From school districts upgrading aging HVAC to hospitals requiring critical-environment mechanical systems, Roberts DBS brings four decades of experience to every project type. Our self-performed workforce, construction management expertise, and cooperative contracting options make us the trusted partner for facilities that demand reliability.
Illinois school districts and higher education institutions trust Roberts DBS for HVAC upgrades, new construction, and full mechanical renovations — delivered on schedule around academic calendars and often procured through cooperative contracting to eliminate the RFP process entirely.
Complete mechanical systems for new school buildings, classroom wings, gymnasiums, and athletic facilities. We coordinate all MEP trades from design through commissioning, ensuring systems are tested and operational before the first day of classes.
Indoor air quality is a top priority for student health and learning outcomes. We design and install upgraded ventilation systems, enhanced filtration, energy recovery ventilators, and demand-controlled ventilation to meet or exceed ASHRAE 62.1 standards.
School projects require careful coordination around the academic year. We develop phasing plans that concentrate major work during summer breaks and minimize disruption during the school year — keeping classrooms operational and students safe.
Our displacement induction unit ventilator replacements deliver superior air distribution, quieter operation, and dramatically improved energy efficiency compared to legacy unit ventilators — without major structural modifications to existing classrooms.
Aging unit ventilators are the single largest source of comfort complaints and energy waste in Illinois schools. We replace outdated units with modern, high-efficiency systems that reduce energy consumption by up to 50% while improving classroom comfort and air quality.
Large-volume spaces require specialized HVAC solutions. We design and install systems for gymnasiums, auditoriums, cafeterias, and multipurpose rooms that handle high occupancy loads, variable scheduling, and the unique thermal demands of these spaces.
Chemistry labs, biology labs, and maker spaces require dedicated exhaust systems, fume hood integration, and precise pressure relationships. Our designs ensure code-compliant ventilation that protects students and staff while maintaining energy efficiency.
Building automation systems, LED lighting integration, variable frequency drives, and energy management platforms that reduce operating costs. We help districts qualify for ComEd and Nicor Gas utility rebates and identify opportunities for state energy efficiency funding.
Through our BuyFair cooperative contract, school districts can engage Roberts DBS directly — no RFP, no bid delays. This legally compliant procurement method is available to all 90,000+ public agencies nationwide and saves months of procurement time.
Healthcare mechanical systems demand precision, redundancy, and zero tolerance for downtime. Roberts DBS brings decades of experience in critical-environment HVAC, infection control pressurization, and occupied facility renovations where patient care cannot be interrupted.
Hospitals, surgical centers, and medical offices require HVAC systems designed for precise temperature and humidity control, redundant capacity, and continuous operation. We engineer and install systems that meet the exacting requirements of healthcare environments.
Proper pressure relationships between patient rooms, corridors, and isolation areas are essential for infection control. We design and commission HVAC systems that maintain required pressure differentials, HEPA filtration, and air change rates per ASHRAE 170 guidelines.
Installation and renovation of medical gas piping including oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, vacuum, and waste anesthetic gas disposal (WAGD). All work performed to NFPA 99 standards with certified brazers and rigorous testing protocols.
Hospital renovations demand meticulous planning to maintain patient care during construction. We develop infection control risk assessments (ICRA), implement negative pressure barriers, and sequence work to ensure zero downtime for critical departments.
Operating rooms require laminar airflow, precise temperature control, and ultra-clean environments. We design, install, and commission OR HVAC systems that meet FGI Guidelines and maintain the stringent air quality standards required for surgical environments.
Compounding pharmacies, pathology labs, and clinical laboratories require dedicated ventilation with specific air change rates, exhaust systems, and containment strategies. Our designs address USP 797/800 compliance and biosafety level requirements.
Healthcare facilities cannot afford HVAC failure. We design and install redundant systems, emergency power connections, and automated failover controls that ensure critical areas maintain environmental conditions during equipment failures or utility outages.
Every healthcare project we deliver meets or exceeds ASHRAE Standard 170 requirements for ventilation of health care facilities. From air change rates to pressure relationships to filtration requirements, our designs are fully code-compliant and inspection-ready.
Roberts DBS serves municipalities, counties, park districts, and state agencies across Illinois with mechanical contracting and construction management services. Our experience with prevailing wage requirements and cooperative procurement makes us a natural fit for public-sector projects.
County courthouses and government office buildings require reliable, energy-efficient HVAC systems that serve diverse occupancy patterns. We design and install systems for courtrooms, office suites, public areas, and secure facilities with appropriate zoning and controls.
First responder facilities operate 24/7 and demand HVAC systems built for continuous duty. We address the unique requirements of apparatus bays, bunk rooms, fitness areas, and dispatch centers — including vehicle exhaust extraction and decontamination areas.
Public libraries and community centers serve diverse populations with varying occupancy levels. Our designs provide comfortable, quiet environments with energy-efficient systems that adapt to changing loads throughout the day and across seasons.
Fieldhouses, recreation centers, aquatic facilities, ice rinks, and park maintenance buildings. We handle the full range of park district mechanical needs, from natatorium dehumidification to ice rink refrigeration to sports facility ventilation.
