Westwood, CA – Xcel Mechanical Systems won today the HVAC portion of the new UCLA Basketball Practice Facility, and will team again with PCL Construction services following their award-winning work on the nearby Pauley Pavilion Renovation and Expansion Project.

The Mo Ostin Basketball Center will become the state-of-the-art training and practice facility for the university’s storied men’s and women’s basketball programs. The new two-story, 35,700 square-foot building will include on its ground floor practice gyms, locker rooms and player’s lounges for both teams; a training area and film room; cardio and equipment storage areas; and a public lobby. The second floor will include a weight room; coaches’ conference rooms; staff offices and lockers; and a laundry room. Mechanical equipment will be located in the basement.

“This win marks our fourth major project on the UCLA campus, and another opportunity for Xcel Mechanical to deliver our unique value to this important client,” said company president Kevin Michel.

“This is a Design-Build project – and that is significant,” said Mr. Michel. “It leverages Xcel Mechanical’s combined strengths in HVAC design and construction. We’re looking forward to getting underway.”

ENR California recognized the UCLA Pauley Pavilion project with its “Award of Merit” in 2013, adding to a list of awards and accolades the project received from local and national trade associations. PCL Construction Services was the general contractor on that project, and Xcel Mechanical delivered the mechanical elements of the project.

More recently, Xcel Mechanical delivered the HVAC project elements for the soon-to-open UCLA Engineering VI Building and the UCLA Luskin Conference Center.

According the university bid documents, the Mo Ostin Basketball Center will comply with the University of California Policy on Sustainable Practices and will be designed to achieve a LEED™ NC Gold Certification. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems designs, builds and maintains commercial and industrial HVAC, Plumbing and Process Piping systems for clients across the Aerospace, Data Center, Education, Entertainment, Government, Healthcare and Hospitality sectors. Our cost-effective solutions make buildings more comfortable and more energy efficient. Xcel Mechanical is licensed, bonded and insured, and can scale quickly to execute projects of any size.

Gardena, CA – Two Xcel Mechanical Systems project engineers were notified today that they passed a rigorous state licensing exam, great news for the company, its clients, and the pair of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo grads who took the eight-hour comprehensive test last month.

The Professional Engineer (PE) Exam is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Scores are reported to the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists, which oversees the credentialing of Professional Engineers throughout the state.

“Passing the PE exam is a big deal,” said Stefan Owechko, who prepared for the test alongside colleague and fellow 2012 Cal Poly SLO mechanical engineering alum Joe Camacho.

“Everyone knew we took it back in April. And so everyone – including my family – was waiting on the results. This is good news, and a huge relief.”

To become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), one must earn a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited program, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, complete four years of progressive experience under a PE, and finally – pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.

What does it mean?

Every state regulates the practice of engineering to ensure public safety by granting only Professional Engineers (PEs) the authority to sign and seal engineering plans. PEs shoulder the responsibility for not only their work, but also for the lives affected by that work, and therefore must hold themselves to high ethical standards.

“This is a good day,” said Mr. Camacho, who like Mr. Owechko said he has long had an interest in “how things come together”.

“And, it reflects a trend in our industry in which a growing number of clients expect that PEs are working on their projects.”
Mr. Camacho said he welcomes the additional responsibility and accountability that will surely result, and like Mr. Owechko said the long journey to PE certification will open important doors.

“I still have a lot to learn,” he said, “but I’m in the right place, and when the time is right, larger roles on larger projects await. Honestly, my plan is to continue helping however I can.”

Both Mr. Owechko and Mr. Camacho were quick to acknowledge the support they’ve received from their colleagues at Xcel Mechanical, and the direct role company president Kevin Michel has played in their continued professional development.

“Kevin has backed us 150-percent from Day One,” said Mr. Camacho. “Anything we needed – from additional classes to study materials, to study time – it was there. He understands the importance of it all, and it’s amazing to work for a company that supports you in this way.”

