HPHS Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Building ...

MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, 

PLUMBING & FIRE PROTECTION 

BUILDING EVALUATION 

At: 

Highland Park High School 

433 Vine Avenue 

Highland Park, Illinois 60035 

For: 

Township High School District 113 

1040 Park Avenue West 

Highland Park, Illinois 60035-2257 

August 2010 – January 2011 

Prepared by: 

Metro Design Associates, Inc. 

1707 Randall Road, Suite 390 

Elgin, Illinois 60123 

Ph: 224-629-4444 

F: 847-622-7485 

Website: www.metrodgn.com

Introduction: 

Wight & Company commissioned Metro Design Associates to perform a mechanical, 

electrical, plumbing and fire protection evaluation of the existing systems currently 

serving Highland Park High School. The evaluation consisted of numerous site visits to 

document existing conditions as well as interviews with key personnel at the school and 

review of available construction documents. The direction received was to evaluate the 

current equipment and systems, document the type, size, location and their condition 

and provide a justification for any recommendations for replacement. 

Any recommended systems replacements proposed in this report were selected on 

several criteria. First, meet all heating, ventilating, air conditioning and life safety current 

code standards for ventilation. In addition, all systems indicated to be replaced. Meet the 

Illinois Energy Code standards to provide the most favorable energy efficient systems 

possible so that District 113 can reap the benefits of the energy use savings for years to 

come. Another major factor was “mean life expectancy” of equipment. Obviously exterior 

mounted equipment has a much shorter useful life than indoor equipment. The 

justification was to propose equipment that will utilize the current indoor mechanical 

spaces available and provide a thirty to thirty-five year life expectancy for the systems. 

The following is a detailed account of the equipment and systems currently in place and 

in operation at the school as well as recommendations of proposed system 

replacements for the buildings and spaces as they are used at the time this study took 

place. 

Note: 

As a long-range capital facilities and technology plan is developed and phased, the 

scope of work recommended here will need to be modified and updated to be aligned 

with updated phases and repurposing of spaces. At the end of this study, a brief 

description of HVAC systems within the new construction areas has been added. 

Main A West 

Current System Installed: 

 

HVAC Infrastructure Scope of Work 

Space is currently served by one (1), 1967, (3) zone multi-zone unit serving the 

Auditorium classrooms on the 3 rd floor. A Trane gas fired rooftop unit installed in 

1996 serves the staff office 333. And new chilled water cooling / hot water 

heating unit serves the 1 st and 2 nd floor and was installed under the 2001 

renovation. Due to age, condition and lack of energy efficiency the 

recommendation would be to replace this system with new. 

Scope of Work: 

 

Replace existing 3-zone multi zone unit from 1967 original construction serving 

the Auditorium classrooms on the 3 rd floor. Provide a new VAV indoor air handler 

in same location utilizing hot water heat and chilled water cooling.

The 1996 Trane gas fired constant volume rooftop unit should be removed and 

this space served from the new VAV handler indicated above. 

Each individual space would utilize a fan powered VAV box with a hot water 

reheat coil to provide individual room control. This proposed system will save 

energy over the current system installed. 

“A” Building 


 

 

 

 

Two (2), 1957, heating only air handlers serve the majority of the A wing of the 

building. Each unit is constant volume and have return air fans. Due to age, 

condition and lack of energy efficiency the recommendation would be to replace 

this system with new. 

A Trane VAV air handler with chilled water cooling and hot water heating serves 

the Media Center from room A120 to A112A and was installed in 2001. 

A Trane cooling only indoor air handler serves the Staff dining Room A106. This 

constant volume unit was installed under the 2001 renovation. This system is 

only capable of providing air conditioning during the cooling season and has no 

ability to heat. 

Two Lennox, cooling only, rooftop units (6 & 15 tons) are installed on the roof 

above the main lobby and serve Rooms A311, A313 & A315. The units are 

constant volume. These systems are only capable of providing air conditioning 

during the cooling season and have no ability to heat. Units are at their mean life 

expectancy and should be considered for replacement. 


