LGA Sapphire Lounge
Arora Engineers (Arora), working as a subconsultant to Corgan, provided engineering and construction phase services for a new two-story, 16,230 SF Chase Sapphire premium passenger lounge within LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)’s new Terminal B. The lounge allows passengers to enter without re-clearing security and permits cardmembers two guests to enjoy the two floors of amenities. The Sapphire lounge, located on the ramp and mezzanine levels, included a new elevator, grand staircase, full cooking kitchen with a Type I grease hood, and a new HVAC and exhaust system. The project was designed to reach LEED Gold certification in conjunction with the PANYNJ Sustainability & TCAP requirements.
Scope of Work Included:
Arora was responsible for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm and special systems engineering services and supported LEED and commissioning services for the new Sapphire lounge. The scope was provided in accordance with applicable codes and standards, including PANYNJ design guidelines.
Sustainability and LEED Services: Arora supported LEED template documentation provided for the MEP-related systems under the guidance of the Sustainability Leader and CxA for the project. The LEED Gold Checklist was discussed, reviewed and agreed upon for related systems as part of the owner’s project requirements (OPR), basis of design (BOD) and commissioning (Cx) plan documentation.
Mechanical Engineering: Arora determined the design criteria based on the latest PANYNJ design guidelines as well as applicable codes and standards, ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE 62.1, NYC building and mechanical codes. The scope also included performing cooling and heating load calculations, selecting and sizing HVAC equipment to provide thermal comfort and ventilation as required by code. Designs also included a new kitchen exhaust and makeup air system. The contract documents included removals, construction staging, equipment layouts, elevations and sections, duct layouts, schedules, details, controls and technical specifications following PANYNJ standard specifications.
Electrical Engineering: Arora determined the design criteria based on the latest PANYNJ design guidelines as well as applicable codes and standards, such as the National Electrical Code, New York City Electrical Code and National Electrical Testing Association requirements. Arora performed load and voltage drop calculations to provide normal and emergency power to new and existing equipment including all receptacles, lighting, lighting control panels and devices, HVAC and plumbing equipment, fire alarm equipment, special system equipment, and kitchen equipment. The contract documents included removals, construction staging, equipment and feeder layouts, lighting plans, elevation views of the new equipment, diagrams, schedules, electrical details and technical specifications following PA standard specifications.
Plumbing Engineering: Plumbing systems included domestic water, waste/vent, and gas service. Arora determined the design criteria based on the latest PANYNJ design guidelines as well as applicable codes and standards such as NYC Plumbing code, ASPE Data Book and ASHRAE 90.1. Arora provided domestic water, waste/vent and gas systems for new restrooms and cooking kitchen with natural gas, grease traps (inline or connected to building grease trap system) and three pot sinks. The contract documents included removals, construction staging, equipment layouts, riser diagrams, schedules, details and technical specifications following PANYNJ standard specifications.
Fire Suppression Engineering: Arora provided fire protection engineering services for an interior fit-out for the new Lounge, which included the design of a fire protection system to protect the space as required by applicable codes and standards, including PA design guidelines, NFPA 13, NFPA 14, NFPA 17A, NFPA 415. Arora provided fire protection engineering services for the reconfiguration of the existing lounge and full interior fit-out of the new lounge area. Arora’s scope of work included the design of a fire protection system to protect the space as required by applicable codes and standards. These systems included standard water-based sprinkler and standpipe systems, and a wet chemical suppression system for the new kitchen.
The existing sprinkler branch lines and associated sprinkler were modified to protect the reconfigured space and fed by the existing mains, and the new areas were provided with new sprinklers. The scope also included the layout of all sprinklers, hose valves, system valves, piping, and equipment the new sprinkler and standpipe systems. For spaces containing high value and/or water-sensitive assets, a non-water-based type system (pre-action sprinkler and gaseous suppression systems) was provided in place of traditional sprinklers.
Fire Alarm Engineering: Arora protected the new lounge with the extension of the existing voice evacuation fire alarm system with automatic and manual fire detection as required by applicable codes and standards including PANYNJ design guidelines, NFPA 72 and NYC building and mechanical codes. Arora provided a coordinated layout of all required devices including smoke detectors, pull stations, building system interface modules, notification appliances, remote annunciators, and control panels. The fire alarm system was designed to interface with other fire life safety systems such as smoke purge, HVAC systems, sprinkler and kitchen suppression monitoring system.
Special Systems Engineering: Arora provided special systems engineering services for the new lounge, including CCTV, Public Address, Music and Lighting Control Systems.
Construction Administration: Arora provided on-site inspection services during the construction phase to insure conformity with the contract plans and specifications.
