Yakima Valley School Campus Generator Replacement

141,000 Square Foot Facility
3 Generators Replaced
8 Automatic Transfer Switches

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided electrical and mechanical engineering for the Yakima Valley School Campus Generator Replacement project in Selah, Washington. The 141,000 square foot nursing facility relies on emergency power systems to support critical operations across multiple cottage clusters.

The campus originally relied on four aging diesel generators. After one unit failed, it was replaced through an emergency project. An emergency chiller was also added so critical cooling could operate on generator power.

Phase 2 replaced the remaining three generators and modernized the supporting electrical infrastructure. The work improved backup power reliability while bringing the essential electrical system into alignment with current code requirements.

Critical Power for an Active Nursing Facility

Reliable emergency power is especially important in a healthcare environment. Therefore, the project had to support more than basic building loads during an outage.

CEG reconfigured the essential electrical system into its required branches and transferred additional loads to generator power. HVAC equipment and fire alarm connections were also integrated so critical facility systems could remain supported during power interruptions.

Engineering Scope of Work

CEG coordinated generator replacement, electrical distribution upgrades, essential system reconfiguration, and mechanical load integration across the campus.

Generator Replacement

Phase 2 replaced three aging diesel generators. The new equipment included one 500kW generator and two 100kW generators to support campus emergency power needs.

Transfer & Distribution Equipment

The upgrade included eight automatic transfer switches, three manual transfer switches, five panelboards, and a new switchboard. Together, this equipment improved emergency power distribution across the facility.

Essential Electrical System

CEG separated the essential electrical system into its required branches and updated the configuration to meet current code. Several loads were also moved from normal power to generator-backed service.

HVAC & Emergency Cooling

HVAC loads were added to the emergency power system to support facility operations during outages. The earlier emergency phase also added a chiller that could operate on generator power.

System Coordination & Reliability

CEG coordinated multiple load transfers, fire alarm connections, generator-backed HVAC, and electrical distribution changes as one integrated system. The design focused on reliable operation, code compliance, and flexibility for future facility needs.

Project Outcome

The Yakima Valley School generator replacement modernized critical backup power infrastructure for an active nursing facility. Three aging generators were replaced while major distribution and transfer equipment was upgraded across the campus.

The project also expanded what the emergency power system could support. HVAC, cooling, fire alarm connections, and other critical loads were integrated into the revised configuration.

As a result, the facility gained a more reliable and code-compliant emergency power system designed to support continuity of operations during outages.

What Made This Project Stand Out

Critical Healthcare Backup Power

The upgraded system supports emergency power needs for an active nursing facility and its campus operations.

Essential System Reconfiguration

CEG separated the essential electrical system into required branches and brought the configuration up to current code.

Emergency Cooling Integration

Generator-backed HVAC and emergency cooling increased the facility’s ability to maintain critical environmental conditions during outages.

Large-Scale Electrical Modernization

New generators, transfer switches, panelboards, switchgear, and load changes were coordinated as one campus-wide emergency power upgrade.

Eastern State Hospital FSU Chiller Replacement

800,000 SF Campus
2 Chillers Replaced
3 Chiller System

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided mechanical and electrical engineering for the Eastern State Hospital FSU Chiller Replacement project in Medical Lake, Washington. The hospital campus encompasses approximately 800,000 square feet and supports critical healthcare operations.

Two of the three chillers serving several wards had failed and required replacement. Because cooling was essential to ongoing facility operations, CEG addressed both the immediate equipment failure and the conditions affecting long-term system performance.

Finding the Cause of Premature Chiller Failure

One failed chiller was only halfway through its expected service life. Therefore, simply replacing the equipment would not have addressed the underlying problem.

CEG evaluated the installation and found that nearby solid yard walls restricted airflow around the chillers. The team then performed airflow analysis to determine how the enclosure could be improved.

Engineering Scope of Work

CEG combined emergency cooling support, equipment replacement, airflow improvements, and future contingency planning within one coordinated design.

Chiller Replacement

The mechanical scope replaced two failed chillers serving several hospital wards. The design restored permanent cooling capacity while addressing the cause of premature equipment failure.

Airflow Analysis

CEG evaluated airflow around the existing equipment and identified restricted ventilation caused by nearby solid walls. The analysis guided changes to improve operating conditions for the new chillers.

Enclosure Modifications

Select sections of the solid yard wall were removed and replaced with cyclone fencing. This increased ventilation around the equipment and reduced the risk of repeating the same airflow problem.

Temporary Cooling Provisions

The design included permanent connections for temporary chillers. As a result, the hospital can respond more efficiently if future equipment failures require emergency cooling.

Temporary Chiller & Vendor Coordination

CEG coordinated with local vendors to install temporary chillers while the permanent equipment was manufactured and delivered. This approach helped maintain cooling service during the replacement process.

Project Outcome

The project restored critical cooling service while correcting an installation condition that contributed to premature equipment failure. Instead of treating the work as a simple equipment replacement, CEG combined system analysis with targeted site modifications.

The new permanent connections for temporary chillers also strengthened future emergency readiness. As a result, Eastern State Hospital has a more practical path for maintaining cooling service if equipment fails again.

What Made This Project Stand Out

Root Cause Analysis

CEG identified restricted airflow as a contributing factor instead of limiting the project to equipment replacement.

Emergency Cooling Continuity

Temporary chillers helped maintain cooling while replacement equipment was being manufactured and delivered.

Improved Chiller Airflow

Targeted wall modifications increased ventilation around the chillers and improved operating conditions for the replacement equipment.

