DIVISION 13- SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION

The information in this section on general discussion is crucial for the installation of successful
very specific end-use in building projects. The problems stem from the underlying structure of the
project, along with the process of production and installation, and the long-term success of those
project components. This section projects tend to require professional insight and construction
expertise, making them more expensive to design and build than standard projects.

A. The contractor’s general responsibility

 The contractor has to verify that he has inspected and examined the proposed project
site, its surroundings, and any existing infrastructure and facilities related to the
execution of the work at his own expense, and that he has obtained all of the information
deemed necessary for the proper execution of the work covered by these terms of
reference.

 Contractor must ensure that all construction, restoration of impacted areas, testing, and
commissioning work is completed swiftly and effectively.

 The contractor must produce comprehensive reports, including technical analyses, maps,
and details about the site's current state and suggested changes.

 The contractor must take into account the academic calendar and crucial dates.
dates and occasions in order to synchronize his work schedule with the school's academic
calendar in order to avoid unnecessary disruption of school activities due to construction
activities such as water and power supply closures and non-use of existing roadways

 All works conceived and built must be assured to integrate smoothly into the overall
system general design requirements.

B. SCOPE OF WORK

 This section includes:

1. Prefabricated insulated rooms with wall and ceiling panels. Floor panels where
scheduled.
2. Doors, frames and hardware.
3. Controls and instrumentation.
4. Electric outlets and lighting.
 The Contractor shall be responsible for confirming the total number and sizes of units.
Furnish and install at the locations shown in the architectural plan.

 Related sections include:

1. Section 079200 - JOINT SEALANTS.

2. Section 087100 - DOOR HARDWARE.
3. Division 16 - ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEM.

DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

A. General

1. Design and construct rooms using modular panel sections to allow for future
expansion and ease in disassembling for relocation.
2. Units shall include control circuits, temperature conditioning and circulation systems,
ductwork and mechanical and electrical equipment to meet performance criteria
specified.

B. Temperature Control and Uniformity

1. Design system to meet specified uniformity and control tolerances and to rapidly
adjust to internal temperature loads.
2. Uniformity is defined as measured variation in temperature between any two points in
work space.
3. Temperature control is defined as temperature variance above or below setpoint, as
measured at control sensor over a 24-hour period.

B. Control of Relative Humidity

1. System shall provide accurate control of relative humidity over specified range.

C. Prevent Condensation

1. Design system to prevent condensation on exterior of room.

D. Power Design Requirements

1. Control panel to operate on 230 volts, 1 phase, 3 wire 50 hertz, 30 amps.

Condensing units shall operate on 380 volts, 3 phase, 3 wire.
2. Condensing unit and environmental room control panels shall be equipped with
NFPA 70 (NEC) compliant fused disconnect switches.
 E. Responsibility

1. The environmental room contractor has full responsibility to provide structural

backing for all wall mounted laboratory furnishings and equipment as shown on the
A6 series "drawings".

QUALIFICATIONS

A. Manufacturer/Installer: Company specializing in work of this Section, with similar

satisfactory installations in operation for at least ten years.

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

A. Conform to ICC IBC for flame spread 75 and smoke developed rating of 450 for
insulation.
B. Hardware shall comply with barrier free design requirements.
C. Design structural roof system under direct supervision of a registered Professional
Structural Engineer.
D. Operating Equipment: Conform to UL requirements.
E. Control Panel: Comply with NFPA 70 and NFPA 79

DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING

A. Follow Division 1 - PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS.

B. Wrap and crate finished components and assemblies at factory to prevent damage or
marring of surfaces during shipping and handling.
C. Do not deliver materials or assemblies to site until installation spaces are ready to
receive units.
D. Any damage as a result of this Contractor's work shall be replaced, repaired and
restored to original condition to the approval of the A/E at no cost or inconvenience to
the Government.

MAINTENANCE SERVICE
A. Provide 12 Months Maintenance Service

1. Beginning at Beneficial Occupancy Date, provide 12 months' full maintenance service

by skilled, competent employees of room installer.
2. Include yearly preventive maintenance, repair or replacement of worn or defective
components, lubrication, cleaning, and adjusting as required to maintain specified or
normal operation.
3. Use only parts and supplies as used in manufacturer and installation of original
equipment.
 B. Emergency Callback Service

1. Include 24 hour-per-day, 7 day-per-week emergency callback service. 2-hour

service.
2. Response Time - As scheduled.

C. Continuing Maintenance Service

1. Provide a continuing maintenance proposal from Installer to the Owner, in form of a

standard yearly (or other period) maintenance agreement, starting on date initial
maintenance is concluded.
2. State services to be provided, obligations, conditions, and terms for agreement
period and for future renewal options.

