M.C. Dean recently designed and delivered 10 modular electric rooms to George Mason University (GMU) as part of the Robinson Hall upgrade in Fairfax, Virginia. The contract includes power distribution, telecommunications and security pathways, and fire alarm systems. The upgraded facility will include a state-of-the-art science center, lab spaces, and classrooms. This project marks GMU’s first use of modular delivery.
“Our modular approach is helping George Mason complete this revamp more quickly than anticipated,” explained Mike Keatley, senior vice president of Electrical Systems. “Robinson Hall is the center for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and is one of the most-used buildings on campus. It was imperative for this project to stay on track to meet the expectations of the university and its students.”
M.C. Dean’s modular team designed the rooms with a one-hour fire rating to satisfy the stringent architectural and structural requirements set forth by the Department of Buildings. To accomplish the extra fire protection, the team attached sheet metal to the structure with Z- and C-clips, and added a layer of drywall beneath the beams. M.C. Dean’s modular design group innovated this solution specifically for GMU.
The 10 modular electric rooms and two equipment platform modules, which included a new generator and lighting protection, were pre-wired and routed in Caroline County. Professionals across multiple divisions and teams conducted extensive testing and commissioning using 3D BIM models, a great example of M.C. Dean’s interdisciplinary and team-based workflow.
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most recognizable mission critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company’s capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audio visual, and IT systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,800 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.
