The USDA Ames Successful Approach to the Commissioning
of Three Biocontainment Laboratories and a Central Utility System
Henry Hays, P.E., United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ames Modernization Branch
Dan Frasier, P.E., Cornerstone Commissioning,
Inc.
Whitney A. Sanders II, P.E., STV Architects
A successful program, especially one affiliated with
complex laboratory buildings, is always based on successful planning.
Commissioning is one aspect of the planning process that has a significant
effect on any project's success.
One of USDA's goals in developing the Ames site was to design buildings
that would conform with LEED® principles. These principles would
be further strengthened by the design of systems that would minimize
energy use and provide safe and reliable service in their day-to-day-operations.
The commissioning process is the means USDA wanted to use to verify
that the energy-efficient design translated into actual system performance.
This process would also confirm that the systems would respond properly
when tested in a variety of failure modes to prove the successful
automatic reaction or transfer of the various redundant and emergency
systems.
The USDA's Ames Modernization Branch started the commissioning
effort very early in the design process—the first meetings
were held at the 50 percent design stage and continue through to
the completion and acceptance of the facility.
An independent commissioning agent was retained and became part
of the team at that early design stage, and allowed issues to be
raised when it was simpler to resolve rather than waiting until
the material appears in the field and would be modified at a greater
cost in both time and money.
The underlying philosophy and resultant process will be discussed
and some of the techniques that were applied will be illustrated
to provide a benchmark and framework for other owner's who would
want to consider implementing a similarly successful model.
Labs21 Connection:
The unique aspect, when compared to other case studies that we
have seen, is that the commissioning process started very early
in the design of the facility. The owner made an investment in the
early selection and involvement of the commissioning agent that
should substantially reduce the costs in the field during construction
when days of delay and dollars of changes are much more difficult
to minimize, coordinate, and execute. The entire commissioning team—owner,
architect/engineer, construction manager, subcontractors, site support
staff, and commissioning agent—developed a common culture that
demonstrated to all the value of good planning and how it make everyone's
lives easier during the completion of a complex biocontainment laboratory.
Biographies:
Henry Hays, P.E., is a graduate of the University of Maryland
with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is Engineering
Project Manager for the USDA's Ames Modernization Branch, who, along
with his five other USDA AMB team members, have been tasked to bring
the $460+ million project from planning through acceptance using
a team of outside architectural, engineering, and construction management
firms to perform the work. The projects include BSL-2, BSL-3 and
BSL-3Ag Large Animal Facilities and laboratories as well as a BSL-2
and BSL-3 Vivarium. Henry has served in a similar project management
role for many projects for the USDA and the Army Corps of Engineers
during his 25-year career.
Dan Frasier, P.E., is a graduate
of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a Bachelors degree
in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. He is the President of Cornerstone
Commissioning and acting as Commissioning Agent on the Ames Modernization
Project. Dan has served in a similar role in commissioning many
BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-3Ag facility for many other clients in the
United States during his 26-year career.
Whitney A. Sanders, II, P.E.,
holds a Bachelors' and Masters' degree from the Pennsylvania State
University in Mechanical Engineering and is a Senior Vice President
for STV Architects with more than 35 years of experience on major
facility and infrastructure programs. He has served as Principal-in-Charge
and Project Manager for many complex laboratory and facility infrastructure
projects, currently managing his firm's involvement in the commissioning,
design review, and construction administration of the facilities
in the $460+ million Ames Modernization project.
Back to the Agenda
|
