Our Team - John J. Lopez

Responsibilities:

• Develop budgets, estimating labor, material, and construction costs.
• Compile data and write reports regarding existing and potential engineering studies and projects.
• Performs QA reviews
• Directs the company’s mission, vision, and strategic plan
• Responsible for customer satisfaction, client development, and product quality
• Mark-up existing plans, and review team members drawings
• Performs site visits and provided client interface

Current/Recent Projects:

TA-53-30 HVAC and Electrical Upgrade
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

The project's main focus was the refurbishment of the electrical power distribution system in building TA-53-30 at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

This included a study of the electrical power distribution system as well as system metering to determine existing loads. Power from the main switchboard was routed to area specific dedicated electrical panelboards, both 480 V and 208 V systems. These panelboards provide a dedicated power source to laboratory equipment. Due to the constantly changing equipment configurations, the dedicated power systems were designed for maximum flexibility.

For each dedicated panelboard, voltage drop and short circuit calculations were performed. In addition to the electrical system renovation, power was also provided to three 60 ton HVAC units.

Role: Project Engineer, Designer, Project Manager, Revit Coordinator

Dr. Bernitsky Eye Facility
Albuquerque, New Mexico

This project involved creating a new office and clinic for Dr. Bernitsky’s LASIK practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. LEI worked diligently with the Architect and Lighting Representative to model the new space using Revit and Visual software. Lighting fixtures and controls that provided maximum user controllability while remaining discrete and functional were selected. Energy saving devices such as occupancy sensors and ambient light dimming controls were incorporated into the design. LEI coordinated between firms that were modeling the building in Revit and firms that did not yet have Revit capabilities.

Role: Project Engineer, Project Manager, Revit Coordinator

Laguna Middle School Student Counseling Resource Center
Laguna, NM

Lopez Engineering was contracted by the Laguna Department of Education to provide electrical design and construction administration services for the LMS Health Center located in Laguna, New Mexico. The project was completed in the following phases: design, bid, construction, and project closeout. The responsibilities of the project manager included overseeing the project through design, bid, construction, and project close out phases.

The project entailed renovating the 1,600 square foot Industrial Arts room into a Student Health Center, which includes a dental suite, lab, (2) exam rooms, reception office, waiting room, counselor office, restroom, break room, and (2) additional offices. The purpose of the new health center was to provide basic dental and medical exams to students on the Laguna Reservation, who may not otherwise have access to medical facilities. Funding for the project was provided by grants from the New Mexico Community Foundation, UNMH, and the Pueblo of Laguna.

The design process sought input from the UNM Health Sciences Center and the New Mexico Community Foundation. The approval process required approval by the Laguna School Board, the Laguna Tribal Council, New Mexico Department of Health, Indian Health Service, and the Bureau of Indian Education.

The bid phase consisted of advertising bids, answering requests for information (RFI), evaluating bids, and issuing addendums when needed. The construction phase consisted of Lopez Engineering assisting in coordinating necessary permits, developing construction schedules, answering RFI’s, and review and approve change orders if needed. Last, the project closeout phase consisted of a final inspection, generation of a punch list, and approval of final submittals and contract documents.

The construction cost was approximately $200,000

Role: Construction Administrator, Project Manager, Design Engineer

Cardiac Unit Renovation - 8th and 9th Floor
Lovelace Medical Center – Downtown, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Replace overhead lighting and receptacles in corridors, nurse stations, exam rooms, utility rooms, and patient rooms on 8th and 9th floors. Separate existing and new lighting, receptacle, and mechanical loads to appropriate Normal or Emergency power branch. Install new panels for Life Safety Branch, Critical Branch, and Equipment Branch of Emergency power system. Coordinate connection of panels to Hospital infrastructure project, by others. Connect egress lighting, Fire Alarm Control Panel, Medical Gas Alarm Panels to Life Safety Branch. Connect select Nurse Station and Patient receptacles and select Nurse Station and Patient lighting to Critical Branch. Connect select mechanical HVAC equipment to Equipment Branch. Provide power conditioning and instantaneous backup for four Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, via 600 kW rotary UPS. Provide Isolation Panels for receptacle loads in Cath Labs and Operating Rooms. Replace non-addressable Fire Alarm chime/strobes, smoke detectors, pull stations, aand door holders with addressable devices. Install new Nurse Call and Telemetry systems.

Role: Project Engineer, Designer, Project Manager.

Emergency Department Expansion and Remodel
St. Vincent Hospital, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Provide lighting and power to 20,000 s.f. expansion that includes Trauma rooms, isolation rooms, treatment rooms, mental health rooms, pediatric rooms, nurse stations, utility rooms, staff locker rooms, lounges, reception, waiting areas, and staff offices. Install new panels for Life Safety Branch, Critical Branch, and Equipment Branch of Emergency power system. Coordinate connection of panels to Hospital infrastructure project, by others. Connect egress lighting, Fire Alarm Control Panel, Medical Gas Alarm Panels to Life Safety Branch. Connect select Nurse Station and Patient receptacles and select Nurse Station and Patient lighting to Critical Branch. Connect HVAC units to Equipment Branch. Provide provisions for Fire Alarm, Telephone, Network Data, and Nurse Call Systems, installed by others. Provide exterior parking lot lighting, ambulance entrance lighting, power to elevator, and power to stretcher lift from helipad. Project is phased to allow existing Emergency Department to remain operational until expansion construction is complete. Once the expansion area is operational, the existing area will be remodeled.

Role: Project Manager, Engineer

Building 382 HVAC Renovation Project-Design T10
NNSA Service Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Replace existing pneumatic control system with a new open protocol direct digital control system complete with all necessary equipment to monitor and control all building HVAC needs. This project involved Project Schedule, contract documents, Consulting Services, Cost Estimate, and Cost Benefit Analysis. Removed existing lighting, HVAC, and T-Grid ceiling. Designed 4-pipe FCUs, exhaust system, energy efficient lighting system with ambient light and occupancy sensors, T-grid ceiling, and modified existing special systems to accommodate the new construction. This included fire alarm, fire protection, PA System and security systems. Provided electrical design services. The design fee was $149,980 (Phases 1,2,& 3). Construction Amount $2,500,000 (Phases 1, 2, & 3). Role: Assistant Project Engineer.

Building 381 Interconnect HVAC Renovation Project-Design T02
NNSA Service Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Demolition and removal of the existing pneumatically actuated Variable-Air-Volume (VAV) Boxes. Installation of new electrically actuated VAV Boxes. Demolition and removal of the existing equipment associated with the existing HVAC control system. Installation of a new Direct Digital Control (DDC) System to control the 381 Interconnect HVAC System -- System software will reside in a NNSA SC server. Modify the Building 381 Fresh Air Intake System. Install a return air vent (grille) in the ceiling of the 2nd Floor, South End Conference Room. Connect duct work to two (2) existing VAV Boxes. The contract amount was $15,000. Construction amount: $700,000. Role: Assistant Project Engineer.

LANL Parking lot lighting study
Los Alamos, New Mexico

Feasibility study for implementing energy saving features for parking lot lighting in TA-3, TA-43, TA-63. Currently, parking lot lights are turned on at dusk and remain on until dawn. Study examined the cost and payback of installing control devices such as occupancy sensors, photocells, and time clocks to save energy.

Role: Field verification of as-built drawings and Cost Estimate.