Phase 1 – Piping Replacement at Denver Public Schools Smedley Campus
Originally constructed in 1902, the Smedley campus now hosts Denver Montessori. 360 Engineering led the effort to add air conditioning, update controls, and replace aging equipment. Given supply chain challenges, we prioritized early equipment procurement, including the chiller, fan coil units, AHUs, and transformer. The team worked closely with the district, walking the building to plan piping routes and equipment placement. A new chilled water system was installed, along with 4-pipe fan coil units and AHUs, to provide cooling. Chilled water lines were routed underground from the new chiller to the mechanical room, requiring coordination with utilities and the district team.
To meet electrical load requirements for the chiller, a new transformer was coordinated with Xcel Energy by our electrical consultant, AE Design, who also designed a security system to protect the chiller. Upgrades to controls tied into the existing steam boiler system, consolidating the mismatched systems for a functional and comfortable facility.
Phase 2 – Steam Boiler Replacement
The following summer, Phase 2 focused on replacing the aging steam boilers with efficient forced draft boilers and upgrading to DDC controls. This included new steam piping, a blowdown separator, condensate return modifications, and new heating water pumps.
To install the new flue, our structural subconsultant designed a pre-assembled steel “tower” mounted within the existing chimney, which was craned into place. This streamlined installation avoided costly structural modifications. Additional upgrades included a larger mechanical room louver with structural and architectural modifications to accommodate increased combustion airflow.
By preordering boilers early (with 20+ week lead times), the project stayed on schedule, ensuring heating was operational before fall. These updates modernized the system, improving efficiency and reliability for the school.
