South Dakota State University

McFadden Northern Plains Biostress Lab | Brookings, SD

West Plains Engineering provided mechanical and electrical design services for the HVAC renovations and upgrades at the McFadden NPB facility.

Phase 1 included the removal of the original air-cooled chillers located on the roof and removal of associated constant volume pumps in the penthouse, as well as the modular water cooled chillers, cooling tower and associated pumps serving growth chambers in the lower level of the building. It also involved the removal of a single control valve serving steam to hot air heat exchangers with 1/3 and 2/3 control valves and DDC, and the removal of the existing pneumatic heating and cooling control valves serving air handling units with new electronic control valves and DDC.

Phase 2 included the replacement of VAV and fan-powered VAV units serving offices, classrooms, corridors and general areas with new units, including reheat coils and control valves. It also involved the removal of pneumatic controls and the installation of DDC and replacement of pneumatic control valves with DDC valves serving fin tube radiation in some areas. The project also replaced constant volume pumps serving radiation loops and reheat loops with new pumps and VFDs and DDC, as well as replacing the steam to hot water heat exchanger with a new unit.