 

 

 

 

The Staff Dining Room air handler should remain in place. A hot water heating 

coil and related piping should be added to allow the unit to serve the space year 

round and provide year round ventilation. If the staff dining room is relocated to 

the area of the current cafeteria and the existing space is repurposed as a 

classroom, the existing air handler could either remain and serve the new space 

or the new space could be incorporated into a new main system serving building 

A. 

The Trane VAV air handler serving the Media Center, installed in 2001, should 

remain as is without modification. 

The two Lennox, cooling only, rooftop units serving Rooms A311, A313 & A315 

should be replaced with similar equipment of the same size. The existing 

ductwork would remain and be re-used. The new units should include gas-fired 

heating to allow for year round use and ventilating. 

The two 1957 heating only air handlers serving the A wing of the building should 

be replaced in their entirety including all related ductwork. Two (2) new indoor 

VAV air handlers should be installed in the same location as the existing. Each 

unit would have hot water heating, chilled water cooling and return air fans. Each 

space served by these two units would be provided with individual room control 

via fan powered VAV boxes with hot water reheat. 

“B” Building 


 

This building was renovated under the 2001 renovation project and all 

classrooms are served by floor mounted four pipe chilled / hot water unit 

ventilators. Problems have been persistent with these units from the start with

coils freezing due to the chilled water coil being installed on the entering air side 

of the hot water coil. The district has to drain down the chilled coils every year to 

prevent coil freezing. 

One chilled water cooling / hot water heating constant volume air handler is 

installed in the center mechanical room on the 2 nd floor and serves the corridor. 

This unit was installed during the 2001 renovation 

Two separate pressurization relief systems, one serving the 3 rd and 4 th floor and 

one the 1 st and 2 nd floor serve to relieve building pressurization as the buildings 

unit ventilator system operates in economizer mode. They are installed in the 

attic and the 2 nd floor mechanical rooms. These systems were installed under the 

2001 renovation project. 


 

 

Install a plate and frame heat exchanger in the chilled water system that will 

allow the secondary loop to be 30% ethylene glycol. That will allow the chilled 

water to remain in the system year round and prevent coil freezing. 

Note: 

The system installed with this portion of the school appears to be a Band-Aid to a 

more serious infrastructure problem. Due to the building age and construction, 

HVAC options where limited, using unit ventilators where one of only a few 

available options that could be used. Unit ventilators have inherent problems 

such as potential coil freezing, lack of proper air distribution, poor pressurization 

controls. 

In addition the sanitary and storm piping serving the building is 100 years old. 

Based on age of the piping, both sanitary and storm may be significantly 

deteriorated, as staff report persistent back-ups and flooding. As-buit plans are 

not available to record where actual connections to municipal services are 

located or the routing of the actual underground within the building. 

The cost associated with full replacement of all MEP systems would be more 

costly within this building than the cost of a new system serving a new building 

simply because of the demolition cost associated with accessing the existing 

system. Therefore, an additional recommendation would be replacement of the 

facility in total. 

Auditorium 


 

An air handler system, installed in 2001, is located in the mechanical room G200 

on the Science wing and serves the Auditorium. The unit is a constant volume 

unit with chilled water and hot water coils and a return air fan. 


The existing air handler should remain without modification. 

Science Wing 


 

A variable air volume (VAV) air handler system, installed in 2001, is located in 

the basement mechanical room G117 on the Science wing and serves the entire 

new addition. The unit has a chilled water cooling coil and hot water heating coils 

with a return air fan.


The existing air handler should remain without modification. 

Studio Theatre 


 

An air handler system, installed in 2001, located on the mezzanine of the boiler 

room serves this portion of the building. The unit is constant air volume with 

direct expansion cooling, steam heating coil and no return air fan. The air cooled 

condenser is located on the roof above the air handler. 


