Forte and Tablada, Inc. provided electrical engineering to the following phases of the project:
Power Service and Distribution:
Incoming power service was derived at its existing location outside the kitchen building. All existing main incoming service equipment was upgraded to 2,500Amp and the existing building load was connected to the upgraded service panelboard. Service voltage was 120/208volts, 3 phase, 4 wire. Incoming service conductors are #750KCMIL aluminum conductors in 5″ conduits connected six (6) per phase. Existing panelboard was serviced with #600KCMIL aluminum conductors connected five per phase.
Distribution utilized 120/208volt distribution panel boards. Three (3) of the panelboards were served with #300KCMIL aluminum conductors in 3 1/2″ conduit. One (1) panelboard was served with #3/0 aluminum conductors in 2 1/2″ conduit. One (1) panelboard was served with #1 aluminum conductors in 2″ conduit.
All existing branch circuit panel boards were replaced during this project and all existing branch circuit conductors were removed and/or replaced to completely renovate the existing electrical system. All existing exposed conduit and conductors were removed during this project and were replaced with branch circuits sized and located where needed for the application. All existing conduit was reused where possible and any additional conduit provided was surface-mounted parallel and perpendicular to existing structure.
All additional large mechanical loads and large kitchen equipment were serviced at 208volts. All existing mechanical equipment remaining were provided service at its present voltage level. Mechanical fan coil units were served at 120volt, 20amp branch circuits with #12 copper conductors in 1/2″ conduit.
Receptacles and other minor loads branch circuits were provided at 120volt, 20amp with #12 copper conductors. Each classroom were provided receptacles to support seven (7) computer locations, an overhead projector, teacher’s desk and smart board on the teaching wall. Duplex receptacles were provided on remaining walls for convenience.
Lighting:
Fixtures in the classroom areas were recessed 2 x 4 parabolic louvered type fixtures utilizing three F32T8 lamp fluorescent sources, striving for illumination levels of 50fc as required by the Department of Health and Hospitals. Classroom lighting branch circuits were existing at 277volt, 20amp and included line voltage occupancy sensors. Switching was provided to allow the first two (2) rows adjacent to the teaching wall to be switched off as required during instruction.
General Office Lighting, Corridor lighting and other general purpose lighting design included recessed lay-in troffers. LED type exit signs and battery operated LED type emergency lighting were provided as needed.
All lighting was fluorescent, generally 4100K color temperature, with a minimum of 80 CRI. The above combination in the classroom/educational areas met the Louisiana State Sanitary Code for minimum VCP levels in classrooms.
Large open space lighting were included for high bay fluorescent design utilizing six(6) 54W T5HO in a 2′ x 4′ suspended fixture. Exterior security lighting was 150W metal halide source wall packs and parking lot lighting will be 400W metal halide cutoff type lighting fixtures mounted on thirty (30)-foot aluminum lighting standards on concrete drilled shaft foundations.
Special Systems:
Each classroom was provided with thirteen (13), Cat 6e data drops with maximum of three (3) routed in 3/4″ conduit. Seven (7) data drops were provided to student computer locations. Two (2) data drops were provided for the Teacher, one (1) data drop for the smart board and one (1) data drop for the ceiling projector. Wireless access points with two (2) data drops were provided in each classroom and at various locations throughout the facility as needed. Data closets were provided to terminate the data cables while meeting the latest EBRPSS IT standards.
Each Classroom was provided with two (2) cable television drop locations. One (1) cable television drop was at the teacher’s desk and one (1) cable television drop was provided at the smart board location on the teaching wall.
The entire facility was equipped with a multiplexed fire alarm system. Duct smoke detectors with HVAC system shutdown and corridor smoke detectors were provided. Audio/visual alarms was provided in corridors, classrooms, and common areas. Flow/tamper switches were provided on sprinkler system, both interconnected to the fire alarm system. Areas designated as Assembly Occupancy were provided with a Voice Evacuation System. Fire alarm system will not be offsite monitored by a U.L. Listed monitoring station, but will be capable of being monitored by EBRPSS security.
The entire facility was equipped with an Intercom System and two (2)-way communication between each Classroom and the Administration Office. Call buttons and speakers will be provided in each classroom. Corridors, common areas, and building exterior were provided with speakers. Class change signal was integrated into the Intercom System.
The entire facility was equipped with a security system per the EBRPSS Standards and included a keypad entry at designated exterior doors. Sensors consisted of motion sensors appropriately placed. Security system provided partitioning as needed for Administration, Custodial, and Recreational.
The entire facility was equipped with a CCTV system consisting of EBRPSS provided IP cameras, DVR, and software to be installed by the Contractor this project.
