Project Location:
Camp Eggers – Kabul, Afghanistan
Client:
Program Manager Power Projection Enablers (PM-P2D)
Client Needs and Requirements:
The emergency back up power system supporting the Tactical Control Facility (TCF) at Camp Eggers was undersized for the growing base, and was nearing critical failure. The U.S. military required all-new electrical service and Uninteruptable Power System (UPS) to keep up with operational demands, as well as renovate the TCF and complete additional general construction to support the new equipment.
Challenges and ISI’s Response:
- The major challenge for this project was swapping the power from the old service to the new switchgear. Operations at the plant prohibited total power outage, so the process had to be scheduled in small pieces over several weeks. Ultimately, we were able to switch all of the power to the new distribution service without causing any time delays or unnecessary downtime to the Customer’s operations.
- Another challenge involved a lack of space at the site. ISI creatively constructed the new facility above the existing one, on a steel platform sturcture, to support the new 16′ x 20′ UPS facility.
- Also because of the lack of space, there was no lay-down area for materials, so ISI had to schedule on-time shipments and carry in all necessary tools and equipment needed on a daily basis. This became especially difficult because of site access restrictions, which was proved to be a final challenge.
- The job was in support of Secret-level military personnel, so special permissions and clearances had to be granted for anyone working at the site. All prospective personnel had to pass an FBI background check, which was valid for only 120 days. Upon expiration, the investigations would have to be resubmitted. Anyone entering or leaving the job site also had to use security gates to gain access, which resulted in time delays and special coordination. Since Local Nationals, or LNs, were not permitted in the area, ISI used Third-Country Nationals, or TCN’s, for the concrete and steel work.
The Results:
ISI designed and engineered a solution for the customer that exceeded expectations and despite the end-user delays in the beginning the project was completed on-time.
The Details:
ISI completed the following tasks to successfully complete this project:
- Created a new main distribution service to serve the new UPS facility and the existing TCF.
- Conducted ite preparation for the UPS facility, including demolition, excavation, concrete footings, back fill, and site security fencing.
- Large structural foundations and an elevated steel structure were put into place to hold the new facility, which was made up of two 20ft ISO containers welded together creating a single room.
- The UPS facility housed two 160kVA UPS units, two 5 ton HVAC units and associated ductwork, one emergency exhaust fan and louver, a fire alarm system, and all new switchgear.
- Renovation was also performed on an already standing TCF. This required us to install new power panels, a new fire alarm, new circuits for electronic data equipment, new HVAC units, and new light fixtures.
- Performed demolition of an existing drop ceiling, and repainting throughout the facility.