Code Red Consultants
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Experience: Service: Science & Technology Specialty Consulting

Pennsylvania State University Engineering Collaborative Research & Education Building

The new Engineering Collaborative Research & Education Building (ECoRE) on the West Campus of The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) is a 5-story, 280,000 SF facility housing a comprehensive research and teaching program. The ECoRE Building features specialized research laboratories, active-learning classrooms, faculty offices, departmental headhouses, and administrative support space.  An atrium provides vertical connectivity between levels with natural daylight and visible interconnection between the various uses present.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the Authorities Having Jurisdiction.  Working with architect Payette, our services included building, fire, accessibility, hazardous chemical code consulting, and performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.

Location

University Park, PA

Size

5 stories
280,000 SF

Completion

2023

Rending Credit

Payette

Pennsylvania State University Engineering Collaborative Research & Education Building

The new Engineering Collaborative Research & Education Building (ECoRE) on the West Campus of The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) is a 5-story, 280,000 SF facility housing a comprehensive research and teaching program. The ECoRE Building features specialized research laboratories, active-learning classrooms, faculty offices, departmental headhouses, and administrative support space.  An atrium provides vertical connectivity between levels with natural daylight and visible interconnection between the various uses present.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the Authorities Having Jurisdiction.  Working with architect Payette, our services included building, fire, accessibility, hazardous chemical code consulting, and performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.

Foundry at Drydock: Parcels O & P, Boston, MA

The Foundry at Drydock project includes a new life science center and amenity building in Boston’s Seaport District. The development consists of the new construction of a 9-story core and shell high-rise office building (Parcel O) and the adaptive reuse of an existing warehouse building as a 9,000 SF single-story amenity building (Parcel P).

As the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants (CRC) developed and presented the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with the base building architect, SGA, our services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting. CRC also worked to develop, present, and successfully receive a State Building Code variance to allow for increased windows along an exterior wall with a reduced fire separation distance.

During construction, Code Red Consultants worked closely alongside the General Contractor, John Moriarty & Associates, and the Developer, Marcus Partners, in several capacities. At Parcel O, CRC served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector (SCSI) and the Firestopping Special Inspector (FSSI). As the SCSI, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing-level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, developing test plans, conducting field inspections, and verifying system performance after construction. As the FSSI, we conducted visual and destructive inspections of firestop systems and worked in conjunction with John Moriarty & Associates to coordinate requirements and testing across multiple trades to ensure successful testing and on-time delivery of the building.

We also provided NFPA 241 Construction Safety Plan documentation and ongoing Construction Fire Safety consulting throughout the project. This included developing a comprehensive Fire Prevention Program and conducting regular site inspections with the general contractor to ensure continuous compliance with NFPA 241 requirements. Code Red Consultants worked with Marcus Partners to develop a Phased Occupancy Plan and Owner’s Master Fire Safety Program for the building, which helped to allow the building to open on time with ongoing tenant fit-out work.

Location

Boston, MA

Size

228,000 SF

Cost

$100 million

Completion

Summer 2024

Photography Credit

Marcus Partners

Foundry at Drydock: Parcels O & P, Boston, MA

The Foundry at Drydock project includes a new life science center and amenity building in Boston’s Seaport District. The development consists of the new construction of a 9-story core and shell high-rise office building (Parcel O) and the adaptive reuse of an existing warehouse building as a 9,000 SF single-story amenity building (Parcel P).

As the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants (CRC) developed and presented the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with the base building architect, SGA, our services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting. CRC also worked to develop, present, and successfully receive a State Building Code variance to allow for increased windows along an exterior wall with a reduced fire separation distance.

During construction, Code Red Consultants worked closely alongside the General Contractor, John Moriarty & Associates, and the Developer, Marcus Partners, in several capacities. At Parcel O, CRC served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector (SCSI) and the Firestopping Special Inspector (FSSI). As the SCSI, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing-level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, developing test plans, conducting field inspections, and verifying system performance after construction. As the FSSI, we conducted visual and destructive inspections of firestop systems and worked in conjunction with John Moriarty & Associates to coordinate requirements and testing across multiple trades to ensure successful testing and on-time delivery of the building.

