HVAC Project Continues Through the Summer

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By Mark Requet

  The Shelby County R-IV School District is currently undergoing some changes in the high school. The school is having air conditioner installed in the high school this summer and is hoping to have the project done by the end of summer.

  “Most of the project will be wrapped up by the next school year,” said Shelby County R-IV Superintendent Troy Clawson. “There is a dedicated outside system which won’t arrive until September or October, but the system will be up and running by then. That just works in conjunction with the system to help provide fresh air to the building, but we’re just waiting on the equipment for that.”

  Clawson stated that last summer they started the HVAC renovations for both the middle school and the high school. “Both buildings had different systems, but they were both needing attention,” Clawson added. “We replaced the ground source system with a new system in the middle school and completed that last summer and we did it in two phases because of how much work it was, and it was spread out over a few years.”

  Phases 2 and 3 include the gym, high school commons area and high school. The gym and commons were approved first, but they couldn’t do anything in the commons area until school was out, but they were able to go ahead and get the air installed in the gym. 

  “We’re not completely done in the gym. We still got to take down one more unit and adjust the sock duct with some minor tweaks, and then connect it to the system,” stated Clawson. “Our system is all online now, so we can work the controls, troubleshoot for issues, know when to change filters, and other stuff like that.”

  Mr. Clawson stated as an example, that if they were to hold an activity in the summer, they can go online ahead of time and program it into the system where they have a chance to regulate it a little better. Same thing if they were setting the heat for an activity during the winter.

  As Mr. Clawson stated, any problems will now be detected digitally. 

  “It troubleshoots for us. If there is an error code, it will alert us and let us know and we can service the system as it is needed,” said Clawson. “It’s a really nice system and it’s really efficient. There was a noticeable difference in the middle school when it was completed and there will be a noticeable difference high school as soon as we get it up and running.”

  Clawson explained that the high school system was different than that of the middle school. The high school had old boilers that had been replaced over the years, but they were still needing some attention. They were able to use a lot of the plumbing and duct work in the middle school, which was built in the mid 90s, so it was a newer system. The high school building did not have that existing duct work and plumbing where they need it, so there’s a lot of work going on right now in terms of running water lines to systems. 

  “It is a water-based system, so it is either hot or cool water that runs through a chiller or boiler and then it tempers the heat or cools it,” said Clawson.

  “We had mini split systems in the classrooms, so there was really no fresh air component by code and so the new system, for a public space, will be a lot more comfortable for students and staff,” he added. “The fresh air component makes a huge difference, makes your buildings healthier and there’s nothing better than breathing fresh air, and it decreases the humidity and makes it more comfortable.

  Clawson stated that the high school was a mess right now, but in the next week or so, they will begin hanging units and then the next stage will be getting the duct work going. 

  “Everyone is working in sync right now. Not only do we have to get plumbing to it, but we also have to get the electrical component. Through this process, we worked with Macon Electric. We added a new transformer to the back that will help provide enough power for what we need for our new system,” stated Clawson.

  Work on the project is being done by McKinstry, which is the construction manager. IFS is the mechanical contractor and then there are some sub-contractors, Mexico Metals and Precision Electric, who have also been on site doing work.