The Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) houses vital telecommunication infrastructure for emergency communications in Northeast Ohio. With approximately one quarter of the state’s population dependent on this EOC, the performance of the facility is imperative. If the cooling equipment malfunctioned, the repercussions could be catastrophic. When the Lake County Commissioners office sought to improve the energy performance and indoor air quality for this facility, they attained B&N to design a solution.
B&N developed a robust plan to safeguard the EOC against cooling failures while enhancing its energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The centerpiece of this plan was the introduction of two fully redundant air-cooled chillers. Even if one of these units failed, the other would keep the center cool, ensuring continuity of critical services.
In addition to the redundant chillers, variable speed chilled water pumps and a new electric boiler plant were installed, reducing energy consumption and utility costs. The glycol antifreeze from the chilled water system was removed to maximize energy efficiency and electric heat tracing on exterior chilled water piping was implemented to prevent freezing.
To improve air quality at this critical facility, B&N installed new air handling units equipped with bipolar ionization and high-performance MERV 13 filters. This innovative technology distributes ions that attach to airborne particles like dust, smoke, bacteria, and viruses. When these ion-bonded particles cluster together, the filtration system can more effectively remove them, significantly enhancing indoor air quality. B&N also overhauled the primary air conditioning system for the EOC's mission-critical server room, turning the existing system into a reliable backup.
Additional Lake County Buildings
Beyond the EOC, B&N implemented energy optimization strategies at three additional Lake County buildings: the Nolan Administration Building, the Old Administration Building, and the Lake County Maximum Security Jail. The tailored upgrades for these facilities included new air handling units, MERV 13 filters, and bipolar ionization, along with direct digital control (DDC) enhancements and optimization for each building's HVAC system.
Collectively, these projects have improved the EOC's air quality and energy performance and fortified critical infrastructure, contributing to the resilience of Northeast Ohio's emergency services and demonstrating the County’s commitment to energy efficiency and air quality.