We also provided NFPA 241 Construction Safety Plan documentation and ongoing Construction Fire Safety consulting throughout the project. This included developing a comprehensive Fire Prevention Program and conducting regular site inspections with the general contractor to ensure continuous compliance with NFPA 241 requirements. Code Red Consultants worked with Marcus Partners to develop a Phased Occupancy Plan and Owner’s Master Fire Safety Program for the building, which helped to allow the building to open on time with ongoing tenant fit-out work.

745 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA

745 Atlantic is an existing commercial building, 11 stories in height, with three levels of below-grade parking.  Prior to the project, the facility primarily housed office space, with retail, MEP, and storage spaces on Level 1.  The project consisted of a repositioning of the building to facilitate the future use by laboratory tenants.

Code Red Consultants (CRC) worked with the base building architect, Jacobs Architects, as the code consultant for the project, including establishing the code approach and interfacing with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction.  Key design features included the strategic planning and coordination of the new building control area, tailored specifically for multi-tenant floors.  As part of the project, CRC successfully received a variance for the use of sprinklers-on-glass on glass for a control area boundary.

CRC also served as the laboratory consultant, assisting with developing the Base Building Hazardous Chemicals Report (a.k.a. “414 Report”) and field review of the building in the context of the City of Boston Laboratory Permitting process. CRC also provided construction administration services for the project, developing a Construction Fire Safety Plan that included long-term impairments of the building’s fire protection and fire alarm systems. These services also included a phased occupancy plan for the project, justifying the reasonableness of allowing occupancy in some building areas while construction was ongoing.

Location

Boston, MA

Size

11 stories
170,000 SF

Completion

2024

745 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA

745 Atlantic is an existing commercial building, 11 stories in height, with three levels of below-grade parking. Prior to the project, the facility primarily housed office space, with retail, MEP, and storage spaces on Level 1. The project consisted of a repositioning of the building to facilitate the future use by laboratory tenants.

Code Red Consultants (CRC) worked with the base building architect, Jacobs Architects, as the code consultant for the project, including establishing the code approach and interfacing with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction.  Key design features included the strategic planning and coordination of the new building control area, tailored specifically for multi-tenant floors.  As part of the project, CRC successfully received a variance for the use of sprinklers-on-glass on glass for a control area boundary.

CRC also served as the laboratory consultant, assisting with developing the Base Building Hazardous Chemicals Report (a.k.a. “414 Report”) and field review of the building in the context of the City of Boston Laboratory Permitting process. CRC also provided construction administration services for the project, developing a Construction Fire Safety Plan that included long-term impairments of the building’s fire protection and fire alarm systems. These services also included a phased occupancy plan for the project, justifying the reasonableness of allowing occupancy in some building areas while construction was ongoing.

180 CityPoint – 180 Third Avenue, Waltham, MA

The new BXP Life Sciences building located at 180 CityPoint Third Avenue in Waltham, MA, was turned over in a core and shell condition in late 2023 upon completion of construction by the General Contractor, Consigli. The building will provide over 330,000 rentable square feet across 6 levels of tenant space in addition to 5 Levels of parking built into the sloping grade of the site. Code Red Consultants worked alongside Consigli to develop and implement a complex and ever-changing NFPA 241 Fire Prevention Program starting at the infancy of the project from existing building demolition through occupancy and tenant fit-out to allow for safe operations to be conducted and provide key information at milestones to the Authorities Having Jurisdiction. As the project neared completion Code Red Consultants worked alongside the Consigli team on behalf of BXP as the project Smoke Control Special Inspector to ensure the buildings stair and elevator pressurization systems were installed and commissioned in accordance with the requirements of the City of Waltham. Code Red Consultants also consulted with BXP on the installation of firestop systems in accordance with the appropriate UL Listings.

Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the fire protection and life safety code consultant for the fit-out Architect, Jacobs Engineering, on the 5th and 6th Floors for the new tenants, Dragonfly and Skyhawk Therapeutics. Key design features included implementing new egress strategies, construction of new high-hazard chemical storage rooms, maximization of the planned base building control area strategy, and coordination for multi-tenant floors.

Location

Waltham, Mass.

