How a 9,660 sq. ft. Child Care Center Retrofit Worked Around Existing Infrastructure
SECTOR
Education
LOCATION
Georgia
FACILITY SIZE
9,660 sq. ft.
PROJECT TYPE
Retrofit
SERVICES
MEP, Fire Alarm & Sprinkler Performance Plan
TIMELINE
3 Weeks
Project Overview
A 9,660 sq. ft. child care center in Georgia required a retrofit designed around the existing building infrastructure. The client initially planned to retain the existing rooftop units (RTUs), electrical service, fire alarm system, and plumbing system to limit construction work.
The engineering challenge was determining which systems could realistically be reused and where replacement or modification was necessary while complying with current building codes and childcare licensing standards.
The three existing RTUs had reached the end of their expected service life, while the proposed HVAC and domestic hot water systems also required more gas capacity than the existing meter could provide. The design therefore had to balance necessary upgrades to minimize changes to the existing building.
The Challenge
Aging HVAC Equipment
The three existing RTUs were beyond their expected service life. Retaining them would have allowed the project to minimize modifications, but the equipment could no longer be treated as a viable long-term solution.
The challenge was to replace the aging units without creating unnecessary changes to the existing roof and HVAC infrastructure.
Limited Gas Capacity
The proposed gas-fired heating and domestic hot water systems required more gas than the existing meter could provide.
The available gas capacity therefore had to be evaluated against the proposed loads before the systems could be finalized.
Working Within Existing Infrastructure
The retrofit needed to make use of the existing building wherever feasible.
New systems had to be integrated without unnecessarily changing existing roof penetrations, ductwork, and other infrastructure that could still support the upgraded design.
The MEP Engineering Approach
Replacing the RTUs Without Rebuilding the Roof
The existing RTUs had reached the end of their expected service life based on the ASHRAE Equipment Life Expectancy Chart.
Rather than retaining equipment that had already reached the end of its expected life, the design incorporated new RTUs while reusing the existing roof penetrations and ductwork wherever feasible.
This allowed the HVAC system to be upgraded without unnecessary modifications to the existing building.
Working Around the Gas Service Limitation
The existing gas meter could not support the combined demand of the proposed HVAC equipment and domestic hot water system.
The required gas load was evaluated and coordinated with the utility provider. Increasing the gas service capacity was recommended rather than redesigning the proposed systems around an inadequate supply.
Project Outcomes
- 3-Week Design Delivery: The landlord review set was completed in 2 weeks, followed by the permit set in 1 week.
- Existing Infrastructure Retained Where Feasible: Existing roof penetrations and ductwork were reused where practical, minimizing unnecessary construction modifications.
- Aging Equipment Addressed: The three existing RTUs were replaced rather than retained beyond their expected service life.
- Gas Capacity Resolved: The proposed HVAC and domestic hot water loads were supported through coordination for increased gas service capacity.
Table of Contents
Need MEP Design for an Existing Building?
Project Journey
Existing System Evaluation: The existing building systems were assessed to determine what could be retained, upgraded, or replaced. This evaluation identified the three RTUs as having exceeded their expected service life.
Initial Zoning & Design: The initial MEP, Fire Alarm, and Sprinkler Performance Plan was developed around the client's intent to maximize reuse of the existing infrastructure while meeting the project schedule.
Engineering Coordination: The gas demand for the proposed HVAC and domestic hot water systems was evaluated against the existing meter capacity. The design was then coordinated around the required increase in gas service.
Final Submission: The coordinated MEP, FA, and sprinkler performance package was issued for the permit following the required review and coordination cycle.
Planning a Building Retrofit, Evaluating Existing Infrastructure, or Upgrading Aging Systems?
Retrofit projects are rarely about designing from scratch. The engineering work often comes down to understanding what the existing building can support, what is worth keeping, and where replacement or modification is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
MEP design for a child care center retrofit involves evaluating existing building systems, determining what can be reused, and designing necessary upgrades while meeting current project and code requirements.
Existing RTUs can be evaluated for reuse based on their condition, expected service life, capacity, and ability to meet the project's requirements. In this project, the three existing RTUs had exceeded their expected service life and were replaced.
Existing infrastructure such as roof penetrations and ductwork can be retained where it remains suitable for the upgraded systems. This can reduce unnecessary building modifications.
The proposed gas load can be evaluated against the existing meter capacity and coordinated with the utility provider. In this project, an increase in gas service capacity was recommended to support the proposed HVAC and domestic hot water loads.
The timeline depends on the project scope and coordination requirements. For this child care center, the design was delivered in 3 weeks, with the landlord review set completed in 2 weeks and the permit set completed in 1 additional week.