Prairie Paws Adoption Center
Grand Prairie, TX
Expertise
- Municipal
Services
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
- electrical engineering
Size
- 24,100 SF
BHB provided MEP engineering services for the newly renovated and expanded Prairie Paws Adoption Center for the City of Grand Prairie. A facility that temporarily houses lost, stray, and adoptable pets, while providing enforcement and educational services, the shelter was in need of a larger, renovated space. The scope of work included 2,850 SF of renovation to the original 15,300 SF building, and an 8,800 SF expansion to create a spacious adoption center.
Mechanical and plumbing design services for this project included the replacement of all the existing HVAC units and ductwork for the kennel areas. To keep the spaces fresh and contaminants to a minimum, two new 100% outside air units were installed, which incorporate energy recovery wheels to temper incoming fresh air. The offices, breakrooms, and other non-animal areas received four new split systems to replace the original units. To keep the kennels clean, the BHB team designed a washdown system with hose reels, and a trench drain system for runoff water. The existing water and sewer systems were extended in order to account for the additional building space, and three new water heaters were installed.
BHB’s electrical engineering services included a new 600 kW emergency generator. This task had three main parameters: removing the original generator, designing the expanded building under a single generator service, and refeeding the old service so that the renovated and additional parts of the building were running on the same generator.
Key People
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Les Brown, PE, LEED AP
Les Brown, PE, LEED AP
Founder | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Growing up, Les Brown wanted to be an architect. He later “came to his senses” and went on to receive a mechanical engineering degree from Geneva College in 1979. Les has over 44 years of experience in mechanical systems design and project management. He actively provides design and management for a variety of commercial, institutional, and municipal facilities.
His design experience includes HVAC troubleshooting, equipment replacement, code compliance, energy conservation, thermodynamics, building automation control systems, plumbing systems design, heat transfer, and temperature controls. He is also highly qualified in mechanical systems design for specialized environmental controlled areas, including hospitals, labs, and computer/data processing facilities.
Les is an active member and former chapter president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. He is also a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the National Fire Protection Association. Outside of work, Les enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything that involves outdoor sports. When they’re not spending time with their kids, Les and his wife, Gina, like to travel. His favorite place to visit is Alaska or anywhere up north that has mountains, trees, wildlife and cooler weather.
Project Experience
Arlington Animal Services Center
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
Weatherford College Professional Services
Education
Geneva College:
Bachelor’s Degree/1979/Mechanical Engineering -
Sean Rath, CGD, LEED AP
Sean Rath, CGD, LEED AP
Associate | Senior Mechanical Designer
Sean moved from Nebraska to Texas in 1995 and immediately started working full-time at BHB that fall. In his 20 plus years at BHB, Sean has designed hundreds of projects and is now an Associate who is a Certified GeoExchange Designer and LEED Accredited Professional. He has been an active member of ASHRAE since 2003.
Sean is an 80s music junkie who enjoys playing golf and poker outside of work. Sean is married to his wife, Candi, who also works at BHB. They enjoy spending time with their daughter, Ashley, and their two dogs, Smokey and Bandit. Sean and his family enjoy traveling and taking short vacations, whenever possible.
Project Experience
Arborlawn United Methodist Church
Arlington Heights Animal Hospital
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Fort Worth Country Day Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center
Keller ISD Timberview Middle School
Mounted Patrol Equestrian Facility
TCU Rees-Jones Hall
Education
Gateway Electronics Institute:
Associates/1995/CADD & Computer Programming