Projects

Shah Smith & Associates provided MEP engineering services for the new construction of a 4-story Science and Technology Learning Center on the Texas Woman’s University Denton Campus. The center is intended to serve as a primary space for research laboratories focused on biology, chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition and food science and psychology programs. The building also contains collaboration and conference spaces as well as faculty offices, graduate student workspaces, lab support spaces, scientific equipment repair services, a vivarium and microscopy suites.

MEP systems are housed in the roof top penthouse and consist of heat recovery air handlers ducted to a common header that feed a continuous air supply to all areas of the building.  Chilled water for these units is supplied by the Campus chilled water loop with heating hot water produced by modular gas fired condensing boilers. Equipment areas such as electrical rooms, MDF and IDF rooms are served by a centralized VRF system with condensers on the roof of penthouse. Lab and vivarium areas are served by supply and exhaust variable air flow control valves to maintain critical space temperature and pressurization. Steam for the building autoclaves, sterilizers and cage wash unit is supplied by 2 electric steam boilers. Life safety and critical lab electrical system back up power is produced by a natural gas generator.  Lab gases are distributed throughout the building coupled with point of use vacuum systems.