Los Alamos National Laboratories

The goal of this project was to provide the engineering design and installation of a fully operational, code-compliant HEPA filtered fan system. The purpose of the fans and filters were to hold negative pressure on critical systems at LANL, requiring this to be a high-reliability installation. Since the HEPA Filtered Fan Plenum is GFE, the design had to include ducting, supports, stack, electrical, and mechanical work. In addition, QA/QC for the fabrication of electrical, mechanical and structural components required field receipt inspection of all components. Engineering and site specific safety oversight plans were created for construction and commissioning.

Structural calculations required a geotechnical analysis. The site has specific ESH rules which required a highly detailed work plan and site specific safety plan that included air monitoring, utility location using GPR and manual labor for pot-holing, and all soils that were removed for testing to be returned and compacted back into the holes from which they were sampled.

The Encorus Team conducted a feasibility study and developed a schematic design for review by the client. This was followed by detailed engineering design, including complete layout of all components and tie-ins to LANL facilities and electrical utility. The equipment will be installed on an elevated structural steel platform to allow access to underground utilities in the future. This required a hydro excavation plan for installation of the concrete piers supporting the platforms and duct supports. The project’s estimated construction budget was $1.9 million.