| ABS Consultants, Inc. |
| Projects |
| April 21, 2005 | Copyright © 1997—2005 ABS Consultants, Inc. |
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| MCI Regional Offices |
| Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Architect: Gensler & Associates, Architects, Denver, Colorado |
| Owner: MCI Telecommunications, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| General Contractor: Weitz/Cohen Construction Company |
The MCI Telecommunications facility in Colorado Springs represents a major commitment to this area by MCI. The site was first occupied in 1991 after tenant finish build-out of the existing 200,000 sf building was completed, and final build out consisted of 8 buildings with more than 780,000 sf officing around 3,000 employees. |
The buildings primarily consist of Office areas with a heavy density of PC user workstations. A 20,000 sf Computer Room houses the mainframe computer equipment for the facility, and a 6,000 sf ITEL Room houses the communication equipment. A 40,000 sf Kitchen, Dining, Auditorium and Marketing Area adjoin a 30,000 sf Spline which connects the buildings together. |
A Central Plant in which chilled water and heating water is generated has been expanded in phases to serve the additional building area. Three chillers with 1650 tons of capacity now serve the facility; additional tonnage will be added for a total of 2500 tons. A variable volume primary pumping loop circulates chilled water to the eight fan systems which each have secondary piping systems. Two gas fired boilers, with fuel oil backup, have a capacity of 13,400 MBH output to serve the facility currently; additional boiler horsepower will be added for a total of 16,600 MBH output total. The primary pump loop circulates higher temperature heating water, which is mixed down to 190 degree water at each secondary location. The chilled water and heating water primary systems have been designed to be expanded by phases as each new building comes on-line. Built-up VAV air handling systems serve each building, each with chilled and heating water coils, and the option of direct evaporative humidification. Fan powered boxes with heating coils serve the perimeter spaces, and VAV terminal units are located throughout the interior spaces. A DDC control system to the box level was installed for control of the mechanical systems. |
The electrical distribution system consists of an Owner purchased 35 KVA primary loop run underground around the perimeter of the facility to each building. The primary loop feeds 3000 amp, 480 volt main distribution centers via a 2000 KVA transformers Several 480 volt risers run from the main distribution centers to satellite electrical rooms. Typical electrical features for each building are an emergency generator for life safety requirements, dedicated critical computer load distribution system consisting of a centrally located UPS, K-rated step-down transformers, oversized branch circuit neutral conductors, and isolated grounds. Each building has transient voltage surge suppressors at the service entrance, the emergency generator, and at each critical computer power panelboard. Lighting is accomplished with 2-foot x 2-foot parabolic fluorescents accented with incandesent, fluorescent and low voltage downlighting. There is an addressable fire alarm and detection system provided for the facility, with local annunciation at the fire department entrances. |
The electrical distribution for the Computer Room consists of a 500 KVA redundant UPS system, two 1100 KW standby diesel generators for UPS and HVAC system backup, and several 225 KVA power distribution units. The mechanical system consists of water cooled downflow AC units with 100% redundancy, and full backup of the condenser water system for 24 hour operation. |
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