National Satellite Operations FacilitySystems
National Satellite Operations Facility
Project Details
Location
Contract Type
Suitland, MD
Lump Sum
Description
TMG completed a mission-critical upgrade of the electrical and cooling infrastructure integral to IT computing power at the National Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland, Maryland. In addition to dramatically increasing the critical cooling, UPS and emergency power generation capacity, the scope of the project involved major reconfiguration of the interior layout of the third floor and the basement, which involved all of the building trades to create additional computer rooms and support spaces. The job site is located in an urban campus setting off heavily trafficked Suitland Parkway near Southeast Washington, DC.
The project was performed in two phases. Phase I allowed for an initial IT power increase of 1414kW, which was completed on schedule despite the impacts of a Government shutdown, weather delays, and design changes. Phase II involved the installation and tie-in of CRAC units, IRCs, an IT power increase of 2340kW and substantial Owner-driven change order work.
The construction portion of the project was divided into four work elements, including generator upgrades, UPS system upgrades, chiller plant upgrades, and computer room upgrades, all supported by structural and architectural modifications, upgrades and replacement. Most of the work was accomplished in an occupied environment without taking the 24/7 mission critical facility off-line. Due to the sensitive nature of the work performed at the NSOF, TMG’s project team worked closely with the client to comply with credentialing and other security requirements. Specific scope included the installation of:
- Three new 2500 kW generators replacing three 1250kW generators (including stainless steel exhaust stacks) with an 8000A parallel switchgear replacing an existing 4000A switchgear, transfer switches, and switchboards
- Four new UPSs with integration into the existing UPS system
- Four 400-ton chillers replacing three 300-ton water chillers in the building interior
- Three 600-ton cooling towers with associated structural steel frame to raise the towers off of slab-on-grade replacing three 300-ton cooling towers
- 24 Computer Room Air Conditioner (CRAC) units plus four CRACS with reheat
- 48 In Row Coolers (IRCs)
- 22 Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and 22 Static Automatic Transfer Switches (SATSs)
Exterior work involved the installation of galvanized structural steel platforms to support the three new cooling towers. New foundations were poured, followed by the construction of structural steel platforms (also known as dunnage) that were rigged into place and installed prior to the rigging and setting of the new cooling towers. All crane and rigging work for the dunnage and the cooling towers was conducted “in the blind,” because the platforms and cooling towers were located on the opposite side of an intervening building from where the crane and trucking could be located. Structural steel connections consisted of both bolted and welded attachments.
Associated work included decommissioning, demolition, and removal of obsolete equipment as well as architectural and structural renovations to accommodate the new equipment configurations. Interior work involved the demolition and reconstruction of architectural finishes involving the conference center, three conference rooms, and many corridors. Trades for this work included drywall, tile, acoustical ceiling, carpeting, and painting. Two restrooms were also renovated, along with modifications to a security lobby. Fire/Life Safety upgrades included the reconfiguration of sprinkler heads throughout the North Area and third-floor data center, as well as the installation of additional fire detection units, which were integrated into the fire alarm system. TMG also installed access controls at three separate entry points during Phase II.