Even though Wilson specified fabric duct to fulfill the request for value engineering the project, government engineers who were previously unfamiliar with the technology accepted the specification, but contingent on smoke test results. "I think everybody (contractors, Marine engineers, consulting engineers, and architects attending the test) was really quite surprised at the smoke test result," said Philip Lucas, T.B.E., vice president of San Diego Air Balance, which performed the smoke test. "Not only did the air drop down to the government's required 6 ft level from the 50-ft ceiling, but the airflow was more evenly dispersed than metal duct and registers. The airflow in the duct seemed to be engineered perfectly," said Lucas, who has performed a couple of dozen smoke tests over his 25-year career.
"We're pleased with the system that was designed and put in place, and it has been working fine for almost a year without problem," added Bill Shatzer, project engineer, resident officer in charge of construction office, Camp Pendleton, U.S. Marine Corps.