East River Science Park- EMI Assessment:

East River Science Park Outside Photo

The East River Science Park (ERSP) currently under construction in Manhattan, will be a state-of-the-art research and development campus for New York-based bioscience businesses looking to expand R&D efforts. ERSP will have over 1.1 million square feet of office and laboratory space when completed.

Assessment of potential EMI Threat Concerns

FMS was engaged early in the project by the design team to provide an extensive assessment of potential EMI threat concerns to sensitive research equipment planned for use in the many diverse ESRP laboratories. During all phases of the new building, FMS provided the project’s design team with thorough reviews of all documents from design development through construction drawings, to evaluate potential sources of EMI, assess EMI threat potential to sensitive equipment and develop mitigation measures if appropriate.

Broadband EM Survey

Early in the project, FMS conducted a broadband EM survey at the NYC building site and documented existing EMI conditions and possible threat sources from nearby electrical distribution circuits, transmitters, subway trains, etc. Existing DC, AC, and RF field strength conditions were assessed throughout the existing building site based on “spot” measurements and limited time measurements of steady-state and transient conditions. The measurement data will be made available to researchers to assist in equipment acquisition decisions.

East and West Tower Floor Plans

Plans for all floors in the East and West Towers programmed for research laboratory use were carefully reviewed by FMS for identification of potential internal EMI threat sources such as high current carrying electrical equipment and distribution circuits. Where appropriate, computer simulation studies were conducted to quantify AC magnetic field emission profiles and determination of EMI threat potential.

AC Magnetic Field Levels/Simulation

This computer simulation illustrates that elevated AC magnetic field levels are likely to exist in the Plaza Level of the West Tower, from a utility transformer vault and electrical switchgear room located beneath the Plaza Level in the underground parking complex.

AC Magnetic Field Shielding Scheme

Data from computer simulation studies indicated that high AC magnetic field levels would likely be present in areas of the West Tower Plaza Level. To eliminate EMI threat potential FMS developed a shielding scheme utilizing highly conductive shielding material to be installed on walls of the Main Electrical Room and an area of the Plaza Level structural slab.