Elevar Design Group - Engineering

engineering overview

Our experienced engineering staff executes and manages projects from the feasibility phase to start-up, working in highly clean to extremely hazardous areas and systems. Beginning with site evaluation and master planning, our team uses 2D and 3D design and mapping technology to layout existing systems in order to determine the most efficient operational improvements. With a foothold in multiple industries, Elevar offers engineering and design services for educational, residential, government, corporate, hospitality, retail, and commercial clients.

our story

elevate (ˈeləˌvāt) verb

to raise or lift to a more important or impressive level.

At Elevar, we are elevating the game. Our growth is derived from diversity of thought, pragmatism and a keen business sense. We pride ourselves on seeing what others cannot. Our creativity is generated through an applied curiosity and a celebration of people. Our success is measured in our client’s terms: increased performance, improved outcomes and spaces that enliven the spirit.

We chose the name ‘elevar’, the Spanish word for elevate, because we believe it encompasses our core values of: Mastery, Experience, Teamwork, Creativity, Commitment, and Integrity.

These six values were born out of a 50+ year history of high-quality performance and service to our community. Elevar responds promptly and efficiently to client needs with quality services and innovative, practical design solutions.

We appreciate the folks with whom we work want a greater value for the investments they make – this spirit transcends market and client type. In response we continuously strive to deliver the best solutions: timeless design that is responsive to change with optimal performance for cost.

Elevar has grown from humble beginnings into a staff of more than 80 employees. This growth occurred organically as Elevar continued to design in new markets and build relationships with new clients. We attribute our continued success to our personal commitment and professional abilities.

key players

Elevar Design Group is one of the fastest growing firms in our region. Our staff is a blend of senior designers and technical leaders teamed with the best young talent in the market. In recognition of our architectural heritage, we pair ‘master’ and ‘apprentice’ together to expand shared knowledge and grow abilities. This organization fosters community and accountability.

Because our staff is dedicated to building relationships and championing one another’s success, our firm feels less like a corporation and more like a family. We have found that creatives who seek greater meaning in work find their way to Elevar and, perhaps because of this, we are proud to have very little staff turnover. The tenure of our staff members allows us to focus, learn, and innovate - generating tremendous value for our clients.

Our culture is grown from a fabric of relationships stitched by personal and professional experiences. By hiring the best and the brightest, we have fostered a talented and enthusiastic staff whose commitment to quality carries over into all client relationships.

design partners from the beginning.

Tom Fernandez CEO

As the CEO of Elevar Design Group, Tom Fernandez is responsible for the overall vision and innovation of the firm. He facilitates design direction and ensures that his staff is equipped to provide the best solutions to clients. Since assuming executive leadership of the firm in the late 1980s, Tom has been instrumental in growing the staff into the multi-disciplined team of specialized designers it is today.

Eugene Ungermann, PE, SE Structural Engineer

With a background in both civil and structural engineering, Eugene approaches projects from a holistic point of view. He has a diverse background work that includes many types projects, both new construction and renovations. Eugene is licensed in the states of Ohio and California and is a member of multiple industry organizations. With more than 25 years of experience, Eugene’s leadership of the structural engineering group has helped in the success of many Elevar projects.

Kim Patton President

Kim Patton serves as President of Elevar Design Group, guiding the design staff in daily operations and profitability. Kim’s energy and innovation have been the key to his successful career which has spanned nearly 30 years in many different markets. An Architect by trade, his vast experience has influenced his ability to grow Elevar’s staff and to provide clients with costeffective and creative solutions.

Tony Lozier, PE Senior Vice President, Engineering

Tony Lozier has more than 43 years of experience in MEP Engineering. As Principal of Elevar’s MEP team, he directs all engineering services and ensures the highest quality results for clients. His widespread experience has served as an asset to many of Elevar’s projects, as Tony has the ability to lead the engineering team toward the best solutions for all client projects.

Allison Nichols, PE Mechanical Engineer

Ms. Nichols is head of Elevar’s Mechanical Department. She has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of markets. Registered in four states, she holds a NEBB air balance certificate and a Fire Damper Level 2 Supervisor certificate.

Rusty Harp Data/Technology Engineer

With a strong background in computers, information technology and process instrumentation, Rusty is well versed in the most sophisticated methods of information transference utilized in educational facilities. As institutions turn towards more speedy and efficient methods of information gathering, Rusty assists the client in planning for future trends in learning and advising on ways technology can make information more accessible.

