UBER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, Pittsburgh
RETROFIT TEAM
HVAC DISTRIBUTOR: Comfort Supply Inc., (412) 921-6600
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: WNA Engineering
HVAC CONTRACTOR: Lugaila Mechanical
ARCHITECT: Strada LLC
MATERIALS
The following HVAC equipment was used in the project:
- 13 PURY-HP H2i R2-Series Outdoor Units
- 87 PEFY-P Ceiling-concealed Ducted Indoor Units
- One CMB-P106NU-G, 6 Branch (Single BC)
- 12 CMB-P108NU-HA1, 8 Branch (Main BC)
- 87 PAC-YT53CRAU-J, Simple MA Remote Controllers
- Two AE-200A, AE-200 Centralized Controllers
- 85 Filter Boxes with MERV 13 Filters
- Four PremiSys Fusion DOAS
- One Diamond Controls Building Automation System
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC
THE RETROFIT
UBER Advanced Technologies Group retrofitted an existing 110,000-square-foot warehouse for its autonomous vehicle research and development labs. The building presented a unique design challenge: Vehicle testing garages sit next to state-of-the-art conference rooms and office space.
“We had several different parts going into this building: a garage, special research areas, office spaces, gathering areas, a café and so on,” recalls Aaron Doubt, UBER ATG’s facilities and special projects director. “We had to have a system that gave us precise control over each zone.”
Knowing VRF had the zoning capabilities required, the team opted for that type of system from Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC. The building engineer and HVAC distributor Comfort Supply Inc. worked directly with Mitsubishi Electric’s Controls Solutions team to layout and design a cohesive system.
“Mitsubishi Electric was involved right from the construction phase, even coming onsite several times,” notes Justin Kern, Comfort Supply’s senior commercial sales engineer. “Controls Solutions helped us communicate to the HVAC contractor exactly what needed to occur during the install since we don’t have a controls background.”
In addition to the VRF system, the team specified four PremiSys Fusion DOAS units for ventilation, as well as third-party electric heaters and exhaust fans throughout the building. All control systems were integrated into Mitsubishi Electric’s building management system, Diamond Controls. Within the testing garages, Diamond Controls is a major component of ventilation safety.
“In our R&D showroom, we pull in cars for research and testing,” says TJ Wolkiewicz, facilities lead, UBER ATG. “Monitoring car exhaust and fumes is a priority. In addition to our DOAS systems, Mitsubishi Electric was able to integrate CO2 sensors into the controls interface. I can put the system on ‘auto mode’ and it will alert us, as well as our Pittsburgh Security Operations Center, if it senses any kind of gas in the air.”
Beyond the research and design facilities, the campus also is a prime location for hosting meetings and events. Comfort is critical for staff and guests.
“Having the ability to control each room with its own setpoint or even a small section of rooms with VRF has been great,” Doubt remarks. “In addition, much of our communication here is done through video conferencing. Microphones are very susceptible to picking up sounds. Having a system this quiet has really helped our staff communicate clearly and not be distracted.”
PHOTOS: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC TRANE HVAC US LLC