Title
Amendment to the 2014 Capital Improvement Program to Replace Air Conditioning Chiller at the Public Works Building.
Body
Recommended Action: Approve the CIP amendment.
The Public Works building at 1144 S. Seneca was constructed in 1998. The building has now been in service for 16 years. Both compressors in the chiller system have been problematic throughout the life of the building. They have undergone major repairs or replacement on a number of occasions. Earlier this year, the service technicians advised staff that the unit is nearing its end of life and that Public Works should begin to plan for replacement of the entire chiller system. Chiller repair costs have totaled $185,000 since July of 2006 (8 years).
In August, one of the compressors shut down. Refrigerant piping leading to the compressor was cracked and the unit had dumped its entire load of refrigerant gas. The piping was repaired and an initial charge of refrigerant was added to the system to allow startup of the compressor. When the compressor was started, it was out of balance and created a couple of inches of vibration in the newly repaired line. Public Works has been advised that the compressor has failed and needs to be replaced. Estimated cost to replace a single compressor is $25,000 to $30,000. Estimated cost to replace the entire chiller system is $113,195.
Currently, the building is running on one compressor. In order to hold the building at a comfortable temperature, the boiler system has been shut down and all outside air dampers have been closed. Failure of the second compressor would render the building uninhabitable in a matter of hours.
Given that the system is near the end of life and that the cost to replace a single compressor is approximately one fourth of the cost to replace the entire system, Public Works recommends replacement of the entire system as quickly as possible.
Alternatives: None
Financial Considerations: Facility Project Services and Bu...
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