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5. M-MJ22 Roundhouse MEP NarrativeHistoric Roundhouse Building MEP/FP Systems -Existing Conditions & Recommendations- Prepared for: City of Northampton 210 Main Street Northampton, MA 10160 Hesnor Engineering Associates, PLLC 2A River Street Adams, MA May 11, 2021 Jones Whitsett Architects 308 Main Street Greenfield, MA 01301 H ESNOR E NGINEERING A SSOCIATES , PLLC Northampton Roundhouse Page 1 of 7 FP-P-M Narrative – May 11, 2021 INTRODUCTION Hesnor Engineering Associates (HEA) was retained by Jones Whitsett Architects (JWA) to conduct visual observations and prepare an existing conditions study for the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection (MEP/FP) systems at the historic Roundhouse Building in Northampton, MA. The purpose of this study is to provide the City of Northampton with an assessment of the existing MEP/FP systems to assist in determining if the building is appropriate for its proposed use as a new Resiliency Hub, which would include building offices, public meeting spaces and a day center for homeless outreach. It is understood that the City is also contemplating utilizing the 2nd and 3rd floors as a temporary overnight emergency shelter. HEA visited the site for the purpose of conducting field reconnaissance. Reconnaissance work was visual and did not resort to disassembly, testing, start-ups or performance type measurements for purposes of conclusions and recommendations offered in this Study. Applicable equipment information was culled from nameplate data. FIRE PROTECTION EXISTING CONDITIONS The building is currently equipped with a limited fire protection system. The original design intent of the sprinkler system is not clear inasmuch that sprinkler coverage is somewhat sporadic throughout the building. The fire protection service is combined with the domestic water service entrance and is located in the first floor of the Annex. The combined service is 2-inch with a static pressure of 125 psi. The sprinkler service equipment is limited to a reduced pressure backflow preventer. Sprinkler piping consists of black steel piping with upright and pendant type sprinkler heads. RECOMMENDATIONS • In general, Massachusetts General Law M.G.L.c.148, s.26 requires that any existing commercial building over 7,500 square feet that undergoes major alterations or building addition must be sprinklered. Alterations are considered major when such work effects 33% or more of the building Fire Protection Service Entrance H ESNOR E NGINEERING A SSOCIATES , PLLC Northampton Roundhouse Page 2 of 7 FP-P-M Narrative – May 11, 2021 area or when total work (excluding sprinkler installation) is equal to 33% or more of the assessed value of the building. It is our understanding that the proposed scope will likely exceed the thresholds above, along with the potential use as an emergency shelter, will necessitate the installation of an automatic sprinkler system. • A hydrant flow test will be required to determine the adequacy of the municipal water system with regard to supporting the proposed sprinkler system. Based on the observed static pressure of 125 psi, it is reasonable to assume that the municipal system will be adequate to support the proposed sprinkler system. • A new fire service main will be required. Sprinkler control and service entrance equipment will include, but not be limited to: reduced pressure zone valve or double-check valve backflow preventer, flow alarm, valve/tamper supervisory switches, etc., and will be located where the new water service lateral enters the building. • The limited amount of existing sprinkler piping and heads should be removed and replaced with an NFPA 13 compliant system. PLUMBING EXISTING CONDITIONS The existing Plumbing Systems include natural gas, domestic hot and cold water, sanitary waste, soil and vent. The building is serviced by Municipal Sewer and Water. A 6-inch cast-iron sewer line exits the building through the basement of the Roundhouse. A 2” combination fire protection/domestic water service lateral enters the building in the ground floor of the Annex. The domestic water line reduces to 1- 1/2” at the water meter and branches off to serve fixtures in both the Roundhouse and Annex Buildings. Natural gas is solely used by the furnaces for space heating and is equipped with a single meter located at the rear of the Roundhouse. Fixtures, in general, are vitreous china and appear to be in fair condition. The water closets are floor- mounted tank type. Lavatories are drop-in, china with two handle faucets. Domestic hot water is provided to fixtures in the Roundhouse by a 20-gallon, 3kW