Photo by Eric Taylor © EricTaylorPhoto.com

FEMA’s headquarters remained fully occupied and operational during this multi-phased renovation project. GHT surveyed and created drawings for the existing building to provide a baseline for the renovation effort. Subsequently our team provided MEP engineering design for:

• Two Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) rated emergency operations centers and multiple other SCIF spaces
• New supplemental outside air capability for the emergency operations center
• New conference facility with video wall and training center
• Replacement of all variable air volume (VAV) terminal units
• Replacement of 300 KVA uninterruptable power system (UPS)

The GHT team also performed generator load tests on two existing 400 KW generators and designed the Electrical, HVAC, and Audio/Visual systems for the 15,000 SF Press Room.  In this specialized space, the air conditioning system is able to adjust quickly and efficiently to changes in room use – from a one-on-one interview to a full press conference – in order to save energy. Its chiller uses non-CFC refrigerant which has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero.