The population of Chatham County is estimated to double in the next 10-15 years, putting additional pressure on the emergency management system. The existing emergency management center, while adequate, lacked surge capacity and classroom space. In addition, the space was shared and needed to be broken down for other uses at times. The facility’s warehouse was also several miles away, and there were issues with the adequacy of the 911 facility, including the grounding system.
The county determined there was a need for a new Emergency Management & 911 Communications Center where all emergency functions would be centralized in one location. The new facility houses a dedicated, larger space for briefings as well as spaces for call center functions, training, amenities (showers and sleeping quarters), expanded storage, and vehicles.
The facility contains both the county’s Emergency Management and Emergency Communications Agencies. RMF provided the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services, as well as fire protection, energy management, HVAC, lighting, security, and access control engineering services for the project.
The HVAC system features redundancy that serves the IT room and operations center, which are also supported by redundant CRAC units. Various options in terms of system types were evaluated based on energy savings and first cost. RMF coordinated with the building envelope design consultant to develop HVAC loads. RMF also designed a solar domestic hot water system with storage tanks that circulates water and sends solar-preheated water to the domestic water heater.
The building is completely supported by a standby diesel generator and docking station. RMF also designed a UPS system for the IT room and the operations center, and coordinated with the IT consultant for power and raceway requirements for the IT room. RMF was also responsible for the complete grounding and lightning protection system, fire alarm system, plumbing and sanitary sewer system, sprinkler system, and lighting system.
An ancillary building that stores emergency supplies, vehicles, and other equipment is ventilated and heated with a compressed air system for working on county vehicles. It’s also roughed in for plumbing for future restrooms and showers. RMF coordinated with Duke Energy on the provision of electrical power and communications cabling to the site.