FIU Satellite Chiller Plant

SGM was the prime consultant and MEP/FP Engineer of Record responsible for site investigation, concept design, final design, and construction phase services for a new satellite utility plant on the Florida International University (FIU) main campus. FIU was required to supplement its existing chilled water generation operations with an additional chiller plant to consolidate power for the growing research facilities and Academic Health Center totaling 1,250,000 SF. SGM was also responsible for other subconsultants such as architectural, structural, civil, geotech, cost estimating, and commissioning design services. SGM was responsible for obtaining all the permits required for the project including state fi re marshal, water management district, water permit, local building code official, and power company. The project was completed 25 days ahead of schedule and lower than the original budget.

At 16,000 SF, this plant is currently the largest standalone central energy plant in the State University System. The project was designed with two 1500 ton water-cooled chillers, two 1500 ton cooling towers, three variable frequency drive secondary chilled water pumps, three variable speed condenser water pumps, refrigeration monitoring system, and a complete web-based BACnet energy management system (EMS). The building was designed to accommodate two 1.5 MW emergency generators for 100% back-up in case of power outages due to unforeseen situations. SGM also assisted FIU’s purchasing department to develop Owner Direct Purchase (ODP) for two chillers and cooling towers. The cooling towers were built on the roof surrounded with a combination of tilt-up walls and signature design louvers.