Project Brief

The NYC School Construction Authority converted a two-level commercial building at 11-11 40th Avenue in Long Island City into a 15,000 SF 3-K center, with seven classrooms, an exercise room, a warming pantry, a medical room, administrative and principal's offices, and parent and staff rooms. KeRi was the MEP and fire alarm engineer from the existing conditions survey through the 60 and 100 percent submissions, DEP, FDNY and energy code filings, the 2022 construction set, and bulletins, RFIs and FDNY amendments during construction.

KeRi's survey found gas-fired packaged units, a 400 A service, no fire alarm and no telephone or data cabling, so the building was rebuilt as all-electric. Two Daikin VRF heat recovery condensing units serve more than 30 indoor units through branch selector boxes, and a rooftop heat pump DOAS with an energy recovery wheel and electric heat supplies ventilation air. Split systems cool the telecom and elevator machine rooms, electric cabinet unit heaters and baseboards protect entrances and vestibules, and new exhaust fans serve the toilets and pantry. A new 800 A, 120/208 V Con Edison service and main distribution panel replace the old service and feed the HVAC, an electric water heater, the existing hydraulic elevator, new lighting, telecom, security and a new fire alarm system.

MEP Engineering Scope

What We Engineered

MEP and fire alarm for the 3-K center conversion:

• Daikin VRF heat recovery system with more than 30 indoor units on two condensing units
• Rooftop heat pump DOAS with energy recovery wheel and electric heat
• Split systems for telecom and elevator rooms, electric unit heaters and exhaust fans
• New 800 A, 120/208 V Con Edison service replacing the existing 400 A service
• Plumbing with an electric water heater, lighting, telecom and security systems
• New fire alarm system with FDNY filings and amendments through construction

The Challenge

An older commercial building with gas-fired rooftop and packaged units and an undersized service had to become a fully air-conditioned early childhood center.

Our Solution

KeRi replaced the gas equipment with VRF heat recovery and an energy recovery DOAS, doubled the electrical service for an all-electric building, and added the fire alarm and low voltage systems the building lacked.