Caterpillar North of Rawson Facility

GRAEF helped develop a space utilization program and provided design services for this new 260,000 SF facility with fabrication shop, warehouse and high density rack storage system. Employee support areas include restrooms, conference rooms, offices, lunch rooms and a medical office.

A new central compressed air plant was designed to serve the entire campus. Compressed air is used extensively in their manufacturing processes. Waste heat energy recovered from the air system helps heat the building. GRAEF designed special ventilation systems to accommodate the heavy welding operations in the new building. Large make-up air systems heat the building and offset the welding exhaust system. Several dust collectors with elaborate exhaust ductwork capture the weld fumes and filter the air before exhausting outside. Weld gas distribution piping was provided.

Power distribution design included primary electrical service switchgear, two substations with stepped power factor correction, switchboards and panelboards. Lighting design included high bay pulse start metal halide fixtures for manufacturing and fluorescent in office areas, parking lot, and outdoor storage areas. Fire alarm, security camera, telephone/data cabling and relay based lighting control systems design were included.

The site posed a number of challenges, including an upgrade to existing railroad tracks, heavy welding operations, 100 car parking lot, site storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water main and fire loop.