Projects
Brockville Hospital Air Handling Unit Replacement
Completion: June 22, 2018
Location: Brockville
Kelson engineered and performed contracting services on the replacement of the 5th floor air handling unit at the Brockville General Hospital. Kelson was the prime contractor for this project, executing both construction and engineering services in-house. The existing two air handling units serving administrative areas were 70 years old and existed in a very small mechanical room on top of the hospital. The new unit was a single piece of equipment that served the same areas. To increase the overall energy efficiency of the build, the exhaust air was directed through an enthalpy wheel to capture both sensible and latent energy to transfer to the incoming outdoor air. To serve the pre-heat and heating coils, a steam to hot water heat exchanger skit packaged was designed and prefabricated, complete with 100% redundant shell and tube heat exchanges and a dual-arm pump.
Mechanical Systems
Kelson Mechanical Highlights:
Kelson conducted a full three dimensional Trimble laser scan of the mechanical room before construction began to ensure the new equipment could be properly installed and fit in the room. Given the constricted space for the job, the air handling unit was loaded sideways through an opening created in the wall, in three pieces, and then assembled within the mechanical room.
Kelson served both as the engineer of record and prime contractor for this project. This allowed for a faster schedule to be completed in line with the hospital’s requirement for the project deadline. Seamless communication occurred internally allowing for questions to be answered quickly and efficiently.
Kelson developed a comprehensive construction staging schedule to allow for minimal downtime including the continuous operation of select exhaust fans to ensure occupant comfort.
Infection control was a primary focus throughout the design and construction process. Duct openings were sealed and cleaned. Sequences and static pressures within the air handling unit prevent exhaust air from being recirculated, as 100% outdoor air is provided to the spaces served.
Kelson worked closely with the hospital to minimized disturbance to their operations for the duration of construction. This included a carefully coordinated street shut down for the crane lift, comprehensive garbage and waste removal, and proper sealing and isolation of construction areas/corridors.