Project Location:
Life Support Area (LSA) Anaconda – Balad, Iraq
Client:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Philadelphia District
Client Needs and Requirements:
USACE required the design and construction of a 96-acre facility, to include one standing warehouse and two Pre-engineered Buildings (PEBs), roadways, storm drainage, retention ponds, and site lighting. Each building also required office facilities, shelving systems, HVAC systems, Fire Protection systems, and complete power generation systems.
Challenges and ISI’s Response:
When we were awarded the contract, the site and materials had already been sitting in various stages of completion for 18 months. Many of the materials had been exposed to the elements during this time. Our first task was to take a complete inventory of what we had to work with and determine what would be salvageable. We created brand new designs, using as many of the original materials as possible.
To support this job, we also developed a safety plan and Quality Assurance plan which were both approved and followed during the course of the contract. We received recognition for this in our performance evaluation provided by the Project Engineer.
The Results:
Despite the high complexity of the job and the state of the site at commencement, ISI made history with this project as one of the first contractors to complete a job on-time and on-budget in Iraq.
The Details:
Completion of this project required several stages of work:
- First, ISI completed construction on the main warehouse. This was the largest building on base, measuring 400ft by 400ft at two stories high. The structure was already standing, but was unfinished. We poured a concrete apron and installed all electric, plumbing, fire protection, and HVAC materials and equipment. We also built out offices on both stories of the warehouse.
- Next, we broke ground on a second, smaller warehouse and began work on a roadway. This warehouse measured 250ft by 400ft and also included several offices. We were responsible for all aspects of this building.
- The 25ft wide paved roadway spanned 6500ft. Gravel shoulders spanning 3ft were added to either side. Additionally, we installed 10 culverts beneath the roadway as part of a water removal plan. The roadway connected the 3 buildings and provided access to all 96 acres of the site.
- After this, ISI began work on the third and final warehouse. This structure followed the same measurements and requirements as the second warehouse. It measured 250ft by 400ft and also included offices. All electric, plumbing, and HVAC materials and equipment were provided and installed.
- The last phase of the job involved all final site work. ISI performed a topical survey and designed a plan for water retention and removal. To accomplish this, we built 2 retention ponds and designed water flow into these by installing a system of culverts and drains.