MEPIS was commissioned by Studio ARQ Architects for the electrical design for ADA-compliant upgrades at the Chicago Heights Public Library. The scope of work had two main components: provide power to 4 new ADA doors, and design a new snow-melt system for the new ADA ramp, with a new snow-melt system for the rebuilding of existing stairs as an alternate. MEPIS Engineers surveyed the building and determined that there was insufficient capacity in the existing utility room to serve the new snow-melt system. In order to provide power, a new 200A panelboard was specified for the utility room fed from an existing spare circuit on the main switchboard. The snow-melt system design included the layout of MI heating cables, snow/temperature sensors, contactor panels and a system controller with a new annunciator panel to go into the vestibule. The main challenge was detailing within the drawings the scope of work to be done with each bidding option (no snow-melt, ramp/stairs only or both). The new ADA doors will be fed by the new panelboard.