Mr. Owechko agreed. “I met Kevin when he came up to Cal Poly SLO for our Career Fair. I met with lots of companies, and interviewed with a few competitors. But none of them had the same feel. Kevin really cares about people here. It’s about quality. It’s about family. We all know that we’re taken care of here. Now, I look forward to doing more to help Kevin and the company out.”

Gardena, CA – Xcel Mechanical Systems today officially added its name to a growing list of Mechanical Contractor Association of America (MCAA) member firms that are helping to drive the organization’s ambitious 2015 “Year of the Intern” initiative.

Through grants made available by MCAA and its education foundation, the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation, Xcel Mechanical hired and began onboarding this morning Purdue University junior Marc Dombrowski, a mechanical engineering student from Scottsdale, AZ.

Mr. Dombrowski’s summer internship is one of 228 positions funded by the MCAA and MCERF thus far in 2015, according to the organization’s website.

“I think it’s awesome that they’re giving students the chance to come in and show what they can do,” said Mr. Dombrowski, who comes from a family of engineering and contracting professionals. “I’m getting valuable experience in a field that I want to pursue. It’s good preparation for the future. I feel like when I graduate, I’ll be ahead of the game.”

Mr. Dombrowski said a family friend recommended he take a look at Xcel Mechanical, a fast-growing commercial HVAC and Plumbing contractor based in Gardena, CA. He learned that the firm was a member of MCAA. He joined Purdue’s MCAA student chapter, researched the “Year of the Intern” program, reached out to Xcel Mechanical President Kevin Michel, and the match was made.

“He’s smart, and showed some real ingenuity in finding his way here, which of course we liked,” said Mr. Michel. “It’s great that MCAA is making these opportunities available. It’s a win-win.”

Mr. Dombrowski is currently working in the firm’s Estimation Department, coming up with estimates on HVAC and plumbing drawings. Soon he’ll be participating on job walks while shadowing project engineers and project managers.

“This is the first time I’ve seen something like this,” he said. “I’m ready to help anyone with anything they need. There’s a lot to learn, but that’s why I’m here.”

About MCAA

The MCAA is a national trade association representing more than 2,800 of the industry’s most innovative and forward-thinking mechanical construction, plumbing and service firms across the United States. These companies install and service technologically advanced and energy-efficient heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing and piping systems. MCAA also counts among its membership the industry’s leading manufacturing and supply firms.

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.

Xcel Mechanical Systems designs, builds and maintains commercial and industrial HVAC, Plumbing and Process Piping systems for clients across the Aerospace, Data Center, Education, Entertainment, Government, Healthcare and Hospitality sectors.  Our mechanical solutions make buildings more comfortable and more energy efficient. Xcel Mechanical is licensed, bonded and insured, and can scale quickly to execute projects of any size.

McCarthy and Xcel Mechanical Systems recently completed construction of LAUSD’s new $96.7 million South Region High School No. 2, located at 6100 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles.

The school was designed by Leo A Daly of Los Angeles. McCarthy served as general contractor for the project. Xcel Mechanical Systems was hired as the project’s mechanical contractor. The project entailed construction of a 220,000-square-foot high school on a 16.1 acre site with capacity for up to 2,000 students. The new school consists of eight two-and three-level buildings with 75 classrooms, an administrative office, performing arts/multi-purpose/practice gym, cafeteria and food services area, media center/library, a gym and locker rooms. The school also features an outdoor lunch shelter and athletic facilities including football and softball fields and a track and field venue with a new rubberized synthetic track surface.

The nine buildings are strategically positioned to provide a rectangular perimeter barrier around a centrally located courtyard/student gathering area. The high school is sectioned into four small learning communities, each self-contained with classrooms and laboratory facilities in each building. The athletic, library and performing arts facilities are shared among the four communities. Each classroom has state-of-the-art A/V equipment and the ADA-compliant science labs feature built-in casework, fume hoods, chemical resistant countertops, sinks, gas, power and high speed data connections. All buildings are type II steel construction with the exterior skin comprised of plaster, CMU veneer and metal panels.

