Location: Porters Lake, Nova Scotia

Client: Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

Architect: Fowler Bauld & Mitchell Ltd.

Certifications: LEED Canada-NC Certified

Size: 59,000 sq. ft.

Project Budget: N/A

Porters Lake Elementary includes a 350 student P-6 school and recreational space for the Porters Lake community.  The new school includes 16 classrooms, art and music rooms, library, cafeteria, kitchen, staff room, offices and gymnasium.  The attached recreation centre includes a multi-purpose room, studio space and associated storage. 

M&R Engineering is responsible for mechanical design including HVAC, Plumbing and Fire Protection as well as electrical design including Lighting, Power, Communications and Security and sustainability consulting (energy modeling and Mechanical and Electrical LEED point documentation).

Key Facts: 

• Efficient Building Envelope: R-15 (continuous Insulation) tilt-up Walls and R-35 Roof 
• 88% efficiency cast iron oil-fired boilers with two-stage burners for Space, Ventilation and Domestic Water Heating.
• Radiant Ceiling Panels are used in the classrooms to ensure hot surfaces are away from children. 
• Variable Speed drives are installed on circulation pumps and fans to save electricity and provide greater control. 
• Energy Recovery Wheels are installed in Air Handling Units to recover heat from exhaust air. 
• Occupancy sensors are installed in classrooms to reduce ventilation and lighting power when the room is unoccupied. 
• Daylight sensors are used to control perimeter lighting in classrooms: lights dim when there is sufficient daylight available. 
• Cut-off fixtures are installed in the parking lot to reduce light pollution. 
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) sensors in office areas and gymnasium to control ventilation based on occupancy. 
• Low flow plumbing fixtures save water and energy used to heat domestic water: 4.8 L/flush and dual flush toilets, 0.5 L/flush urinals, 1.9 L/min lavatories, 5.7 L/min sinks, 7.6 L/min showers.
• Rainwater Cistern collects runoff from the roof and supplies toilets and urinals saving city water and reducing runoff into the storm system. 
• Energy modeling indicates energy cost savings of 32% compared to the energy code (MNECB).