Size

300,000 RSF
6 levels of tenant space
5 levels of parking

180 CityPoint – 180 Third Avenue, Waltham, MA

The new BXP Life Sciences building located at 180 CityPoint Third Avenue in Waltham, MA, was turned over in a core and shell condition in late 2023 upon completion of construction by the General Contractor, Consigli. The building will provide over 330,000 rentable square feet across 6 levels of tenant space in addition to 5 Levels of parking built into the sloping grade of the site. Code Red Consultants worked alongside Consigli to develop and implement a complex and ever-changing NFPA 241 Fire Prevention Program starting at the infancy of the project from existing building demolition through occupancy and tenant fit-out to allow for safe operations to be conducted and provide key information at milestones to the Authorities Having Jurisdiction. As the project neared completion Code Red Consultants worked alongside the Consigli team on behalf of BXP as the project Smoke Control Special Inspector to ensure the buildings stair and elevator pressurization systems were installed and commissioned in accordance with the requirements of the City of Waltham. Code Red Consultants also consulted with BXP on the installation of firestop systems in accordance with the appropriate UL Listings.

Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the fire protection and life safety code consultant for the fit-out Architect, Jacobs Engineering, on the 5th and 6th Floors for the new tenants, Dragonfly and Skyhawk Therapeutics. Key design features included implementing new egress strategies, construction of new high-hazard chemical storage rooms, maximization of the planned base building control area strategy, and coordination for multi-tenant floors.

12 Farnsworth Street, Boston

12 Farnsworth Street is a 6-story, brick-and-beam Class-A life science research facility located in Boston’s burgeoning Seaport District. As part of a recent conversion project led by Phase 3 Real Estate Partners, the office building underwent extensive upgrades, including new MEP system infrastructure, a new service elevator and life safety generator, and a refreshed lobby and amenity program. Included in Phase 3’s GENESIS spec program, the newly renovated building provides customizable, move-in-ready laboratory spaces that allow prospective tenants to bring their science online and grow over time quickly. Single-floor tenant spaces offer approximately 14,000 RSF, with about 73,000 RSF available across the building.

Code Red Consultants served as the project’s fire protection and life safety code consultant, working alongside architect Perkins & Will, and continued to support Phase 3 Real Estate during construction by collaborating with the General Contractor Suffolk Construction to develop and implement practical and achievable NFPA 241 fire Prevention Programs and life safety system impairment plans. Code Red also supported Phase 3 by performing Third Party Firestop Special Inspections and participating in the building turnover process through inspections and testing with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction. The repositioning of the 12 Farnsworth Street building was further complicated by needing to maintain continuous occupancy of a street-level café tenant, in which through proper impairment planning and coordination with Suffolk Construction, their subcontractors, retail tenant operators, and the AHJ, renovation work was able to be conducted all while base building infrastructure remained available without disruption to the café tenant’s business operations.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

75,000 SF

Completion

2023

Rending & Photography Credit

Phase 3 Real Estate

12 Farnsworth Street, Boston

12 Farnsworth Street is a 6-story, brick-and-beam Class-A life science research facility located in Boston’s burgeoning Seaport District. As part of a recent conversion project led by Phase 3 Real Estate Partners, the office building underwent extensive upgrades, including new MEP system infrastructure, a new service elevator and life safety generator, and a refreshed lobby and amenity program. Included in Phase 3’s GENESIS spec program, the newly renovated building provides customizable, move-in-ready laboratory spaces that allow prospective tenants to bring their science online and grow over time quickly. Single-floor tenant spaces offer approximately 14,000 RSF, with about 73,000 RSF available across the building.

Code Red Consultants served as the project’s fire protection and life safety code consultant, working alongside architect Perkins & Will, and continued to support Phase 3 Real Estate during construction by collaborating with the General Contractor Suffolk Construction to develop and implement practical and achievable NFPA 241 fire Prevention Programs and life safety system impairment plans. Code Red also supported Phase 3 by performing Third Party Firestop Special Inspections and participating in the building turnover process through inspections and testing with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction. The repositioning of the 12 Farnsworth Street building was further complicated by needing to maintain continuous occupancy of a street-level café tenant, in which through proper impairment planning and coordination with Suffolk Construction, their subcontractors, retail tenant operators, and the AHJ, renovation work was able to be conducted all while base building infrastructure remained available without disruption to the café tenant’s business operations.

