Howard County Circuit Courthouse

Allen + Shariff provided LEED Commissioning services to Howard County for the construction of a new 4-story, 238,000 SF circuit courthouse that will feature space for the State’s Attorney, Sheriff, local Bar Association, Maryland Public Defender, Clerk of Courts, as well as office space and courtrooms for six judges, jury assembly area, a cafeteria, and fitness center, as well as an adjacent4-level, 225,455 SF, 691-space parking garage and a security screening vestibule.

Systems commissioned included the following: mechanical systems including HVAC & R equipment and controls; electrical systems including service, distribution, emergency generator, uninterruptible power sources (UPS), lighting and controls; and plumbing systems including domestic water systems, hot water systems, gas service, fire protection systems, pumps and controls. Security systems were also added, including AV/IT systems and renewable energy systems in accordance with the ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 and 1.1-2007 for HVAC & R, as they relate to energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.

In addition to the Fundamental Commissioning of building systems, Allen + Shariff is providing LEED v4 Enhanced Commissioning. Services provided pursuant to Enhanced Commissioning include verification reviews of design documents (35%, 65% , 95% design packages ), review of contractor submittals, verification of operator and occupant training, verification of seasonal testing, and review of building operations 10 months after substantial completion.

Allen + Shariff has also engaged subcontractors at the owner’s request to provide additional envelope, security systems, AV/IT, and acoustical performance commissioning.

The project incorporated a highly energy efficient design with the goal of obtaining a high performance, low maintenance, low operating cost facility achieved through sustainable and energy efficient design features

The facility was designed to achieve a LEED Gold certification.