L.S. Grim Consulting Engineers is an engineering services corporation providing design, construction administration and management of facilities. Services primarily consist of design and specifications for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems on commercial, industrial, and high-end residential projects. Clients include architects, contractors, developers, institutions, etc.
As a full service mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design and consulting firm, we offer mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services associated with buildings and facilities, including:
Mechanical Systems:
- Design of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Analysis, troubleshooting and reporting of conditions of existing HVAC systems
- Commissioning of HVAC systems
- Construction and inspection of HVAC systems
- Design, analysis, and troubleshooting of automatic temperature control systems
Electrical Systems:
- Design, analysis, and troubleshooting of electrical power distribution systems
- Design and analysis of lighting systems
- Interior, general office lighting systems
- Exterior parking lot systems
- Specialty lighting systems such as athletic fields, architectural artwork display lighting, etc.
- Design and analysis of fire alarm communications and data systems
- Inspection and quality control of electrical construction
- Commissioning of electrical systems
Plumbing Systems:
- Design and analysis of sanitary waste and venting systems
- Design and analysis of processed piping systems
- Design and analysis of natural gas systems
- Design and analysis of site utility systems
- Commissioning of plumbing systems
- Commissioning of sewage and pumping stations
Fire Protection:
- Design of sprinkler systems
Field Services Division:
- Owner Representation
- Project Management
- Third Party Inspections
Construction Administration Field Services
L.S. Grim Consulting Engineers has an in-house field services division, which provides organization and management of construction projects for clients. Not only does this division provide site supervision and management for projects in which L.S. Grim was the designer but we also offer third party owner representative services. We have an on going relationship with Grubb and Ellis Management Services, of the Washington DC area, serving many of their client buildings in the greater Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia area. In these projects, we are the owner’s representative and verify the accuracy of the proposed tenant renovations with respect to the base building to verify that no tenant fit-outs are detrimental to the base building systems. In addition, we provide general construction supervision for owners to manage and supervise their construction projects, acting as their eyes and ears on site.
Experience
L.S. Grim Consulting Engineers is a mechanical and electrical consulting engineering firm with more than 20 years experience. As a full-service firm, we provide design and management services for mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire protection and telecommunications systems serving commercial, industrial and residential projects for architects, developers, institutions and contractors in the mid-Atlantic region.
Project Management
We have established in-house procedures to organize and expedite the completion of each project. A project manager (team captain) is assigned when the contract is received to coordinate and provide a single contact for the design of the project. During the initial schematic phase, we collect the data required to understand the project such as visiting and measuring the job site, preparing load calculations, providing preliminary sketches, cost estimates, meetings with using agencies and other pertinent information.
State-of-the-Art Technology
Upon completion of the schematic phase, the design development and construction document phase continues with utilization of current technology. The most current versions AutoCAD® and Auto Architect Building Package are utilized to produce all construction documents. SPECTEXT®II is used as a foundation in the preparation of concise, complete project specifications using Microsoft® Office. Our in-house printing center utilizes equipment capable of creating full-size plots, blueprints, vellums or bond copies of all construction documents with a digital copying system utilized to produce smaller documents. The increased use of e-mail to transmit and receive drawings combined with widespread use of fax machines, often results in considerable reduction in the time required to complete a project.
Building Codes
Each project is designed to meet or exceed applicable building code requirements. We maintain an in-house library of code books and commentaries relevant to mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems design. Our library includes publications from: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA); Council of American Building Officials (CABO); International Codes Council (ICC); International Building Codes (IBC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and their National Electric Code and Life Safety Code. Code books for other federal, state and local jurisdictions are included in our library.
In addition, L.S. Grim is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
Quality Control
We have implemented an in-house quality control system to assure the accuracy of drawings, specifications, and other materials necessary for the bidding and construction phase of each project. Our team is available to provide support during the various phases of a project. An in-house data collection system is utilized to track all incoming and outgoing materials related to each project.
LEED Certification
L.S. Grim has LEED certified engineers and designers on staff with expert understanding of the LEED Certification process. A LEED AP is an individual who has taken and passed the LEED exam and possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the design process supporting sustainability and to propel the building design through the certification process. The LEED green building rating system promotes the practices of sustainable design, addressing all building types, and focusing on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resource selection and indoor environmental quality.
