Sustainability and Energy Efficiency for High-Containment Government Labs

Michael Walsh, R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LLP
Timothy O'Connell, HOK

Presenters will outline a case study of sustainability and energy efficiency strategies for the DC Consolidated Forensic Laboratory – a facility which co-locates the District of Columbia's Department of Forensic Services, including an indoor fireing range and bullet recovery tank; Public Health Labs, including a BSL3 lab; and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, including infectious and isolated autopsy suites.

Despite the lab intensive nature of the project, the design team was able to achieve a 26% energy saving for this building. There is no storm water run-off, and over two million gallons of potable water will be saved annually with the storm water reclaim system.

The DC Green Building Act requires all publicly funded construction to obtain LEED Certification at Silver level; however from the outset the client supported the exploration and achievement of the highest possible level of sustainability.

Attendees will hear about:

  • High performance features
  • How normal unoccupied lab support spaces were placed near the core or service corridor, enabling every lab work space - including autopsy and BSL-3 labs - to be located along the perimeter with views and access to daylight
  • Ventilation strategies and load reductions through Ventilation loads were reduced through energy recovery,heat shift chillers and active chilled beams
  • Reheat strategies from lab equipment

The entire building was exhaustively commissioned and run through a series of failure scenarios during the final months of construction. The District also procured a separate consolidated maintenance contract to ensure that the building had well-trained, dedicated staff to properly operate complex controls and interactive systems. Whole building energy performance is continuously monitored and optimized.

The District purchases 100% Green Power for this and all buildings in its portfolio. Designed in 2006, the CFL shows over a 62% reduction from the CBECS baseline and was tracked in design in alignment with the AIA2030 commitment.

The project achieved LEED Platinum certification, while also meeting the stringent safety, security, and reliability requirements of a first-responder facility. It demonstrates a carefully conceived and exceptionally detailed building envelope, innovations in energy management for laboratories, water conservation, and promotion of occupant wellness.

Learning Objectives

  • Participants will learn methods to develop a high performance, sustainability strategy within the framework of a green building requirement.
  • Participants will learn about new developments and technologies that can be translated into design strategies for unique and challenging laboratory environments.
  • Participants will get an analysis of the building's energy performance that has been documented since occupancy.

Biographies:

Michael Walsh, P.E. has over 25 years experience as a consulting engineer. His focus as a principal in the life sciences market sector at R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LLP, is the design of mechanical systems for new and renovated research, forensic and biocontainment laboratory facilities. He is a member of ASHRAE and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Tim O'Connell was the Project Manager for the District of Columbia, Consolidated Forensic Lab [DC CFL]. He has been practicing architecture in a variety of markets since the 1990s. Tim has provided project management on many of HOK DC's complex laboratory facilities including the DC CFL, a Forensics Laboratory for the DOJ, and applied sciences laboratory for university clients domestic and overseas. He is a member of the AIA and a LEED® Accredited Professional.

 

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