History of Obermiller Nelson Engineering

this issueHistory of ONE, Inc. P.1

Strength in Projects P.2 & P.3

Strength in Employees P.4

Successful ProjectsONE, Inc. has successfully completed over 4,000 projects.

Project Types:Churches/ReligiousEducationEvent/Sporting CentersGovernmentHealthcareHotels/MotelsHousing/ApartmentsKitchen/DiningManufacturingOffice BuildingsParks/RecreationRetailRetail/Shopping CentersBanksRestaurants/ClubsTechnologyTransportationWarehouse/Storage Buildings

Services:Electrical Lighting Power Distribution Generation Systems Airports Municipal Testing & Monitoring

Mechanical Plumbing Medical Gas Specialty Piping Heat Transfer Refrigeration Heat Generation Air Distribution Controls Testing & Balancing

Energy: Energy Efficiency LEED NEBB

SpeakEngineering01I S S U E

J a n u a r y2 0 1 2

1992 — ONE, Inc. is established by partners James Nelson, PE and David Obermiller, PE2003 — Jeffry Splichal, PE becomes a partner2005 — ONE, Inc. opens an electrical engineering division based in Grand Forks 2007 — Jeremiah Christenson, PE, LEED AP and Brent Wavra, PE, LEED AP join as partners of ONE2008 — David Vig, PE becomes a partner2011 — ONE, Inc. opens Minnesota branch office in Alexandria

Obermiller Nelson Engineering Timeline

OBERMILLER NELSON ENGINEERING (ONE) was established in 1992 by partners James Nelson, PE, FPE and David Obermiller, PE. Since its founding, ONE, Inc. and its people have helped redefine the meaning of building systems consultants. The firm has continually broken new ground in advising our clients on building systems including pioneering in advanced energy saving technologies. ONE brings innovative ideas and exemplary services to advance the quality and comfort of every building we design.

Fargo – Moorhead AreaThe Firm’s modest beginnings, which included two bor-rowed offices, have evolved into a 38 employee building consultant design firm. Utilizing the experience of the founding Principals and having cultivated good relation-ships with Architects and Facility Owners, ONE shared in the growth of the Fargo-Moorhead Area providing design services for local medical and educational facilities:

•Sanford Health •Fargo Public Schools •Moorhead Public Schools •North Dakota State University •Minnesota State University Moorhead

Expanding on the Firm’s medical expertise early on, ONE was able to establish an anchor project at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn. This project catapulted the Firm with its very first significant addi-tion and remodeling project. The growth the first years, according to Jim Nelson, “was like riding a rocket ship.”

Grand Forks AreaONE, Inc. worked diligently to help the communities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks recover and rebuild from the devastating 1997 Red River Fire and Flood. Some examples of rebirth and growth include: •Grand Forks County Offices •Sacred Heart School •St. Michaels Church •Alerus Center •Ralph Englestad Arena •University of North Dakota

As the Firm expanded, the need for quality engineering in the Grand Forks community was realized. To further service our clients in the Northern Valley, a branch office was opened.

Central Minnesota In 2011, ONE has expanded into the community of Alexandria, Minn. This new branch office will strengthen its Central Minnesota presence, while providing expert building systems consulting.

FutureAs we progress into the future our aim is to design sys-tems with the latest technology and energy efficiency by utilizing resources such as LEED Certification to achieve Net Zero Buildings.

Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo, ND, recently built a 1200 seat sanctuary It was built to match architecture themes from centuries ago, with all the comforts and technology of the 21st Century. One of the very first Displacement Ventilation Systems installed in the area, the mechanical system is extremely quiet, comfortable, and energy efficient. Displacement ventilation incorporates a very low velocity supply system, while using the natural effects of heat rising to provide efficient comfort. The Sts. Anne and Joachim sys-tem has all of the air distribution was uniquely incorporated into the rock pilasters, prayer kneel-ers and pews, so the mechanical system is virtually hidden from the human eye. The return air system is located in the attic, pull-ing the warmest air from the top space to minimize heating costs. The system utilizes a heat recov-ery coil installed at the large,

variable air volume air-handling unit that incorporates energy transfer technology similar to that used on NASA space ships for heat trans-fer. Underfloor hydronic heat, another energy c o n s e r v a t i o n measure also contributes to the comfort and energy efficiencies of the building. The entire system is controlled from a central computer operated control system to maxi-

mize control and energy efficiency. The mechanical system design was truly innovative, energy effi-

cient, and forward thinking. A church presents a unique situation for heat-ing and cooling with a large mass of people in a short window of time. The mechanical

system needs to be fast react-ing to maintain comfort, while responding in a manner that keeps the space peaceful and quiet.

Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church

”The displacement ventilation

system provides optimal comfort

for the assembly while holding

ventilation air noise to levels that

are barely audible.” — Brian Berg, Project Architect

Zerr Berg Architects

Green Talk

Each project at Obermiller

Nelson Engineering begins

with the question, “What is the

most energy efficient system we

can design to meet the project

budget?” We feel it is important

to make sure we provide our

clients with building design

systems that will keep energy

consumption to a minimum.

