WBC MANOR. CHICAGO, IL

The WBC  manor project in Chicago, Illinois involved the provision of comprehensive  Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and fire suppression (MEPF) design services  by 3S MEP. The project required careful consideration of the functional,  operational, and code-compliance needs of the facility.

The Mechanical team performed detailed heating and  cooling load calculations for the senior living facility, including resident  dwelling units, common areas, offices, corridors, laundry facilities, and  support spaces. The HVAC systems were designed to provide year-round comfort, energy efficiency, and code-compliant ventilation for residents and staff.

A key component of the design was the use of  vertical packaged heat pumps (VPHPs) serving the individual dwelling units.  The units were carefully selected and sized to provide efficient heating and  cooling while allowing independent temperature control for residents.  Electric baseboard heaters were also provided as supplemental heat during  extreme winter conditions to maintain occupant comfort. The facility included  a central laundry room, which required dedicated exhaust ventilation in  accordance with the Chicago Mechanical Code. To address the exhaust air  requirements and maintain proper building pressure, two Dedicated Outdoor Air  Systems (DOAS) were incorporated into the design. The DOAS units were  designed to provide the required outdoor air ventilation to the dwelling  units and common spaces while offsetting the large exhaust airflow from the  laundry facility. The DOAS design was a major focus of the project, ensuring  proper building pressurization, maintaining indoor air quality, and  preventing negative pressure conditions when the laundry exhaust systems were  operating. The mechanical systems were carefully coordinated to provide a  comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient environment while meeting all  applicable code requirements.

For the plumbing design, 3S MEP developed  comprehensive systems for sanitary waste, venting, domestic cold and hot  water distribution, hot water recirculation, and storm drainage for a  six-story residential building. Detailed plumbing fixture unit and water  demand calculations were performed to establish accurate hot and cold water  requirements. The scope included pipe sizing and routing design, as well as  the selection of plumbing fixtures, booster pumps, elevator sump pumps, and  both instantaneous and storage water heaters to ensure code compliance, operational efficiency, and occupant comfort. Key design challenges involved  coordinating sanitary, vent, domestic water, and storm drainage piping within  limited ceiling and shaft spaces while aligning with architectural and  structural constraints. Additional considerations included maintaining  adequate water pressure and consistent hot water supply across multiple  floors, integrating island vent systems for residential kitchens, and  incorporating elevator pit drainage systems. The design also included backflow prevention, pressure regulation, and energy-efficient plumbing  strategies in accordance with applicable local and international plumbing  codes. Plumbing layouts were closely coordinated with mechanical and electrical  systems to deliver a fully integrated and efficient MEP design solution.

One of the  primary electrical design challenges for this project was coordinating with  the local utility company, ComEd, to establish the electrical service and develop a code-compliant service distribution strategy. Through coordination  with the utility provider, the incoming service was divided into three  separate sections: the house panel service, residential dwelling unit  service, and dedicated fire pump service. The design team also coordinated  with the electrical vendor to determine meter center requirements and  specifications. Detailed load calculations were performed in accordance with  applicable residential NEC requirements, incorporating HVAC equipment,  plumbing loads, process equipment, dwelling unit loads, and other connected  loads to properly size the service, feeders, and overcurrent protective  devices. The electrical scope included the development of detailed power  distribution plans, panel schedules, and lighting control systems. Lighting  and control designs were coordinated to comply with IECC energy code  requirements, including occupancy sensors, lighting controls, and automatic  shutoff provisions. Power distribution systems were designed in compliance  with all applicable residential NEC requirements while also incorporating a  standby generator system to support the operational and life-safety needs of  the senior living facility. In addition, the fire pump power distribution and  associated electrical infrastructure were designed and coordinated based on  the fire protection system requirements to ensure reliable operation of  critical life-safety equipment.

Overall,  3S MEP delivered a coordinated and code-compliant MEP design for the WBC  manor project, supporting the facility’s present operational needs while allowing flexibility for future growth.

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