Medical Equipment Manufacturer: Multi-Year, Multi-Phase Expansion/Upgrade

HEA was retained to design the M/E/P systems associated with a multi-year, three-phase manufacturing expansion of a medical equipment manufacturer’s existing 150,000-sf factory.

Phase 1 involved the relocation of 20,000-sf of office space and the subsequent fit-up of the now-empty space to accommodate production and testing activities. A new connector corridor from this space to the existing factory was also constructed. HEA’s scope included extending existing process gasses into the space as well as designing a new chilled water system for process cooling; new helium emergency quench vents from MRI testing rigs; and power, data and lighting fit-ups of test cells and stations. 

Phase 2 involved the construction of a new 35,000-sf addition to provide more factory space. HEA’s design services included extending existing process gasses into the addition; a new air compressor plant with receivers, dryers, separators, etc.; a new bulk storage gas tank farm; new chilled water system for process cooling (a dry cooler was incorporated for winter use); fit-up services for the production cells; new fiber service; IDF rooms/equipment; horizontal cabling; and new HVAC equipment.

Phase 3 involved the construction of a second 35,000-sf factory addition onto the previous addition. HEA’s design services included extending existing process gasses into the addition (argon, helium, nitrogen, argon-helium, tri-mix, compressed air); new air compressor plant, with receivers, dryers, separators, etc.; a new chilled water system (a dry cooler was incorporated for winter use); a new high pressure natural gas line; fit-up services for the production cells; new fiber service; IDF rooms/equipment; horizontal cabling; new HVAC equipment; and a dry-type fire protection system for an outdoor shipping dock canopy. This phase also included the construction of a new 5,200 sf stand-alone cold storage facility that required over 50 tons of cooling to keep the magnets at or below a set temperature.

Site Electric Service Upgrades: As part of the overall effort, HEA also designed a new electrical service plan for the site to accommodate the additional loads. HEA assessed both existing and forecasted future electrical loads, including process loads, and directly coordinated this load with the utility. A temporary power solution was developed, as the owner’s plant was exceeding the local supply. HEA provided a phased transition service with two dual-voltage transformers at 13.2 kV x 34.5 kV to allow for “switchover time”; developed pre-purchase specifications and separate installation packages for the customer’s on-site transformers for a site voltage change from 13.2 kV to 34.5 kV to assist the owner with the construction schedule; represented the owner for teleconferences and coordination with the utility’s engineering staff; and reviewed service agreement documentation produced by the utility for the owner’s benefit.