Our industry has evolved at

record pace over the past 15

years with equipment such has

building automation systems,

variable frequency drives,

occupancy sensors, condens-

ing boilers and solar chillers as

energy efficiency opportunities

within our design. We have just

completed our first solar thermal

chiller project for the University

of Minnesota Morris Research

Center.

Truly Innovative & Forward Thinking

Lake Region Hospital Cancer CenterLake Region’s new 34,000 sqft Cancer Care and Research Center presents pa-tients and their families with much more than new construction and a new ‘look’. The new center, located in Fergus Falls, MN, also offers fresh architectural details that speak of hospitality and comfort. The center’s holistic approach to care encompasses everything from a family resource library and chapel to restful wait-ing rooms.

The chemo infusion area consists of eight stations – three semiprivate, one private, and four open stations where people can visit with one another. The radiation department consists of private changing rooms and gender-specific waiting rooms.

Patients waiting for their radiation appoint-ments enjoy a pleasant view of live bamboo growing below the skylight.

The facilities mechanical system is centered on variable-air-volume air-handling units with terminal boxes for individual room control. Condensing hot water boilers, variable flow chillers and a sophisticated automatic tem-perature controls system provide an efficient mechanical system for years to come.

The new Cancer Care and Research Center demonstrates an exciting step into the future for Lake Region Healthcare – a regional cancer facility that combines the power of personalized care and world-class technol-ogy close to home.

www.obernel.com

Revit / BIM3-D DraftingWe are excited to announce that

we are fully staffed to complete

both mechanical and electrical

designs in REVIT. Our industry

has turned to modeling building

designs in virtual 3-D. No longer

is an air-handling unit or an

electrical transformer just a line

drawn in AutoCAD, but an actual

object that has physical proper-

ties such as volume, weight and

performance characteristics. The

ability to provide REVIT for any

of our mechanical and electri-

cal designs is another reason

why ONE is proud to say we are

“Strength in Engineering”.

CxSIn November, 2007 ONE started

its sister company Commissioning

Solutions as a proactive approach

to providing a commissioning

need set forth by the United

States Green Building Council

(USGBC) and Leadership in

Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED). Commissioning Solutions

focus is on the examination of the

actual mechanical and electrical

equipment installed to verify all

components are working in

unison as designed. Our next

quarterly newsletter, will provide

a feature story which will explain

what Commissioning is and why it

is essential to a healthy building.

The building, named for the late Fargo business

consultant Richard H. Barry, is NDSU’s third-largest

at 135,000 square feet. The project consisted of a

67,000 sqft remodeled space and 63,000 sqft of new

construction. The mechanical construction cost was

$2,700,000.00 and consisted of geothermal and four-

pipe fan coil units.

NDSU added a three-story classroom wing, an atrium

and a 10-sided tower with a 280 seat auditorium. The

hall also has several conference rooms. The existing

building was renovated for faculty offices. The proj-

ect cost was $15 million.

NDSU Richard H. Barry Hall

UND Energy & Environmental Research CenterThe University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) / National Center for Hydrogen Technology (NCHT) is a two-story laboratory building with an attached explo-sion proof rated demonstration plant. The UND, EERC/NCHT is leading the way in developing hydrogen production and utilization technologies. Energy recovery units were used in conjunction with an energy efficient variable air flow laboratory

exhaust system.

20 Years of providing professional design

Mechanical Electrical

Fire ProtectionCommissioningEnergy Analysis

In addition to the College of Business, the hall has the

Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and

the North Dakota Trade Office.

The atrium area has a student reading lounge, a mini

bookstore, a coffee shop and a Bison Connection. NDSU

also houses a police substation in the building.

• Refrigerant based energy recovery system• Variable flow laboratory exhaust control system• Chemical resistant waste piping system• Chemical resistant high load rated trench drain system• Explosion proof rated devices • High pressure nitrogen and oxygen distribution systems with pressures exceeding 1000 psi

Unique & Innovative Design Features Include:

1.877.380.0501

Meet DanDan Pederson, Associate

Mechanical Designer, has

been employed with ONE, Inc.

for 19 years.

Engineering Speak Issue 01 January 2012

Recognitions Welcome! New Hires

Tony Nelson, PEElectrical Engineer7 Years of Experience

Mark ZahariaMechanical Designer

Andrew Bartsch, PE Electrical Engineering LicenseRecognized as Firm Associate

Joel Peck, PE, LEED APMechanical Engineering License

Cody Ellingson, PE, NEBB Building Systems Commissioning - HVAC CertificationMechanical Engineering License

Adam Sinks, EITMechanical Engineer in Training Certification

Next Issue . . . Feature Story — What is Commissioning?

Dan’s Favorite Famous Quote:

“If you don’t have time to do it

right, when will you have time

to do it over?”

— J. Wooden

2201 12th St. N. Suite EFargo, ND 58102

877.380.0501www.obernel.com