C&R Project: Schneider Electric Technical Learning Center

Construction began in May 2006 to create a new technology learning center for APC-MCE, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services and a business unit of Schneider Electric. S.M. Wilson was selected as the General Contractor for this $27 million dollar project and C&R Mechanical was selected as a sub-contractor to provide HVAC services (a $6.3 million dollar endeavor). The new two-story building was constructed to provide a variety of services and functions, including but not limited to: An Executive Briefing and Conference Center, a Product Solutions Demonstration Area, a Data Center Solution Demonstration Lab, Customer Test Data Centers (in which customers can design and test multiple data center layouts), Cooling Test Labs (environmentally controlled chambers) and APC’s Data Center University (including live classroom instruction).

For this project, C&R developed an impressive HVAC design for the Cooling Test Labs. Two (2) 5,000 CFM to 100,000 CFM air handlers were installed in this area, each serving its own test chamber (t/- 1/2°, +/- 1/2% relative humidity). These air handlers were designed to simulate an outdoor or indoor environment in which APC’s product will be utilized. The test chambers were designed with a raised access for system and overhead crane internal the test chambers for full use of APC personal.

The main house chilled water system consists of two (2) 500-ton centrifugal chillers and three (2) 330-ton cooling towers. The house chilled water distribution system consists of three (3) sets of duty/standby vertical inline pumps serving three different areas within the building, including test lab areas and general HVAC equipment.