Prime Architects were engaged by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) to provide Architect/Engineer (A/E) services for the installation of modern heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in housing units 5, 7, 10, and 12 at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Seagoville, Texas. The project aimed to upgrade the existing systems to improve the living conditions within these units.

Reference documents were reviewed and Prime consulted with SCRO’s to establish a plan, schedule, and agenda for site visits in order to assess existing conditions of the project site and propose various design approaches. Prime also developed preliminary concept drawings and schematic design packages for this project.

A central, constant volume air handling system was chosen as a solution due to its simplicity and ease of maintenance. New building management systems tied into the existing and recently installed Tridium Niagara front end.

This institution lacked a central chilled water plant, so Prime Architects incorporated an independent source of cooling at each building, or shared among adjacent buildings, along with expected civil and electrical upgrades to support any new major equipment installation.

Housing Units 5, 7, 10 and 12 weren’t well insulated, so Prime Architects incorporated exterior wall and attic insulation improvements consistent with ASHRAE 90.1. This project required demolition and replacement of a portion of existing ceilings to accommodate HVAC equipment.