Wesleyan University New Science Building

The new Wesleyan University Science Center is a 5-story, 190,000 sf building featuring classrooms, wet and dry research labs, amenity spaces, and teaching labs.  The building’s atrium provides vertical connectivity between levels and allows for well-lit and visible interconnection between the various uses present.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Middletown, CT Building and Fire Departments.  Working with architect Payette, Code Red Consultant’s services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous chemical code consulting as well as performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.

Included in the code approach were several State Building and Fire Code Modifications related to:

  1. Sprinkler protected glass control area boundaries
  2. Plumbing fixture calculations
  3. Stair discharge through an atrium
  4. The storage of flammable liquids in a basement.

Location

Middletown, Conn.

Size

190,000 GSF
5 stories

Completion

Ongoing

Rending Credit

Payette

Wesleyan University New Science Building

The new Wesleyan University Science Center is a 5-story, 190,000 sf building featuring classrooms, wet and dry research labs, amenity spaces, and teaching labs.  The building’s atrium provides vertical connectivity between levels and allows for well-lit and visible interconnection between the various uses present.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Middletown, CT Building and Fire Departments.  Working with architect Payette, Code Red Consultant’s services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous chemical code consulting as well as performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.

Included in the code approach were several State Building and Fire Code Modifications related to:

  1. Sprinkler protected glass control area boundaries
  2. Plumbing fixture calculations
  3. Stair discharge through an atrium
  4. The storage of flammable liquids in a basement.

Innovation & Design Building Lab Repositioning

The historic Innovation and Design Building, located in Boston’s Seaport District, was originally constructed in 1918 and has served in many different capacities over the prior century. Today, the 8-story complex, a joint venture of Jamestown and Related Beal, consists of 1.4 million square feet across what are known as 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25 Drydock, each separated by a building separation.  The west end of the complex (the historic 17 and 19 Drydock) was combined to a single building and now comprises the Boston Design Center. As part of a recent project, a portion of the building underwent a lab repositioning, which included new base building infrastructure, first-floor chemical storage rooms, core and shell renovations on Floors 4 through 7, and new shaft construction.  Partially overlapping with the base building repositioning, eight tenant fit outs occurred on Floors 5 through 8 for new lab users. The design showrooms comprising the Boston Design Center were concentrated to the building’s first three floors.

On the design side, Code Red Consultants (CRC) worked with the base building architect, SGA, and with the fitout architects of many of the projects as the code consultant.  Key design features included the new building control area strategy planning and coordination for multi-tenant floors.

On the construction side, CRC worked with the base budling contractor, Wise, as well as the fitout contractors, Sterling, Columbia, and Lee Kennedy, to prepare the NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Plans, and provide periodic site walks in conjunction with the general contractors.

CRC served as the ongoing smoke control special inspector for the stair pressurization systems in the building, working to ensure the continued proper operation of the systems, including keeping them up and running during construction, and also by demonstrating passing test results prior to life safety testing.

Most critically, given the partially occupied nature of the building, the team was responsible for coordination across multiple trades and projects to ensure that a code compliant state of life safety systems was maintained throughout construction, culminating in successful testing with the City of Boston Building and Fire Departments at the time of Base Building turnover, which occurred while multiple fitout projects remained ongoing. Through coordination and planning, the building-wide approach captured the necessary condition of the fitout spaces during the fitout construction, while also appreciating the necessary level of protection afforded at the building-wide level and was fully documented in the building-wide Project Turnover Plan.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

250,000 SF

Completion

2022

Innovation & Design Building Lab Repositioning

The historic Innovation and Design Building, located in Boston’s Seaport District, was originally constructed in 1918 and has served in many different capacities over the prior century. Today, the 8-story complex, a joint venture of Jamestown and Related Beal, consists of 1.4 million square feet across what are known as 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25 Drydock, each separated by a building separation.  The west end of the complex (the historic 17 and 19 Drydock) was combined to a single building and now comprises the Boston Design Center. As part of a recent project, a portion of the building underwent a lab repositioning, which included new base building infrastructure, first-floor chemical storage rooms, core and shell renovations on Floors 4 through 7, and new shaft construction.  Partially overlapping with the base building repositioning, eight tenant fit outs occurred on Floors 5 through 8 for new lab users. The design showrooms comprising the Boston Design Center were concentrated to the building’s first three floors.

