Arora’s scope included mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire life safety, and special systems design, supporting flexible, technology-integrated spaces and high-performance building systems. Key elements included high-efficiency HVAC systems, energy modeling, structured cabling aligned with SDP standards, and integration of security systems and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) for first responders.

Through integrated design and coordination, the project achieved LEED v4 BD+C: Schools Gold Certification, delivering an 18% reduction in energy use, 5 million gallons of annual water savings, and 58% daylight autonomy in learning spaces. These strategies enhance occupant comfort, improve indoor environmental quality, and support long-term operational efficiency.

The result is a sustainable, adaptable learning environment that supports student success while advancing the School District’s commitment to healthier, more resilient schools.

Read more about the LEED project stats here.

Explore more of Arora’s work in sustainable education design.

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SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDED:

Arora provided a review of applicable Fire Codes to determine the following:

• Whether the Ryan Veterinarian Hospital’s first-floor oxygen storage room was required to be sprinklered, based upon related work completed under a separate project associated with the removal of the exterior oxygen storage tank and the installation of a new oxygen generator within the basement of the Ryan Veterinarian Hospital.
  Whether the Ryan Veterinarian Hospital’s current three non-interconnected dry standpipes were compliant with the Philadelphia Building, Fire Code and Standpipe Ordnances.
• Arora conducted an onsite survey to identify areas of concern relating to automatic suppression requirements for the existing first floor oxygen storage room automatic suppression and the potential requirement for interconnecting three existing non-interconnected dry standpipe risers. The culmination of findings from the onsite survey was provided in a written Assessment Report issued to the University of Pennsylvania.

Arora’s Assessment Report included code-related findings and recommendations:

Oxygen Storage Room:
Arora determined that the Ryan Veterinarian Hospital would benefit from sprinkler installation within the oxygen storage room, based on current code and current requirements set forth by The University of Pennsylvania to provide sprinklers in renovated areas where sprinklers were not previously installed.

Recommendations: To install a one and one quarter inch sprinkler supply branch line, a vertical drum drip to capture condensation prior to penetrating the wall between the loading dock and the oxygen storage room, and two to three upright, quick-response, ordinary hazard sprinkler heads, spaced to cover the entire Oxygen Storage Room.

The adjacent loading dock dry sprinkler system was determined to be the most appropriate system to extend into the oxygen storage room, based upon proximity, functionality and prudent economics.

Three (3) Individual Dry Standpipes:
Arora reviewed the Current and Existing Philadelphia Building Codes, Philadelphia Standpipe Ordinances and Standpipe recommendations and determinations produced by the City of Philadelphia Fire Code Unit’s Board of Safety & Fire Protection.

Upon the completion of its assessment, Arora determined due to the age, height and use-group of the Ryan Veterinarian Hospital, the existing individual dry standpipes are compliant as installed, with the following required enhancements provided.

The installation of additional exterior weather resistant signage for each Standpipe, defining its specific service location (stair tower #) and that it is a singular (non-interconnected) standpipe.

The installation of additional exterior weather resistant FDC signage defining the pathway to and the locations of each of the remaining standpipes.

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SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDED:

• Providing documentation to power the new lighting.
• Replacing existing diffusers with linear diffusers.
• Reinstalling any current ceiling equipment/devices in their existing locations.
• Replacing approximately 6,000 square feet of ceiling in the lobby.
• All the existing MEP items in the ceiling, other than lights and diffusers, were temporarily removed and reinstalled in the same location, and connected to the existing systems. The new lights were also connected to the existing circuitry and therefore operate as the previous lights did.

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SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED:

Griffith Hall Excessive Humidity Conditions Assessment and Corrections
In the first phase of the project, Arora provided professional engineering evaluation services associated with an assessment to determine the cause of excessive humidity conditions present primarily during the summer months in portions of the first and second floors of Griffith Hall. A complete report was prepared and submitted to the University for review. The second phase of the project featured mechanical design services to upgrade and modify the university’s HVAC equipment to better control humidity in accordance with Arora’s recommendations.

Wilson Hall Fire Alarm System Assessment
Arora’s Fire/Life Safety staff performed an assessment at Wilson Hall to determine the cause of unclear alarm notifications associated with the existing duct detection, and whether the system has met or exceeded its life cycle. The results of the evaluation were presented to the university for review.

Photo Credit: Scott Hewitt Photography/University of the Sciences

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Arora provided Mechanical, Electrical and Structural design / bid, Construction Administration, and Project Closeout services for the design of a central air-conditioning system throughout the contiguous open areas of the first floor of Harriet Tubman Hall.

SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED:

• Onsite survey to gather detailed mechanical and electrical existing field conditions related to the project area and scope.
• Design of housekeeping pads to mount the exterior elements of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioning systems.
• Design of penetrations through existing building elements, such as exterior and interior walls and floor slabs.
• Calculation and design of VRF air-conditioning systems to serve the contiguous open areas of the first floor.
• Design and layout of the condensate drain piping systems to collect cooling coil condensate from each of eleven VRF air-conditioning split unit.
• Design and layout of electrical requirements to support and power the various VRF air-conditioning systems’ elements, exterior condensing units and interior split units.
• Design of supports to secure refrigerant, condensate and power lines and to be the foundation for the University. Provided refrigerant, condensate and power lines protective encapsulation system.

Additionally, Arora provided the following construction administration services for Harriet Tubman Hall:

• On behalf of Cheyney University, prepared and submitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Signed and Sealed Permit Application Drawings.
• Attended pre-construction meeting.
• Attended biweekly construction progress meetings and provided construction observation.
• Reviewed and responded to written RFIs and substitution requests.
• Shop drawing / submittal review and response.
• Reviewed and responded to change order requests.
• Performed substantial completion inspection and punch-list.
• Performed final completion inspection.
• Provided Record Design Drawings.
• Reviewed Contractors As-Built Drawings.

Arora also provided VRF HVAC system project for floors 2 through 7 at Tubman Hall. Arora’s scope of work included:

• Provided technical narrative and scope of work for the mechanical and electrical work associated with the project.
• Reviewed design build proposals and provided recommendations for award to contractors.
• Conducted site visit upon substantial completion to create a punch list to identify any installation deficiencies and scope yet to be completed.

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Philadelphia City Council passed bill number 180745 to change the Philadelphia Fire Code by adding Section B-903.2.11.7 and amending Section F-903.2.7. The amendment requires automatic sprinklers to be installed in areas of the basement and the level of exit discharge in buildings that have one or more stories located 45 feet or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Existing drawings and UPenn design manuals were reviewed prior to survey. A fire flow test was conducted by the Philadelphia Water Department was commissioned for each building in the Scope of Work. The fire flow test results were used to develop hydraulic calculations for the sprinkler system design. Final hydraulic calculations developed with HydraCalc were provided at the Construction Documentation level.

SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED: SURVEYS PER BUILDING

• Areas of sprinklered/non-sprinklered.
• Connections to the existing water supply
• Connection and pathway to a new water supply entrance (Towne Building only)
• Pathways for fire sprinkler piping and drainage as necessary
• Integration of proposed fire sprinkler system to existing fire alarm system

The buildings included in the scope:

• Chemistry Lab (1973 Wing) | Ground Floor and 1st Floor
• Chemistry Lab (1958 Wing) | Basement/Ground Floor
• John Morgan Building | Basement/Ground Floor (1st Floor)
• Rosenthal Building | Basement and 1st Floor
• Towne Building | Basement and 1st Floor
• Vance Building | 1st Floor

CHEMISTRY LAB (1973 WING)
The scope of work for this building required fire sprinkler system coverage in non-sprinklered areas of the Basement/Ground Floor and 1st Floor. The Basement/Ground Floor consisted of one level in this building. The Arora Team paid close attention to detail to the sprinkler and associated piping installation in the large classroom.

• Chemistry Lab (1973 Wing) Floor: Noted Existing Areas of Sprinkler Protection
• Basement: Ground Floor Deluge System at 2-Story Vertical Opening; Preaction System in NW Room, NE Corridor; SW Labs
• 1st Floor Deluge System at 2-Story Vertical Opening

CHEMISTRY LAB (1958 WING)
The scope of work for the Chemistry Lab (1958 Wing) required fire sprinkler system coverage in non-sprinklered areas of the Basement/Ground Floor. The Basement/Ground Floor consisted of two levels in this building. The Arora Team coordinated installation of new sprinkler systems in laboratories with sensitive equipment that could not be relocated during renovation.

JOHN MORGAN BUILDING
The John Morgan scope of work included two large classrooms requiring sprinkler and piping installation while preserving the ceiling finish. Another area of note were the architecturally sensitive corridors on the Ground Floor. Arora preserved and protected the decorative crown molding while completing the sprinkler system coverage in non-sprinklered areas of the Basement and Ground Floors. Additionally, sprinkler protection was included in the small Sub-Basement Levels.

ROSENTHAL BUILDING
The scope of work for this building required fire sprinkler system coverage in non-sprinklered Basement and 1st Floors. New zones were established and connected to existing protection on other floors.

