High Efficiency Laboratories Provide Superior Sustainability and Safety

A Conversation with Todd A. Spacek, P.E., LEED® AP

Today’s laboratories are more energy efficient than ever  and Henneman’s current project on the campus of Iowa  State University is a prime example of the latest trends in energy efficient laboratory design.

 

Todd Spacek, director of Henneman’s Iowa City office, and a team of 10 engineers have been actively involved from the earliest stages in the planning, design and execution of Hach Hall -- a high-end chemistry research laboratory and teaching facility.

 

The Henneman team began work on the $52 million project in 2007 and expects the building to be completed in August 2010. Todd explains that the new lab balances strict ventilation and exhaust requirements with innovative energy saving strategies.
 
The laboratory HVAC system consists of four custom built-up 100% outdoor air handling units coupled with plate heat exchangers, low flow fume hoods and strobic exhaust fans.

 

“In basic terms, the purpose of our design is to protect laboratory users. Past design concepts call for spaces to be over ventilated coupled with fume hoods that accommodate constant air flow even if they are not in use,” Todd said.

 

Todd continued, “Our design builds on the concept of varying ventilation based on use. We designed fast acting control systems and utilized fume hoods that are designed to work at lower ventilation rates. The fume hoods are even equipped with occupancy sensors so that ventilation rate can be lowered if the fume hood face is open and no one is present in front of the hood.”

 

Though the design was mindful of reducing the required ventilation while still maintaining safe use and operation, it also integrates elements to reclaim expended energy and even capture rain water.

 

Plate heat exchangers were utilized for each laboratory air handling unit reclaiming the energy from the exhaust air to temper the incoming outside air. Rain water is collected in a cistern to supply water closets and urinals with gray water.

 

“We are pleased the project team remained focused on sustainability. This mentality facilitated many unique design features. We currently anticipate LEED Silver, however we are tracking closer to LEED Gold. Based on the energy efficient design, we anticipate all 10 LEED credits for EA 1:Optimize Energy Performance,” Todd stated.

 

“It is very gratifying that the design team at Henneman was able to have a positive impact on energy efficiency at Iowa State, while reducing the carbon footprint and providing a safe working environment for employees,” Todd concluded.

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

John A. Paulauskis, P.E.

Project Manager – Acoustical Engineer

John Paulauskis is truly one of a kind. As the only acoustical  engineer at Henneman Engineering, John brings 37 years  of experience as an expert in noise and vibration control to his projects. With a wealth of experience in healthcare design, John has also provided acoustical engineering design for education, industrial, theatrical, and broadcast projects.

 

A native of Springfield, Illinois, John earned a degree from the University of Illinois in Aeronautical Engineering and began his career with McDonnell Douglas Corporation (now Boeing). John says it was his early experience in the study of the vibration of aircraft structures that eventually led him to specialize in noise control engineering. John later went to work for the State of Illinois and the Environmental Protection Agency for the division of Noise Pollution Control. In addition, he worked for Hospital Building and Equipment Corp. (HBE) for 20 years.

 

Between his background in aerospace, work with the EPA, and extensive hospital experience, and various other positions, John has a unique specialty and expertise in noise control. Even after 37 years, he says he is still fascinated with finding solutions for clients that optimize noise and vibration control design. He has written about many topics related to acoustical engineering and been published in a variety of ASHRAE publications.

 

“Vibratory systems constitute the building blocks of the Universe,” John explains. “Understanding and being able to use them for noise and vibration controls is very unique, which makes this science much more fascinating as compared to other science disciplines.”

 

John joined the St. Louis office of Henneman in 2003 as a Project Manager. He works on a variety of projects including a major current project with the University of Missouri Patientcare Tower where one of his tasks is to reduce noise in patient rooms. He recently completed a structural vibration study for a new biophysics lab for Washington University/BJC.

 

John has worked with several of his clients and colleagues on a long-term basis including Paul Mayer, project manager at Washington University School of Medicine. The two previously worked together for many years.

 

Paul explains how John’s specialized talents led him to hire John and Henneman Engineering.“I have worked with John for more than 19 years at HBE. John not only was the acoustical engineer for all of the new and remodeled buildings we worked on, but was invaluable for solving the vibration problems of existing buildings,” Paul said.
 
He continued, “As a project manager at Washington University School of Medicine, hiring John and Henneman was a logical choice to help us identify and solve the many unusual and complicated vibration problems that we have had on our campus. It has always been a pleasure knowing and working with John over the years.”

 

When John is not solving noise control problems, he enjoys reading, playing golf and spending time with his three grandchildren. He has been married for 29 years and has three children.

 

A golfer since high school, John says he enjoys golf because golf is analogous to life with all of its anticipation, drama, achievements, and sometimes failure.

 

John is an avid reader of biographies, having completed those of Harry Truman, Ted Kennedy, John Adams, Werner Von Braun, Billy Graham and others. His favorite magazine is Scientific American and his favorite movie is Forest Gump. His personal credo is always search for the truth.

 

Of his unique niche as an acoustical engineer John says, “While there are not a lot of people who do what I do, I really enjoy it because it helps others. Whether reducing noise in a hospital patient’s room, a school classroom, or a manufacturing plant, noise control can really have a positive impact on people’s lives.”