Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection Design

Tetra Tech’s High Performance Buildings Group specializes in sustainable design and delivery that meets client needs and budgets for every building type.

Aesthetic design might be what catches the attention of occupants, but mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection systems make a building perform. Our global team of more than 1,500 MEP and fire protection engineers is recognized across the globe for designing and delivering state-of-the-art systems that support the operation of best-in-class buildings and facilities.

Mechanical

Tetra Tech’s mechanical engineering team provides performance-oriented designs for all building types. We value simplicity of design and are well versed in all aspects of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and energy-efficient systems design. Clients come to Tetra Tech’s mechanical team because they want practical solutions that are easy to operate and maintain and are designed with a balance of innovation and functionality to create spaces that deliver on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. The Tetra Tech team delivers engineering designs that are appropriate for the client’s goals, favoring value and utility.

We use computational fluid dynamics to accurately predict how facilities will behave in relation to air flow, temperature, and pollutant distribution before they are built. Our design experts conduct thermal modeling to predict the performance of all types of buildings, allowing designers to ensure optimum efficiency in energy use. We use system comparisons to identify the best HVAC systems for every project based on location, flexibility, energy efficiency, noise, cost, and maintenance.

Mechanical Services

HVAC
Natural ventilation
Displacement ventilation
Building automation and controls
Building analyses, studies, and reports
Central plants
Radiant heating and cooling
Geothermal heating and cooling
Underfloor air systems
Thermal storage
Fan coil systems
Heat pump technologies
Smoke control and exhaust systems
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) design
Cost-effective remediation and refurbishment
Assessment and forensics
Thermal imaging

Electrical

Tetra Tech is well equipped to provide outstanding, safe, and reliable electrical solutions for any type of building or infrastructure project. We provide electrical engineering services focused on both individual buildings and community-wide systems. Our systems are well-suited to all client requirements and provide quality services for the full life of the building. From on-site energy generation and high voltage networks to switchboards and uninterruptible power supplies, Tetra Tech has the skills and experience to deliver best-in-class electrical designs on all project types—large and small.

Our diverse electrical expertise includes tasks ranging from straightforward lighting and power layouts to sophisticated fault discrimination analysis and microprocessor control of emergency power generation systems through to glare control from luminaries. We also have extensive experience with interior and exterior lighting, lightning protection, technical earthing, soft wiring systems and retail electricity procurement.

Our team uses sophisticated software analysis tools for the design and simulation of generation, transmission, and distribution systems and regularly prepares a range of electrical reports and audits on due diligence, fault rectification, power quality and energy management.

Electrical Services

Power distribution
Onsite energy production
Lighting controls
Life-safety/fire alarm
Harmonic analysis and control
Emergency/standby power generation systems
Cogeneration systems
Critical power systems (uninterrupted power supply [UPS], PDUs, static transfer switches)
Electrical power monitoring systems/supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
Grounding and lightning protection
Short circuit and coordination studies
Arc flash studies
Reliability and redundancy studies
Single point-of-failure analysis
Power quality analysis
Capacity and demand analysis
Architectural lighting
Distributed communications and monitoring systems
Sustainable lighting
Grounding studies
Access control systems
Intrusion detection

Plumbing

Water is our most precious resource, yet it is often taken for granted. Tetra Tech’s plumbing engineers value its preservation and reuse. We work with clients and design teams to develop plumbing and drainage systems that mitigate waste and provide cost-saving opportunities throughout the life of a building. We have a thorough understanding of the requirements of all relevant authorities and are well-placed to call on our extensive industry relationships.

Our plumbing engineers coordinate with our other engineering disciplines and design teams to develop integrated designs that meet or exceed code requirements. We are experts in the design and delivery of environmentally conscious and energy-efficient water supply systems, including blackwater and greywater reclamation.

Plumbing Services

Wastewater treatment and reclamation
Solar hot water systems
Potable water systems
Rainwater harvesting systems
System audit and maintenance programs
Water treatment and infrastructure design
Domestic and pure water systems
Sanitary systems
Storm drainage systems
Water conservation and greywater reuse systems
Blackwater reuse systems
Gas systems, including medical and laboratory gases
Hydraulics
Liquid fuel storage and distribution
Swimming pools

Fire Protection

Fire protection is a highly specialized segment of building services engineering. Tetra Tech has the experience to offer clients effective strategies for protecting life and assets. Our approach centers on working closely with clients to develop the right solution for the life of a project. We provide a full consulting service for the design, documentation, and construction phases of all fire safety systems.

Tetra Tech’s solutions achieve more than simple compliance with building codes. Our team of fire protection engineers offers performance-based solutions that meet or exceed the performance requirements of relevant codes and provide cost-effective and tailor-made strategies. Our engineers have considerable experience in the development of solutions that fully comply with local building codes, while considering the cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of the design across an extensive range of market sectors. In addition to design development, documentation, and construction phase involvement in fire protection, Tetra Tech offers services in performance-based design, fire safety risk assessment, smoke spread computer modeling, building services inspection, and fire safety management plans, including evacuation strategies.