United States Post Office: Gaithersburg, MD

The Shady Grove Distribution Center Upgrade was a design/build renovation contract performed for the U.S. Postal Service in Gaithersburg, MD. The project resolved problems associated with power outages and air temperature quality that had plagued the facility since the installation of new equipment after 11 September 2001.

The John C. Grimberg Co. and its design partner designed and constructed upgrades to mechanical and electrical systems throughout the full-scale package handling/sorting/distribution center, while simultaneously preserving continuous facility operations. The renovated facility is LEED certifiable and systems work included substantial and energy-efficient HVAC, mechanical, and electrical equipment. Grimberg completed the contract to the owner’s total expressed satisfaction and received an Association of General Contractors Merit Award for its performance as well.

Overview

Grimberg successfully replaced substantial portions of the building’s HVAC system, providing two new, roof-mounted, 400-ton, air-cooled chillers and 14 new air handling units (AHUs) to distribute cooled and heated air throughout the facility. In addition to those systems already described, additional work included a new mechanical penthouse addition, variable frequency drives, automatic temperature control systems, two new boilers, hot and chilled water pumping stations, and two computer room 22-ton AC units. The company also conducted electrical upgrades and hazardous materials removal and disposal during the phased project.

The project met the latest indoor air quality and environmental standards stipulated by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programs. Grimberg installed HVAC systems that use environmentally-friendly refrigerants and also used steel and other materials that met the recycled content and regional manufacturing requirements sought by the LEED program. A professional LEED consultant oversaw and monitored the installation and testing of all systems and equipment.

Each new system incorporated state-of-the-art technologies that will serve the USPS facility for decades.