Providence Tarzana Medical Center, TARZANA, CA
VALUE DELIVERED
Increased energy efficiency and improved air handling; protection from seismic events; minimal downtime; improved patient comfort; optimum patient and street level safety due to expert rigging management; efficient system control; single-source project delivery.
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
To replace old air-handling units with more energy-efficient devices.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
To complete this project, Mesa provided two new air-handling units, both of which met the seismic, air pressure, and other standards established by local codes and California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
To prepare for the rooftop installation, the company performed concrete testing, installed seismic stands, connected and sealed duct supports, and put in flashing at all roof penetrations. The company then rigged the new units into place.
The new air handlers, which are seismic certified by the IBC (International Building Code) to meet OSHPD criteria, are of standard outdoor air-handler construction with a structural steel base and standing seam double-walls. They also have double-wall high-density fiberglass insulation on the walls, floor, and ceiling, and factory-mounted humidifier steam dispersion tubes. The watertight units have premium efficiency motors pre-wired to factory-mounted variable frequency drives (VFD’s), as well as copper tube, aluminum fin cooling coils with insulated stainless steel drain pans. Once the units were in place, the company connected them to the building’s systems via new insulated ductwork and piping.
To connect to the motor control center, Mesa ran conduit and wire from the center through the roof to the new air handlers. New disconnects were mounted on each air handler and wired to the VFD’s. A separate power circuit was installed for the HVAC controls, and conduit and fire alarm wire for the smoke detector were run to a location specified by the detector’s installer.
To make the system fully operable, Mesa connected it to the facility’s Andover Control System. The company also provided appropriate drawings, panels, devices, programming, and graphics, as well as system start up and training.
When the new systems were ready, Mesa demolished and removed the previous air-handling units with their ductwork and piping. The company also filled, sealed, and caulked all roof openings for optimum insulation and waterproofing.
EMCOR SOLUTIONS
Since this installation impacted critical patient care areas, such as the surgical suites, the replacement had to occur with minimal downtime. To achieve this, the company prepared the new units for operation while the existing units remained in service. Carefully planned and organized, the switchover to the new system was completed in only six hours.
CLIENT BACKGROUND
Providence Tarzana Medical Center is a 245-bed, not-for-profit medical center that serves the San Fernando Valley. Its high-quality specialty services include heart and vascular care and a diabetes care center, as well as orthopedic, oncology, and senior services.