GBA helped NU develop a large-scale infrastructure analysis of both campuses to incorporate into the university’s Geographic Information System. The system provides increased clarity and accessibility to the university’s archives of design and as-built drawings, floor plans, and other documents, while adding many layers of new information. Systems involved include steam, condensate return, hot water loop, chilled water, domestic water, storm and sanitary sewer, fire protection, compressed air, power, and communication infrastructure. Above-ground features such as pavement, monuments, bike racks, signage, street lights, and landscaping are also documented, as are existing underground utility vaults and tunnels.
The university has also embarked on numerous vault improvement and repair projects, again in concert with GBA as the engineering provider. In some cases, vaults have been decommissioned or completely eliminated. The projects have encompassed multiple infrastructure systems and have included:
- Hot water vault modifications and replacements
- High-pressure steam piping replacements
- Pumped condensate return piping replacements and/or rerouting
- Vault eliminations and related piping rerouting/replacements
- Vault ventilation
- Condensate repairs
- Pipe anchors
- Emergency repairs
- Steam vault repairs
- Sparge tube replacement
- Access hatch replacements
- Steam trap replacements
- Assessments and reconstructions
- Isolation valve replacements
- Decommissioning
Work is ongoing as the university continues to identify the need for maintenance and repairs.