 

Replace the DX coil with a chilled water coil. Remove the existing air cooled 

condenser and serve the cooling coil from the chilled water system. Add a return 

fan to allow for full economizer control (free cooling). These modifications will 

increase the current systems efficiency. 

Band / Choir 


Each of the large assembly areas are served by individual 5 ton gas-fired 

packaged rooftop units. The units were installed in 1995 and are in need of 

replacement. The units are undersized to meet the cooling and ventilation needs 

of these spaces. 

In a mechanical penthouse located above the Band and Choir rooms are four (4) 

steam, heating only, air handlers that once served the practice rooms and related 

offices in the Band area. These units have not operated in many years and have 

been left abandoned in place. The spaces once served by these units are 

currently only served by perimeter fin tube radiation and no means of mechanical 

or natural ventilation exist in this area. This is a violation of the International 

Mechanical code. 


 

Remove all existing systems and install a new indoor VAV air handler in the 

existing penthouse located above the Band area. The unit shall have hot water 

heating, chilled water cooling and a return air fan. Each space served shall be 

provided with individual room control via fan powered VAV boxes with hot water 

reheat. 

“C” Annex Building - Art 


 

A Trane rooftop air handler with hot water heating serves the “C” Annex building. 

The unit is VAV and provides individual room control. It was installed in 2001. 


 

 

Add a chilled water cooling coil to the existing air handler including all related 

piping and controls. 

Convert the 2001 hot water variable air volume (VAV) boxes to fan powered VAV 

boxes. This will allow for better temperature and ventilation control in the summer 

when the boilers are non-operational.

“C” Building - Wrestling and Gymnastics Gymnasium 


 

 

 

 

A 1940 air handler, located in the basement under the Technology area, serves 

both the Wrestling and Gymnastics Gymnasium. The unit is heating only utilizing 

a steam heating coil. No return fan was observed. The airflow to both 

Gymnasiums is minimal and our assumption is that the unit does not meet the 

code required ventilation for both gymnasiums. 

The supply air provided to the gymnasiums was intended to be relieved by 

exhaust fans located on the mezzanine of the gymnastics gymnasium. These 

fans have been out of service for some time and have been left abandoned in 

place. 

Supplemental heat to these spaces is by steam cast iron radiators dating back to 

the original construction of the building. These radiators can become very hot to 

the touch and pose a safety risk to the users of the space. 

Perimeter spaces on either side of these gyms have no means of ventilation, only 

radiators to provide heating. 


 

 

Install two (2) constant volume air handlers located on the upper floor 

mezzanines. One unit to serve wrestling and one to serve the gymnasium. Each 

unit should have chilled water cooling and hot water heating. These units should 

also serve the perimeter spaces on each floor. This modification will provide the 

required ventilation to meet current code standards as well increase the overall 

efficiency saving operational and maintenance dollars. All existing equipment 

would be removed. 

These Gymnasiums currently have no toilet or drinking water facilities since no 

domestic water or sanitary sewer systems are operational in the “C” building. 

Technology Lab: (lower level of 1914 “C” Building 

Gymnasium) 


 

Located on the roof, just west of the 1914 gym building, the Trane rooftop air 

handler was installed under the 2001 renovation project. The unit has hot water 

heating and chilled water cooling. The system is VAV and provides individual 

room control. 


 

 

Library 

Existing air handler shall remain without modification. 



time when the boilers are non-operational. 


 

A 1967 multi-zone air handling unit with 11 zones serves the Library. The unit 

has a direct expansion cooling coil and a steam heating coil. The unit has a 

separate in-line return fan associated with the system. Due to age, condition and 

lack of energy efficiency the recommendation would be to replace this system 

with new.

A roof mounted Trane air cooled condenser located above the library serves the 

multi-zone unit. This unit was installed around 1996. Direct expansion cooling is 

less efficient than chilled water. Under the unit replacement, remove the 

condensing unit and install a chilled water cooling coil. 


