HVAC (Div 23)

Isolation Pad Requirement Clarity

Leave a Comment / Design, Constructability (means & methods)

Facility name: The Medical Center Aurora

Project name: MCAURO-032018M-CMP-New Tower
Location: AURORA, CO
Project classification: Hospital – Vertical Expansion
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 2740000009
Lesson Learned number: 184
Impact: Cost, Schedule

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

Clarity on isolation pad requirements for AHU’s.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Clearly designate on plans if isolation is required, and if so the job specific locations.  Use notes on mechanical schedule clearly indicating if isolation is required for equipment.  Scope should be identified on architectural, structural and mechanical documents.

Keywords

Isolation Pad requirements, AHUs

Motorized Dampers at Louvers

Leave a Comment / Construction, MEP

Facility name: East Florida Division Office

Project name: DAVHOS-102018M-New Hospital (NOVAMC)
Location: Davie, FL
Project classification: Hospital – New
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3597900001
Lesson Learned number: 181
Impact: Cost

Cost impact: $49,705

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

CEP mechanical drawing required a quick opening motorized damper at the louvers on the north wall of the CEP and requires that the dampers are interlocked with the generator.  The louvers at this particular location in the CEP were specified to be architectural louvers by Construction Specialties as CS Model DC-9614 and were provided accordingly. The CS Model DC-914 louver does not require motorized dampers to achieve the specified wind driven rain performance.

There are other smaller mechanical louvers in the CEP and louvers with motorized dampers in the CEP that were provided by the mechanical contractor and were specified as Pottorff Model ECD-545-MD in the mechanical specifications, which require a motorized CD-51 damper option to achieve wind driven rain performance.  These louvers that include the motorized dampers were interlocked with their respective equipment as specified. 

Based on the specification noting the use of motorized dampers at the Pottorf  louvers for wind driven rain performance, the mechanical contractor assumed the CS Model DC-9614 would also come equipped with the motorized dampers and therefore did not carry the motorized dampers required to interlock with the generators per sheet M1.02. Cladding Systems who provided all CS Model DC-9614 louvers did not carry any motorized dampers as the louvers did not require it.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Our lesson learned is to ensure that anytime louver scope is being divided between mechanical and architectural specifications, ensure all components of the louver system are properly reviewed for coverage and gaps do not exist. We specifically studied and coordinated quantity, location, finish, blank-off panels at louvers with no mechanical connections / purpose and louvers with ducted O/A connections to ensure there were no scope gaps and were successful on these items, however, the project team did not vet the motorized dampers which were specified only at a couple locations on the entire project.

Keywords

dampers, louvers, coordination, motorized damper, architectural louver, elevation, outside air, interlocks

Long Lead Items on Accelerated Schedule

Leave a Comment / Construction, Constructability (means & methods)

Facility name: Ogden Regional Medical Center

Project name: OGDNMC-012020M-New Rehab Unit
Location: OGDEN, UT
Project classification: Hospital – Shell Buildout
Project type: MOB
Project number: 3441500009
Lesson Learned number: 178
Impact: Schedule

Schedule impact: 25 days

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

For Projects with Accelerated Schedules and no time for Early Release of Long Lead Time Materials, verify materials can be obtained in time to meet the required schedule during Preconstruction.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Plan for Early Release of Long Lead Time Materials, Equipment (Contractor and Owner Provided including Equipment , IT&S and Unified Communications), review the need for these items early in the project development to review options for obtaining items in time to meet the required accelerated schedule.  Ensure to review these potential early items with DM and CM during RFP and design phases.

Keywords

Accelerated Schedule, Review Long Lead Material Items during Preconstruction, Request Substitutions during Preconstruction, Rehab

Sound Testing Renovation Space

Leave a Comment / Commissioning, MEP

Facility name: P-SL Medical Center

Project name: PRSTLK-022017M-Pre-Op & Recovery
Location: DENVER, CO
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 2720000019
Lesson Learned number: 174
Impact: Cost, Schedule, Quality

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

When renovating existing space, recommend walking area before starting and if there are any noisy areas, take pre-sounds readings to show it was existing issue so can be addressed before end of project

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

When renovating existing space, recommend walking area before starting and if there are any noisy areas, take pre-sounds readings to show it was existing issue so can be addressed before end of project

 If there are existing systems that feed a space, obtain air readings prior to the start of construction in order to have air comparisons after final TB is conducted. In addition to traverse readings, it is necessary to test the entire system at all diffusers, VAVs, and even AHU itself for pressure testing, air exchanges, and sound levels. This is inclusive of all areas associated with the same air system, even outside the construction space. This is an important step in Design Development but even more crucial throughout each Phase of a project to obtain readings in locations that would not have been accessible during EDI. 

Keywords

Sound, Testing, Renovation, Pre-testing, Noise

Smoke Control Inspector and Coordination

Leave a Comment / Construction, Permitting, Local AHJ

Facility name: Mountainview Hospital

Project name: MTVLAS-102018M-Rehab Expansion
Location: LAS VEGAS, NV
Project classification: Hospital – Shell
Project type: Rehab
Project number: 3281900024
Lesson Learned number: 171
Impact: Cost, Schedule, Quality

Cost impact: $59,802 Schedule impact: 15 days

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

 Early Owner Buyout of 3rd Party Smoke Control Inspector to prevent delays in Final Inspections and Occupancy.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Coordinate 3rd Party Special Inspection requirements for Smoke Control Systems during CD’s. Design Team to send RFP’s for Special Inspection Agencies and Provide to HCA CM for Approval. Schedule review of smoke control requirements with the GC prior to Smoke Control Testing. Perform Site walk with Inspector and Testing of Existing Systems early in project schedule to identify existing deficiencies and items to be addressed by Facility or Construction Team. 

