Collin College Allen Campus Welding Program Expansion

Project Overview

Collin College’s popular welding program had reached capacity, and an expansion was in order. The adjacent open-air bay was re-engineered to mitigate environmental concerns like wind and rain.

Highlights

Completion Date: Summer 2023
Location: Allen, TX

Project Team

Owner – Collin College

Architect – Glenn Partners

Structural – L.A. Fuess

Expanding Welding Education at Collin College’s Technical Campus

Collin College, a long-standing client of RWB Consulting Engineers, approached us with a unique challenge at their Technical Campus in Allen, Texas. Their highly regarded welding program had reached full capacity, and they also dealt with persistent wind and rain intrusion in a nearby open-air bay. Determined to find a solution, the college turned to our team for expertise.

The project team revised the power systems in that wing of the building to support the new welding equipment. They also added a centralized welding exhaust system for the program expansion, installing point-of-use welding exhaust intakes in each booth. To mitigate wind and rain, the team installed louvers in the bay, integrating them with the building’s existing architecture and structural framework. High-volume, low-speed fans now circulate air throughout the space, significantly improving occupant comfort.

With construction now complete, the upgraded facility enables the Technical Campus in Allen to offer more class sections and increase overall capacity for its welding program—an in-demand program consistently recognized by local industry and filled to capacity each semester.

Identifying the Problem and Exploring Solutions

The college asked whether they could expand the welding program into the adjacent open-air bay, which directly connects to their current facility. Additionally, they wanted to know if they could reduce the nuisance wind and rain enough to make the area suitable for instruction.

To evaluate the situation thoroughly, our team visited the site and assessed the facility along with its MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems. We worked closely with Glenn Partners, a local architectural firm, and L.A. Fuess, the original structural engineer for the campus. Together, we created a detailed report for Collin College.

The report outlined:

The challenges and site conditions
Schematic designs for potential solutions
Rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimates

By presenting a comprehensive overview, the report enabled the college to evaluate its options and move forward with confidence.

Implementing the Welding Program Expansion & Elemental Abatement Project

After reviewing our findings, Collin College approved a project that would both expand the welding program and resolve the environmental issues in the open-air bay. The resulting Welding Program Expansion & Elemental Abatement project delivered impactful results.

Key Project Features:

Fifteen (15) new welding booths were added, increasing capacity and flexibility.
Environmental controls addressed wind and rain intrusion, transforming the open-air bay into a more comfortable, enclosed educational space.
Power systems were upgraded to support the new welding equipment.
A centralized welding exhaust system was installed, with point-of-use intakes in each booth for optimal air quality.
Architectural louvers were integrated into the bay to block wind and rain while maintaining cohesion with the existing building design.
High-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans now circulate air effectively, improving occupant comfort year-round.

Supporting Growth and Meeting Industry Demand

Now completed, the project enables the Technical Campus in Allen to increase class sections and overall program capacity. This is a significant benefit, as the welding program consistently reaches full enrollment each semester and remains highly regarded by local industry partners.

By expanding instructional space and improving environmental conditions, this project ensures that Collin College can continue to meet student demand and maintain its leadership in technical education.