 

Replace the existing 11-zone multi zone unit from 1967 original construction 

serving the Library. Provide a new VAV indoor air handler in the same location 

utilizing hot water heat and chilled water cooling. Each space served by this unit 

shall be provided with individual room control via fan powered VAV box with hot 

water reheat. 

Cafeteria / Kitchen / Student Commons 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Located in the basement below the kitchen are two (2) 100% outside air airhandlers 

that serve the cafeteria and kitchen as well as make up to the kitchen 

hoods. Each unit has a filter section, face and bypass dampers and steam 

heating coil. Units appear to be 50+ years old. 

Each branch off the supply ductwork from these units is equipped with a steam 

reheat coil for individual space temperature control. 

In addition to these units are two additional small air handlers located in the 

ceiling space above the corridor between the cafeteria and exhibition gym. The 

units are heating only, and only one unit is currently in operation. The loss of 

supply and outside airflow from the unit that is non-operational reduces the 

amount of code required ventilation air to below code requirements. 

For airflow not exhausted by the kitchen hood, a separate utility exhaust fan is 

located in the tunnel and is ducted to the south side of the cafeteria. The fan is of 

1940’s vintage and in poor condition. 

Under the 2001 renovation, a steam to hot water heat exchanger was installed to 

create heating hot water to serve new HVAC equipment within this area of the 

building. 

The bookstore, which is now part of the cafeteria, was partitioned off at some 

point. This space is served by the systems indicated above. No individual room 

control exists and the space is receiving100% outside air, which is not required, 

and therefore, using more energy than required. 

Due to age, condition and inefficiency, these systems serving the Cafeteria / 

Kitchen / Student Commons should be replaced. New equipment will increase 

the energy saved over the current system two-fold. 


 

 

 

Replace the current units with one (1) rooftop or indoor air handler, constant 

volume with chilled water cooling and hot water heating. Spiral round supply air 

ductwork could be exposed or rectangular, if concealed, distributed throughout 

the space with return airflow in the space. 

A 100% outside air make-up air unit would be installed to serve the kitchen hood. 

Spot cooling of the kitchen would be from the cafeteria unit. A separate zone 

would serve the kitchen. The remainder of make-up air for the hood shall come 

from the cafeteria.

2001 Athletic Entrance Lobby 


 

The 2001 Athletic Entrance lobby addition is served by a hot water heating only 

rooftop air handler installed under to the 2001 renovation project. No cooling was 

provided. Due to the large amount of glass in this space, the heat gain in the 

summer is significant and cooling should be provided to the unit as this area is 

used by students for various activities throughout the school day as an extension 

of the cafeteria/commons area. 


 

Add a chilled water cooling coil to the existing rooftop air handlers including all 

related piping and controls. 

Climbing Wall / Meeting Room 


 

This space has no heating or ventilation. The cabinet unit heater that once 

serving the space has been disconnected and left abandoned. This is in violation 

of code. 


 

Install a gas-fired, heating/cooling constant volume packaged rooftop unit 

dedicated to serve this room. 

Exhibition Gym 


 

Two (2) air handler systems, installed in 2001, are located on the roof of the 

exhibition gym and serve this portion of the building. The units are constant air 

volume with hot water heating only. Distribution ductwork in the gym utilizes duct 

sock for supply air and sheet metal for return air. Due to the low velocity supply 

air delivered by the “duct sock” and the high elevation of the return air ductwork 

the systems are short cycling and not satisfying the space temperature needs. 


 

 

Add a chilled water cooling coil to the two existing air handlers including all 


Modify the return air ductwork so that the return air is at the floor level of the gym 

(instead of the ceiling level). 

Intramural Gym 


 

Two (2) air handler systems, installed in 2001, are located on the roof of the 

intramural gym and serve this portion of the building. The units are constant air 

volume with hot water heating only. Distribution ductwork in the gym utilizes duct 

sock for supply air and sheet metal for return air. The same “short cycling” and 

temperature control problems are being experienced as in the Exhibition Gym. 

