Columbia University

The Schapiro Center for Engineering and Physical Science Research (CEPSR) is a research facility located in the Columbia Morninside Campus. CEPSR was built in 1991 and utilized the latest HVAC technology for its time.

Floors 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 contain offices and engineering and physics laboratories. The 10th floor houses a Clean Room which is used by researchers from many disciplines. The building lower floors and cellar house the campus high pressure steam plant.

DM Engineers was retained by Columbia University to lead the implementation of upgrade of Air Handling Units 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11. Scope of work included the replacement of chilled water, glycol
recovery loop, and steam pipe trims, coils, dampers/ actuators, DDC controls (from pneumatic), fan motors, installation of variable frequency drives and AHU casing repairs of the units on the penthouse machine room.

Total volumetric flow for this project surpassed 200,000 cubic feet per minute, which services the upper floors of the building and which completely balanced at the completion of the project. Construction executed was carefully phased to maintained the building in full operation.