Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware Infrastructure Upgrades, Phase 1
Wilmington, Del.
BEST PROJECT
Submitted By: HSC Builders & Construction Managers
Owner: Nemours Children’s Health
Lead Designer: EwingCole
General Contractor: HSC Builders & Construction Managers
MEP Enginner: BR+A Consulting Engineers
Subcontractors: I.D. Griffith Inc.; Hatzel & Buehler Inc.
Using an integrated project delivery method, the team renovated MEP systems serving more than 1 million sq ft in the occupied hospital’s duPont Pavilion that did not meet current National Electrical Code for emergency electrical distribution. The HVAC system had also exceeded its serviceable life.
The project included design and construction of four 4000 AMP normal and emergency substations, distribution feeders, automatic transfer switches, emergency main distribution panels and other equipment in addition to “systematic migration of all existing electrical loads to the new electrical distribution [system],” the project team says.
The project team also redesigned the control system for monitoring and controlling the new automatic transfer switches from the existing American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) paralleling switchgear in order to optimize operational flexibility.
Photos by Halkin Mason Photography LLC, courtesy of HSC Builders & Construction Managers
The project also involved a phased multiyear capital renewal replacement of 45 air handling units, surrounding duct systems, six steam-to-hot-water heat exchangers and associated reheat distribution pumps.
Extensive planning with the hospital’s clinical and facilities teams was required to minimize disruptions that could impact the clinical staff and patients.
From the start of work, stakeholders were involved with the construction process. Clinical staff gathered with project team members to grade the sound level or vibration impact from activities such as drilling into the gypsum deck or installing ductwork. The project team was able to pinpoint issues of concern by developing a noise alert system. This allowed the team to coordinate with the hospital’s security and clinical groups to swiftly resolve any issues that affected staff and patients.
Photos by Halkin Mason Photography LLC, courtesy of HSC Builders & Construction Managers
The “expansive scope” of this project—completed in six years and below the original budget—required an “enhanced collaboration and communication process,” the project team says.
Detailed planning involving the hospital’s facilities and clinical teams was required for more than 3,000 utility shutdowns to understand the potential impacts on the clinical department.
Photos by Halkin Mason Photography LLC, courtesy of HSC Builders & Construction Managers
Coordination and preplanning with the clinical teams and the innovative use of sound and vibration mock-ups assisted workers in completing the renovations amid 24/7 hospital operations. The project team also developed quiet construction techniques that were instrumental in completing the project with minimal disruption.