The units may have been reported to be equipped with a chilled water-cooling 

coil that was not piped under the 2001 renovation. This will need to be verified. 


 


related piping and controls.

Modify the return air ductwork so that the return is at the floor level of the gym 

instead of the ceiling line. 

Boys Locker Room 


 

One rooftop air handler system, installed in 2001, is located on the roof of the 

intramural gym serves this portion of the building. The unit is constant air volume 

with hot water heating only. Distribution ductwork utilizes duct sock for supply air 

and sheet metal for return air. 


 



Indoor Track / PE Classrooms / Fitness Room (Basement 

level below Locker rooms) 


 

 

One rooftop air handler system, installed in 2001, is located on the roof of the 

Exhibition Gym mezzanine rooms and serves this portion of the building. The unit 

is constant air volume with hot water heating only. Distribution ductwork utilizes 

duct sock for supply air and sheet metal for return air. 

The individual rooms located in the space are served off the same system as the 

track area. No individual room control exists and return air grilles are not 

provided. 


 

 

 

Pool 



Increase the motor HP to allow for additional static pressure. Currently the air 

handler does not have sufficient air pressure to totally inflate the duct sock. 

Provide separate reheat coils for each space served to provide individual room 

control. Change the units control sequence to control discharge air. Include 

means of return air from the individual spaces back to the air handler 


 

One rooftop dehumidification air handler system manufactured by Desert Air was 

installed in 2006 and is located on the roof of the pool. The unit is constant air 

volume with hot water heating and direct expansion cooling. Distribution 

ductwork utilizes duct sock for supply air and sheet metal for return air. 


 

Existing air handler should remain without modification. If a new pool is proposed 

the existing unit has the ability to be re-used under the new design. Depending 

on the space size and occupancy a supplemental unit may be required. 

Girls Locker Room 


 

One indoor air handler system, installed in 2001, is located in the lower level 

mechanical room below the girl’s locker room and serves this portion of the

uilding. The unit is constant air volume with hot water heating only. Distribution 

ductwork utilizes duct sock for supply air and sheet metal for return air. 


 



PE Offices 


 

These spaces are located on the south side of the boy’s locker room and have 

no mechanical ventilation. Fin tube radiation exists for heating only. The spaces 

are on an exterior wall and may meet the natural ventilation requirements of the 

original school code in which the building was constructed under. 


 

Install an individual chilled water cooling and hot water heating fan coil unit in 

each space. Each unit will have a dedicated outside air connection to meet the 

mechanical ventilation requirements. 

Sandwick Hall 


 

 

The North portion of Sandwick hall is served by a VAV air handler located in the 

lower level mechanical room off the boiler room. The unit has chilled water and 

hot water heating coils and was installed under the 2001 renovation project. 

The space above the buildings and grounds office is served by this unit but has 

poor ventilation. The space lacks sufficient air flow. 


 

 



time when boilers are non-operational. 

Modify the current ductwork to add control to serve the space above the buildings 

and grounds office. 

Sandwick Hall /Music “E” Wing 


 

The north portion of Sandwick Hall and east portion of the Music E Wing is 

served by a rooftop air handling unit manufactured by Trane and installed in 2001 

under the renovation project. The unit is VAV with chilled water-cooling and hot 

water heating. 


 

 

Add a return fan to the air handler system to allow for full economizer control. 



time when boilers are non-operational. 

Boiler Room 


 

The boiler room equipment was replaced in its entirety under the 2001 renovation 

project. This included the following:

(2) Burnham steam boilers 

4 chilled water pumps 

Feedwater system 

Condensate return system 

Water softener 

(2) Hot water pumps 

(1) Steam to hot water heat exchanger 

(2) 250 ton air cooled Trane Chillers 


 

The existing boilers should be converted from steam to hot water. This will 

increase the system’s operating/energy efficiency and lessen maintenance. 

