ECR International-New Testing Lab Conventional Design/Build

ECR International-New Testing Lab

Utica, New York

Construction Notes

ECR International-Conventional Design-Build New Testing Lab – 10,300 SF - Contract Value $1,005,000)
Project Executive/Manager: David Kleps, VP Design-Build
Project Manager: Lucas Saltsman, PM/Estimator, Design-Build
Superintendent: Jim Bailey



ECR International, (formerly known as Utica Boilers Co.), is a long time major manufacturer of residential and commercial boilers and air conditioning equipment. ECR announced consolidation plans in early 2008. The consolidation included closure of facilities in Rome, NY and Ontario, Canada, and required planning for major expansion and upgrades at the home plant, located on Dwyer Ave in Utica.

In early June of 2009, we were contacted regarding a Design-Build proposal for a New Testing Lab for ECR’s Boilers and Air Conditioning Equipment. The new Lab consisted of complete renovation of a 9,000 sf area of the original 1920’s building in Utica.

The Architectural, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical design for the Lab was coordinated with the owner’s engineering staff and Kernan Engineering of Oriskany who was employed by ECR. We were involved in all design meetings over a (4) month period. The project was started in late November and was completed, 100% and on schedule March 15, 2010.

The Lab itself is comprised of a 1,300 sf “building within a building”. The Lab is a highly insulated structure, with 4 separate rooms fed by intensive HVAC equipment that simulates outside air temperatures in the rooms, ranging from 0 – 120 degrees for testing of the ECR products. The building walls are R-30 rated structural foam insulated steel core panel known as “Koreteck” by Butler Manufacturing. Interior load bearing walls and R-30 spray foam insulated ceiling are of structural framing. The ceiling serves as a Mezzanine to support the specialty HVAC equipment. The interior of the rooms are lined with fiberglass reinforced panels for a clean room finish.

Also included were new trench floor drains and a new concrete slab in the entire area.
The slab was finished with a diamond polish and red concrete staining. The perimeter brick walls and wood ceilings were repaired and painted. The Lab is supplied with Electric, Propane, Oil, and Natural Gas, in floor radiant heat, and all appropriate safety equipment for the various fuels used by the ECR products.

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