Operational Readiness Training Center (ORTC)

This project has achieved LEED Gold certification for all five buildings on the 47 acre site. Sustainable features included an extensive photovoltaic array, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and energy efficient lighting controls.

Purcell Construction was the Design-Build General Contractor for the Operational Readiness Training Complex (ORTC) located on an approximately 47 acre site located in Fort Drum, New York. The project includes two 61,116 square feet Barracks buildings housing 336 soldiers each, one 22,579 square feet Officers Quarters building housing 80 soldiers, one 11,237 square feet Battalion Headquarters, one 16,761 square feet Dining Facility, >one 11,854 square feet Vehicle Maintenance Shop, and three 1,344 square feet storage sheds. Site design includes a physical training area, new utility service, new roadways, and storm water system. The site and facility designs comply with Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Standards.

The four-story Barracks buildings are designed to house transient soldiers in an open bay configuration and senior leaders in a two per room configuration. Shower and latrine facilities and laundry rooms are provided at each floor. In addition, a team room and reading area are provided at each floor for Featured Projects meetings and recreation. Vertical circulation is located at the end of each open bay. The Barracks mechanical system is a closed circuit water to water geothermal heat pump system that heats and cools building. A dedicated ventilation air handler conditions and distributes conditioned, dehumidified and highly filtered air. High efficient condensing boilers preheat domestic hot water.

The two-story Officers Quarters is designed to accommodate transient senior leaders in a two bed per room configuration, each with a bathroom. A common area, laundry, and vending are located at each floor. Vertical circulation is located at each end of the building. A closed circuit water to water geothermal heat pump system heats and cools the building. High efficiency condensing boilers preheat domestic hot water.

The Battalion Headquarters houses transient battalion level administrative functions and classrooms for soldiers. are located around the perimeter and an open office area is centrally located to the private offices to share resources. There are operable partitions between the classrooms to create one large area for group lecture or gatherings. Each classroom has a direct access to the exterior for increased life safety. The Battalion mechanical system is a geothermal variable air volume (VAV) water to air heat pumps and parallel fan powered VAV terminal units heat and cool the building. The VAV heat pumps heat, cool and dehumidify the supply air. Energy recovery is used to precondition ventilation air. High efficiency condensing boilers preheat domestic hot water.

The Dining Facility contains facilities for food preparation and service, including a seated dining area. The seated dining area also serves as a gathering place for group activities. The staff is responsible for feeding 720 soldiers per meal within 90 minutes, three times per day, seven days a week. To expedite service, two queuing stations and service lines are provided. The building also includes office space for management and a secure dry storage area. A loading dock provides delivery access for supplies. The mechanical system is a closed circuit water-to-water geothermal heat pump system to heat and cool the building. A dedicated ventilation air handler conditions and distributes conditioned, dehumidified, and highly filtered air. High efficient condensing boilers preheat domestic hot water.

The Vehicle Maintenance Shop is designed to provide space to maintain and repair vehicles, and provide temporary storage of unit supplies and equipment. There are two drive-through bays dedicated to vehicle maintenance with one bay containing a maintenance pit for additional service ability. An elevated 2,900 square feet warehouse provides racked storage for the facility in addition to accepting deliveries for parts and supplies. The company sheds are available for additional vehicle maintenance and storage of POL/Hazmat lubricants and tools. The Vehicle Maintenance Shop is heated with in-slab hydronic radiant heating. Separate vehicle exhaust systems are provided for each bay. A sidewall gravity intake louver is provided for makeup air when any or all vehicle exhaust fans are in operation. Carbon monoxide detectors are provided throughout the building.

The Design-Build team strives for a design approach that considers occupant comfort, and functional performance. The goal is to maintain good indoor air quality to improve occupant comfort, which was done through adequate ventilation and thermal comfort while meeting or exceeding the Scope of Work requirements. The proposed design produces an environmentally responsible building.

Each building was evaluated for its intended use and occupancy to incorporate energy efficient solutions. The proper use of lighting lamp and ballast combinations, as well as specific lighting controls, use of Energy Star rated equipment, and careful consideration of power distribution assist in reducing each building's energy consumption. All designs comply with EPAct 2005, and building envelopes, HVAC systems, service water heating, power and lighting systems achieve an energy consumption that is at least 40% below the ASHRAE 90.1 baseline building energy consumption.

To reduce each building's overall water use, low-flow plumbing fixtures, including water closets, urinals, showers, and lavatories were utilized. By selecting low-flow fixtures, the project was able to reduce its water consumption and assist in achieving LEED credits. A high performance masonry building envelope was selected for its durability, longevity, and life cycle cost efficiency, in addition to achieving LEED credits. Building envelope thermal performance was maximized, introducing the use of a continuous spray foam insulation to help meet air leakage and thermal performance testing. Windows have low-E glazing to reduce heat load within the building and aid in energy efficiency. A transpired solar air collector system was used at the Vehicle Maintenance Shop south façade to pre-heat the ventilation air to reduce energy consumption and also utilized to meet an innovation and design LEED credit.

The project will be able to achieve a LEED Gold rating per LEED v2.2 New Construction. In addition to the high performance building envelope and energy efficient mechanical and electrical equipment, the building’s interior design utilized durable, LEED compliant, low maintenance, and easily maintained finishes. Other features contributing to LEED Gold include the coordination of lighting and thermal controls and the site’s storm water design being maximized.