Since all steam equipment is being replaced or upgraded, this is the best option 

for the future of the facility. The feed water condensate pumps and steam to 

water heat exchanger would be removed. Additional chiller capacity will need to 

be added to support the air handlers utilizing chilled water under the renovation. 

Assume an additional 600 tons of air cooled chiller will be installed. This will 

require additional pumping capacity as well as the main chilled water lines will 

need to be supplemented through the building to carry the additional cooling 

capacity. Chilled water cooling is the most efficient means of providing air 

conditioning over a conventional individual direct expansion system. 

Chiller Upgrade 

 

Additional chiller capacity will need to be added to support the new and existing 

air handlers utilizing chilled water under the recommended changes. We have 

assumed an additional 600 tons of chiller would be installed. The location of the 

chilled water plant will need to be determined, but based on recent 

conversations, the best location may be adjacent to the existing chillers outside 

the boiler room. The chillers will be air or water cooled. All pumping will be 

located in the boiler room. New chilled water piping will need to be distributed 

throughout the building. The chiller efficiency will vary greatly depending on the 

type selected but an assumption can be made that the efficiency will be below 1 

KW / ton which will far exceed the efficiency of packaged equipment or air cooled 

condensers. 

Terminal Heat Transfer Units 


 

A majority of the terminal equipment such as convectors, cabinet heaters, 

suspended heaters; fin tube radiation and cast iron radiators are original to the 

construction of the building and were not replaced under the 2001 renovation 

project. Consideration should be given to replace this equipment under future 

renovations projects. 


 

Consideration should be given to replace all existing steam terminal equipment in 

the building older than the 2001 renovation due to age and condition. 

Exhaust Fans 

 

Approximately 1/2 of the exhaust fans serving the building are original to the 

construction of the building and were not replaced under the 2001 renovation

project. Older fans have a tendency to lose capacity due to belt slippage, duct 

leakage, and housing loses. The actual amount of air being exhausted in most 

cases will be less than the design or current code standards due to the code the 

building was constructed under did not have as stringent ventilation capacities as 

current codes. 


 

All existing exhaust fans older than the 2001 renovations are recommended for 

replacement with new fans capable of meeting current code standards. A further, 

more detailed evaluation will need to take place to determine the exact location, 

size and quantity of fans required to be replaced, as many fans are not readily 

accessible. 

Electrical Infrastructure Work 


 

 

Under the 2001 renovation a new 3200 amp, 3 phase, 4 wire 480/277 Volt 

electrical service was installed to support the new additions and HVAC 

equipment. There remains a lack of circuit space for future and current electrical 

loads. Past and anticipated future expansion of technology has exceeded the 

capacity of the distribution panels throughout all of the classroom and 

instructional areas. Future renovation and expansion projects should include 

additional distribution panels located throughout the building. Classrooms, 

administrative areas and common spaces all need additional electrical outlets to 

accommodate the growing need for technology device use. 

Lighting has been upgraded over the years by retrofitting ballasts and lamps 

inside the original fixtures, however a majority of the original fixtures still remain. 

Older fixtures do not distribute or diffuse the light levels to the quality of today’s 

recommendations for learning environments, Upgraded lighting and lighting 

levels to current standards for schools is recommended. In addition, occupancy 

sensors are required to be added to meet current Illinois Energy Codes 

Standards in renovated and new areas. 


 

 

Due to the increase in cooling capacity, and increase in the electrical service to 

the building to support the increased chiller capacity will be required. This 

increase in electrical capacity would also be sized to accommodate future 

increases in technology throughout the entire facility. Additional capacity could 

fall in the range of 1500 to 2000 amps at 480 volt 3 phase. 

Replace the lighting throughout the building in all locations not associated with 

the 2001 project with fixtures upgraded to T-5 or T-8 lamps Replace all exit signs, 

with L.E.D. lamps and replace the emergency lighting systems to have the 

required backup capabilities or to be connected to an emergency generator. 