TOWNE BUILDING
The Arora Team successfully completed new fire sprinkler coverage while preserving the architectural features in the corridors. Arora partnered with KS Engineers to design the incoming fire protection water supply from the City of Philadelphia Municipal Water Supply to the Towne Building.

VANCE BUILDING
The scope of work for this building required provision of fire sprinkler system coverage in the non-sprinklered 1st Floor. The existing deluge systems used as separation protection between the 1st and 2nd Floors remained. The Arora team coordinated the provision of the new fire sprinkler zone integrating it with existing protection on other floors.

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The upper-levels offer mixed-use classrooms, study and training spaces focused on various manufacturing disciplines including CNC manufacturing, energy, and trades training, a robust welding lab, with additional advanced specialized industry equipment. Other curricular programs include business courses, information technology, healthcare and Diagnostic Medical Imaging training and academic support.

Building Features

• Energy efficient design that utilizes a high amount of natural lighting
• LEED certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
• Green rooftop for students and community members
• Second floor patio with an adjoining room for events that can accommodate 75-100 guests
• Learning commons and multiple conference rooms for student collaboration

Transportation and Logistics Technologies Training

• Square footage of the auto space will be increased to 15,000 sq. feet (three times the size of the current program)
• Diesel and heavy equipment technology
• Increased number of connective and autonomous vehicles for hands-on learning
• Deisel Technologies Auto Lab windows

Advanced Manufacturing Training

• CNC lab size will be tripled
• Additional, flexible lab space for programs like the Gas Distribution Pipeline program
• Electromechanics and welding will be offered all in one space, creating interdepartmental synergy and interdisciplinary learning opportunities
• Advanced Manufacturing Area Open Learning Space

Entry-level Health Care Career Training

• Central Sterile Processing
• Lab space for certified nurse and dental assisting programs
• Additional lab space for future health care programming
• Learning Commons Level 3 seating

Innovation Hub for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

• Community workspace labs will feature 3-D printing and other state-of-the-art tools
• Community room and patio will be open for community use

SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDED:

Arora provided technical support from the Planning Phase through the current phase of Construction Administration. The facility will be LEED Silver certified at a minimum and will incorporate Green Roof technologies. Design services include:

Mechanical – Arora provided design services for the facility’s two distinct HVAC systems: a general system to serve the majority of the building (classrooms, etc.) and dedicated systems to serve the Auto Tech and Diesel/Heavy Equipment program spaces, with their unique code and operational requirements. Specifics include:

• A building-wide VRF heating and air conditioning system with flat plate heat exchangers.
• Enhanced fresh air and exhaust in the vehicle and welding labs.

Plumbing –

• New sanitary and storm laterals connecting to the sewer main and combined sewer main respectively.
• Elevator sump pump in elevator pit.
• Domestic hot and cold water.
• Emergency showers fed by dedicated electrical tankless water heaters.
• Natural gas service.
• Compressed air for industrial tools/equipment via a duplex rotary screw type air compressor with integral tank mounted refrigerated air dryer.
• Wet and dry systems augmented by a water-cooled diesel fire pump.
• Roof hydrants for Green Roof.
• Vehicle fluid piping systems for lubricating oil, anti-freeze, windshield washer fluid, etc. provided via portable dispensing equipment included in the shop/lab equipment.

Electrical –

• New electrical service and distribution throughout the building.
  LED lighting fixtures.

Fire/ Life Safety –

• Automatic wet sprinkler fire protection system.
• Standpipe system.
• WON-DOOR movable partitions at the primary egress stair.
• New addressable fire alarm system with manual and automatic initiation devices installed throughout the facility, and an emergency voice evacuation system.

Special Systems –

• Telecommunications rooms to store headend equipment and cabling distribution to end devices.
• Structured cabling.
• Wireless Local Area Network.
• Security Systems, CCTV and Access Control.

Project image provided by The Community College of Philadelphia.

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SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED:

Arora provided Electrical, Fire/Life Safety, and Mechanical and Plumbing engineering design services to support the conversion to temporary classrooms. These spaces will provide added capacity to facilitate teaching and learning with 6’ social distancing separation as the school navigates educating students amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The project area was approximately 96,000 SF total on the 2nd and 3rd floor of Paley and a subsequent 48,000 SF on the ground floor. Renovations included new partitions to create new social distancing classrooms and new single use gender neutral bathrooms. One challenge overcame was modifying the obsolescent 1960’s vintage mechanical and electrical systems to conform to current codes and provide suitable service to the spaces and their occupants.