Keywords

Smoke Control, Special Inspections, Life Safety Report, Testing

Finish Upgrades Scope of Work

Leave a Comment / Design, Planning, Constructability (means & methods)

Facility name: Woman’s Hospital Of Texas

Project name: WMHOTX-122018P1-5th Floor Ante-Partum Buildout & Renovation
Location: HOUSTON, TX
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3431900010
Lesson Learned number: 167
Impact: Cost, Schedule, Scope

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

Scope not clearly defined on plans but required to perform specified activities; drywall touch up/finishing, removal of existing electrical devices to remain, plumbing fixtures needed to be removed prior to new flooring install, grab bars, mechanical grilles, sprinkler head relocations to accommodate new ceiling layout.

Finish plan shows new ceramic tile flooring and wall tile at existing patient room bathrooms. However, demo plan did not provide specific notes to remove all existing fixtures and division 10 items and reinstall for new finishes.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

At a minimum, provide more detailed notes and callouts on construction documents, particularly on the demo drawings, where removal/reinstallation of existing items to remain should be picked up.  Best practice would be to walk each area and create a specific detailed plan showing all items and their locations for further detail and clarity.

Keywords

Finishes, Renovation, Demolition, Minor, Cosmetic, Fixtures, Existing to Remain

Kitchen Exhaust Hoods

Leave a Comment / Medical Equipment - Construction, Design, Medical Equipment - Design, Medical Equipment, Vendors

Facility name: Orange Park Medical Center

Project name: ORPKMC-102018M-Kitchen Expansion & Renovation
Location: ORANGE PARK, FL
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3091300034
Lesson Learned number: 165
Impact: Quality

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

Careful attention should be considered regarding the design of the exhaust hoods for kitchen equipment. Typically this scope of work is handled by an outside vendor that designs the system. We have experienced one of our hoods over the serving line Grill, that does not fully exhaust the heavy hamburger smoke, causing small amounts of smoke to roll out of the corners of the exhaust hood and out into the open serving area. Months of investigative efforts have resulted in adjustments/modifications to the system to correct this.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Any large smoke producing equipment should be kept against a perimeter wall that goes full height up to the exhaust hood. This approach is likely to reduce the possibility of a similar issue. 

Keywords

kitchen exhaust, smoke producing equipment

Central Energy Plant (CEP) Temporary Plant

Leave a Comment / Design, Constructability (means & methods), Site Logistics, MEP

Facility name: Orange Park Medical Center

Project name: ORPKMC-102018M-Kitchen Expansion & Renovation
Location: ORANGE PARK, FL
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3091300034
Lesson Learned number: 164
Impact: Cost, Scope

Cost impact: $64,000

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

Air-cooled chiller rental agencies have their own operational standards for their equipment which do not always match manufacturer operational standards. A temporary variable primary chilled water system was the basis of design for this project to match the existing chilled water plant configuration. The design team worked with the temporary unit manufacturer to ensure proper operation was being met. However, the rental agency would not allow for the operation of the chillers in a variable primary system. This resulted in added piping and pumps. In addition to this, the rental agency did not provide a control interface for the rental units. This caused for additional control wiring/sequencing for the temporary units.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

When providing a temporary chilled water plant that utilizes rental air cooled chillers, provide a primary/secondary pumping configuration. Additionally, provide the temporary control system sequence as part of the design. Review the system configuration with the contractors and rental agency to ensure that their internal operational standards are being met and controls can be accomplished.

Keywords

temporary chilled water plant, rental

Rooftop Piping Across Existing Structures

Leave a Comment / Design, MEP, Constructability (means & methods)

Facility name: Orange Park Medical Center

Project name: ORPKMC-102018M-Kitchen Expansion & Renovation
Location: ORANGE PARK, FL
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3091300034
Lesson Learned number: 162
Impact: Scope

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

Pipe routing seems to often be left to the installing contractor.  When rooftop piping is used, the support frames are done by the installer as a deferred submittal, but the underlying structure has to be reviewed by the design team. Field investigation should be performed to identify/incorporate existing structure components/limitations into the design documents. 

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Large diameter piping being routed over existing roof sections needs to have those existing roof sections surveyed prior to the completion of design. The survey should identify the structural make-up of each roof section, so appropriate routing and pipe stands can be coordinated/designed into the construction documents with the structural engineer’s approval. 

Keywords

Pipe racks, Roof piping, Bar joists, pipe supports

Central Energy Plant (CEP) Replacement Coordination and Phasing

Leave a Comment / Design, Construction, MEP, Constructability (means & methods)

Facility name: Orange Park Medical Center

Project name: ORPKMC-102018M-Kitchen Expansion & Renovation
Location: ORANGE PARK, FL
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3091300034
Lesson Learned number: 161
Impact: Cost, Schedule, Scope

Cost impact: $15,000

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

During construction the team was able to coordinate the installation of the new utility lines in a way that minimized the overall duration of the temporary CEP services. During this process multiple phasing plans were developed to tackle the existing utility layouts that were uncovered. A complete mapping of the existing systems would have prevented the back and forth of multiple phasing plans and expedited the overall underground installation process. 

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

How to minimize the duration of a temporary CEP:
– A complete interior and exterior mapping and phasing plan should be developed prior to construction. This is advised in order to reduce potential impacts once construction begins.
– How much existing roadway/sidewalk will need to be removed/replaced to accomplish the phasing of both demo and replacement? 
– Schedule of when each existing and new item is to be removed/installed.

Keywords

CEP, Temp Equipment, 3D Mapping