Limbach Mid-Atlantic branch along with Limbach Engineering and & Design Services (LEDS), Perkins and Will, and Turner Construction have teamed up as Design-Build partners to build a new library for the DC Public Library system. When completed, the new library will be 2 stories, approximately 20,000 square feet, and act as a local community hub. The Design-Build Team has been working with the Owner to secure the Department of Energy and Environment Grant for a Renewable Photovoltaic source to offset the building’s energy cost. LEDS engineers designed a solution and prepared a final proposal that they presented to the DOEE. The proposed on-site energy system would utilize 131 KW of rooftop hybrid ballasted photovoltaic panels with 2 string inverters to produce approximately 155,584 kWh per year. This wattage would offset the building’s estimated energy cost by 30%. The system is projected to save the District of Columbia Public Library system about $12,448 per year. This solution, once implemented, will exceed the LEED Credit EA5 requirements and allow for the maximum allotted points for the credit.
LEDS took into account several factors to propose the most effective system to the client. In-depth solar studies that analyzed the building’s relative location, including shading from its proposed roof design, shading from adjacent buildings, and other building constraints. Engineers at LEDS also modeled the entire photovoltaic (PV) system in both National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts and Easy Powersoftware, which allowed them to project the PV system output, Arc Flash/Short Circuit contributions, voltage drop, and other safety factors. Such an emphasis on safety falls in line with Limbach’s Hearts and Minds Program. This program asks our people to take direct responsibility for eliminating and preventing all incidents and injuries at home and in the workplace.
With this focus on safety as well as the customer's overall cost & energy savings, the DC Public Library promises to be a project for the record books. ​
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​In 2016 Limbach Mid-Atlantic won a design build contract to repair aging air handlers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland. The original award or CLIN (Contract Line Item Number) was to repair/replace (2) air handling units with an additional CLIN of (8) air handling units to follow. Because the facility being used primarily for animal research, it was essential that the design and sequencing of work minimized impacts and shutdowns. LEDS design drawings were sequenced to properly identify the scope of work at each phase of the project in an effort to support the construction team during the project. Furthermore, (4) temporary air handlers were designed and built to minimize impacts and maintain research spaces served by the air handler in construction.
 
The air handlers to be repaired were large, built-in-place air handlers. The first air handlers to be worked on were the largest at the facility and included AHU-1 (144,000 cfm) and AHU-2 (106,000 cfm). Repair/replacement of the air handlers consisted of replacing all internal components including fans, coils, humidifiers, air to air heat exchangers, filter banks, and dampers. Furthermore, a complete overhaul of the unit was accomplished through new access doors, internal and external casing repair and painting, and a unique redesign and installation of a dividing wall within the units. This redesign incorporating the center dividing wall helped facilitate construction and minimize downtime as well as ultimately provide the facility with (2) full stand alone air handlers in the existing single air handler footprint. The center wall design was further applied to other air handlers that provided the facility with (15) stand alone air handlers where originally there were (10).

Also, included in the design build contract was to redesign (5) failed steam generator installations. Previous incorrect installations had caused the equipment to fail prematurely, after roughly five years. LEDS identified the problem with the existing installation, protested the direction for a similar replacement, and took the necessary measures to redesign and correct the previous installation with a corrected new design and installation. This change required the addition of new equipment for which Limbach received an additional scope modification once the facility and US Army Corp of Engineers agreed to and confirmed the corrected design. The corrected design included new deaerator tanks, steam generators, and automatic condensate pump traps.

Further work was awarded to the design and construction team based on the success of these projects. A scope modification was added to the contract to replace (43) fans associated with the repaired/replaced air handling units and some animal laboratory spaces. The government and facility opted to award the scope modification to the existing contract and team rather than putting it out on the street for bid. 

While the project is still ongoing, it has been quite successful to date. The first (2) air handlers and (1) steam generator system are complete and in operation. The second CLIN of air handler work is currently in construction and design has just kicked off for the second CLIN of fan replacement work.

In response to current global environmental challenges, city governments worldwide have developed ambitious long term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.  These city governments and their partners are increasingly focusing on the development of urban energy efficiency strategies for buildings to help meet reduction targets. Similarly, energy utilities and suppliers need to develop long term supply strategies that are cost efficient. To support these diverse needs, a new generation of urban building energy models are currently being developed for the estimation of citywide hourly energy demand loads down to the individual building level.
 
