Recent Projects
Sandia National Laboratories- Molten Salt Project
The United States Department of Energy has been researching energy generation specific to Molten Salt use since the late 1940’s when researchers were working to develop the first nuclear powered airplane. An idea formulated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to circulate a drainable, high temperature liquid fuel to create the desired energy output. By 1947, researchers had begun working with Molten Salt, an idea that has transpired into a workable system that is being created today at Sandia National Laboratories. Energy generation for this process results from a complicated mechanical system that JBH has been working on for several months at Sandia.
JBH is serving as the mechanical sub-contractor supporting both fabrication and installation of this unique loop system, designed to test solar components. The JBH scope of work includes the order, delivery and hook-up of critical specialty equipment along with the fabrication of several unique components. In addition to the specialty HVAC equipment, JBH has begun the installation of unique plumbing modules to direct the highly specialized flow of salt throughout the system. The flow is directed by a configuration of stainless steel pipes, and pumps, maneuvering the liquids through various temperature changes to reach their desired state.
JBH’s experienced fabrication facilities also brought their special skills to this project by not only fabricating traditional piping systems, but also unique project components including specially designed valves. The JBH Sheet Metal Shop foreman worked with the project’s mechanical engineers to develop a one of a kind valve bonnet, necessary to maintain heat control throughout the salt flow process. Prior to working with JBH, the bonnet was only a conceptual idea, but through close coordination, communication and test fabrications, the final product will perform as intended, thanks to our experienced sheet metal workers.
We are thankful for the opportunity to contribute to another project that is leading the nation’s exploration of alternative energies.Henderson House- Albuquerque
The Henderson House is a 3,200 sf home, donated to the YWCA by local philanthropist Don McLeod. The single story 5-bedroom/3-bathroom house is the first Transitional Living Center for homeless women veterans and their dependent children in the country. The YWCA recognized a need for some women veterans, who like their male counterparts found themselves homeless after leaving the military. The YWCA then applied for, and received, a capital grant from the Federal Department of Veteran Affairs to cover the costs of construction and renovation so that the house meets the strict Life Safety Code and is ADA compliant. The house can now accommodate up to 10 residents. Through our involvement with Rebuilding Together Albuquerque, JBH worked with architects, engineers and subcontractors to provide the YWCA with a cost estimate to obtain the funding required to renovate the home and bring it to current building and ADA codes.
With schedule and budget developed, contracts and funding in place, JBH began the construction and renovation of the Henderson House in October of 2010. Five months later, the Henderson House held its grand opening. Though the YWCA received initial funding from the Department of Veteran affairs, the need exceeded support and the project benefitted from several individual donations made from generous citizens, grateful to these brave women. JBH contributed several thousand dollars to the project, pledged from employees during our United Way Campaign. Philanthropists Mark and Linda Henderson offered additional funding both through the United Way and independently. The YWCA expressed their gratitude by naming the house the “JB Henderson House.”JBH served as general contractor for the project, supported by sub-contractors who, like JBH, offered their services for little to no profit.
With construction complete, the Henderson House is open to serve homeless woman veterans who make up 7% of the nation’s homeless veteran population. JBH is proud of its contribution to this important project.
APS Data Center- Albuquerque
This project included the renovation of existing office warehouse space for New Mexico’s largest school district into a modern Data Center housing a comprehensive information technology infrastructure including associated upgrades to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Claudio Vigil Architects designed the project, which included installation of a raised access floor, construction of a utility farm to contain mechanical support equipment, upgrades to the adjacent Research, Development and Accountability (RDA) facility, and installation of a new roofing system.
Project Challenges:
Constructing a raised access floor inside of an existing facility with an established level floor - Digging a Pit
Renovating an existing office building into a fully functioning data center required significant increased capacities for heating and cooling. The construction team offset the anticipated heating generated by the servers by installing 3 Computer Room Air Conditioning Units (CRAC), 2 Air-Cooled Water Chillers, 2- Unitary Gas/Electric Air Handling Units, and 2- Fan Coil Air Conditioning Units. JBH pipefitters installed approximately 1,116 feet of pipe to maintain water distribution throughout the facility, ensuring consistent temperature for the data center and surrounding offices.
Superintendent Mark Del Vecchio led crews through 106 days of significant demolition to the facility including demo of existing walls, floors, and windows. The standout demolition task was the saw cut and removal of the concrete, revealing the existing dirt floor. During construction meetings, the project team agreed that the best way to excavate the site was to bring in mini excavators to do the job. The only thing that stood in the way was the doorframe! After discussions between the construction project manager, architect, owner and superintendent, the team developed a solution, cutting barn doors into the existing structure. Plans called for a re-skin of the building, so the solution was accepted and the team moved forward by cutting a 15 ft. entry into the building and manufacturing a dirt ramp so the excavators could be driven straight into the facility. JBH carpenters built and attached wooden barn doors onto the building to allow for lock up at night during the 10-day excavation.
Construction on an occupied building with a heavily congested site - You need Golf Carts for What?!
Sharing your workspace with a large construction crew and their varied equipment doesn’t sound like much fun, but when you get a ride to your office in a golf cart, it’s not so bad. The data center renovation project was a far-reaching project that included creation of a raised access floor, construction of a utility farm to contain mechanical support equipment, upgrades to the adjacent Research, Development and Accountability (RDA) facility, and installation of a new roofing system. Many APS employees were displaced during construction and the team had to develop a plan to ensure their safety throughout the project. APS personnel and construction workers were directed to park their vehicles at Milne Stadium, the nearby football facility also owned by APS. JBH operators drove construction and owner personnel from the parking lot to the site on a designated safe route using 8-passenger golf carts. Carpenters built pedestrian safe zones and a crewmember was assigned to monitor gate access at all times to manage pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow both inside and outside of the building.
Function and Aesthetic Quality of Design - Claudio Vigil Architects
The intentional low-key façade contains the district’s data center with a raised floor computer equipment room, printer room, conditioned paper storage, loading dock, equipment staging area and offices on the ground floor totaling 12,000 s.f. An additional 1,500 s.f. in the mezzanine houses the pumps for the new mechanical system and the electrical equipment for the back-up power for the data center. The functional requirements for the facility were substantial both inside and outside. A secure mechanical yard on the property is a redundant synchronized system with expansion space for an additional 60-ton chiller and an additional generator, as the district’s technology requirement demands increase.
The finished project is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional, providing APS IT and RDA employees a safe, professional work environment that supports efficiency throughout the district.
Image Credit: The first, second and fourth APS Data Center photos are by Patrick Coulie Photography.