PRODUCTS
MANUFACTURERS
A. Have more than 10 years’ experience manufacturing cold rooms for scientific and clean
storage.
B. Have a good reputation for prompt service in the National Capital Region.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND FABRICATION

A. Panels
1. Fabricate panels as interchangeable units, with custom sizes as required
to meet building dimensions.
2. Construct panels using specified sheet metal and 102 mm (4 inches) of
solid core foam insulation. No framing permitted. Panel sections shall
lock together from inside room with cam-type locks providing tight
accurate joining. Do not use batten strips or pressure clips to cover
seams or join panel sections.
3. Floor panels and ramps shall be capable of withstanding a minimum of
2930 kg/ sq m (600 pounds per square foot), distributed load without
indentation. Floor panel interior surface to receive specified flooring shall
be 1.98 mm (14 gauge) galvanized steel. Floor panels in refrigerated
space (+4 Celsius) shall be 50mm (2”) thick. Floor panels in freezer
space (-20 Celsius) shall be 102 mm (4”) thick.
4. Fabricate edges of panels with foamed-in place, tongue and groove
construction with flexible vinyl gaskets, interior and exterior, to assure tight
fitting joints.

C. Insulation

1. Foamed-in-place urethane; thermal conductivity ("K" Factor) not

exceeding 0.118 BTU/hour/square foot/degree F/inch of thickness (or
metric equivalent).
2. Overall coefficient of heat transfer ("U" Factor) shall not exceed 0.030 (R33) for 102mm (4
inch) thick walls. Insulation shall contain no CFC.

D. Door Construction

1. Match panel construction.

2. +4 Centigrade Cold Room: Surface mounted, gasketed, manuallyoperated sliding-type, 915
mm by 2134 mm (36 inch by 84 inch) clear
opening, entrance door, 102 mm (4 inches) thick, with approximately 356
mm by 559 mm (14 by 22 inch), double or triple pane as required,
insulating glass viewing window.
3. Window shall be removable for replacement.
4. Door hardware shall be overhead and stainless steel or metal treated for
strength ad corrosion resistance.
5. Where operating conditions require, provide heated windows and door
frame/sill heaters. Design to prevent condensation on door frame, sill,
surface, or window.
6. Door gasket; thermoplastic material with appropriate core at sides and top
of door, and adjustable resilient wiper gasket at door bottom.

E. Ceiling Access

1. Removable gasketed panel for access to equipment above ceiling. Size;

approximately 914 mm by 914 mm (36 by 36 inches), same construction
as other wall and ceiling panels.
2. Panel finish shall match adjacent ceiling panels.

F. Closure Trim

1. Same material and finish as exterior panels, between room units and
building walls.

F. Access Ports
1. Field cut and sealed; size as required for room services.
2. Coordinate with other trades for size, shape, and location.

G. Ramps

1. The intent is to coordinate concrete slab construction so that a recessed

opening will accept the 100 mm (4-inch) thick floor panel.
2. If ramp is needed due to field conditions, provide heavy gauge aluminum,
with slip-resistant traction strips on traffic surface; full width of door.
Insulate underside of ramp.

H. Suspended Ceiling (Where Scheduled)

1. White polystyrene eggcrate ceiling panels with 13 mm (1/2 inch) cube

perforations. All eggcrate panels to be removable in 610 mm by 1219 mm
(24 inch by 48 inch) sections to allow access to lights and equipment
above ceiling.
2. Cover total ceiling area in the suspended grid system, except where
evaporator equipment cannot fit above. Provide ceiling support framing
neatly trimmed around equipment.
3. Ceiling to be compatible with room operating conditions.
4. Provide removable eggcrate and grid section, centered under ceiling
access panel roof for minimum 1219 mm by 1219 mm (48 inch by 48 inch)
clear opening to access panel above.

FINISHES

A. Exterior Surfaces

1. Exposed Wall Surfaces - All rooms shall have 0.794 mm (22 gauge)
smooth galvanized steel or Galvaneal, factory finished with baked white
acrylic enamel.
2. Concealed Wall Surfaces - Embossed aluminum, 0.8 mm (0.032 inch)
thick, mill finish.

B. Interior Surfaces

1. Rooms shall have 0.794 mm (22 gauge) smooth galvanized steel or

Galvaneal, factory finished with baked white acrylic enamel.
3. Ceiling - 26 gauge galvanized steel or Galvalume.
4. Control Pane Color - White to match adjacent wall panels.
5. Flooring - Sheet vinyl, self-coved base in +4 cold rooms.

