Project:
Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, Richmond, Virginia
The Challenge:
The DCLS is a 175,000 square-foot, four-story laboratory building for which ColonialWebb Contractors furnished mechanical and plumbing systems over a two-year timeframe.
Our Approach:
With a well-planned procedure in place, ColonialWebb attacked its assignment with the following elements:
- Two large custom air units
- Supply fan motors
- Heat recovery coils
- Dust collectors
- Eight large laboratory exhaust fans with discharge stacks and Plenums
- Perchloric exhaust and washdown system
- Welded laboratory exhaust ductwork throughout the building
- HEPA and HEGA filters with welded stainless steel duct and platforms
- Hundreds of grilles, registers and diffusers
- Central plant with centrifugal chillers and heating water boilers
- 18 large vertical split case and end suction pumps
- Laboratory waste, gas and exhaust systems
- Emergency generators and associated items
Even with the best plans, surprises often arise that require innovative solutions and flexibility – both of which ColonialWebb is known to handle with ease.
With the tragic occurrences of September 11 happening during the construction cycle, we altered the services and mission for the building to include spaces for counter terrorism and bio safety level 4 laboratories. Although the lab spaces were not completed, necessary pieces were roughed in for future finishes and equipment.
Remarkably, we incorporated these changes into the ongoing construction without a delay in the work schedule. The official completion date for the entire building was May 2, 2003. The City of Richmond issued the Certificate of Occupancy certificate at 4:50 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2003.
The certificate marked the conclusion of a major construction effort, inspection of the entire facility, commissioning of all systems and training of the building’s personnel to operate all functions.