PALADIN: Centralized Lab

CENTRALIZED LABORATORY Commonwealth of Kentucky Frankfort, Kentucky

Whole Building Commissioning Direct-to-Owner Engineering

opposite page: Kentucky’s Centralized Lab entrance top right: Exterior panels (before) bottom right: Exterior panels (after)

WHOLE BUILDING COMMISSIONING | DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

C E N T R A L I Z E D L A B O R AT O R Y Com m on w ealt h of K ent uc k y | F ra n k fo rt, K Y Kentucky’s Centralized Laboratory houses critical lab functions for multiple state agencies including the Kentucky State Police, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Division of Environmental Program Support. The facility includes forensic labs, tuberculosis labs, and BSL-3 containment labs.

THE PROJECT The building is of 1980’s construction. Due to equipment age as well as tenant modifications, regular investment in critical HVAC systems is required to keep the building safe and functional. The building is connected to a campus central plan which is a key component of its smooth operation and system redundancy.

Paladin’s first project in 2015 was needed because of two significant factors — large utility bills and mold and significant water infiltration. We began a process of existing building commissioning to identify simple repairs, like enabling heat recovery, as well as complicated repairs such as notable building pressurization problems creating extreme negative pressure.

Subsequent projects have included fit-up renovations for an expanding Kentucky State Police Forensic Lab, BSL-3 lab improvements, lab air handling unit replacements, and central utility plant upgrades.

opposite page: Atrium with challenging daylighting above: Multiple Cabinet departments housed in the lab

WHOLE BUILDING COMMISSIONING | DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

THE WORK Envelope investigation included thermography, extensive functional testing, and a building envelope skin investigation to evaluate installation

techniques.

Paladin’s

investigations

revealed

that

incomplete installation of details on the metal-panel cladding would require reskinning.

Our mechanical systems investigations included operating conditions documentation and the functional testing of utility services and air distribution. Paladin identified the need for revised sequences of operations, the reclamation of 40,000 cfm in unidentified exhaust, CAV/ VAV retrofits, and central plant chiller replacement.

Paladin’s work at the lab involves multiple phases intended to establish clear causality of system issues prior to implementing a commissioning or

engineering

solution.

This

is

particularly

important

to

the

Commonwealth of Kentucky in order to preserve capital budgets and ensure that funds are applied to the highest and best use.

To keep the improvements in place, each of Paladin’s projects has involved extensive owner training and legacy documentation. Owner training modules are customized describing how to run the building in multiple scenarios. Legacy documents are specific to the building and include items like room-by-room air flows, record sequences of operations, and continuously updated current facility requirements.

THE IMPACT In the first project Paladin completed at the Centralized Lab, Paladin’s solutions and whole building approach reduced the annual energy consumption by 16.9% (approximately $200,000/year).

Subsequent efforts have seen those savings retained and steadily increasing over the years.

In 10+ years, the Commonwealth has seen a 20% energy reduction.

And even though the price per kilowatt hour has increased from $0.051 in 2009 to $0.077 in 2020—an increase of over 50%—the total cost of electricity per year has increased by only 11%.

opposite top: Thermography reveals issues in metal panel cladding opposite bottom: Fan Speed vs.

Economizer above right: CEMCS data reveals steady and strong annual increases right: Improvements to all labs far right: Paladin investigated all MEP systems

WHOLE BUILDING COMMISSIONING | DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

A B O U T PA L A D I N We coined Game changers in building systemsTM because of our solid commitment to your building’s potential.

F I RinM1986, P R Owe F I Lbuilt E upon engineering roots and now Founded deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability services, and Paladin coined Game changers in building direct-to-owner engineering forsystems new and existing facilities.

TM

because of our commitment to your building’s potential.

Founded in 1986, we built upon engineering roots and now deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability services, and direct-to-owner engineering for new and existing facilities.

Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you COMMI S S I O NIN G to leave status the strategy and ensure implementation so Commissioning supports your specific project quo behind. We we meet those goals in a straight-forward, outcomes of energy performance, operational check our egos creative, and earth-improving way. To date, stability, risk reduction, and operating cost at the door and COMMISSIONING Our capabilities encompass we have 100% successfocus with our sustainability containment. on your Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, the entire built environment where we work building’s working it is operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our an toindication of how as weintended. work to bring to ensureencompass seamless performance. capabilities the entire built environmentWhen where we work ensure We about seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with the best outcomes for you. challenges present themselves, we partner are paladins— the team to achieve your project goals. supporters of your with you to achieve your project goals.

SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES D I RECT- TO- OWN ER EN GIN EERIN G project, defenders As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, SU S TAI NAB I LI T Y S E R V IC E S of your goals, and Weandwork buildings and on WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you your in existing project to reach guide the levelsthrough of sustainability you desire. We process help unlockimprovements champions for youraging to address As yourteam technical the leading why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop the strategy building’s infrastructure, identify energysuccess. conservation sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL,

Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you to leave status quo behind.

We check egos at the door and focus on making your building work as intended.

We are paladins — supporters of your project, defenders of your goals, and champions for your building’s success.

and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward,

creative,Globes, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our and solve operational deficiencies. measures, Green Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of

we you about andtheyour projectforteam to how support we work to bring best outcomes you.

We recognize these projects are hard to fund,

reach the levels of sustainability you desire.

and carefully create design solution to match

DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

your budget.

We helpin existing unlockbuildings why sustainable is to address We work and on process design improvements aging infrastructure, to identify energy conservation and solve operational important your project, thenmeasures, develop deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.

WHOLE BUILDING COMMISSIONING | SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING

Candice B. Rogers MBA, CCP, CxA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C

121 Old Lafayette Avenue Lexington, KY 40502 859.252.3047

paladinengineers.com