AHU Replacements at AdventHealth Celebration

Project Description:

Matern was tasked to replace 9 chilled water air handling units (AHUs) serving various patient spaces in both the B-Wing and D-Wing of the AdventHealth Celebration campus and 4 small fan coil units (FCUs) serving mechanical rooms. The types of spaces served by each chilled water AHU include patient rooms, surgical suites, Nurses’ workrooms and support areas (i.e. Nurse breakrooms, locker rooms, Nurse stations, etc.), patient waiting areas, hospital labs, and hospital dining rooms.    

The combined tonnage and airflow rate of all 13 renovated units is approximately 1,314 tons and approximately 1,935,400 CFM. The unit change-outs were undertaken while the hospital was fully operating, requiring careful planning to minimize disruptions to patients and normal hospital operations. Matern was present for each of the unit removals (typically performed on Friday at midnight) so that as soon as each new unit was operational the existing system could be quickly assessed, and if any modifications were required then be planned and implemented in real-time, to minimize downtime and usage of the temporary unit. 

Matern reviewed each unit per the current Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) guidelines and current building codes.

Lessons Learned:

The biggest challenge and lesson learned from these projects are in regards to the temporary AHUs and the initial startup of the new units. We learned how to design each temporary AHU so that the supply air and return air ductwork worked properly and effectively, how easiest to balance the new AHU once installed, and what to look for if the temporary or new unit does not initially meet the static set-point.