INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PROJECT

We offer a wide range of engineering services to meet your project needs. Our expertise covers Fire Protection, Electrical, Plumbing & HVAC, Engineering Studies, and Additional Services. We are dedicated to delivering innovative and effective solutions that ensure safety, efficiency, and functionality. Whether you need design, assessment, or project management, our team is here to provide the support and expertise necessary for your project’s success.

FIRE PROTECTION: Safeguarding Your Facilities

Trust our experienced team to provide reliable and effective fire protection solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of your facilities.

Fire Alarm and Life Safety Upgrades: Upgrade your fire alarm systems and life safety measures to ensure the highest level of protection.

Fire and Life Safety Evaluations (FLSE): Comprehensive evaluations to identify potential risks and ensure compliance with fire safety standards.

Fire Pump and Fire Sprinkler Systems: Design and implementation of advanced fire suppression systems to protect your property and occupants.

HFD Unsatisfactory Fire Inspection Report Remediation: Expert assistance in addressing and resolving issues identified in fire inspection reports, ensuring your buildings meet all fire safety requirements.

ELECTRICAL: Innovative and Efficient Solutions

Rely on our dedicated team to provide high-quality electrical services that cater to the evolving needs of your projects.

Electrical Service Upgrades: Enhance your electrical systems to meet current standards and future needs.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers: Install state-of-the-art EV chargers for convenient and eco-friendly charging solutions.

Emergency Generator Systems: Design and implement systems to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during emergencies.

FPE and Zinsco Breaker Replacements: Replace outdated and unsafe breakers to ensure electrical safety and reliability.

IT Infrastructure Design: Develop robust IT infrastructure to support your technology and communication needs.

Lighting and Control Systems: Implement advanced lighting solutions for energy efficiency and optimal control.

Security Systems: Enhance security with Access Control, Intrusion Detection, and Video Surveillance systems.

Solar Photovoltaic Panels: Install solar panels for sustainable energy generation and reduced energy costs.

Submetering Systems: Implement submetering for accurate energy usage tracking and billing.

PLUMBING & HVAC: Comprehensive Solutions for Comfort and Efficiency

Trust our experienced team to deliver top-notch HVAC and plumbing solutions that cater to the specific needs of your projects, ensuring functionality and comfort in your spaces.

Air Conditioning and Ventilation Assessments and Design: Ensure optimal climate control and indoor air quality with tailored HVAC solutions.

Plumbing and Piping Replacements: Address issues in your plumbing systems, from outdated components to water efficiency and safety enhancements.

Engineering Studies: Ensuring Safety and Efficiency

Leverage our expertise in engineering studies to make informed decisions and maintain the reliability of your systems.

Arc Fault and Short Circuit Assessments: Identify potential hazards in your electrical systems to prevent accidents and ensure safety.

Electrical Capacity Assessments: Evaluate your infrastructure’s capability to meet current and future electrical demands.

Electrical Equipment Infrared Scanning and Condition Assessments: Detect issues in electrical equipment before they lead to failures, ensuring uninterrupted operation.

Plumbing Assessments: Assess the condition and performance of your plumbing systems to prevent leaks and other issues.

Troubleshooting Services: Address a variety of challenges, including Circuit Breakers Tripping, Equipment Issues, Hot Water Systems, and Voltage Issues, to maintain system reliability.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES: Meeting Diverse Needs Beyond Core Engineering

Our comprehensive suite of services is designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients, extending beyond our core engineering offerings to provide holistic solutions.

Notice of Violation Remediation: Resolve regulatory issues and ensure compliance with local codes to avoid penalties and disruptions.

Opinions of Probable Cost: Receive detailed cost estimates for your projects to aid in budgeting and financial planning.

Project Management and Construction Administration Services: Ensure smooth and efficient project execution from start to finish with our expert management.

Roofing Replacements and Trash Chute Replacements: Address essential maintenance and upgrades for your building infrastructure to ensure safety and functionality.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers to common questions about our services and how we can assist you.

Do I need a building permit?

Building permits are required:

i. To construct, alter or demolish any structure.
ii. For electrical or plumbing work more than $2,500.
iii. For building repairs not requiring electrical or plumbing that are more than $10,000 within a 12-month period.