C. Common Connecting Walls

1. Where controlled environment rooms are designed with common

connecting walls, provide each room with independent control airflow and
mechanical system.

EXECUTION

INSTALLATION

A. Installation procedures shall conform to NSF/ANSI 7, and the manufacturer's

instructions.
B. Submit a set of instructions covering both assembly of the rooms and installation
of the refrigeration equipment before starting installation. Instructions will include:
1. Set floor panels in place; connect to floor drains where applicable, and
lock tightly together.
2. Install anchors and seal room panels for plumbing fire protection, power
and lighting. Provide reinforcing or anchorage in walls for laboratory
casework specified in Section 12353 Metal Laboratory Casework and
other equipment as shown.
3. Assemble wall panels; lock in place with cam locks. Brace securely until
ceiling panels are installed.
4. Install ceiling panels; lock into wall panels.
5. Install sill plate at door opening.
6. Hang insulated doors. Adjust to operate smoothly.
7. Support coil on room interior and make connections as required. Run
condensate line to nearest sink or drain as shown on drawings.
8. Wire-in alarm unit and door and threshold heaters. Specify cover plates
with caution. Verify physical access and ventilation of refrigeration
equipment.
9. Install ceiling trim and ceiling fascia, cover plates between top of room and
finished ceiling, and end closure plates between room and adjacent wall.
10. Seal joints and services through walls with sealant for moisture and vapor
seal.
11. Connect refrigeration piping and electrical wiring.
12. Test refrigerant piping following ANSI/ASME B31.5. Insulate piping after
pressure and leak test.
13. Drain piping from evaporator to open floor drain:
a. Install drain pipe rigidly supported at 1 m (3 feet) on center
maximum.
b. Install drain pipe with 25 mm (1 inch) clearance space between
wall and pipe.
c. Provide heat tracing in freezer rooms, as required.
d. Pitch piping toward floor drain.
e. Install through wall of refrigerated areas properly trapped and
discharged to floor drain.
f. Provide with cleanout tee near evaporator.
g. Provide chrome plated escutcheons on both sides of wall and
panel penetrations.
14. Install lighting fixtures, flooring, and other components.
15. Calibrate each temperature and humidity controller.

MANUFACTURER'S FIELD SERVICES

A. Furnish manufacturer's representatives who are trained to perform the services

specified. The representatives shall furnish and services on the following matters:
1. Erection, alignment, and testing.
2. Charging equipment with refrigerant and oil.
3. Starting equipment and training government personnel as to its proper
care, operation, and maintenance.

TESTS

A. Perform the tests for each controlled environment room and provide everything
required. Notify the Contracting Officer 10 days before performing the tests.
B. Tests shall be performed in the presence of a manufacturer's representative.
C. Start-Up and Operational Tests
1. Start up and initially operate the systems upon completion of the
installation of the equipment and refrigerant piping. Adjust the safety and
automatic controls to place them in operation and sequence. Record
manufacturer's recommended readings hourly. Operational tests shall
cover a period of not less than 24 hours.
D. Performance Tests
1. Upon completion of the operational tests the systems shall be
performance tested. Test duration shall not be less than 8 hours.
2. Tests shall include the following information to be in the report with
conclusions regarding the adequacy of the systems:
a. Time, dates and duration of tests.
b. Inside dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures maintained in each room
during the tests employing recording instruments calibrated before
the tests.
c. Outside dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures obtained from recording
instruments calibrated and checked hourly with a sling psychrometer.
d. Evaporator and condenser entering and leaving temperatures taken
hourly with the compressors in operation.
e. The make, model and capacity of each evaporator and condensing
unit.
f. Voltmeter and ammeter readings for condensing units and
evaporators.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

A. Provide a framed and glassed control chart indicating a layout of the refrigeration
systems, including piping, valves, wiring, and control mechanisms.
B. Install control chart where directed. Submit printed instructions covering the
maintenance and operation of refrigeration equipment.
C. Tag shutoff valves in accordance with the printed instructions.
D. Provide special tools as necessary for repair and maintenance of the equipment.

CLEANING

A. Remove masking-protection from stainless steel and other finished surfaces.

B. Wash and clean floors, walls, shelves, and ceilings inside rooms and exposed
surfaces on the outside.
C. Clean glass, fixtures and fittings.

INSTRUCTING OPERATING PERSONNEL

A. Upon completion of the work and at a time designated by the Contracting Officer,
provide for the instruction of Owner’s personnel in the operation and
maintenance of each refrigeration system.
B. The period of instruction shall be for not less than one 8-hour working day.