On the design side, Code Red Consultants (CRC) worked with the base building architect, SGA, and with the fitout architects of many of the projects as the code consultant.  Key design features included the new building control area strategy planning and coordination for multi-tenant floors.

On the construction side, CRC worked with the base budling contractor, Wise, as well as the fitout contractors, Sterling, Columbia, and Lee Kennedy, to prepare the NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Plans, and provide periodic site walks in conjunction with the general contractors.

CRC served as the ongoing smoke control special inspector for the stair pressurization systems in the building, working to ensure the continued proper operation of the systems, including keeping them up and running during construction, and also by demonstrating passing test results prior to life safety testing.

Most critically, given the partially occupied nature of the building, the team was responsible for coordination across multiple trades and projects to ensure that a code compliant state of life safety systems was maintained throughout construction, culminating in successful testing with the City of Boston Building and Fire Departments at the time of Base Building turnover, which occurred while multiple fitout projects remained ongoing. Through coordination and planning, the building-wide approach captured the necessary condition of the fitout spaces during the fitout construction, while also appreciating the necessary level of protection afforded at the building-wide level and was fully documented in the building-wide Project Turnover Plan.

105 West 1st Street

105 West First street is a new 7-story, 263,500 SF cutting edge life science and research building located in the Boston Seaport. The building is the new home to CRISPR Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in transformative gene-based medicines and contains a variety of spaces, including research and development laboratories, office and collaboration spaces, and a fitness center and parking garage. The Ground floor level is designed to also host a range of community activities.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with the base building architect, Payette, and the tenant fit out architect, Jacobs, Code Red Consultants’ services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting and Boston Fire Department laboratory permitting support.  These services included the development of a vertical opening protection approach in concert with the laboratory chemical protection approach utilizing a mix of control areas and Group H occupancies.

During construction, Code Red Consultants served as the project Smoke Control and Firestopping Special Inspector as well as providing NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Program support to Breakthrough Properties and Consigli Construction. In this capacity, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, developing Test Plans for building smoke control systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the smoke control systems at the completion of construction.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

7 stories
263,500 SF

Cost

$88 million

Completion

2022

105 West 1st Street

105 West First street is a new 7-story, 263,500 SF cutting edge life science and research building located in the Boston Seaport. The building is the new home to CRISPR Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in transformative gene-based medicines and contains a variety of spaces, including research and development laboratories, office and collaboration spaces, and a fitness center and parking garage. The Ground floor level is designed to also host a range of community activities.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with the base building architect, Payette, and the tenant fit out architect, Jacobs, Code Red Consultants’ services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting and Boston Fire Department laboratory permitting support.  These services included the development of a vertical opening protection approach in concert with the laboratory chemical protection approach utilizing a mix of control areas and Group H occupancies.

During construction, Code Red Consultants served as the project Smoke Control and Firestopping Special Inspector as well as providing NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Program support to Breakthrough Properties and Consigli Construction. In this capacity, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, developing Test Plans for building smoke control systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the smoke control systems at the completion of construction.

Cambridge Crossing Parcels G & H

Parcels G and H are the next buildings to come online in the 4.5M SF mixed-use Cambridge Crossing neighborhood, currently in development by DivcoWest. Serving as the new American research headquarters for a major biotech company, the parcels comprise a 10-story office high-rise (Building H) and a 12-story, state-of-the-art science and technology building (Building G). The projects entailed coordination between both Boston and Cambridge AHJ’s, as both buildings straddled city lines.

