Washington, DC Area

Modernizing mechanical systems in secure federal buildings that keep operating.

JS Global replaced large custom air handlers and installed a redundant control network across several secure federal buildings, self-performing 64% of the work while the buildings stayed in use.

Multi-site
mechanical
  • Custom air handler replacement
  • Redundant control network
  • 64% self-performed
Mechanical ModernizationControls Integration
Project Overview

Critical systems have to keep running while they are replaced.

Air handlers, controls, and backup power support everything else in a secure building.

As prime contractor, JS Global modernized mechanical systems across multiple secure federal facilities. The work combined major equipment replacement, new controls, and tight access rules, all inside buildings that stayed in operation.

Project Snapshot

The assignment at a glance.

LocationWashington, DC area
FacilitySecure historic federal buildings
Project TypeMulti-site mechanical modernization
ScopeCustom air handlers, redundant control network, building automation upgrades, water filtration, backup power integration
Primary ConstraintOccupied buildings, limited staging, no escorted access
Self-Performed64% of the work
RolePrime contractor
The Challenge

Replace large equipment in tight, secure sites without interrupting operations.

01

Lift and place large air handlers in constrained urban sites with limited staging.

02

Tie a new redundant control network into existing building automation without disrupting day-to-day operations.

03

Work in high-security buildings where every worker had to be fully credentialed and escorting was not allowed.

04

Coordinate electrical, mechanical, structural, and controls trades across several sites.

The Approach

Prepare off-site, disrupt as little as possible on-site.

  1. 01

    Pre-assemble

    Air handling units were pre-assembled before delivery to reduce time spent working on site.

  2. 02

    Lift

    Deliveries and crane lifts used street closures and weekend operations to limit disruption to the surrounding area.

  3. 03

    Integrate

    The redundant control network was tied into the existing building automation system without affecting daily operations.

  4. 04

    Self-perform

    JS Global crews handled electrical, mechanical, structural reinforcement, and controls installation, 64% of the total work.

  5. 05

    Secure access

    Fully credentialed crews worked without escorts, keeping each building’s access rules intact.

The Result

Modernized systems, buildings still in service.

01

Large custom air handlers were replaced across multiple secure buildings.

02

A redundant control network and building automation upgrades were added to existing systems.

03

Water filtration and backup power integration were part of the scope.

04

JS Global self-performed 64% of the work with its own electrical, mechanical, structural, and controls crews.

What Made It Work

Self-performance kept the critical work close.

When most of the trades report to one team, the sequence of the work is easier to control.

Carrying the electrical, mechanical, structural, and controls scopes with its own crews gave JS Global direct control over the order of lifts, tie-ins, and access, which mattered most where staging space and working hours were limited.

Project Questions

Modernizing systems in occupied secure buildings.

Practical answers about equipment, access, and controls integration.

01What was replaced or added?
Large custom air handling units, a redundant control network, building automation upgrades, water filtration systems, and backup power integration.
02How were large units installed in tight sites?
Units were pre-assembled and delivered with street closures and weekend crane operations to limit disruption.
03Could the buildings stay in use?
Yes. The new control network was tied into the existing building automation system without affecting day-to-day operations.
Plan the Shutdowns Early

Modernizing critical systems in a secure building?

Share the equipment, access rules, staging limits, outage windows, and schedule. JS Global will help plan the lifts, tie-ins, and handovers around the people who depend on the building.

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