May 12, 2016

Mechanical Construction

Photo from Air Systems Engineering

Exterior walls of The Henry were heavily insulated to reduce noise from nearby I-705.

The Henry apartments
Air Systems Engineering

General contractor: Sierra Construction Co.

Architect: BCRA

Owner: Henry Foss Group LLC

ABC members: Evergreen Concrete Cutting; OmniDuct Systems; Pacific Metal Co.; Paragon Pacific Insulation; Star Rentals

Working with general contractor Sierra Construction Co., Air Systems Engineering performed the design-build for this new mixed-use building on Tacoma’s Thea Foss Waterway. The 161-unit project has two levels of concrete parking garage with five levels of wood framing above.

A major challenge was designing a sound-sensitive building to shield residents living just 40 feet from the heavily used railroad tracks and next to the Interstate 705 bridge. To subdue the noise level, exterior walls were heavily insulated and high-noise-reduction-coefficient windows were used. To bring outdoor ventilation into the building, Air Systems Engineering designed a system using duct board as a sound attenuator with a telescope-type duct system that allows fresh air in with a minimum of noise.

An additional challenge was fabricating a 70-foot welded grease duct with access doors to be installed down a shaft for a future restaurant. Air Systems Engineering teamed with Magnum Crane to lift and safely place the two sections of the duct into the shaft.

Building amenities include gas barbecues, a large patio fire pit and a fireplace for the community room. Air Systems Engineering installed electronic solenoid valves and timers on the gas lines that automatically shut off at the end of each night as a safety precaution.

The project owner was pleased with the result and signed maintenance agreements with Air Systems Engineering.

There were no time-loss or medical injuries during the 2,076 hours worked.

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