Showcase Projects
America Online Data Centers

CLIENT:
America Online

ARCHITECT:
CCG Facilities Integration, Inc.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Holder Construction

Dulles, Virginia
Contract Amount: $7,193,934

Manassas, Virginia
Contract Amount: $12,821,087

Gainesville, Virginia
Contract Amount: $12,723,526

The Project
To serve the growing need for internet services, AOL built three new data centers in Dulles, Gainesville, and Manassas, Virginia. Poole and Kent was the premiere mechanical contractor. Our success with the construction of the AOL facilities fostered a close relationship with the data center facility managers. When the long-term operations and maintenance contract came up for renewal, Poole and Kent's ties with AOL, and our detailed knowledge of the mechanical/electrical systems contributed to our success in securing this very important contract. We are currently providing 24/7 operation and maintenance services to each of the data centers.

PK Role
Poole and Kent completed the installation of the following systems/equipment: 8,800 tons of centrifugal chillers with primary/secondary pumps and cooling towers, 190 Liebert Units, 28 AHU’s, 43 Fan Coil Units, 18 unit heater and other support equipment, over 8,000 feet of 10-inch, 12-inch and 15,000 feet of pipe, (4) 40,00 gallon fuel oil storage tanks, a 65,000 gallon chilled water storage tank, approximately 10,000 feet of 24-inch, 20-inch, 18-inch, 14-inch, and 10-inch pipe, (2) 200 ton air cooled chillers, uninterruptible power supply facility, (2) 2,000 kW diesel generators with 6,000 gallon fuel storage tanks, and fire protection upgrades (FM-200) and pre-action systems.

Highlights/Challenges
Without hesitation, the greatest challenge to these projects was to complete the data processing centers including raised floor, office/loading area and infrastructure, while maintaining a fast-paced construction schedule. Poole and Kent immediately met with the General Contractor and Engineer, to develop a construction schedule that ensured the best possible sequencing plan to meet the Owner’s milestones. The General Contractor used pre-cast structures and accelerated the site work (day and night) to provide a completely closed-in building within 90 days and thereby facilitate the start of mechanical installation. Poole and Kent completed the data center projects ahead of the original schedule by working 10 hours a day, six days a week without utilizing night shift work in the corridors. When necessary, Poole and Kent would work 12hour shifts, 7 days a week to meet milestones for testing and commissioning.

Poole and Kent completed the America Online data centers one month ahead of schedule and under the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). The Owner, General Contractor, and Engineer commended Poole and Kent on our exemplary performance on all three AOL data center projects.

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