Sylvia Roark Lighting Engineer

Ms. Roark has more than 20 years of lighting design and engineering experience. In recent years, Sylvia has developed a substantial portfolio and knowledge base in regard to energy efficient lighting fixtures, understanding the nuances of lighting design and how to organize fixtures with optimal efficiency. She also works closely with the architecture team on how to incorporate natural light into spaces and rely less on electricity consumption.

Chris Carter Plumbing Engineer

Mr. Carter’s experience has included the development of innovative solutions for the water supply and sanitary waste needs of many clients. Chris’ experience is includes a working on a wide range of projects from small scale renovations to newly constructed buildings. Our clients benefit from his knowledge of alternative water distribution systems and innovative waste water technologies.

As a full-service engineering and design firm, Elevar has a fully integrated multi-disciplined staff that offers seamless coordination of projects from the feasibility phase to project start-up. Our design and engineering teams have experience in a variety of facilities from highly clean areas to hazardous areas and systems. Our engineering team works with the owner representatives to troubleshoot existing systems, reviewing codes and permits, while assessing accessibility and constructability of new or renovated systems.

We work with clients and insurance carriers to determine the fire protection requirements of each project. With a licensed fire suppression engineer on staff, we are experienced in fire main system design, wet and dry-pipe sprinkler systems, preaction sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, wet and drychemical suppression systems, and water mist suppression systems. We generate project narratives and specifications, route piping and sprinkler head location plans, as well as analyze system size and requirements for fire and pressure maintenance pumps.

Our plumbing engineers work with domestic cold water and hot water supply/return, while processing waste, sanitary waste and vent systems, special waste systems, and storm drain systems. We develop project narratives and specifications, code analysis of new and existing systems, and analyze system size and requirements for water treatment systems. Our team will analyze and determine system size and requirements for domestic water heaters, water treatment systems, domestic water booster pumps, sewage ejectors and sump pumps, interceptors (FOG, garage/oil, solids and lint), emergency showers and eye/face wash stations.

services:

• Domestic Cold Water and Domestic Hot Water Supply / Return (Including Tempered, Tepid and 140Degree F Water)

• Process Waste, Sanitary Waste (Building and Horizontal Drains) and Vent Systems

• Special Waste Systems (Including Fats, Oil, Grease, Garage/Oil and Corrosive Wastes)

• Storm Drain (Primary and Secondary Relief) Systems

• Project Narratives and Specifications.

• Plans, Elevations, Sections, Details Using 2D Design or 3D

• Code Analysis of New and

Systems

We have HVAC and utility experience with laboratories, processing and manufacturing areas, hazardous production and storage areas, clean rooms, warehouses, office buildings, data centers, and other types of buildings and systems. Our team develops equipment packages, utility piping and instrumentation diagrams, air flow diagrams, duct and utility routing design and layouts, and space pressurization plans.

Mechanical Includes HVAC, Specialty Ventilation and Exhaust, Utilities and Stress

Classifications Ranging from Hazardous, ISO Class 1 to Unclassified

HVAC Systems: Constant Air Volume, Variable Air Volume and Variable Refrigeration Flow

• HVAC and Exhaust Air Filtration Systems: Dust Collection, MERV 1-20, HEPA, Carbon and Ultraviolet

• Plant Utility Systems: Steam, Condensate, Chilled and Hot Glycol Systems, Chilled and Hot Water Systems, Hydronic Open and Closed Loop Systems, Condensing Water, Compressed Air (Dry and Oil Free Instrument Air, Clean Filtered Air and Plant Air), Nitrogen, and Vacuum

Water Treatment Systems: Deionized Water, Distilled Water, Reverse Osmosis Water, Soft Water and Boiler Feed Water

Gas Systems: Fuel Gas, Laboratory Gas and Medical Gas

Optimize and Debottleneck Existing Systems

Air Flow Diagrams and Air Flow and Instrumentation Diagrams

Utility Flow Diagrams and Utility Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams

Space Pressurization Plans

Load Analysis and Energy Studies

Equipment General Arrangements

Duct and Pipe Routing Design and Layouts

Equipment and Component Schedules and Specifications

Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details using 2D Design or 3D Modeling

Code Studies (IMC, Local Codes, ASHRAE, EPA, etc.)

