Westridge Classroom Addition

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Westridge Elementary School was dealing with a range of HVAC issues that were affecting the comfort and safety of the school environment. Problems such as inconsistent temperature control, high humidity, elevated carbon dioxide levels, and pressurization difficulties made it challenging to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for students and staff. The West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) District recognized the need for a comprehensive solution to address these concerns.

Shive-Hattery was brought in to assess the situation and provide targeted upgrades to the HVAC system as part of a broader classroom addition project. After a detailed evaluation, several key improvements were made:

• The existing chiller was replaced with a new magnetic-bearing water-cooled chiller, boosting the chilled water plant’s capacity.
• Cooling towers were replaced and relocated to avoid air intake conflicts and ensure compliance with current building codes.
• Energy recovery units were added to three existing air handling units (AHUs), and heating and cooling coils were upgraded in the remaining AHUs to enhance indoor air quality by allowing more outside air to circulate.
• Existing cooling-only VAV boxes were swapped out for hot water reheat VAV boxes to provide more precise temperature control in classrooms.
• The original boilers were replaced with high-efficiency models to improve overall system performance.

With the upgraded HVAC system, Westridge Elementary will benefit from a safe, comfortable, and conducive school environment. The system is now addressing the District’s concerns and setting the stage for a better student and staff experience.