Site Wide Mechanical Utility Valves and Water Distribution Piping Replacement

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), originally built in 1952, has replaced many of its valves and multiple utilities due to their age, with some valves being over 50 years old. GSE developed and executed a carefully planned valve replacement strategy that involved shutting down and replacing utilities serving laboratory, administrative, and clinical facilities at this high-security federal facility. The field crew efficiency of GSE, coupled with the flexibility of the design-build approach, allowed GSE and LLNL to substantially increase the project scope to lessen the impact of future projects on critical facilities without a significant increase in contract duration. Every shutdown was completed under a tight deadline, and GSE always met the schedule, even if it meant working throughout the night. The end-users were extremely satisfied with the project. The project was performed on a 24-hour high-security laboratory setting, with all talent prescreened for security reasons and the crews having LLNL staff escorts while working on the site. The project's impeccable safety record and performance resulted in its nomination for the LLNL Director's Award.