Baltimore County Detention Center Expansion

Oldcastle Precast Modular Group (OPMG) won the contract to design, engineer, produce, and erect the precast components for the new 24,944.47-square-meter expansion project at the Baltimore County Jail. In addition to the expansion, the project also called for relocation of a new cooling tower and renovation of the existing building systems, which included the addition of an outpatient clinic and dental suite as well as a psychiatric unit. In addition, a loading dock was expanded and the dry storage for the food area was added. Located on 23,067.17-square-meter, the project also added a new underground parking garage with 280 spaces.

Construction of the $72-million expansion was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 was the construction of a five-pod building — four pods housing medium-security inmates in dormitory housing and one pod of prison cells. (Phase 1 will also provide for future Phase 2 additions.) OPMG produced 84 precast cells, 184 dorm modules and various precast wall panels, planks, columns, beams, and slabs at five precast facilities for the project.

The core spaces of the new building include a public lobby, administration space, intake and release area, educational spaces, laundry, commissary, medical area, food services, maintenance, and recreation space. The heating and cooling system features 34 multi-zone air-handling units with variable volume and DDC controls. Constant-type AHUs are used for inmate areas, a technical feature unique to correctional facilities. An integrated fire alarm and ATC system is provided for the entire building. The smoke control system is provided for the building since it is classified as windowless. The chilled water plant consists of two, 500-ton chillers with primary and secondary pumping systems. Correctional type (vandal-proof) plumbing fixtures have been provided in the cells. The new heating plant contains two dual-fuel boilers.

Construction on the Baltimore County Detention Center expansion began in February 2004. Erection of the precast units began in mid-April 2004 and was completed in March 2005.

Owner: Baltimore County Office of Budget and FinanceArchitect: DMJMH+NConstruction Manager: Gilbane Building Co.

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