Kirkwood Community College Linn Hall
One of the original Kirkwood Buildings, Linn Hall originally opened in 1969. The 185,000 square foot mixed-use facility underwent a complete mechanical, electrical and classroom renovation to meet the changing needs of today’s students. Curriculums supported within the facility include First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate 85, Iowa Paramedic, and Paramedic Specialist courses. In addition, Linn Hall offers a state-of-the-art Surgical Simulation Center, Surgical & Dental Technology programs.
The multi-phased construction process allowed students, faculty, and staff to have beneficial use each phase as it is completed. Equipment design and selection support Kirkwood’s criteria for sustainability of systems and energy efficiency.
The building automation system was designed based on a phased/modular principle outlined by OPN Architects and Design Engineers, Inc. Baker Group utilized the campus network infrastructure and WEB Based Schneider Electric I/A Series building automation system controllers, utilizing Modbus, BACnet IP, and MS/TP as communication standards throughout the project.
Initial phasing consisted of integrating to a geothermal source flow mechanical system, cascaded chiller/heaters, heat exchangers, variable speed hot water and chilled water pumps utilizing BACNet IP as the integration standard. The mechanical system serves as the main source for heating and cooling that serves the 6 Phase, 10 Air Handling Systems (each with airflow measuring) and over 180 VAV Boxes, most having hot water reheat. In addition to the air handling systems, dedicated controls were installed on water source heat pumps, energy recovery units and fume hoods associated with the new lab classrooms. Computer Room Air Conditioning Units (CRAC) were designed as part of the mechanical system to provide primary cooling of data rooms. Baker Group can provide Kirkwood complete access to the factory profile and system alarms for each unit via integration. Historically, this was not available over a building automation network.