Hot Water Piping System

Project Team

Structural Engineer: Miller-Remick Corporation
Owner: NJ State
Architect: Miller-Remick Corporation
General Contractor: The Bedwell Company
Steel Joist Manufacturer: CMC Joist
Steel Detailer: Southern NJ Steel
Steel Fabricator: Southern NJ Steel
Steel Erector: Lindstrom Steel Erectors

Project Type: Unique Application

Project Description

Miller-Remick is providing Professional Engineering & Construction Services for the design and construction of the a new High Temperature Hot Water piping system serving the entire South Woods Prison site in Bridgeton, NJ. The project involves the complete replacement of the failed underground piping system with a new above ground HTHW distribution system that includes an underground tunnel section at the prisons’ secure perimeter. Both feasibility and cost, due to the vast array of existing underground utilities throughout the site, prevented a new underground HTHW System. Plus, the new system had to be built without disruption of any services to the Department of Corrections. The new HTHW system could not disrupt any sight lines from guard booths or obstruct views from the ground. In order achieve this, the new HTHW system is elevated 18’ to 24’ above grade depending on its location within the site. The new system had to span over roadways, service areas and gates in the security fences. In addition, the new HTHW system had to observable and serviceable. The project is currently still under construction. Our services included piping, structural, civil, environmental, electrical, lighting and security systems engineering. Project construction valued at $12,000,000.

What Makes This Project Interesting

1. Approximately 3 miles of new high temperature hot water piping. 2. Piping elevated 18’ to 24’ above grade. 3. Corrections environment with special considerations for security and operations. 4. 100 mph basic wind speed in exposure category C. 5. Poor soil conditions requiring deep foundations for the support columns. 6. The existing HTHW system and utilities had to remain in service.

Advantages Of The Chosen Structural System

Advantages of the chosen structural system include lower material costs and design costs. Specifying and utilizing steel joists to support the HTHW pipe spanning over roadways, service areas and the gates in security fence was more economical than designing and fabricating small truss bridges for these locations. The production and supply of the steel joists allowed for a shorter construction schedule and shorter design schedule.

Project Scope

High Temperature Hot Water Pipe Replacement: Installation of 500 free standing pipe supports, 30 bar joist bridges and a 130 feet of tunnel. The supports and bridges carry pipe from 8” to 2 ½”. The tunnel was used to house the pipe from the power house under the access road and into the secured area of the prison. The bridges span subsurface utilities, but were also used to pass over sally ports and vehicle gates.

Project Details

Project Construction Cost: 13,640,000.00
Joist area (square ft.): 3,110
Joist engineering to delivery (# days): 70
Joist erection (# days): 20

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