Murphy Company was contracted by Swinerton to perform underground plumbing for restrooms, shower rooms, water fountains/bottle fillers, lab sinks, and emergency fixtures at the new PMS Facility. Our scope also included installation of the Vacuum System, Compressed Air System, Ultra-Pure Water (UPW), Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System (rooftop condensing units and interior branch selectors), Natural Gas, Steam for humidifiers, Condensate Lines, and rooftop equipment such as Exhaust Fans, Lab Rooftop Units (LRTUs), Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS), Make-Up Air Unit (MAU), and relocated equipment from an adjacent tenant. We also installed Fan Coil Units (part of the VRF system) and ductwork for all rooftop systems.
We collaborated closely with Swinerton through weekly meetings and frequent site walks. Internally, the project required extensive coordination across BIM, our fabrication shop, field leadership, safety, and onsite labor teams. Prefabricated components were used across all major systems to maximize efficiency. Using piping inspection cameras, we identified existing underground sanitary piping conditions that differed significantly from the Engineer of Record’s (EOR) assumptions. We quickly developed and implemented a rework plan that ensured proper drainage while maintaining the project schedule and minimizing cost impacts.
Given that PMS manufactures and calibrates UPW systems for global use, their standards are exceptionally high. To meet these expectations, we built a dedicated clean room within our Thornton Manufacturing Facility’s isolated clean fabrication space. We partnered with Georg Fischer to provide advanced product training, enabling our team to both install and inspect for imperfections caused by the infrared, crevice-free fusion process. When necessary, equipment was recalibrated or repaired to meet strict quality standards.
A newly acquired LRTU lift allowed just two crew members to safely transport large rooftop units. We also leveraged Virtual Construction tools to coordinate all prefabrication and assembly efforts. Trimble technology was used to precisely lay out trenches, drains, cleanouts, and overhead hangers based on the coordinated model. Approximately 25% of the project was prefabricated, improving efficiency and reducing labor time on site.