On the design side, Code Red Consultants worked with Perkins & Will as the Code Consultant for Building G. Key design features included control area strategy planning and a large exterior terrace. On the construction side, we worked with John Moriarty & Associates (JMA) for Construction Services at Building G, and Consigli for Construction Services at Building H. Code Red Consultants was responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of Test Plans for building smoke control and integrated fire and life safety systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the integrated systems at the completion of construction. A variety of core-shell fire and life safety systems were integrated with the building fire alarm system which required verification of proper control and/or monitoring. Code Red Consultants also performed Third-party Firestopping Special Inspections and prepared NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Plans. Code Red Consultants worked in conjunction with the general contractors to coordinate across multiple trades to ensure successful testing with the City of Cambridge Building and Fire Departments as well as City of Boston Building and Fire Departments for delivery of the core/shell spaces to the Owner.

Location

Cambridge, Mass.

Size

1.1 million SF

Completion

2022

Cambridge Crossing Parcels G & H

Parcels G and H are the next buildings to come online in the 4.5M SF mixed-use Cambridge Crossing neighborhood, currently in development by DivcoWest. Serving as the new American research headquarters for a major biotech company, the parcels comprise a 10-story office high-rise (Building H) and a 12-story, state-of-the-art science and technology building (Building G). The projects entailed coordination between both Boston and Cambridge AHJ’s, as both buildings straddled city lines.

On the design side, Code Red Consultants worked with Perkins & Will as the Code Consultant for Building G. Key design features included control area strategy planning and a large exterior terrace. On the construction side, we worked with John Moriarty & Associates (JMA) for Construction Services at Building G, and Consigli for Construction Services at Building H. Code Red Consultants was responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of Test Plans for building smoke control and integrated fire and life safety systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the integrated systems at the completion of construction. A variety of core-shell fire and life safety systems were integrated with the building fire alarm system which required verification of proper control and/or monitoring. Code Red Consultants also performed Third-party Firestopping Special Inspections and prepared NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Plans. Code Red Consultants worked in conjunction with the general contractors to coordinate across multiple trades to ensure successful testing with the City of Cambridge Building and Fire Departments as well as City of Boston Building and Fire Departments for delivery of the core/shell spaces to the Owner.

Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA

The new Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) is an eight-story, 544,000 square foot building featuring a variety of classrooms, wet and dry research labs, amenity spaces, and teaching labs.  The building’s two glazed atria provide vertical interconnection between multiple stories and allow for light-filled gathering and social areas.  This LEED Platinum building paired sustainability and performance with a striking exterior and interior design to create a center for scientific research and student gathering.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with architect Behnisch Architekten, Code Red Consultants’ services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting as well as performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.  Included in the code approach were several State Building Code Variances related to (1) sprinkle-protected glass control area boundaries, (2) stair discharge through an atrium, and (3) the storage of flammable liquids in a basement.

During construction, Code Red Consultants served as the project NFPA 3 & 4 Commissioning & Integrated Testing Agent, as well as the Smoke Control Special Inspector.  In this capacity, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of Test Plans for building smoke control and integrated fire and life safety systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the integrated systems at the completion of construction. We also worked closely with the design team and University to prepare the Boston Fire Department (BFD) Place of Assembly permit drawings and applications for the numerous and flexible amenity areas of the building.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

544,000 SF

Cost

$1 billion

Completion

2021

Photography Credit

Brad Feinknopf/OTTO (designed by Behnisch Architekten)

Rending Credit

Behnisch Architekten

Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA

The new Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) is an eight-story, 544,000 square foot building featuring a variety of classrooms, wet and dry research labs, amenity spaces, and teaching labs.  The building’s two glazed atria provide vertical interconnection between multiple stories and allow for light-filled gathering and social areas.  This LEED Platinum building paired sustainability and performance with a striking exterior and interior design to create a center for scientific research and student gathering.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with architect Behnisch Architekten, Code Red Consultants’ services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting as well as performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.  Included in the code approach were several State Building Code Variances related to (1) sprinkle-protected glass control area boundaries, (2) stair discharge through an atrium, and (3) the storage of flammable liquids in a basement.

During construction, Code Red Consultants served as the project NFPA 3 & 4 Commissioning & Integrated Testing Agent, as well as the Smoke Control Special Inspector.  In this capacity, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of Test Plans for building smoke control and integrated fire and life safety systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the integrated systems at the completion of construction. We also worked closely with the design team and University to prepare the Boston Fire Department (BFD) Place of Assembly permit drawings and applications for the numerous and flexible amenity areas of the building.