Other Housing Projects
Details about a few other projects.
- Jefferson Terrace Housing As a work-order to FSi’s indefinite quantity contract, this project made much-needed improvements to the 35-year-old system that provides heating to the approximately 300 living units in this Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) building. As the prime consultant, FSi’s responsibilities included direct coordination with SHA project managers and facilities personnel, and review/coordination of the SHA General Conditions. The construction documents also included requirements for contractor’s unit pricing to take advantage of the available construction funding during volatile construction climate. The scope of the work included replacement of a steam-to-water heat exchanger, modifications to the steam and heating water piping systems, updating of the temperature controls system and improvements to the heating water treatment.
- Hot Water Heater Replacement at International Terrace SHA hired FSi on an emergency basis to quickly provide a study, analysis and design to replace the hot water heater that had failed at this 100 Unit housing complex. The existing electric water heater was 30 years old and failed without warning. FSi quickly evaluated the costs and benefits to replacing the electric heater with gas heaters. Following approval by SHA, FSi produced a design to install 3 gas-fired, high-efficiency, condensing commercial water heaters. The coordinated design included the electrical work to power the fan-assisted combustion and the structural work to penetrate the building walls with the combustion air and vent flues. Following construction, SHA reported savings of $1000 per month over the same period of the previous year. This 37% savings over electric heaters represents a simple payback period of just over 3 years. This successful project was then used as the prototype for hot water heater replacement projects in 16 other SHA facilities
- Heating System Trouble-Shooting and Improvements at Plaza 17 FSi investigated the existing hydronic heating system in Plaza 17, a 40,000 square foot, 70-unit building. The heating system was having great difficulties maintaining adequate temperatures during the colder months, so FSi worked quickly to mobilize an on-site team to test and inspect the system. FSi identified a number of potential causes of the heating deficiencies and made recommendations for improvement. Working in conjunction with KCHA’s own forces, FSi directed several temporary key modifications to the system, which quickly brought the building temperatures to acceptable levels. Following the study and subsequent report, FSi was retained to produce construction documents and to support construction support for the implementation of the corrective actions. Following construction, the system was tuned and balanced to provide comfortable heating to the occupied spaces.
- Ventilation Study and Assessment of the Tricourt Apartments As another work order on the indefinite quantity contract, FSi provided study, assessment and recommendation services on the ventilation of this existing apartment complex. The Tricourt Apartment complex is a senior housing development consisting of three residential buildings and community building. The area of concern stems from reports of cooking odors and cigarette smoke in the corridors. FSi’s recommendations included addition of exhaust fans, addition of weather-stripping, improvement of common area ventilation and relocation of cigarette smokers.
- Green River Homes Indoor Air Quality Study As the prime consultant to the owner, FSi investigated indoor air quality problems associated with gas-fired equipment at this 120 unit family housing development. Previous energy efficiency upgrades had blocked airflow into the buildings, and adversely affected the draft at water heater and furnace flues. FSi reviewed existing plans, investigated site conditions, researched applicable codes, and developed possible long term and short-term solutions, with cost estimates.