Process HVAC, chemical storage ventilation, and environmental controls for water treatment plants, pumping stations, and public works facilities. Corrosion-resistant materials and explosion-proof equipment specified where required by code.
All Roberts DBS projects are performed with our union workforce at prevailing wage rates. For public agencies, this means built-in compliance with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act — no audits, no violations, no risk. Prevailing wage is our standard, not an exception.
Through the BuyFair cooperative purchasing program, municipalities and public agencies can engage Roberts DBS without a traditional RFP process. This legally compliant method saves months of procurement time while maintaining full transparency and competitive pricing.
When a government facility loses heating in January or cooling in August, every hour matters. Our cooperative contract allows emergency engagement without procurement waivers, and our 24/7 service team can mobilize immediately to restore critical building systems.
Office buildings, retail centers, restaurants, and mixed-use developments demand HVAC systems that balance tenant comfort, energy efficiency, and operational flexibility. Roberts DBS delivers mechanical solutions for the full spectrum of commercial facility types across the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond.
VAV systems, dedicated outdoor air systems, chilled water plants, and building automation for Class A office space. We design for tenant flexibility, energy code compliance, and long-term operational efficiency that reduces total cost of ownership.
Retail environments require HVAC systems that handle high foot traffic, variable occupancy, and diverse tenant requirements. We install base building systems with tenant stub-outs, rooftop units, and controls platforms that simplify tenant fit-out.
Mixed-use buildings combine residential, commercial, and retail spaces under one roof. We design integrated mechanical systems that serve each occupancy type independently while sharing common infrastructure for maximum efficiency and minimal redundancy.
Whether building core-and-shell systems for a new development or fitting out individual tenant spaces, our team delivers HVAC, piping, and controls that match the specific requirements of each tenant while integrating seamlessly with the base building systems.
Mission-critical cooling for data centers, server rooms, and telecommunications facilities. Precision cooling, redundant systems, hot aisle/cold aisle configurations, and continuous monitoring ensure uptime for sensitive IT infrastructure.
Commercial kitchen exhaust and makeup air systems designed to code. Type I and Type II hoods, demand-controlled kitchen ventilation, grease duct fabrication, and fire suppression coordination for restaurants, cafeterias, and food service facilities.
Manufacturing plants, warehouses, and industrial facilities require mechanical systems engineered for process requirements, worker safety, and operational efficiency. Roberts DBS brings the expertise to handle specialty ventilation, process piping, and industrial-grade HVAC systems.
Industrial processes generate heat, fumes, and particulates that demand specialized HVAC solutions. We design and install process cooling, spot ventilation, air curtains, and environmental controls that maintain safe working conditions while supporting production requirements.
Fume extraction, dust collection, welding exhaust, and hazardous material ventilation. Our sheet metal shop fabricates custom ductwork for industrial exhaust applications, and our engineers design systems that meet OSHA exposure limits and NFPA standards.
Compressed air systems, process chilled water, steam generation, and specialty piping for manufacturing operations. We understand the interface between building mechanical systems and production equipment, ensuring both work together reliably.
Large-volume heating and ventilation for warehouses, distribution centers, and logistics facilities. Gas-fired unit heaters, radiant heating, destratification fans, and dock door air curtains designed for high-bay spaces with frequent door openings.
ISO-classified clean rooms, controlled temperature and humidity environments, and positive/negative pressure rooms for pharmaceutical, electronics, and food manufacturing. HEPA filtration, laminar flow, and continuous monitoring systems installed and commissioned.
Carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, and specialty alloy piping for industrial processes. Certified welders, radiographic testing, and hydrostatic testing to ASME B31.1 and B31.3 standards. From boiler plants to chemical distribution, our piping team delivers.
Houses of worship and community organizations face unique challenges: aging buildings, limited budgets, volunteer-managed facilities, and spaces that serve multiple purposes throughout the week. Roberts DBS provides professional construction management that is accessible through cooperative contracting — bringing the same expertise we deliver to hospitals and schools to the organizations that strengthen our communities.
Sanctuaries, fellowship halls, classrooms, and administrative offices each have distinct HVAC needs. We design systems that handle the dramatic occupancy swings between a packed Sunday service and an empty Monday morning — efficiently and quietly.
Through BuyFair cooperative purchasing, qualified non-profit organizations can access professional construction management without the cost and complexity of a traditional bidding process. This makes Roberts DBS services accessible to organizations that might otherwise lack procurement resources.
Many houses of worship occupy historic buildings where mechanical upgrades must respect architectural character. We design concealed ductwork, low-profile equipment, and minimally invasive installations that modernize building systems without compromising the space.
Non-profits and houses of worship need to stretch every dollar. We identify the highest-impact energy upgrades, help secure utility rebates and incentive programs, and design systems that minimize operating costs without sacrificing comfort or reliability.
Community organizations often use the same space for worship, dining, recreation, meetings, and daycare. We design flexible HVAC systems with programmable zoning and controls that adapt to each use — keeping occupants comfortable no matter how the space is configured.
Not every organization can fund a complete mechanical overhaul at once. We develop phased improvement plans that prioritize the most critical needs first and build toward a comprehensive solution over time — with each phase designed to integrate with future work.