Salt Lake City, UT

University of Utah Garff Executive Building

More than 177,000 feet of conduit and nearly 950,000 feet of wire and cable went into this cutting-edge academic facility.

Interior view of facility showcasing board room lighting

Value Delivered

Wasatch Electric provided electrical construction and power distribution services for this new academic facility on the University of Utah’s campus. 

The project featured a large scope of work, involving a wide variety of trades, on a tight schedule. We coordinated closely with other contractors throughout the project to help keep work progressing smoothly without unnecessary delays or conflicts.

Additionally, because the new building was being constructed in an existing campus environment, the project was confronted with limited material and equipment staging areas. Site work was further complicated by steep slopes between the existing buildings, which had to be managed with terracing. 

Ultimately, thanks to our team’s diligent efforts, the project was successfully completed on-time and to the client’s high standards of quality. 

Client Objectives

The client required a new, state-of-the-art academic facility that could house their Master of Business Administration programs, center for executive education, business career services center, economics institute, and other programs associated with their business school. 

Project Solutions

Wasatch Electric’s scope covered all aspects of electrical, telecommunications, fire alarm, security, lighting systems and controls, power devices and distribution, lightning protection, and audio/visual raceway installations. 

During the project, we provided:  

  • Electrical distribution, consisting of:
    • One service with a 1,500-kilovolt-amp transformer feeding a 2,500-amp switchboard
    • Second service with a 500-kilovolt-amp transformer feeding a 2,000-amp switchboard 
    • 600-amp, 15-kilovolt pad-mounted switch connecting both services
    • 43 panel boards
    • Two transformers 
    • One 250-kilowatt engine generator with two automatic transfer switches  
  • Lighting systems and controls, consisting of:
    • 1,785 single light fixtures 
    • Nearly 6,000 linear feet of pendant and recessed lighting fixtures 
  • Over 177,000 feet of conduit
  • Nearly 950,000 feet of wire and cable

Across the 150,000-square-foot four-story facility, we worked in a variety of environments, including large conference and meeting rooms, an auditorium, a professor’s lounge, a cafe, and twelve 80-seat classrooms. 

Client Background    

The University of Utah is a public research university serving more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students.