SVA Engineering Project - Cardinal Health Distribution Warehouse

Working as part of the design/build team, SVA provided mechanical/electrical/plumbing (M/E/P) design services for this 325,000 square foot medical supply distribution warehouse and associated 27,500 gross square foot two (2) story office space.

The warehouse space was fully air conditioned by twenty (2) constant volume rooftop air conditioning units with integral gas heating and DX cooling. HVAC distribution in the warehouse area is provided by concentric supply/return air diffusers. Ceiling mounted paddle fans were also provide to maintain air circulation. Air conditioning for the office space was provided by two (2) 50 ton rooftop variable air volume air conditioning units with gas heat. Plumbing included roof drainage and plumbing for toilet and locker rooms and office area coffee stations.

Electric power to the facility was provided by dual Baltimore Gas & Electric Company secondary feeders at 480/277 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire serving two (2) 3,000 ampere main distribution switchboards. Switchboards are interconnected with a normally open tie circuit breaker to permit limited electric power in case of failure of one (1) of the BGE feeders. Emergency power, arranged to allow continued operation of the facility during utility power outage, is provided by a 2,000 kW diesel fired emergency generator which serves an independent 3,000 ampere distribution switchboard via an automatic transfer switch with bypass isolation. One third of the lighting and one third of the building HVAC is connected to the emergency power system.

Warehouse lighting uses an innovative system of super high efficiency T-5 high output fluorescent fixtures. Lighting fixtures within the warehouse stock aisle are controlled by individual occupancy sensors for energy savings. The facility includes an automated inventory picking system, where accessibility to the lighting fixtures was a concern, so induction lamps offering 100,000 hour lamp life were specified to minimize maintenance requirements. Lighting throughout was coordinated with the ESFR sprinkler system. Convenience receptacles and raceways for voice and data wiring were provided. A complete fire alarm system is provided throughout the facility.