Architect Of The Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Mechanical Systems Installation: HVAC, Piping & Centrifugal Chillers

The Industrial Facility Project

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is responsible for all building construction, service, and maintenance for the U.S. Capitol Building, Senate and House Office Buildings, the Supreme Court, Union Station, and other miscellaneous government buildings in the vicinity of the Capitol Hill district in Washington, DC. With the construction of the new U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center, the AOC sought to expand the existing central plant with the expansion of a new 17,100-ton chiller plant. The expanded plant provides swing cooling capacity for off-season chiller maintenance. Supplemental to the AOC West Refrigeration Plant Expansion Project, a new digital control system (DCS) was put in place for the AOC Steam Boiler Plant to maximize energy management/conservation and to improve facility maintenance management.

Poole & Kent Mechanical Contractor Role

In our role as the mechanical contractor, Poole and Kent completed the installation of the following HVAC equipment and systems:

• (3) new 5,700 ton electric centrifugal chillers complete with four new 16,000 GPM secondary chilled water pumps;
• (3) new 9,800 GPM primary chilled water pumps;
• (4) new 17,200 GPM condenser water pumps; and
• (3) cell 17,100-ton built-in-place cooling tower and associated 8" through 48" piping systems.

Poole and Kent retrofitted the existing West Refrigeration Plant chilled and condenser water piping connecting it to the new Plant. Five of the existing 10,675 GPM primary condenser water pumps were converted from high-head to low-head service. Two 42" wet taps were installed into the main chilled water distribution loop for connection to the new Plant. Additionally, Poole and Kent was responsible for overseeing the installation of the DCS, which replaced the existing 80- year old Steam Boiler Plant control system. The new DCS upgrade included two coal fired 140,000 PPH boilers, one oil fired 140,000 PPH boiler, and four oil fired 50,000 PPH boilers.

Challenges/ Achievements/ Goals

Due to the critical operations of the government agencies occupying the U.S. Capitol, and other federal buildings serviced by the AOC Plant, it was necessary to complete all construction without interruption to these facilities. Poole and Kent facilitated all work in close coordination with the AOC and its authorities to ensure the seamless installation and start-up of the mechanical
systems. Throughout the project, Poole and Kent offered design assistance for problem resolution.

Due to the strict security protocol necessary for the U.S. Capitol government buildings, it was necessary for Poole and Kent to comply with stringent security and access requirements mandated by work in and around the Capitol.

AWARDS:

2008 - Project Achievement Award by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), National Capital Chapter.

2009 – Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award

Client:
Architect of the Capitol

Architect/ Engineer:
RMF Engineering, Inc.

**General Contractor:
Hitt Contracting Company

**Poole and Kent was hired direct by the AOC after the contract between the AOC and Hitt Contracting was formally novated.

Mechanical Contractor:
The Poole and Kent Corporation