Limbach Engineering & Design Services now uses advanced 3D Whole Building Energy Modeling software to assist building owners, architects, engineers, regulatory and rating agencies. The software drives projects toward energy sustainability and efficiency.  The ability to perform 3D modeling gives the project team the opportunity to analyze not just equipment efficiency but also to provide an in-depth analysis of building performance. Uncovering hidden cost, energy and carbon savings, LEDS technology and consulting services support smarter, energy-efficient choices across new and refurbished structures. Compatible with our BIM/Revit models, Whole Building Energy Modeling seamlessly provides a complete visualization of the impact derived from conceptual architectural designs.

Some key capabilities of Whole Building Modeling include:

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Solar Insolation Studies.  These studies provide the ability to model external obstructions plus self and adjacent building shading, assuring that the building utilizes key environmental surroundings.  ​​This data is invaluable for solar panel design, landscape modeling, glazing placement, even allowing for the integration of passive solar designs into a project.

COLUMBUS, OH,  - Limbach Engineering & Design Services (LEDS) has begun expanding its Ohio Design Center.  Ron Turner, P.E., an engineer who is well-respected in and around the Columbus area, has been hired to extend LEDS’ reach in the midwest market.  Turner, who joined LEDS on June 26, 2017 as a Senior Mechanical Engineer, was hand-selected for the role because of the continuing shift toward Design-Build delivery on MEP projects.  

“I’ve admired Ron for a long time,” said Limbach Senior Vice President Jay Sharp.  “He’s trusted in the community; he’s a great communicator; he’s a true engineering expert, and he lives the Limbach core values.  This hire is as much about who he is as it is about what he can do.  Ron is consistent with who we are and will represent Limbach well.”

A strategic hire such as this one is crucial in the rapidly-shifting construction marketplace.  Limbach, with the in-house services of LEDS, provides building owners with more cost certainty and a single-point of accountability for the engineering, construction and service of building systems.  An experienced and trusted engineer to lead the Ohio Design Center of LEDS gives Limbach a leg-up on the competition.  Turner will have the opportunity to serve as Engineer of Record on design-build projects while also working in collaboration with local partners on other projects.

“The growth of Limbach Engineering & Design Services is a reflection of Limbach’s commitment to our customers,” said Tim Ward, President of LEDS.  “The addition of very talented and experienced engineers closer to our clients is necessary to maintain our progress towards design-related delivery of building systems.”

Turner brings 26 years of industry experience with him to Limbach, including a significant portfolio of Project Management and Mechanical Design experience.  His reputation in the Columbus community is 30 years in the making. Turner graduated from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio and has spent a considerable portion of his professional career in the market, including a stint as a Partner, Project Manager and Senior Mechanical Engineer at HAWA, Inc. With a bevy of experience in the healthcare, laboratory and higher education vertical markets, Turner is the perfect fit for Limbach in Ohio.

“I’m happy to be a part of something very exciting here,” said Turner.  “In Columbus, Limbach is the leader of the market.  I look forward to helping by leading the effort in the shift toward design-build, growing the business in the process.”

ABOUT LIMBACH
Limbach Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LMB) is an industry-leading provider of integrated building systems – managing all components of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and control systems, from system design and construction through service and maintenance.  Limbach Engineering & Design Services provides professional engineering services to support all aspects of our construction and service offerings.

With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Limbach Holdings, Inc. operates 13 strategically located full-service branch operations in 24 major U.S. markets. Limbach’s geographic reach spans Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey , New England, Ohio, Michigan, Southern California, and Mid-Atlantic, while Harper Limbach, a Limbach Holdings, Inc. company, services Florida.  Limbach Engineering & Design Services is headquartered in Orlando, FL, and services all 13 Limbach branches.  Limbach strives to be our customers’ 1st Choice in terms of the services we provide, markets we serve and regions where we operate.  Limbach’s commitment to safety, advanced technology, human development and reliable execution enables us to attract and retain the industry’s top leadership talent, skilled craftspeople and professional management staff.

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