Future Emergency Readiness

Permanent temporary-chiller connections give the hospital a faster response option if another cooling failure occurs.

Washington State Penitentiary H Building Condenser Replacement

3 Disciplines
In-House Design-Build Delivery
Rooftop Condenser Replacement

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering for the Washington State Penitentiary H Building Condenser Replacement project in Walla Walla, Washington. The project centers on replacing an existing rooftop-mounted condenser unit that serves multiple coolers and freezers in H Building.

Because food storage operations must remain uninterrupted during construction, the project uses a phased design approach. In addition, the team designed and sized temporary equipment to maintain cooling service while the permanent condenser unit is replaced. The work is also being delivered as a fully in-house design-build effort, with no subconsultants.

Engineering Scope of Work

This project required coordinated mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering to support both equipment replacement and continued facility operation during construction. As a result, the design addresses not only the rooftop condenser replacement itself, but also the temporary cooling measures needed to keep the building’s cooler and freezer systems in service.

Mechanical

The mechanical scope includes replacement of the existing rooftop-mounted condenser unit. At the same time, the design supports phased construction so cooling service can continue during the transition from temporary equipment to the permanent unit.

Electrical

The electrical design supports both the condenser replacement and the coordination of temporary and permanent equipment serving the cooler and freezer systems. This allows the project team to maintain service continuity throughout construction.

Structural

Structural engineering supports the rooftop-mounted condenser replacement as part of the overall design-build scope. In this way, the project can address equipment replacement with coordinated support across all three disciplines.

Temporary Cooling & Phasing

To support uninterrupted food storage operations, the project includes temporary equipment sized specifically to maintain cooling service during construction. Meanwhile, the phased design approach helps guide the replacement process while the permanent condenser unit is removed and installed.

Project Outcome

The design supports continuous cooler and freezer operation while critical rooftop equipment is replaced. By combining temporary cooling with phased construction planning, the project aligns the replacement process with the operational needs of a corrections facility.

Just as importantly, the fully in-house design-build approach allows mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering to stay closely coordinated throughout the project. That coordination supports a more streamlined replacement strategy while maintaining cooling service during construction.

What Made This Project Stand Out

✓
Continuous Food Storage Operations

Because the condenser unit serves multiple coolers and freezers, the design had to support uninterrupted food storage operations during construction.

✓
Phased Replacement Strategy

Rather than treating the work as a simple equipment swap, the project uses a phased design approach to support construction sequencing and cooling continuity.

✓
Temporary Cooling Design

In addition to the permanent condenser replacement, the scope includes temporary equipment designed and sized to maintain cooling service throughout the transition.

✓
Fully In-House Design-Build Delivery

The entire project is being performed in-house, with no subconsultants. As a result, the design-build effort stays coordinated across mechanical, electrical, and structural disciplines.

 

Oregon Military Department Milton-Freewater Armory

1 Electrical Discipline
Fire Alarm System Upgrade
Secure National Guard Facility

Project Overview

CEG modernized the facility’s fire alarm system to improve life safety, reliability, and long-term maintainability. Because the Readiness Center is an operational military facility, the work also required careful coordination with existing building systems and established military design requirements.

Project Challenge and Approach

The fire alarm upgrade had to support a secure, multi-use facility without compromising system reliability. In addition, the design needed to coordinate with existing HVAC and sprinkler systems while adapting devices to updated building layouts.

CEG worked within clearly defined military scopes, specifications, and approval processes. This structured approach helped maintain consistency across life safety systems while supporting the operational requirements of the facility.

Electrical Engineering Scope of Work

The electrical scope focused on modernizing the fire alarm system and improving coordination between life safety and supporting building systems.

Fire Alarm Control Panel Replacement

CEG designed the replacement of the main fire alarm control panel to modernize the facility’s central life safety system and improve long-term reliability.

HVAC & Sprinkler Integration

The upgraded fire alarm system was coordinated with HVAC and sprinkler system connections. As a result, related building systems could operate as part of a more integrated life safety strategy.

Device Layout Updates

Existing fire alarm devices were adjusted to match updated facility layouts. New detection devices were also added where required by the revised design.

Cellular Communication Redundancy

A cellular communication module was added to strengthen system communication and provide an additional layer of reliability for the upgraded fire alarm system.

Secure, Multi-Use Facility Environment

The Moses Lake Readiness Center supports a range of military, administrative, training, and operational functions. The facility includes:

  • Administrative and recruiting offices
  • Gym and fitness areas
  • Commercial kitchen
  • Munitions armory
  • Locker rooms with showers
  • Vehicle sally port

Because these spaces serve different operational needs, the fire alarm design had to remain coordinated across a complex and secure facility environment.

Project Outcome

The Moses Lake Readiness Center fire alarm modernization strengthened life safety and system reliability across a secure National Guard facility. The upgraded design replaced critical control equipment, integrated supporting building systems, and updated detection devices for revised facility layouts.

In addition, cellular communication improved system resiliency and supported more reliable long-term operation. Through coordinated electrical engineering, CEG delivered a code-compliant life safety upgrade suited to the technical and procedural requirements of an operational military facility.

What Made This Project Stand Out

Life Safety System Modernization

The project upgraded key fire alarm components to improve reliability, maintainability, and life safety across the facility.

Cross-System Integration

Fire alarm connections were coordinated with HVAC and sprinkler systems to support a more integrated building safety strategy.

Added Communication Resiliency

A cellular communication module provided additional reliability for system communication and monitoring.

Experience in Secure Military Facilities

CEG worked within established military design standards, defined scopes, and structured approval processes in an operational National Guard environment.