AED is involved on an almost continuous basis is preparing engineering studies, evaluations, and reports for our clients. Examples of the subject matter of these studies have included such issues as:

• Improper ventilation in high school gymnasiums, industrial shops, and classrooms;
• Code violations concerning electrical work;
• Renovation of chemistry and biology labs;
• Stadium ball field lighting;
• Modernization of cafeteria and kitchen facilities;
• Renovation of boiler plants; and
• Upgrades to electrical power and lighting.

Under an open-end, Indefinite Quantity Contract with the D.C. Department of Public Schools, AED has performed numerous engineering studies identifying MEP deficiencies in elementary, middle, and high schools in Washington, D.C. Our firm has also performed pro-bono studies for the same client when emergencies have arisen regarding the need for repair or replacement work to be done prior to the opening of the schools for the fall semester.

Our firm’s exposure to renovation and modernization of public schools has evolved in Washington, D.C. over the past 30 years in facility survey; condition inspection; analysis of optional approaches for HVAC based on life cycle costing; full MEP Design; and Construction Administration for the renovation and modernization of over 50 public schools in the city, many dating back to 1920. Some of the largest of these facilities include: Stanton Elementary, Banneker High School, Eastern High School, Springarn High School, Cardoza High School, Wilson High School, McKinley High School, Woodson High School, Frances Kramer, Jefferson High Schools, Armstrong, and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The majority of these schools were in a state of severe deterioration with MEP systems and equipment that had not been properly maintained. In addition, there were numerous code and life safety and health department violations

We recently completed the MEP total renovation design of Paul Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Maryland. The 150,000 s.f. five story building was in a state of massive deterioration and required complete replacement of systems, including new boiler and chilled water plant, new AHUs and duct distribution system, HVAC controls, Energy Management Control System, electrical power and lighting systems, fire alarm systems, emergency generator, plumbing piping, roof drains, and building sprinkler system.

Performing engineering renovation design for facilities such as these has enabled our firm to gain broad experience in: working with school staffs and plant maintenance personnel; conducting field surveys; identifying and evaluating the condition and remaining useful economic life of MEP systems and equipment; developing options and strategies for HVAC as well as O &M life cycle costing for repair versus replacement of systems and equipment; performing analysis of facilities life cycle operations and maintenance support requirements; costing; performing energy conservation economic analysis and design; planning engineering design to enable the building to remain fully operational during construction; planning of engineering design for phased construction work; design and preparation of CDs for new HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems and equipment; performing Construction Administration and/or direct liaison and coordinating with a Construction Manager or Design Built organization.

We have also acquired strong experience in performing task orders for renovation of public schools under Indefinite Quantity Contracts (IQCs) for both the City of Baltimore and the District of Columbia. The majority of these tasks have involved complete renovation of boiler plants including replacement of boilers and associated equipment and piping.

This broad exposure to public school renovation work has given our firm an understanding of

(1) how to approach renovation design in the most cost beneficial way for our clients;
(2) how to perform renovation design of occupied buildings when additions are involved;
(3) how to perform public school renovation design under traditional delivery construction contracts, design/build contracts, or C.M. contracts; (4) and how to integrate renovation design requirements with existing construction.

Within the past five years, AED has performed prime MEP services and H.D.Cooke Elementary In Washington D.C., Dunbar High School Baltimore M.D., Sousa Middle School in Prince Georges County M.D., and Woodson High School in Washington, D.C.

Our mechanical engineering experience with public schools includes design of HVAC equipment and distribution systems (energy efficient gas fired and dual fuel, hot water and steam boiler plants; chillers; thermal storage systems; air handling units; roof top units; fan coil units, unit ventilators; VAV systems; constant volume systems; and c.w. h.w., and gas distribution systems); central plants; exhaust systems for lab fume hoods; science laboratories with acid waste lab sinks and vacuum, gas, nitrous oxide and compressed air lab systems), kitchen equipment; standpipe systems; sprinkler systems, and swimming pools; HVAC control systems; and Building Energy Management Control systems (EMCS). All public school facilities have been designed to meet the requirements of the Department of Energy Star Program to a rating 85 or more. Building Automation Systems have been designed based upon the single integrated BACnet type comprised of lighting, fire alarm, electrical power and lighting, security, and HVAC control requirements. Criteria normally includes remote set point adjustments and remote schedule adjustments for morning warm-up/cool-down, early shutdown, and to maintain humidity levels below 65% during summer unoccupied times. Scheduling timers periodically operate the AHUs to reduce the potential for mold and mildew in the building. The BACnet system includes the capability to place emergency calls to designated school personnel.

Our electrical engineering design experience includes design of power upgrade, sub-stations, transformers/switchgear, panelboards, power distribution systems; surge protection, UPS, emergency generators, elevators, data and communication systems, lightning protection, grounding systems, fire alarm systems, and security systems, lighting systems including special lighting and controls for classrooms, libraries, drawing and painting studios, and auditoriums/performing arts theaters, site lighting, stadium lighting, and parking lot lighting.

AED’s project work has provided our firm with extensive experience in mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering design for each of the following specialized types of spaces in public schools:

• Bladensburg Senior High School, Prince Georges County Marykand

AED  performed prime HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and civil and structural engineering design services for the
New Bladensburg Senior High School, a 304,562 GSF, $59.4 million physical plant serving 1923 9th through 12th grade students. Mr. Christie served as the principal in charge.

• Hil-Mar Elementary School, PG County, Maryland

AED performed prime MEP engineering services for the design of Hil-Mar Elementary School, 60,000 s.f., including administration offices, classrooms, gym, kitchen, cafeteria, media
center, all purpose room, with a construction cost of $10,000,000. The school also included a recreational facility for the
elderly equipped for arts and crafts; movies; dancing; small concerts and lecture; and serving light meals. Mr. Christie served as the principal in charge.

• Capital Heights Elementary School, PG County, Maryland

AED performed prime MEP engineering services for the design of Capital Heights Elementary School, 60,000 s.f., including administration offices, classrooms, gym, kitchen, cafeteria, media center, all purpose room, with a construction cost of $10,000,000. The school also included a recreational facility for the elderly equipped for arts and crafts; movies; dancing; small concerts and lecture; and serving light meals. Mr. Christie served as the principal in charge.