Existing EM or exit lighting does not meet current code standards for lighting 

illumination, energy efficiency or back up capabilities, therefore, replacement is 

recommended. 

Plumbing Infrastructure Work 


 

The toilet rooms in most areas of the building are original; the china is in fair 

condition and has been maintained; although, the trim serving each fixture is old

and generally in need of replacement. At the time of replacement, toilet rooms 

should be upgraded to be in compliance with the Illinois Accessibility Code. 

In the early 1900 buildings, the condition and locations of the underground 

sanitary piping is unknown, but considering the age, any renovation to these 

spaces should include replacement of the sanitary with new, from the fixture to 

the city sewer. This will become extremely expensive in buildings of 100 years or 

older as the sewer systems are covered by new additions to the building. 

Original galvanized, domestic water mains (cold water, hot water and hot water 

re-circulation) have been replaced in easily accessible areas in many locations. 

The majority portions of galvanized pipe that have not been replaced is the 

vertical piping within the wet walls of toilet rooms and areas with lavatories. All 

piping within the wet walls of the toilet rooms is original. 


 

 

 

Replace the trim on all original fixtures including flush valves and faucets 

Replace the domestic water piping within the wet walls. 

Verify condition, by camera, of the underground sanitary and storm in buildings at 

or exceeding 100 years old and replace out to the municipal service connection 

in the street as required. 

Temperature Controls Infrastructure Work 


 

 

Install a new direct digital control temperature control system that will incorporate 

the HVAC controls for all new and 2001 renovation equipment. System should be 

web based, interoperable and with graphic capabilities. The system should be 

equal to a Johnson Controls Metasys or Trane Summit control system or equal. 

Modern control systems in use today are “Windows” based and are user friendly. 

By incorporating graphics into the system, maintenance personnel can easily 

navigate thought the system to trouble shoot alarms, schedule events and modify 

space temperatures and set night, weekend, and holiday setback schedules. A 

control system will, under the correct operation save the District large amounts of 

energy over the life of the system thus reducing operating cost for years to come. 

These long-term savings make the controls an essential part of the mechanical 

upgrade. 

Proposed New Construction: 

The following comments were developed as an addition to our initial evaluation report 

above. Working in conjunction with Wight & Co., we have outlined systems that will 

correspond to new or repurposed areas of the Long-Range Capital and Technology 

Master Plan: 

Fieldhouse – Phase 1 - HVAC Scope of Work 

 

Two (2) indoor air handlers, constant volume with chilled water cooling and hot 

water heating. Spiral round ductwork with return air low in the space. Each unit 

sized for ½ capacities to allow for one unit to serve the space under low load 

conditions. 

Pool – Phase 1- HVAC Scope of Work 

 

A new or relocated dehumidification packaged rooftop unit would be installed 

inside balcony seating area (or basement room) of the new natatorium. The unit 

would be suitable for a pool environment and shall be manufactured by Dectron,

Poolpak or Desert Air. The unit should have package cooling and gas-fired 

heating. All ductwork associated with this system would be new and suitable for a 

pool environment. 

Kitchen – Phase 3- HVAC Scope of Work 

 

 

100% outside air make up air unit to serve kitchen hood. 

Spot cooling would be from cafeteria / serving line unit. A separate zone will 

serve this space. The remainder of make-up air would come from the cafeteria. 

Art Studio – Phase 2- HVAC Scope of Work 

 

Install a gas fired constant volume packaged heating/cooling rooftop unit 

dedicated to serve this room. 

Classroom Wing – Phase 2- HVAC Scope of Work 

 

A new indoor or roof mounted VAV air handler should be installed. Unit would 

have hot water heating, chilled water cooling and a return air fan. Each space 

served would be provided with individual room control via fan powered VAV 

boxes with hot water reheat. 

