MEP System Designs Provided by JSE for Cobb County Georgia Schools

For students and teachers, the closing of the school building for summer break signals it’s time to be poolside; for the building industry however, it is a signal to get busy! This summer Jordan & Skala is helping the Cobb County Georgia School System make significant MEP system designs, including mechanical, electrical and fire protection enhancements to Tapp Middle School in Powder Springs, GA.

In early Fall of 2012, Jordan & Skala began design of a completely new MEP system designs, including mechanical system, significant electrical upgrades, a new lighting and lighting control system for the 225 seat auditorium, and a new fire protection system for the circa 1975, 642 student facility. The new systems replace some original systems and bring the three building complex up to date with building codes and the school district’s strict energy efficiency standards.  Not only did Jordan & Skala design the enhancements, the firm is the prime consultant on the project and is helping Cobb County administer project construction.

Knowing that this project had a strict schedule, early in design Jordan & Skala initiated conversations with both the Fire Marshal and the Georgia Department of Education to define a streamlined approval process. When the final school bell rang in 2013, Jordan & Skala’s proactive communication strategy allowed construction to begin in earnest. The project team could be confident that building occupancy would not be delayed by governing authorities.

As project administrator, Jordan & Skala is working in conjunction with Cobb County to conduct weekly project status meetings, review pay applications, verify construction compliance, and to track progress against the schedule.

By working nights and weekends during the latter part of the school year and double-shifts once the school year ended, the construction team will have the $3.7M, 157,500 SF project completed prior to the upcoming school year.  Next year’s 6^th – 8^th graders may notice the schools brand new ceilings and the new “bright lights” of the auditorium. School administrators will definitely notice the reduced utility bills and lack of the maintenance calls.