Xcel Mechanical used BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology to assist in the building process for the new high school. Xcel teams used AutoDesk NavisWorks project review software to create 3D models of the high school’s mechanical systems before construction began. The use of 3D modeling proved highly successful in helping visualize and resolve systems clashes in the areas that required extensive detailing such as the central plant, the underground utilities, small mechanical closets and restrooms.

“This close team collaboration allowed the project to stay ahead of schedule and complete nearly two months early,” said Senior Project Manager Andrew Raufi.

Certified by the Collaborative for High Performing Schools (CHPS), the new South Regional High School boasts numerous environmentally friendly elements. Some of the project’s sustainable features include: energy efficient direct/indirect lighting with automatic lighting controls; low flow lavatories; low VOC paint; high energy efficient air conditioning; operable windows; a white roof to reflect unwanted energy and reduce the amount of energy consumed and drought tolerant landscaping. Construction waste was also recycled.

ENR California recognized the UCLA Pauley Pavilion Renovation and Expansion project with its Award of Merit, adding to a list of awards the project has received from local and national trade associations.

Xcel Mechanical Systems served as the Mechanical Engineering subcontractor on the project.

The UCLA Pauley Pavilion scope of work included approximately 57,000 square feet of expansion and 180,000 square feet of renovation to the existing facility. This included revisions to the seating, life safety systems, restrooms, concessions, entrances, fan amenities, athletic facilities, and a new interior concourse encircling the entire arena, for a total area of more than 237,000 square feet of new and remodeled space. The project team has been widely praised for opting to renovate the historic sports facility rather than demolishing it and building a new one.

The project achieved LEED Gold certification upon its completion, and has also been recognized by the following organizations:
– Los Angeles Business Journal – 2013 Commercial Real Estate Awards, Best Redevelopment Project
– U.S. Green Building Council- Los Angeles Chapter – 2014 Sustainable Innovation Award
– Los Angeles Business Council – 2011 Architectural Award

Mammoth Mountain’s new ownership group had put in place an $800-million master plan to establish the resort a world-class full service ski destination.

But to get there, the ownership group knew they needed help.

Xcel Mechanical Systems was already on contract to upgrade various mechanical, plumbing and snowmelt capabilities at key locations across the mountain. But this project would be bigger: Employ the same technology on a wider scale to implement snowmelt at the major common areas.

The job entailed building a large concrete dining deck with extensive use of snowmelt technology. The snowmelt system would also serve walkways, sidewalks, loading docks, stairs, bridges, equipment platforms, bus stops, and loading areas of the new, high-speed gondola running from Village Gondola Station to Canyon Station.

Smartly automated controls would permit the zones, high-temp for paver areas and low-temp for concrete, to start by phone calls for nights when they knew snow was coming and they wanted to pre-heat slab surfaces. Xcel set up primary-secondary pumping with injection and zone pumps for the snowmelt. Each zone had a zone pump to eliminate field water balancing at the individual manifolds.

“Each snowmelt zone is controlled by a dedicated pump zone,” said Xcel Mechanical President Kevin Michel. “These were a huge benefit because of time saved when piping the mechanical rooms, and for space considerations; they’re very compact and sensibly laid out.”

Snowmelt is seen as a valuable investment. There are so many advantages to the placement and use of this technology, including public safety, operating issues (the lifts must be open and accessible), and workforce impact. There are fewer employee and maintenance issues, and much less use of volcanic cinder, preventing damage to buildings and paved surfaces, and much less need for snowplowing.

“It’s easy to see why Xcel is our preferred plumbing and mechanical contractor,” said Rick Demshki. “They routinely meet the unique challenges posed by the mountain’s location and extreme weather.”

Much has been done to help “move the mountain” at Mammoth Lakes. And each year as the 1.2 million visitors to this world-class ski resort return, they will give little thought to the areas within the village without snow, looking only for the “best powder” to begin their day. But rest assured that the staff of Xcel Mechanical Services and Mammoth Mountain ski resort will be on top of where the snow should and shouldn’t be.