MEPIS was commissioned by the University of Illinois at Chicago to perform a feasibility study of both Mechanical and Electrical systems on the third floor. The third floor of the Richard Daley Library Archive had been noted to have unstable temperature and humidity with an inability to maintain required conditions (70°F DB and 40%RH). The space was serviced by two existing air handling units that serve other areas of the facility. UIC requested an analysis to be performed on the 4,000 S.F. interior space to determine the causes and possible solutions. MEPIS separated this project into two phases. Phase I – Data Gathering includes studying existing drawings to understand the current ventilation, survey and verify the existing ventilation system serving the space, develop an air flow diagram showing the big-picture layout of the system in order to understand the original building intent and new requirements, and survey areas for potential location for new equipment. Phase II – Analysis and Recommendations consists of using the data collected in Phase I and review the existing conditions and new design requirements for the space, develop two HVAC solutions to address unstable space temperature and humidity, develop control strategies for proposed HVAC systems, develop recommendations on connection to existing facility utilities, and present options with order of magnitude costs for review by UIC facilities. MEPIS provided a report with 2 different options and construction cost estimates of both options.
