How Nearby Engineers Delivered a Permit-Ready Taco Bell Retrofit in One Week Despite a Mid-Project Scope Change

Project Overview

A 3,612 sq. ft. commercial space in New Jersey was being converted into a Taco Bell, with the initial design based on retaining as much of the existing infrastructure as possible.

The facility had an unusual HVAC configuration for the brand, with five existing rooftop units (RTUs) instead of the more typical two. The design also had to accommodate commercial kitchen airflow within limited ceiling space.

After the initial mechanical design was developed, the client changed the equipment strategy and decided to replace the five existing RTUs with new units from its inventory.

This meant the HVAC design and related electrical coordination had to be revisited, while the original one-week delivery schedule remained unchanged.

The Challenge

The project required Nearby Engineers to solve several constraints simultaneously:

• Design around an existing five-RTU configuration.
• Meet the airflow requirements of a commercial kitchen.
• Route ductwork through limited ceiling space.
• Maintain the required 1:4 duct aspect ratio.
• Rework the HVAC design after the client decided to replace the existing RTUs.
• Coordinate the associated electrical changes within the original one-week schedule.

The key challenge was not simply accommodating the revised equipment. It was reworking an already developed design without disrupting the project timeline or coordination between disciplines.

MEP Engineering Approach

Designing Around an Unusual HVAC Configuration

The initial design was developed around the five RTUs already installed at the property.

Rather than forcing the space into a standard two-RTU configuration, the HVAC distribution was designed around the existing equipment arrangement while maintaining the commercial kitchen's airflow requirements.

The available ceiling space also required shallow duct routing, which was coordinated while maintaining the required 1:4 aspect ratio.

Reworking the HVAC Design After the Equipment Change

Once the client decided to use new RTUs from its inventory, the original HVAC layout could not simply be carried forward with updated equipment tags.

The mechanical design was revised around the replacement units, and the associated distribution requirements were reassessed. The electrical design was updated alongside the mechanical changes so that the revised equipment configuration remained coordinated.

Keeping Mechanical and Electrical Systems Aligned

The RTU change affected more than the mechanical drawings. The replacement equipment also introduced corresponding electrical requirements.

The mechanical and electrical revisions were therefore coordinated together before issuing the final package, preventing inconsistencies between the disciplines and keeping the revised design aligned with the new equipment strategy.

Maintaining Permit Readiness

The revised design was completed within the original project schedule.

The final MEP and Fire Alarm System Plans (FASP) were issued as a coordinated, code-compliant, permit-ready package. The coordinated package reflected the revised equipment configuration while maintaining consistency across the mechanical and electrical systems. The drawings were approved on the first submission.