Showcase Projects
San Diego State University Science Laboratory

They don't sport a giant "U" on their chests, and they aren't wearing capes, but the University team members who took over a project in trouble are mechanical superheroes nonetheless. Here's the story.

More than 12 months into construction on the San Diego State University Science Laboratory, but with the mechanical systems a scant 20 percent complete and significantly behind schedule, Blake Construction Co. and its surety changed mechanical contractors, turning to University to get the project back on track.

Undaunted by the challenges, University immediately marshaled 45-plus union craftsmen in the extremely tight San Diego labor market and began executing a scope of work that includes complete mechanical systems, high- and low-pressure steam systems, hydronic piping systems, a comprehensive start-up and commissioning criteria ... and leaping tall buildings.

Our first successful rescue mission, started just two weeks after contract award, was to fabricate and deliver more than 150,000 pounds of sheet metal ductwork - some of it as large as 108 inches x 74 inches - to be placed on the laboratory building's roof. We completed this effort six weeks later, prior to the tower crane removal.

Within three months of commencement, University had brought the mechanical work back on schedule and is leading the charge to complete the project on time, in fall 2000. When it is complete, the five-story, 100,000-square-foot facility will contain 58 laboratories served by nearly 200 fume hoods and 86 fume extractors.

The SDSU Science Laboratory team:
General contractor: Blake Construction Co.
Architect: ER+HDR Architecture
Mechanical engineer: TKG
Takeover mechanical contractor: University Mechanical & Engineering Contractors
University project manager: John Miley
Piping supervisor: Randy Duncan
Roof sheet metal supervisor: Todd Kohl
HVAC supervisor: Dennis Brown

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