USDA Russell Research Center – Buildings 34, 1 & 4

Peachtree Mechanical was contracted to perform major laboratory mechanical and plumbing system renovations for Buildings 34, 1, and 4 at the Russell Research Center in Athens, Georgia. The projects involved the construction and renovation of new Biosafety Level 2AG laboratory environments and associated research facilities within active and operational federal research buildings.

The scope of work included demolition, renovation, and installation of highly specialized HVAC, laboratory exhaust, filtration, hydronic piping, and laboratory plumbing systems designed to support sensitive biological and agricultural research operations. Work was performed in occupied research facilities requiring detailed coordination, phased construction, shutdown planning, contamination control procedures, and uninterrupted operation of adjacent laboratory environments.

Peachtree Mechanical installed and coordinated numerous specialized laboratory and mechanical systemsincluding:

• HEPA filtration systems with automated scan and validation features
• Specialized laboratory exhaust systems
• Pressure-controlled laboratory environments
• Dedicated outside air systems
• Chilled water and heating water piping systems
• Steam and condensate systems
• Laboratory plumbing and specialty piping systems
• Chemical waste and laboratory drainage systems
• Environmental humidity and temperature control systems
• Laboratory air distribution systems
• Mechanical room infrastructure upgrades
• Laboratory utility coordination and final equipment connections
• HVAC startup, flushing, testing, and commissioning activities
• BIM and multi-trade coordination services

The projects required close coordination with USDA personnel, engineers, commissioning agents, and laboratory operations staff to maintain ongoing research activities while implementing complex infrastructure upgrades within highly sensitive laboratory and containment environments.

These projects demonstrate Peachtree Mechanical’s experience delivering technically advanced laboratory mechanical systems requiring environmental control, filtration, pressurization, containment, commissioning, and operational reliability similar to the requirements associated with advanced research and industrial facilities such as BASF Project Combine.