Energy Renovations to Building J50 & Steam Trap Replacement

Building J-50, an existing 3-story, 143,644 SF facility housing several outbound processing and medical activities related to troop deployment for the US Navy and was funded as part of an energy efficiency initiative.  The energy renovation and steam trap replacement project consisted of the phased removal and replacement of the entire building mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems including: air cooled water chillers, steam to HW heat exchangers, primary and secondary distribution pumps, DDC, FAS and FAP, new electrical service, relocation and replacement of the main electrical switchgear, electrical distribution building-wide, lighting, data, and communication systems and the replacement of approximately 425 steam traps base-wide at Naval Station Norfolk.

Installation of the new interior wall insulation and vapor barrier system required the replacement and upgrade of the existing electrical distribution systems, data, communications, and fire alarm systems including a new main FAP located in the main lobby.  In addition, work include the replacement of approximately 425 interior steam traps in various buildings and close coordination with the main steam plant from which these systems are served.

Due to the age of the building, careful consideration had to be taken in order to handle the old HAZMAT associated building material during the demo phase. These items included lead paint, PCB light ballasts, asbestos containing floor tile mastic & asbestos containing ceiling tile. Affected areas of the building had to be carefully quarantined prior to starting the demo phase in order to properly remove the hazardous material safety so it did not contaminate the construction personnel or the mission critical tenants working in other parts of the building.

This renovation occurred in stages while the building was occupied by mission critical Navy Commands. The planning and coordination of this renovation required a surgical approach to ensure critical electrical, classified data communications, medical data communications, life safety systems, as well as HVAC were not interrupted to the existing tenants as the renovation took place in other parts of the building.

Phase I renovated Wing A, Wing B, and Core Area 1.
Phase II renovated Wing C and Wing D.

The work involved energy systems-related renovations and incidental related work such as the complete renovation of the HVAC system including new mechanical units, new ductwork, new suspended ceilings, new lighting and a new sprinkler system. The project was also required to address the exterior envelope of the building by providing insulation in the exterior masonry veneer walls where none existed.  Installation of this new insulated interior wall system required additional work to all existing utility outlets (electrical outlets, telephone jacks, data jacks, etc.) and new architectural details/ features at the windows, walls, floors, etc. inside the building.

Portions of Building J-50 include housing wings for specialized Military Treatment Programs.

Project Two consisted of the Replacement of faulty Steam Traps around Naval Station, Norfolk.  This was Phase Three of the project.  The work included the replacement of approximately (425) interior steam traps in various buildings (up to 100 buildings) at Naval Station Norfolk.