Project description
Cator, Ruma & Associates provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology engineering services for the new Eaton High School, a comprehensive high school campus designed to support academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. The project includes approximately 165,000 square feet of instructional and support spaces, along with associated athletic facilities, including stadium lighting and a 9,600-square-foot locker room building.
CRA’s scope encompassed full MEPT design and construction administration for classrooms, laboratories, commons areas, administration, performance spaces, athletics, and campus infrastructure. Mechanical systems were developed to support large occupant loads, varied space types, and long operating hours, with multiple HVAC system options evaluated during schematic design to balance comfort, energy performance, and long-term operability. Electrical systems included primary and secondary distribution, emergency power, lighting and lighting controls, fire alarm, and site lighting. Technology systems supported security, access control, video surveillance, audiovisual systems, mass notification, wireless connectivity, and a distributed antenna system (DAS) to maintain reliable communications throughout the campus.
During construction, CRA provided additional services related to DAS coordination, electrical power revisions, submittal reviews, site observations, testing review, and record documentation, ensuring that critical technology and life safety systems performed as intended at occupancy.
Guiding Principles for the Design
- Design for Scale and Intensity
- Flexibility for Evolving Education
- Integrated Technology and Life Safety
- Energy-Conscious, Long-Term Performance