NIH West Vault Upgrade and Chilled Water System

Building 10
When the National Institutes of Health (NIH) needed to upgrade its central chilled water system, it turned to its longtime partner Harris for vital infrastructure work with a minimum of service disruption to NIH’s critical scientists and medical professionals.

Building 14
Structural steel and catwalks were carefully set in place for mechanical room hookups from the central plant. Hundreds of feet of chilled water mains, steam and steam condensate up to 14 inches in diameter were installed on the roof of an occupied building.

Building 34
Harris replaced a 3,000-ton refrigeration water chiller and performed all general construction work, including the concrete cooling tower, all piping and electrical work with its own craftsmen.

Building 11C
Harris installed four 5,000-ton chillers, among the largest in the metropolitan Washington area. The 36-inch diameter pipe presented unique obstacles such as polarity, being out of round, limited space, rigging at high elevations and x-ray weld quality. This project was the winner of a Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award.

Chilled Water Booster Pumps
Harris upgraded three chilled water booster pumps in each of 14 separate buildings. All tie-ins had to be coordinated with NIH and work completed during very short shutdown periods. This project was the winner of a Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award.