Upon successful design completion and contractor bidding of the 1st phase (2nd & 3rd floors), Arora was subsequently engaged to similarly assist in renovating the ground floor. Both phases were successfully completed and open to returning students on time for the start of fall classes on August 24, 2020.

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TASK ORDERS INCLUDED:

Electrical Assessment for King Hall: Arora provided engineering services for the electrical assessment of King Hall, which was used to determine the feasibility of installing window air-conditioning (A/C) units throughout its dormitory rooms. Arora provided the following services:

• Reviewed existing drawings and performed a site survey to understand the existing electrical distribution system configuration and estimated available capacity.
• Selected a standard window A/C unit capable of cooling typical King Hall dormitory rooms.
• Performed load calculations and determined the capability of the existing electrical system to support the proposed A/C unit installation.
• Provided an Assessment Report stating findings and recommendations, which included pictures, calculations, and single line diagrams.

Emlen Hall and Burleigh Hall: Arora provided life safety, MEP, and architectural design services to Cheyney University in order to increase the number of dormitory beds for on-campus students at Emlen Hall and Burleigh Hall. The University sought to make the buildings safer by documenting for construction, needed repairs, and upgrades to existing fire protection systems. The University also sought to enhance energy efficiency and the comfort of the resident students of Emlen and Burleigh Halls by documenting for construction, the addition of vapor barriers, and insulation for the building’s original 1930s exterior stone walls and attic spaces.

In order to complete this work at Emlen and Burleigh Halls, Arora provided the following design and engineering services:

• Onsite survey to gather detailed information associated with existing field conditions.
• Researched construction materials and installation techniques.
• Determined approaches for modifying the existing dormer and attic wet pipe fire suppression systems to aide in preventing future freezing issues.
• Determined approaches for modifying the existing mechanical systems, dormer, and attic ventilation control to aide in preventing future condensation issues and preventing future freezing issues within the dormer / attic wet pipe fire suppression systems.
• Prepared architectural documentation defining multiple vapor barrier and insulation installation measures the University could implement over multiple phases.

Harriet Tubman Hall: Arora provided mechanical, electrical, and structural design / bid, construction administration, and project closeout services for the design of a central air-conditioning system throughout the contiguous open areas of the first floor of Harriet Tubman Hall.

Arora’s scope of services included:

• Onsite survey to gather detailed mechanical and electrical existing field conditions related to the project area and scope.
• Design of housekeeping pads to mount the exterior elements of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioning systems.
• Design of penetrations through existing building elements, such as exterior and interior walls and floor slabs.
• Calculation and design of VRF air-conditioning systems to serve the contiguous open areas of the first floor.
• Design and layout of the condensate drain piping systems to collect cooling coil condensate from each of eleven VRF air-conditioning split unit.
• Design and layout of electrical requirements to support and power the various VRF air-conditioning systems’ elements, exterior condensing units, and interior split units.
• Design of supports to secure refrigerant, condensate, and power lines, and to be the foundation for the University provided refrigerant, condensate, and power lines protective encapsulation system.

Additionally, Arora will provide the following construction administration services for Harriet Tubman Hall:

• Prepare and submit to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, signed and sealed permit application drawings.
• Attend pre-construction meetings.
• Attend biweekly construction progress meetings and provide construction observation.
• Review and respond to written RFIs and substitution requests.
• Shop drawing / submittal review and response.
• Review and respond to change order requests.
• Perform substantial completion inspection and punch-list.
• Perform final completion inspection.
• Provide record design drawings.
• Review contractors as-built drawings.

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Arora provided an MEP scope of work narrative for the project which proposed to retrofit various locker rooms, bathrooms, wet labs, and classroom spaces within the basement of Pearson Hall into three Anatomy & Physiology Labs, an Athletic Training Classroom, a Wet Tub Room, a Storage Room, an Exercise Science Lab with Exercise Equipment Stations, and a Shared Storage Room. Arora based the MEP narrative on an on-site field survey, during which they reviewed the existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and special systems as related to accommodating the revised layout.

Following the MEP narrative, Temple asked Arora to prepare Construction Documents and provide Construction Administration Services for the project as well.

SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED:

Arora’s scope of work included the following phases:

• The MEP Scope of Work Narrative described the existing conditions and proposed work (demolition and new construction) with sufficient detail to prepare a cost estimate.
• The Construction Documents were based on the Scope of Work narrative, with some modifications due to a slightly revised floor plan. The documents were comprised of AutoCAD drawings for bidding.
• The Construction Administration support included four (4) project meetings, submittal reviews, responses to Requests for Information (RFI’s), preparation of punch list, and review of change order requests.

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