Mechanical Infrastructure

Replace Thermal Piping System at El Dorado Correctional Facility

This project started out as a study to provide alternatives and associated probable construction costs for replacement of the existing thermal piping system at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in El Dorado, Kansas. LSA reviewed the study with Representatives of the Department of Corrections and Division of Facilities Management and together established direction for system replacement. The replacement of the thermal piping system required modifications to several of the Facility's systems and infrastructure including security electronics, primary electrical distribution, site lighting and low voltage distribution to a number of exterior guard stations. The Facility's maintenance staff using inmate labor constructed a mile long shallow concrete trench. Once the trench was completed, a contract was let for the installation of the thermal piping. This piping was reconnected to the existing buildings in such a manor so as to minimize system downtime. The result of the project was a system that dramatically reduced the facility's utility costs while successfully integrating with the existing architecture. Due to the critical nature of the facility, all system modifications were completed in such a manner so as to keep the facility up and running during the construction process.