Ridgeview Elementary School
Project Team: ZMM Architects / ZMM Engineers (A/E), Elliott Contracting (Contractor)
Location: Clintonwood, VA
The Challenge
K‑12 renovations are never “one system, one solution.” This project required reliable classroom comfort, kitchen/dining ventilation control, and district-friendly controls integration, while also absorbing midstream scope changes and a manufacturer-driven RTU redesign that affected electrical characteristics and unit height.
The Approach
We structured the project around two complementary strategies:
A cohesive packaged rooftop platform for the bulk of the building loads, with built-in ventilation and humidity control features and BAS-ready comms.
Targeted ductless split systems for select spaces where ceiling cassettes and inverter-driven performance provided flexibility—paired with explicit piping/wiring coordination notes to keep field execution clean.
What We Delivered
1) Packaged Rooftop Systems (Primary Building HVAC)
Nine (9) Daikin rooftop gas packaged units as the core rooftop platform.
Consistent platform features across the rooftop set included MicroTech III controls, factory BACnet MS/TP card, economizer with comparative enthalpy + CO₂ override, and building pressure control provisions.
Control intent was matched to zones: RTU‑1/2/3 as VAV discharge‑air controlled, and RTU‑4/5/6/7/8/9 as single‑zone VAV space temperature/RH controlled with field-mounted space T/RH sensors.
IAQ and humidity-support features included duct-mounted CO₂ sensing (for OA override) and modulating hot gas reheat.
Filtration strategy included a combo 2"/4" rack and MERV‑8 + MERV‑14 filters in the rooftop units.
Commissioning/turnover: documentation specifies factory-authorized rooftop startup and owner training, along with warranty terms.
2) Ductless Split Systems (Targeted Zoning)
Three (3) Daikin ductless split systems with ceiling cassette indoor units, inverter compressors, and R‑410A refrigerant pre-charge up to 33 feet of piping.
Ship‑loose coordination items included condensate pumps, Big Foot equipment rails, and low-ambient wind baffles.
