Ladue School District

The Behrmann Company

School is in Session

When the Ladue School District set out to overhaul the aging mechanical systems at two of its elementary schools, they needed a partner who could deliver high-quality equipment, move quickly, and get the job done without disrupting a single school day. Working alongside mechanical contractor Daikin-TMI, Behrmann supplied a complete heating and hot water solution for both Conway Elementary and Reed Elementary — completing the full installation in just two months, with school in session the entire time.

Boilers

Both schools were outfitted with three Lochinvar FTX1000 boilers.

Pumps

We also supplied each school with a Taco pump package that included eight FL Base-Mounted – End Suction pumps.

Facility

A completed overhaul of equipment in two separate facilities, all while class was in session.

Two schools. Two complete mechanical overhauls. Done in sixty days — without missing a single day of class.

A deeper Dive

Both schools were operating with hot water and heating systems that were nearly 25 years old. The equipment — boilers, pumps, water heater, tanks, and flue — had reached the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced in full. The district required a complete mechanical overhaul that would deliver improved energy efficiency, long-term reliability, and minimal disruption to students and staff.

Behrmann supplied identical systems for each school, built around three Lochinvar FTX1000 condensing boilers, eight Taco FI Base Mounted End Suction Pumps, and a Taco 4900 Series Air & Dirt Separator. A key upgrade at both facilities was the replacement of the existing standard water heater with a Lochinvar Squire Indirect Water Heater, which uses boiler water to provide domestic hot water — a more efficient and integrated approach to the building’s overall heating load. The package was rounded out with a Lochinvar LTCPA Expansion Tank, a Vector Pot Feeder, and a Centrotherm Polypropylene Exhaust Vent at each location.

Two technical challenges stood out on this project. First, the transition from a standard tank water heater to an indirect water heater required integrating domestic hot water production into the boiler system — a smart long-term move, but one that added coordination complexity during design and installation. Second, routing the polypropylene common vent system proved difficult, as the existing building chases were fixed and could not be altered. Daikin-TMI navigated both challenges successfully, completing the work at both schools in just two months from order release — and doing it all while students and staff remained in the building.

This project came to Behrmann through our longstanding relationship with Daikin-TMI. When TMI was selected as the mechanical contractor for the Ladue School District job, they brought Behrmann in based on our track record together on previous projects. The district itself was already familiar with Lochinvar boilers and Taco pumps as quality manufacturers — the key was ensuring the pricing and scope aligned with the district’s budget. Behrmann delivered on both counts, and the result is two fully modernized school mechanical rooms that are running more efficiently and built to serve the Ladue community for decades to come.

Superior Solutions With Exceptional Equipment

The Ladue School District project is a strong example of what Behrmann and the right contractor partnership can accomplish. Working alongside Daikin-TMI, we replaced nearly 25-year-old mechanical systems at two elementary schools simultaneously — delivering modern, high-efficiency heating and hot water solutions on time, on budget, and without disrupting a single school day. It’s the kind of project that speaks for itself.