RadioShack® HQ: wired and ready to go: you might expect a retail electronics corporation to employ a forward-thinking approach for the design and integration of its new headquarters. And you’d be right. Vendors as design team members, a lack of changeorder surprises, and an unusually fluid strategy for getting on the fast track are just three of the ways the company got its facility plugged in for success
Categories: Electronics Automation DesignThe Riverfront Campus had a very aggressive construction timetable, with only 22 months scheduled from start to finish. Considering that over 1,200 miles of wire needed to be installed for the BAS, card access, intercom, closed circuit television (CCTV), and fire alarm systems, it’s amazing the facility was finished in such a short period of time.
ORIGINAL DESIGN
The Riverfront Campus is a unique development, and the architectural firm that designed the project relied on non-traditional construction methods in order to make sure their vision was achieved. Basically, the project started as more of a concept, rather than firm sets of specifications.
To ensure that vendors were bidding “apples to apples,” a preliminary set of drawings was created, and vendors were asked to bid on the listed quantities and also to give unit prices on additional work and equipment. This arrangement ensured that as the owners’ requirements changed during construction, vendors couldn’t overcharge for change
Once vendors were awarded the job, they were designated as part of the design team. This meant that the contractors, engineers, and subcontractors worked together to determine if a particular design was going to work and, if not, what steps needed to be taken to make it work.
As such an integrated member of the design team, controls contractor Entech Sales and Service, Dallas, TX, had full input into the type of building automation and security systems the new building would need. Entech automation account executive lira Hartman stated that his company was asked to install the “Continuum” BAS from Tour Andover Controls and security systems that included integrated access control, CCTV, digital video management, and intercom system.
“The mechanical engineer specified a BAS that utilized an open architecture, rather than a proprietary one, and the Continuum BACnet system is a 100% open protocol system,” stated Hartman. “It was important for this system to have the capability to interface with third-party equipment such as the chillers, ModBus interface for the VFDs, computer room A/C units, and emergency power systems, as well as the Lutron lighting control system.”
In addition, RadioShack’s previous headquarters utilized an Andover “Infinity” control system, so the company was familiar with the system. “This helped in our decision to use Tour Andover Controls in the new facility. We also knew that Entech had the strength to meet our stringent construction requirements. Along with the mechanical and electrical contractors, they were active participants in the system design from the beginning of the project, and their willingness to work with RadioShack, the consulting engineer, and the general contractor added value to the installation and meeting the timelines of the project,” said Ryan Montgomery, director of facilities for the RadioShack Corporation.
THE HVAC SYSTEM
The three office buildings have chilled water VAV AHUs with VFDs that serve two floors using an underfloor air distribution system. At over 550,000 sq ft, this is one of the largest underfloor air distribution systems in the state. Hartman stated that the underfoor system is beneficial, because it makes it easy to isolate floors that are unoccupied after hours, and it also significantly reduces the amount of ductwork needed.
Fan-powered VAV boxes with electric reheat temper the air, and floor-mounted diffusers distribute the air throughout the floor. Tenants have the ability to adjust the floor-mounted diffusers if the airflow becomes a disturbance.