Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Chilled Water System Renovation*
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Size not recorded
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), located in the University City section of Philadelphia, is one of the largest hospital complexes in the region. In need of strategies to enhance the automation and control of the chilled water systems serving its various buildings as well as save energy, HUP retained WCx to provide retro-commissioning services to optimize the chilled water systems and develop and implement actions to improve control and performance.
WCx’s retro-commissioning program included conditions and performance assessments for almost 100 air handling units. Another feature of the program was assisting the Hospital with the development of a proactive maintenance program for its equipment and assisting with training of the facilities staff.
Through its retro-commissioning platform of discovery, analysis and implementation of corrective actions, WCx was able to help the Hospital achieve significant operating and energy expenses, and systems that are in a better operating state with smoother transitions.
Main Line Health Systems
Mirmont Treatment Center Addition
Lima, Pennsylvania
6,000 sf
The expansion of Mirmont Treatment Center provided the latest concepts in substance abuse care and included the construction of 30 semi-private patient rooms, a 900 square foot meditation room plus garden, a large patient lounge, a state-of-the-art nurse workstation complete with four assessment and treatment bays, new exam rooms, a medication room, and expanded counselor offices and treatment space. The project embraced and incorporated principles of sustainable design, and has a goal of LEED 2009 for New Construction certification per the requirements of the USGBC.
Systems commissioned by WCx included the building automation system (BAS), a dedicated outside air system (DOAS), a split system variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning system, electric heaters, exhaust, the domestic hot water system, lighting control system and verification of the air testing and balancing.
Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Hershey Children’s Hospital*
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Size not recorded
WCx was hired by Hershey Medical Center to investigate the performance of the domestic hot water system serving the Children’s Hospital. An initial site visit was performed to assess the installation and function of the domestic hot water system as well as reported issues with hot water delivery to certain areas of the facility. From this visit, we reported our team’s findings and a corrective action plan for implementation to resolve the issues.
Following the assessment and plan, WCx was hired by Hershey Medical Center to commission the implementation of the corrective actions, including providing schematic drawings and submittals for new devices to be installed. WCx directed and provided oversight for the fixes, and coordinated any shut downs of the domestic hot water return system to accomplish the work. As part of the implementation, WCx verified hydronic balancing of the return system and functionally tested the hot water system to confirm performance during both peak and off hours.
Riddle Memorial Hospital
Medical Office Building
Media, Pennsylvania
79,000 sf
Main Line Health System’s Riddle Memorial Hospital constructed a four-story, 79,000 square foot medical office building in 2008 as part of their five-year strategic plan.
WCx provided fundamental and enhanced commissioning under LEED Core & Shell 2.0 for the project. Mechanical, electrical and life safety systems were addressed.
LEED Gold Certified
Architect: The Sheward Partnership
Rockhill Mennonite Community
Personal Care Addition
Sellersville, Pennsylvania
30,000 sf
Located in Bucks County, Rockhill Mennonite Community (RMC) is the growing vision of Katie Alderfer which started in 1935. She worried about an elderly woman she knew who had a “nervous disorder” and had nowhere to live. The personal care addition is the newest extension of her altruistic mission.
The project involved the construction of a three-story, 30,000 square foot addition to the existing skilled nursing wing. It contains 20 resident rooms, 10 on each of the upper two floors. The lower level houses an adult daycare program and wellness center.
WCx was retained by RMC to provide and direct LEED-NC EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems in accordance with the USGBC LEED Green Building Rating System for New Construction, v. 2009.
Architect: SFCS
The Rothman Institute
Medical Office Building
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
32,000 sf
Located adjacent to the AtlantiCare health complex on English Creek Avenue, this medical office building represents the first building constructed for and owned by the Rothman Institute, the region’s most recognized orthopedic care provider. The facility is 32,000 square feet and houses four separate pods of exam rooms; two X-ray rooms; a physical therapy center; two break rooms; a conference room; and administrative offices.
WCx provided fundamental commissioning under LEED for New Construction 3.0 for the project. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life safety systems were commissioned.
The HVAC equipment includes four packaged rooftop units, each with an energy recovery wheel, and 47 series flow fan-powered boxes with electric reheat. They are controlled by a web-based Tridium (Niagara) controller.
LEED Certified
Architect: The Sheward Partnership
University of Pennsylvania
School of Nursing Claire M. Fagin Hall*
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
160,000 sf
Claire M. Fagin Hall is in the midst of a phased renovation to become a more inviting and effective home for Penn’s School of Nursing. The infrastructure of the building (HVAC, electric, plumbing, fire protection) is being improved concurrent with architectural improvements.
Phase 5 is currently underway. Work involves renovations to the entire first floor, including classrooms. The simulation classrooms require audio/visual systems for monitoring students from a remote control room, compressed air and vacuum connections at each bed, new sinks, and power and lighting to simulate a hospital environment.
WCx developed a construction phase commissioning plan, reviewed the design documentation, conducted commissioning meetings, developed testing protocols, and observed and verified results for the new HVAC and HVAC control systems.
Architect: SMP Architects
West Chester University
Commonwealth Hall Dormitory & Wellness Center
West Chester, Pennsylvania
182,000 sf
As part of the Housing Renewal Initiative at West Chester University, this project involved construction of an eight-story, 182,000 SF residence hall that provides 653 beds and also houses the University’s Health and Wellness and Counseling Center on the lower level. It was the second phase of a three phase housing renewal initiative that includes razing and replacing six existing dormitory buildings. The first three dormitories, Allegheny, Brandywine and University Hall, accommodate more than 1,500 beds.
The mechanical design utilized geothermal heat pumps connected to an existing campus geothermal loop to provide air conditioning for the facility.
Systems commissioned by WCx include the building automation system (BAS), all HVAC systems and equipment, including the ground source heat pump units, ductwork, piping and exhaust fans, air and hydronic testing and balancing verification, lighting controls, emergency generator and transfer switching, emergency lighting and egress signage, domestic hot water, fire sprinkler and fire alarm. WCx was also hired to perform the special inspection services for the smoke control system for the project.
* Retro-Commissioning Client