Building Management System Design and Integration,Sequence of Operations and Control Narratives

Our electrical engineers are experts in the field and offer many years of design experience. Our team works closely together to ensure that all components of the project are performed seamlessly. Key tasks performed include developing permit packages, power studies and design, panel schedules and layouts, single line diagrams, conduit pull schedules, lighting plans, fire alarm location plans, conduit drawings or 3D modeling, motor elementary diagrams, VFD design, MCC layouts and design, project narratives, equipment specifications, energy audits, technology and data pathways, and field testing and commissioning.

Our lighting design team has a vast experience in many markets including retail, healthcare, education, housing, various government agencies, theatrical, warehousing, parking lot/garages, sports and entertainment venues. We pride ourselves on keeping informed on the latest technology and proper application for each.

Computer capabilities are an integral part of our design, engineering, and management process. Computer programs help us to more efficiently provide solutions for our clients. Our team is well-versed in all forms of technology and BIM used during engineering projects. Our 3D modeling capabilities allow us to extract lists, schedules, and Bill of Materials from the model, as well as perform a model review and with clients. Our technology aids in clash detection by effectively identifying, inspecting, and reporting interferences in a project model.

Our engineering team has experience with systems ranging from clean aseptic processing/filling and oil, hazardous, corrosive, high temperature and high pressure (Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Systems).

We use process simulation to determine pipe sizes, pressure drops, flow, equipment sizes, and existing conditions of a system. This information allows us to optimize process and debottleneck systems while developing diagrams about process flow, process piping and instrumentation as well as process equipment specifications and data sheets.

Range From Highly Clean, cGMP to High Pressure, High

Line

and Extremely Corrosive

Process Flow Diagrams and Process

Equipment “Request for Quote” Packages (Equipment Specifications, Data Sheets, Vendor Data Requirements, Exception and Clarifications Lists, Bid Evaluations)

Line List, Equipment Lists, Valve Lists, Specialty

and Tie-In

Equipment Includes Agitators, Low Pressure Storage Tanks (Clean and Dirty), Pressure Vessels (Clean and Dirty), Heat Exchangers, Skids, Pumps and Pumping Stations, Utility and Process Transfer Panels, etc.

CIP System Design and Circuit Loop Layouts

Modular System

Process Water

Code Studies (CFR, NFPA, ASME, API, MSS, 3-A, etc.)

Our engineers work with the client representatives to determine process piping design and equipment layout of processing systems and manufacturing lines. We develop equipment layouts and general arrangements, generating a Bill of Materials, line list, specialty items list, tie-in list, piping specifications, and layout existing areas while integrating new systems in existing spaces.

Our experienced structural engineering staff works with the client to provide the best design solutions for the structural parts of their project. We generate drawings utilizing 2D and 3D modeling software and prepare design calculations and reports. We provide site investigation and code analysis of code non-conforming structures, produce feasibility studies, and provide structural recommendations to the client.

• Structural design of buildings, industrial steel structures (pipe racks, pipe supports, HVAC cooling tower steel support, etc.)

• Structural design of building foundations, housekeeping pads, dikes, concrete retaining walls, etc.

• Code analysis and feasibility studies

• Prepare design calculations

• Generate plans, elevations, sections, details using 2D design and/or 3D modeling

• Provide specifications and write contract documents.

• Investigations, evaluation of field installations and recommendations for structural non-conforming items

We are a team experienced in working with our clients on the design and engineering of instrumentation and controls. Our project managers instrument lists, data sheets, and specifications. Guidance of instrument installation details and network diagrams makes for a more seamlessly coordinated project. We aid in cross vendor platform integration by managing the sequence of operations and functional specifications.

Our Project Managers take ownership of each project, working with clients to set expectations, and maintain the scope, schedule, and budget. Our team keeps projects on track by value engineering and using performance analysis, cost tracking, and schedule risk analysis. Communication and coordination between the project manager, engineer and design team, client and subcontractor are key in the successful delivery of a project.

Elevar works with clients to lead the cost management process from project initiation through close out. The ability to positively influence the cost of a project is reduced significantly as the project moves from concept through design and construction. We are constantly on the alert for scope creep and budget growth, always keeping the bottom line in mind through every stage of a project.

“Our team carefully considers our clients’ need and the future of each system. Client satisfaction is our number one priority, and we ensure this by taking into account the unique needs of each and every client we work with.”

- Tony Lozier, PE, LEED AP Senior Vice President, Engineering

elevating the game.