point-of-use electric water heater located in the basement. Domestic hot water is provided to fixtures in the Annex Building by a 40-gallon, dual element electric water heater located on the first floor in the main electrical room. H ESNOR E NGINEERING A SSOCIATES , PLLC Northampton Roundhouse Page 3 of 7 FP-P-M Narrative – May 11, 2021 The basement includes floor drains in the concrete slab which are connected to a sump pump located in a recessed sump pit. RECOMMENDATIONS • Plumbing systems, in general, are in good condition and suitable for continued use. • Incorporating a domestic hot water recirculation system should be considered to limit the amount of water wasted to drain at remote fixtures. • Domestic hot water capacity will need to be evaluated with the proposed renovation plans. The addition of showers, etc., for the emergency shelter use will likely require additional domestic hot water heating equipment or a replacement of the existing systems. • Consideration should be given to replacing the existing electric water heater located in the basement of the Roundhouse with a heat pump type water heater, which has the added benefit of providing dehumidification and could potentially eliminate the need for the existing, stand- alone dehumidifier. • The 2nd floor of the Roundhouse includes a bathroom with a shower. The local water heater that served this bathroom has been removed. A local water heater will need to be provided or the bathroom will need to be connected to a central domestic hot water plant. • It is understood that the City desires an emergency generator. The additional natural gas load will need to be reviewed with the utility company to confirm that the existing main is sufficiently sized and/or if a meter replacement will be required. Restroom Fixtures Annex Building Water Heater Roundhouse Water Heater H ESNOR E NGINEERING A SSOCIATES , PLLC Northampton Roundhouse Page 4 of 7 FP-P-M Narrative – May 11, 2021 HVAC EXISTING CONDITIONS Heating and cooling are provided by several gas-fired furnaces with direct expansion cooling coils. Three (3) furnaces are located in the basement of the Roundhouse and serve the basement, ground and first floors, respectively. The second floor and mezzanine levels are each equipped with a dedicated furnace, located at the ceiling level. The Annex Building includes a total of three (3) furnaces; each located on the respective floor level the unit serves. Supply and return air ductwork include both exposed and concealed ductwork with wall, floor and duct-mounted registers and grilles. Air-cooled condensers, charged with R410A refrigerant, are located at the rear of the building on grade level, as well as on the roof. The condensers all appear to be 5-ton units. A wall-mounted energy recovery ventilator (ERV) located on the mezzanine level of the Roundhouse provides outdoor air and exhaust for the local furnace. Outdoor air for several of the other furnaces is provided by wall-mounted louvers in the exterior wall. Bathroom exhaust for the Annex Building is provided by an inline fan with ductwork terminated through the roof. Ceiling mounted fans ducted to the outdoors are provided in the bathrooms of the Roundhouse. The Roundhouse basement is equipped with a stand-alone dehumidifier. Outdoor Condensing Units Energy Recovery Ventilator H ESNOR E NGINEERING A SSOCIATES , PLLC Northampton Roundhouse Page 5 of 7 FP-P-M Narrative – May 11, 2021 RECOMMENDATIONS • A mechanical contractor should test all furnaces and condensers to confirm functionality. The units appear to be in fair condition. Ductwork may be modified to suit the proposed layout/floor plans. • Based on serial numbers, the furnaces and condensers were manufactured in 2011 and presumably installed around the same time. The American Society of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines include a median equipment life expectancy of 18- years for furnaces. The City should plan on replacing the furnaces by 2029. Air-cooled condenser life expectancy is slightly longer with a median of 20-years; however, the condensers would typically be replaced at the same time as the furnaces. • Upgrades to the ventilation systems, specifically for improved outdoor air, are recommended. Each of the existing furnaces would be coupled to an energy recovery ventilator (ERV), similar to the arrangement of the mezzanine furnace. The ERV’s will pre-condition the outdoor air and subsequently reduce heating and cooling demand on the furnace(s). • Expanding on the ventilation recommendation above, outdoor air should be balanced at each furnace to meet the flow rates required by the International Mechanical