Technology Labs – Phase 2- HVAC Scope of Work 

 

A new indoor or roof mounted VAV air handler should be installed. Unit would 

have hot water heating, chilled water cooling and a return air fan. Each space 

served would be provided with individual room control via fan powered VAV 

boxes with hot water reheat. 

Commons – Phase 3- HVAC Scope of Work 

 

One (1) rooftop or indoor air handler, constant volume with chilled water cooling 

and hot water heating should be installed. Spiral round, if exposed, or 

rectangular, if concealed, ductwork with return air low in the space would be 

utilized. 

Cafeteria – Phase 3- HVAC Scope of Work 

 

One (1) rooftop or indoor air handler, constant volume with chilled water cooling 

and hot water heating should be installed. Spiral round, if exposed, or 

rectangular, if concealed, ductwork with return air low in the space would be 

utilized. 

Executive Summary 

The mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems currently serving the 

buildings are at, or approaching, fifty to sixty years old and in some cases are original to 

the early 1900’s construction. Most of these systems cannot be maintained with any high 

degree of success or consistency due to the difficulty in accessing parts due to the age 

of equipment. Parts continue to fail and be replaced so often that maintenance labor 

costs and disruption to student learning environments outweigh the cost to replace these 

systems. The last major upgrade to the HVAC system was in 2001 and upgrades were 

made to only a small percentage of the existing buildings. Most dollars assigned to that 

renovation project were allocated to upgrades in new building additions and not to areas 

with interior renovations. 

The plumbing infrastructure is, in the most part, original to the construction of the 

building as it relates to sanitary and domestic water piping. The wet wall domestic piping 

is galvanized and has been patched numerous times where accessible. The piping is 

corroded and plugged with sediment causing low flow and poor water quality. New 

fixtures incorporating current code requirements for low flow will save thousands of 

gallons of water usage for the District.

The electrical main service was new under the 2001 renovation, however, the majority of 

the distribution panels and feeders are fifty+ years old. Additional circuit panels need to 

be added to keep up with anticipated future technology needs. Much of the lighting has 

been retrofitted to energy efficient ballasts and lamps, however, the fixtures themselves 

are fifty years old with no consistency of fixture type and lighting levels. New lighting 

fixtures will improve lighting levels and energy efficiency. Grants are available to help 

reduce the costs of re-lighting. 

Fire protection, as it relates to wet pipe sprinkler systems, is nonexistent, except for the 

2001 additions. Under the proposed renovation, the entire building should be covered by 

a wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system. 

The HVAC equipment currently in use is energy inefficient and mostly obsolete and the 

temperature controls are obsolete and in many cases not operational. The equipment is 

old and cannot continue to be patched. Limited parts availability and frequency of 

breakdowns is causing larger than expected maintenance labor costs and operational 

expense. Frequent repairs cause disruption of services to students and staff. 

The current sources of energy for this high school are electricity and natural gas, while 

alternative energy sources such as geothermal, wind, photovoltaic, solar thermal will be 

considered in long range plans. The fact that the buildings are land locked and the space 

required for alternative energy such as geo thermal is limited. Wind and photovoltaic 

alternatives have potential and should be considered, but these options would only 

provide a small portion of the overall energy required and may have an extremely long 

payback period. 

For the building to continue to be utilized as a high school building for the future, major 

renovations related to all of the mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems need to 

occur in the next 1-7 years. Renovations need to be considered in the form of complete 

system replacement, rather than as piecemeal repairs in order to make the longest-term 

investment in energy saving and reduction in operational costs. The building is in need 

of an infrastructure replacement of all equipment, not including the 2001 renovation. 

Also, most equipment provided under the 2001 renovation did not include air 

conditioning, therefore, modifications to the 2001 equipment will need to take place to 

include the addition of air conditioning to systems that are slated to remain. The new 

systems installed should be energy efficient and controlled by a state of the art building 

automation system to best utilize the energy saving capabilities of the equipment and 

maximize long-term operational cost savings for the District.

HPHS Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Building ...

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