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The George Bush International Airport (IAH) of Houston 

Chilled Water Lines, Texas

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH), Texas, contracted USA Comfort Systems (Prime Contractor) to design a $ 17 million dollar chilled water pipeline aerial loop to replace an existing underground chilled water pipeline, which was leaking approximately 10,000 gallons of treated water daily due to unknown cracks in the buried pipes. As a sub-consultant to this project, TLC handled constructability reviews, site logistics, storm water pollution prevention planning, permitting, document control, QA/QC inspections, weld mapping, structural and concrete inspections, and coordination of concrete testing. TLC also handled traffic control planning and provided traffic control equipment and personnel.

The design consisted of 5,600 feet of 36-inch diameter piping, with 0.5-inch thickness and 3-inch insulation. Also included in the design were foundations (some in concentrated utility conflicted areas), four bridges spanning highly traveled roads, an underground road transit, storm water prevention planning, landscaping design and implementation, constructability reviews of design, and construction management.

The urgency of the system start-up and the safety/environmental issues involved in this special project required specific actions, such as an accelerated procurement and construction schedule, FAA coordination, special safety and traffic maintenance considerations, and a fast-tracked design and construction schedule, with overlapping activities. All work was completed in seven and a half months, with minimal impact on airport operations and while maintaining airport security standards.

 

Contract Size: $584,112

Contract Year: 2011

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