished using multi-level, custom AHU equipment.  Design drawings were developed in 3-D to facilitate interference detection and evaluate constructability.

Project Title:  Sutton Hall HVAC Renovation

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  70,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $1,320,000

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

MEP Engineering, Inc. served as the prime professional service provider on this project to replace four air handling units (230,100 CFM total), two building chilled water pumps, DDC controls, the main electrical service gear and primary transformers, and existing panelboards.  Additional scope of work included replacement of building laboratory exhaust fans (57,525 CFM total), new Phoenix lab controls, additional electrical capacity for select Level 5 and 6 laboratories, and improvements to the outside air system to correct negative building pressurization issues.

Originally constructed in 1967, Jackson Geological Sciences Building is home to the University of Texas Jackson School of Geosciences.  MEP performed an initial facilities programming report to evaluate a number of options for upgrading the aging infrastructure.  Based on this study, it was determined that more than a direct replacement was needed to allow for future growth.  MEP developed an innovate redesign of the building HVAC and electrical systems, reconfiguring the gear layouts, and creating a new mezzanine level for installation of hot deck air handling units above the new cold deck air handling units.

Project Title:  Jackson Geological Building Lab Renovations

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  152,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $5,100,000

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

MEP Engineering, Inc. served as the prime professional service provider on this project to replace six air handling units, two building chilled water pumps, the main electrical service gear, utility transformer, and all cloth-insulated feeders.

Originally constructed in 1932, Gearing Hall is part of the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences.  MEP performed a facilities programming report to evaluate a number of options for upgrading the aging HVAC and electrical systems.  Emphasis was placed on identifying a plan to minimize impact to the building structure.  Existing multi-zone air handling units were reconfigured to include preconditioned outside air coils for improved humidity control within the building.

In addition, MEP worked closely with UT PMCS and the College of Natural Sciences to determine a suitable construction schedule, which met both the occupancy needs of the building users, and the budgetary limitation of the administration.  The original three-phase construction project was ultimately condensed to one-phase, with cost savings funding a full building relocation of occupants and critical equipment for the summer months.

Project Title:  Gearing Hall HVAC & Electrical Renovation

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at Austin

Project Size:  61,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $2,300,000

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

The Biotechnology, Sciences, and Engineering (BSE) building, located on the University of Texas at San Antonio’s campus, features laboratories for research and instructional learning for graduate students studying biology, electrical and civil engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, or biotechnology. In this project MEP Engineering, Inc. was commissioned to add laboratory fume hoods, as well as establish a new chemical storage room.

Project Title:  Biotechnology Sciences & Engineering, Room 4.306, Laboratory Upgrades

Project Location:  San Antonio, Texas

Owner:  The University of Texas at San Antonio

Project Size:  1,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  —

MEP Role:  Prime Consultant

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering