Directorate of Information Management Building
Additional Info
Award Winner : Ramtech Building Systems, Inc.
Architectural Excellence : This building was designed as an addition to the aging Directorate of Information Management (DOIM) facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. It replaced the existing data center and server rooms and provides IT support for all Fort Bliss operational activities to over 42,000 troops. The construction utilized Ramtech’s Accelerated Building System for a 14,914 sq. ft. slab-on-grade one-story structure. The non-descript exterior was purposely designed with no windows and features a simple painted CMU block exterior. The project was completed within the parameters of DOIM’s heightened security requirements and without any disruption or shutdown to their 24/7 mission critical operating requirements. Ramtech’s contract also called for the renovation of an adjacent 5,400 sq. ft. building in the same complex. Interior finishes utilized low maintenance painted gypsum walls, lay-in acoustical and painted gypsum hardpan ceilings, carpet tiles, and ceramic and resilient access flooring finishes.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : Due to the unusual application of the building as a data-center, the Government’s normal LEED compliance requirements were waived. The building was designed for compliance with the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code and to conserve energy by reducing the power consumption requirements established in ASHRAE 90.1 by at least 30%. To accomplish this, we utilized two high efficiency Trane roof-top units providing 47.5 tons of conditioned air feeding 18 variable air volume boxes. The units feature variable frequency drives and multi-stage compressors that are controlled by a Trane digital controls system that is connected to a base-wide Energy Management Control System (EMCS). The 79 Dell Server Racks were cooled by a dedicated 50-ton liquid cooled chiller with back-up. Insulation values incorporated into the structure were R-19 for the walls and R-30 for the roof. A white TPO single ply membrane roofing material was used to aid in heat reflectivity.
Occupied Date : 12/17/2010
Production Start Date : 1/28/2010
Project Location City : Fort Bliss
Project Location State Name : TX
Technical Innovation : Using Ramtech’s Accelerated Building System, the building was constructed on a 6” 4,000 psi concrete slab foundation. It was built to meet Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection compliance requirements which call for blast resistant doors and a building envelope encapsulation system in the event of a chemical or biological attack. Over 4,500 square feet of raised access flooring was installed to accommodate equipment in the main server room. To facilitate overhead cable trays and server cooling return lines, ceilings were raised to 10’ above the access flooring (11’-6” above the slab). Due to the heavy electrical loads of the multiple servers, this relatively small building was equipped for 480v 2,500 amp service. The mission critical nature of the facility demands full-load emergency power via a 1500KW diesel generator feeding through an Automatic Transfer Switch. A full lightning protection system with a grounding/counter-poise grid was included as well as redundant HVAC for the servers.
Total Square Feet : 14914