(Information provided as of April 2024)

How long does permitting take?

Permit timelines depend on multiple factors including the City’s workload and the ever-changing review process. Typically, at least one year can be expected. However, small and/or simple projects can take closer to 6 months to be reviewed and approved by the City.

(Information provided as of April 2024)

Do I need a Construction Manager?

This depends on the type and size of project. Douglas Engineering Pacific can provide permit routing, review of Contractor submittals, review and approval of Contractor pay requests, and monthly or weekly site visits by qualified personnel under the supervision of the licensed Engineer to observe the progress and quality of the executed work.

Do I need to replace my cast-iron piping?

Typically, cast-iron drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping in multi-story condominiums have a usable life of 40-50 years. Douglas Engineering Pacific can help determine whether a partial or complete replacement is required by performing an assessment of your building’s DWV system.

What is the advantage of Engineer prepared bid documents?

Bid documents are used to obtain competitive bids from multiple Contractors at once. A detailed and complete set of bid documents is necessary for keeping bids equivalent and comparable. A professional set of bid documents can lower the number of unnecessary Change Orders compared to a hand drawn or PDF markup.

Is the City requiring my condominium building to install fire sprinklers?

No, Ordinance 22-2 gives the option of either installing fire sprinklers or passing a Fire and Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE). Douglas Engineering Pacific has conducted over 140 FLSE’s. We can provide design, permitting, bidding, and contract administration services for buildings to pass their FLSEs.

What is the cost comparison between installing fire sprinklers versus passing the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation?

Passing the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE) is usually a fraction of the cost of installing fire sprinklers. Douglas Engineering Pacific can assist you with an opinion of probable cost as well as the next steps to passing your FLSE.

Our building failed the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation, now what?

Most buildings do not pass the first evaluation. Speak with your evaluator about how to address the deficiencies in your evaluation to obtain a passing score. If the deficiencies are impractical to address, consider getting a second opinion by another evaluator. Douglas Engineering Pacific has conducted over 140 FLSEs, including several re-evaluations.

Do I need an Engineer, or can I just ask contractors for bids?

If you directly ask the contractors for bids, they will often include the cost to hire an engineer anyway. Instead, we recommend directly hiring the engineer to design drawings and bid out the project for you. This ensures the bids are apples-to-apples. The engineer will have specialized knowledge and expertise to review the bids. This also allows you to communicate directly with the engineer rather than just the contractor. Our team of licensed engineers can help you throughout this process with your next project.

I have a Notice of Violation (NOV) for unpermitted work. What should I do?

Immediately hire an engineer or architect to submit a permit application and notify the inspector. Douglas Engineering Pacific has assisted multiple buildings with addressing their NOV’s.

Our condominium building is adding air-conditioners and/or EV chargers. Can our electrical system handle this?

Hire a qualified electrical engineer to assess the capacity of your electrical system. Douglas Engineering Pacific’s team of licensed electrical engineers can assist you with an assessment of your electrical system.

Our condominium building is adding clothes washers/dryers. Can our plumbing system handle this?

Hire a qualified mechanical and electrical engineer to assess the capacity of your plumbing and electrical systems. Douglas Engineering Pacific’s team of licensed engineers can assist you with an assessment.

Our building’s electrical equipment is getting old. What should we do?

Douglas Engineering Pacific can conduct an assessment of your electrical system to determine its condition and provide recommendations on maintenance.

Our insurance is telling us to replace our FPE and/or Zinsco circuit breakers. Why?

FPE and Zinsco circuit breakers are known for their high failure rate and thus increase the risk of fire. This may require the replacement of large components of your electrical system. Douglas Engineering Pacific can assist you with the next steps for this project.

Which buildings in the City and County of Honolulu have passed the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE)?

Click here to view a list of buildings in the City and County of Honolulu, along with each building’s Fire Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE) passing status (according to Honolulu Fire Department).

Where can I find ordinances related to fire codes in the City and County of Honolulu?

Click here to view the City Council’s ordinances related to fire safety in the City and County of Honolulu.

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