Lab ventilation retrofits over 42 weekends

For seven years, GreenerU had the privilege of working with a New England-based medical school that has been promoting innovative lab ventilation retrofit design. Its construction team retrofitted one lab per weekend—42 times.

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With a reputation for working in occupied spaces without disrupting the activities of our clients, GreenerU had its work cut out for it when a university client entreated us to embark on 42 lab ventilation retrofits in a six-story medical school building over as many weekends.

While energy efficiency was a priority, the driving force of this particular lab ventilation retrofit project was a need to address inadequate air delivery throughout the 42 individual labs within the building. Aerosol simulation studies showed the layout of the existing supply system—with central registers in alternating lab corrals (aisles)—prevented air from traveling beyond the lab corral in which it was being delivered. As a result, large temperature disparities, issues with drafts, stagnant air, and inadequate odor elimination were creating problems, necessitating lab ventilation retrofits.

From planning to action

To generate actionable data, the university conducted a fluid dynamics study and a pilot project. Data generated from these studies led to a program with the goal of safely achieving higher efficiencies with fewer air changes.

After the initial pilot at one research laboratory facility, the university brought GreenerU on board as their design-build partner to implement the new approach for lab ventilation retrofits at 42 laboratories and apply the bases of design to generate energy-savings results.

One critical element of success for implementing these designs was a high degree of communication and transparency between GreenerU and key university personnel, namely those who would be directly affected by disruptions to day-to-day laboratory operations. A collaborative approach was key to address logistics to implementation on a larger scale while prioritizing safety and critical research.

The project followed a similar general pattern throughout a two-year period, though the details varied depending on the lab space:

  1. Collaborating on lab efficiency, typically initiated via walkthrough(s) of one or more labs to scope sample project(s)
  2. Planning, discussion, and coordination with principal investigators, environmental health and safety staff, University energy staff, and lab users
  3. Fully mapping out implementation logistics to renovate the layout and delivery of supply air systems in an active research laboratory 
  4. Beginning work on each lab late on a Thursday with as many as five trade disciplines working simultaneously
  5. Completing work by early Monday morning, allowing lab users to return to work uninterrupted
  6. Repeat the process 42 times
Systems installed

The new design removed the alternate layout of supply registers, replacing it with dual supplies in each lab corral, one at the front of each aisle and one along the perimeter “window wall,” designed to replace the overhead radiant heating that had proven ineffective.

In addition, while existing lab pressurizations were maintained, air changes were to be reestablished and reduced to deliver a managed air changes per hour (ACH) during occupied times and a further reduced ACH during unoccupied times. Along with these adjustments, occupancy control devices were installed to address and maintain appropriate air volume set points based on activity, not only on time-of-day scheduling.

A purge feature was also implemented providing a push-button interface for the occupant in the event of a spill causing overwhelming odors or airborne contamination. When activated, the purge feature sends an alert to the building management system, temporarily increases lab air volumes, and activates strobe lights within the lab to provide alerts to other users and adjacent labs.

The installation process

Beyond the lengthy design discussions and ultimate approval of our comprehensive design and strategy, the project preparation required a considerable amount of engagement and notification to lab Principal Investigators and lab personnel. Each principal investigator was given an additional heads up with posted notifications and a personal visit from GreenerU’s Senior Construction Manager a week prior to their lab being renovated.

On successive Thursday afternoons, the scheduled lab was cleared of occupants and of any environmental risks. Once the lab benches were draped and dust-protected with plastic sheeting and the fire detection was selectively disabled, GreenerU’s crews arrived and removed all ceiling tiles. The grid was maintained and tile was reused, so they were neatly stacked and put aside for reinstallation.

Following Thursday evening preparation and clearing ductwork of any radioactive activity, Friday would begin with the demolition of the supply air system throughout the lab, with all ductwork carefully removed in sections back to the variable air volume units and discarded.

Additional demolition of the perimeter radiant heat plumbing loop was required to make space for new supply registers. Except for the heating elements, the system was removed in its entirety. Selective demolition and relocation of sprinkler mains and branch piping above the ceilings, as well as relocation of electrical and fire alarm conduit and terminations, were also required in certain labs to create space for the new ductwork and supply registers.

Considering lab ventilation retrofits on your medical school campus? Contact us!

Once the demolition and relocations were in progress on Friday, new ductwork was assembled in discrete sections on the ground and installed throughout the day. Simultaneously, a controls subcontractor was rough wiring for new equipment and sensors related to building management system connectivity, occupancy management, and “purge” functionality. Installations of ductwork and related controls work on Fridays typically carried over to a portion of Saturday, followed immediately with the installation of new supply duct registers.

With insulation complete either late Saturday or early Sunday, and with the ceiling back in place by Sunday morning, new occupancy control devices were installed to provide coverage of the activity within the entire lab. Purge buttons were installed at each entrance. Indicator strobe lights were installed centrally and at each lab entrance.

All finishes would be re-installed and back in place with housekeeping activities in progress on Sunday afternoon. At that point, a balancing specialist tested, balanced, and verified set points and function, confirming all to be working with the control contractor prior to lab operations resuming on Monday morning.

The labs were then fully accessible for use with all new features installed, tested and operational by Monday at 7 a.m. GreenerU would provide a brief tutorial to users, answer questions, and address any concerns.

Fresh, safe air

The end results were enhanced user comfort, reduced/managed air changes, and new purge safety features to ramp up exhaust flow and inform occupants in the event of a spill. Users also received newly developed and installed signage adjacent to the new purge equipment to identify location and functionality. With 42 smoothly delivered lab ventilation retrofits, this medical school campus now has modern, comfortable, energy-efficient spaces.

 

GreenerU is known for working discretely, fastidiously, and respectfully in occupied spaces. Talk to us if you are interested in exploring energy-efficient lab ventilation retrofit solutions that increase user comfort with safe air exchanges.


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