Controlling a Growing Gateway

As part of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s Concourse A Expansion, the facility required a comprehensive controls solution capable of supporting HVAC, energy management, and life safety systems across both new and existing areas of the airport. The challenge was not simply installing controls for new equipment, it was creating a fully integrated system that would allow airport personnel to efficiently monitor and manage building performance while maintaining uninterrupted operations in a busy transportation environment.

Grand Valley Automation developed and implemented a controls strategy that connected the new expansion with existing airport infrastructure. The project included modifications to the existing hot water and chilled water plants, controls for multiple air handling units, energy recovery equipment, terminal comfort systems, radiant heating applications, exhaust systems, and energy monitoring. Integration of lighting controls, tenant energy metering, domestic hot water monitoring, and heat trace systems provided operators with a centralized view of critical building functions. In addition, GVA programmed communication between the building automation system and the fire suppression system to support HVAC shutdown sequences during emergency events.

The completed project delivered a highly integrated building automation platform that supports occupant comfort, energy management, operational visibility, and facility reliability throughout the expanded concourse.