THE OPPORTUNITY

PS&S was asked to provide professional design services for the installation of a new generator at the Class Academy School located in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Services included architecture, MEP, cost estimating, bid administration, construction administration, and closeout services.

THE CHALLENGE

The installation of the new generator required the coordination of underground utilities and the placement of the generator in a constrained area adjacent to a fenced-in parking lot and existing electric transformer. The generator required a 10’ clearance from the building / adjacent transformer and 5’ clear maintained on all sides. Back-up power was required for the kitchen refrigeration units in the teaching kitchen’s so food stock did not have to be replaced after each power outage resulting in thousands of dollars in food waste after a power outage. Additionally, security door devices, fire alarm panel, interior lighting in the office areas, and bathrooms required power by the generator. New panel boards required wall space within a cramped electrical room. As part of this scope an existing generator required relocation to another school.

THE PS&S SOLUTION

PS&S developed a new plan layout with bollard protection on three sides of the generator to protect the new generator area from vehicular circulation. This required enlarging the fencing for the parking area which needed to be coordinated to work with the existing sliding gate. Clearance from the building face was also maintained due to the adjacent electrical and mechanical room louvers in the adjacent building. All power lines were designed to run above existing ceilings back to the main panel. An old abandoned water tank was removed to make room for the new electrical panels and transfer switch within the electrical room.