Code. • Depending on the timing of this project, COVID-related HVAC upgrades should also be considered. These upgrades could include but are not necessarily limited to: improved filter efficiencies (MERV 13 minimum), portable HEPA filtration units, ultraviolet UV-C disinfection lamps, etc. Exposed Ductwork Furnaces in Basement H ESNOR E NGINEERING A SSOCIATES , PLLC Northampton Roundhouse Page 6 of 7 FP-P-M Narrative – May 11, 2021 ELECTRICAL EXISTING CONDITIONS The building receives power from a 400A, 120/208V, 3-phase, 4- wire underground service lateral. Each floor in both the Annex Building and Roundhouse are individually metered; all meters are located on the ground level of the Annex Building in a narrow room between the two buildings. Distribution panelboards are all generally 125-ampere and located on nearly every floor of each building. The panelboards provide power to convenience receptacles, lighting and other electrical devices. With the exception of the Annex second floor, HVAC equipment is powered from dedicated meters for each floor (i.e., prior tenants were responsible for heating/cooling costs associated with their leased area). HVAC equipment for the Annex second floor is currently powered from the 225-ampere “house” panel. Existing lighting fixtures include fluorescent, halogen and incandescent lamps that are either suspended or surface mounted. Select areas are also equipped with more efficient LED fixtures. Lighting controls mainly consist of manual on/off toggle switches. Fixtures, overall, are adequate and suitable for continued use; however, selective upgrades will likely be required to provide continuity among the various lighting schemes in each area. Emergency lighting and exit signage appear to be in good condition and in compliance with current codes relative to quantities and locations. The fire alarm system is a municipally connected, non- addressable, conventional 8-zone system. Six (6) of the zones are currently being utilized (Zones 1-3 serve the basement, first and second floors of the Roundhouse; Zones 3-6 serve the first, second and third floors of the Annex Building). The existing fire alarm control panel (FACP) is located on the ground level of the Annex Building, adjacent to the main entry. The fire alarm system communicates with the fire department via a radio master box installed next to the FACP. The layout and quantity of fire alarm devices appears to meet current NFPA Existing Electrical Meters Existing Fire Alarm Control Panel H ESNOR E NGINEERING A SSOCIATES , PLLC Northampton Roundhouse Page 7 of 7 FP-P-M Narrative – May 11, 2021 72 and Massachusetts State Building Code requirements. The fire alarm system (FAS) devices include manual pull stations, smoke detectors, as well as audible and visual signaling devices (horns and strobes). RECOMMENDATIONS • Existing fluorescent and incandescent lighting should be replaced with LED fixtures. Fixture upgrades should be selectively performed to make the lighting scheme uniform throughout the building. • Occupancy sensors should be provided to meet current energy code requirements and reduce energy usage in unoccupied spaces. • With the City planning on occupying the entire building, consideration should be given to consolidating the electrical service equipment. Tenant sub-meters could be removed and a single “owner” meter provided. All existing sub-panels throughout the building could remain and be refed from the owner’s meter. • Generator: For initial planning purposes, a 100kW, 120/208, 3-phase, natural-gas generator is recommended to fully back-up the existing 400-ampere electrical service. Multiple automatic transfer switches may be required to serve the various loads (optional standby, life safety, etc.). A rough order of magnitude to furnish and install a 100-kW generator is $100,000 based on pricing from a recent, similar project. • All existing emergency lighting units and exit signage should be tested to confirm operability. • While the existing fire alarm control panel (FACP) seems to be in working order, it is likely that an upgrade will be required with the building potentially being used as a temporary emergency shelter, even on a limited basis. The primary business group use of the building does not require a significant amount of alarm or detection devices. However, with the 2nd and 3rd floors possibly being used as sleeping quarters, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and voice evacuation will likely be required by the local fire department and building inspector. The City should plan on a complete upgrade of the fire alarm system with an NFPA-72 and 780 CMR compliant system. ***