Life safety requirements, patient care needs and failing equipment all were factors in the decision by Joe Amico Sr., manager of plant operations at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, N.H., that his facility needed an HVAC system upgrade.
"The project was to upgrade the HVAC system in the cardiology cath lab wing, an area of approximately 5,000 square feet," Amico says. “The existing HVAC unit was removed and a new unit installed, along with a dedicated chilling system for dehumidification.
In his role as project manager, Amico was responsible for drawing review and approval, changes, staying on budget, daily project oversight, HVAC controls programming and system commissioning.
"The end product has been successful to date,” he says. "The new system has been able to handle heating and cooling loads and deliver required flows and pressures."
Joe Amico Sr.
Manager of Plant Operations
Parkland Medical Center
Derry, N.H.
Please describe the facility in question and the project.
The project was to upgrade the HVAC system in the cardiology cath lab wing, an area of approximately 5,000 square-feet. The existing HVAC unit was removed and a new unit installed, along with a dedicated chilling system for dehumidification.
What factors led to the decision to install new equipment?
Life safety requirements, patient care needs and life of previous equipment determined the need for the upgrade.
How did the facility's operations and activities affect the planning and performance of the project?
At the inception budget planning stage, one of the most important items discussed was scheduling to agree upon an acceptable minimal diversion period. The diversion process essentially means we close the wing and divert patients elsewhere.
What was your role in selecting the installed equipment?
My role was that of the department project manager, responsible for drawing review and approval, changes, staying on budget, day-to-day events, HVAC controls programming and commissioning the equipment.
Has the finished project delivered the intended performance and benefits?
The end product has been successful to date. The new system has been able to handle heating and cooling loads and deliver required flows and pressures.
posted: 5/5/2017
