Comcast Center, PHILADELPHIA, PA
Facilities Services, LEED Construction & Green Building Solutions
FACILITIES SERVICES VALUE DELIVERED
Expert pre-construction guidance to maximize tenant comfort and satisfaction; optimized design of mechanical, electrical, and building automation systems; safety excellence; consistent and effective handling of operational and maintenance needs; knowledgeable energy efficiency guidance; U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification eligibility.
LEED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To provide green building solutions and facilities services in constructing and operating a 57-story, "green" office building that would be a city landmark and a high-end destination for businesses and visitors.
FACILITIES & GREEN BUILDING SOLUTIONS
EMCOR Services Fluidics' involvement in this facility began long before ground breaking. During the early planning stages, the company provided the expert assistance needed to identify the design, construction, and operations and maintenance (O&M) criteria required to ensure that the finished building would meet the highest standards of excellence, including those for environmental sustainability. Fluidics also helped the client review engineering and LEED construction proposals, and make final contractor selections.
As the building neared completion, the client began looking for an O&M contractor who could provide the impeccable service demanded by a high-prestige facility. Fluidics’ response clearly differentiated it from its competitors by providing a number of value-added offerings. First, the company made a commitment to require its employees to participate in specified web-based workplace learning courses as well as "live" customer service training in a classroom setting facilitated by an EMCOR trainer. Fluidics also included implementation of its demanding safety excellence program. And to buttress the client's sustainability commitment, the firm provided an extensive list of "no cost/low cost" energy conservation initiatives.
Furthermore, to ensure maximum efficiency and timeliness, Fluidics' proposal incorporated various leading-edge technological tools. These included computerized work order management applications, wireless system monitoring, handheld service devices, and the powerful facilities management and support capabilities of the EMCOR Facilities Knowledge Center. This superior package of sophisticated capabilities and services made Fluidics the obvious O&M choice.
To prepare for its assignment, the company recruited and trained a chief engineer as well as building engineers to staff the facility during the final construction phases. This enabled them to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the building's systems before tenant occupancy. In addition, the company hired a project manager to oversee an on-site staff, which the company recruited and trained within six weeks.
As tenants moved in and commissioning was completed, Fluidics' management and on-site staff worked closely with the client and its design and construction team to identify and correct construction-related issues that could disrupt tenant activities and generate a negative public image. The result was a new "green" office and retail facility occupied and running smoothly in time for its grand opening celebration.
LPT has relied on Fluidics for 20 years, not only for a wide range of services, but also for valuable advice and counsel, such as that provided in the early stages of this project.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING BACKGROUND
The Comcast Center is the tallest building between Chicago and New York, and the tallest LEED-registered building in the U.S. It combines 1.2 million square feet of office space with 23,000 square feet of retail area. Visitors enter an expansive, open lobby and a soaring "Winter Garden," a 120-foot-high atrium. The lobby also includes a 25-foot high by 83-foot wide high definition video wall. Since the center was built over a commuter rail station, its underground concourse serves as an upscale food and shopping marketplace. The ground floor includes a full service restaurant and seasonal cafe.