Washington Dulles International Airport, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Structural Design Services

Burns supports Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) on critical capital improvement projects, delivering mechanical, electrical, plumbing (M/E/P) and structural engineering design services.

For more than two decades, Burns has provided engineering design and construction management services on behalf of MWAA, the public authority established to operate Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Regan Washington National Airport.

Burns has successfully completed dozens of M/E/P, structural, special systems, and security tasks — modernizing airport facilities and extending the life of critical infrastructure. Burns recently teamed with Shah & Associates to support an M/E/P professional services contract for capital improvements at Dulles International, the world’s fastest growing airport.

The following is a sample of completed tasks.

Central Utility Plant, Condenser Water Pump Replacement 

Burns designed a phased replacement of the airport cooling system’s primary condenser water pumps. The project sought to address premature pump degradation due to cavitation, improving inefficient system operations. Burns delivered M/E/P design and construction oversight services, replacing all eight pumps with high-efficiency variable frequency drives. After installing the 250-horsepower, 6,000-GPM condenser water pumps, MWAA was able to operate at full cooling capacity, improve energy efficiency, and minimize excessive maintenance costs. Burns designed a phased pump replacement, spreading out the client’s capital costs, while avoiding system downtime. Overseeing the construction process, Burns ensured system installation achieved client goals and system performance requirements. Construction completed in 2023.

Medium-Voltage Substation, Structural Support and HVAC Systems

Burns designed structural and mechanical systems to support a new medium voltage, secondary-unit substation adjacent to the A Gates apron. The substation’s design required new concrete equipment pads supporting the transformers and oil containment facilities. A reinforced electrical distribution busway ran the substation’s power cables on an articulated structural frame, traversing around terminal windows, ventilation systems, and electrical service. Drilled shaft foundations minimized disturbance to airfield operations. Within the substation, Burns led installation of an air-sourced heat pump cooling system. Construction is scheduled to complete in 2024.

Concourse Sanitary System Reconfiguration

Burns completed a reconfiguration of the Concourse C/D underground sanitary system. After years of airport growth and the addition of new concession spaces, Burns was tasked with developing a design strategy that would prevent sanitary system backup and flooding. Burns completed an in-depth plumbing system survey throughout the concourse’s concession tenant systems. The design approach separated the concourse concession area sanitary piping from public restroom sanitary risers. Isolated systems were tied into underground mains, while new risers were installed based on updated system loads. Construction completed in 2021.