Why Consider Off-Site Constructed Mechanical Rooms: the HVAC Industry Has Seen a Trend Toward Factory Built Packages of Mechanical Equipment

Find out about the EAS difference. Read more

View as web page | unsubscribe

Why Consider Off-site Constructed Mechanical Rooms: The HVAC industry has seen a trend toward factory built packages of mechanical equipment. One of the simplest and most typical examples is a skid mounted pump package encompassing the pumps, expansion tanks, etc. or perhaps a chiller package that includes a buffer tank and distribution pumps. With Environmental Air Systems (EAS) this concept can be extended to include an entire mechanical room including factory piping and wiring of coils & pumps, chillers, boilers, variable frequency drives, energy recovery devices and air tunnels. For many projects there can be significant advantages to an EAS Off-site Constructed Mechanical Room in terms of cost, energy efficiency, serviceability and schedule.

Shortened Construction Schedule Frequently in conventional projects, the construction of the mechanical plant is dependent on the completion of other phases of the project. Project: Aultman Hospital Instead of this sequential “critical path”, the fabrication of the factory- Off-Site Construction - Penthouse built mechanical penthouse becomes a parallel path item that can begin Canton, Ohio and end earlier in the construction schedule. This always leads to quicker overall project occupancy, and reduced project financing costs. EAS completed the turnkey detailed design, fabrication and installation of Single Point Utilities a nominal 14,000 SF Chiller / Boiler The entire plant is factory wired and piped for single point electrical, Penthouse for a lab building at chilled water and hot water (or steam) connection, with all internal Aultman Hospital located in Canton, mechanical and electrical infrastructure designed and built at the Ohio. To control overall project factory. This has several beneficial ramifications. First, the cost savings schedule and cost, the owner, due to the simplified design, installation and field labor of a single point construction manager and the utility connections is very substantial. Of course there is some field architect decided to have the new labor associated with connecting the power and piping between the mechanical penthouse constructed shipping sections, but this is rather minimal. To ensure everything off-site. We were told this works properly, the entire plant is pre-assembled and tested at the construction method saved the factory, then disassembled for shipping. hospital about 3 to 4 months on their construction schedule. Serviceability Read more > As EAS is a single point of responsibility for the design and fabrication of the mechanical plant, the various subsystems are carefully coordinated. This ensures optimal accessibility to all components requiring maintenance or access. Tread plate floors, service lights, and service outlets are standard offerings, and deliberate consideration is given to the eventual need to replace components. Coil removal “pull panels”, motor removal rails and large size access doors are all included.

Better Efficiency When field installing piping and ductwork in a large mechanical room filled with multiple types of equipment, even the most elegant piping and duct design will have an element of complexity. This results in Project: Newark Arena higher duct and piping friction losses which translate into higher fan and Penthouse Project, Off-Site pump horsepower. Not only is higher connected horsepower an energy Construction concern, it also drives up electrical system size and cost. Factory-built Newark, New Jersey plants offer the opportunity to more carefully coordinate all piping and duct systems, resulting in lower pressure drops. This Arena is an 18,000-seat multi- purpose arena. The arena was More Useable Building Space and Faster Depreciation designed by [[HOK Sport + Venue + A compactly designed yet serviceable Off-site Constructed Mechanical Event| HOK Sport. Constructionwas Plant will have a smaller foot print than its field-built counterpart, done by the Gilbane Building Company resulting in more usable building space. Often, the plant can be and was finished in August 2007, in considered as a single piece of equipment, allowing faster depreciation time for the 2007-08 NHL season. The than if it were considered part of the building. arena hosts the NJ Devils, Seton Hall Men’s Basketball, WNBA's NY Liberty, Single source responsibility concerts, family shows, special events If the whole unit is supplied by one supplier, there is a single point of as well as other professional, collegiate contact and single source responsibility for making the whole thing and amateur sporting events. work. Yes, the mechanical room manufacturer may have to go back to sub-assembly component providers to resolve any potential issues but Environmental Air Systems, Inc. was contracted to construct the Penthouse it still starts and stops with the mechanical room supplier as to who is for the Arena off-site. The construction responsible for making it all work properly. of the Penthouse on our manufacturing Factory Installed Controls plant floor was concurrent with the Controls can be handled in many different ways ranging from being Arena construction. EAS’s scope of completely field installed; partially factory installed (actuators, control work was to provide all the layout, coordination and manufacturing of the valves) all the way up to a complete factory designed and installed entire Penthouse in High Point, North system. If all controls are factory installed, they can be tested point to Carolina plant. point prior to shipping. This saves an immense amount of time on the Read more > job site once the mechanical room arrives.

Lower Overall First Cost Even though the equipment first cost will likely be higher for the Off-site Constructed Mechanical Plant, the much lower installation cost will result in an overall lower first cost. It is important to realize that in Accuspec® specializes in providing addition to reduced electrical and mechanical installation costs, general the very latest airflow technologies to construction costs are reduced as well. provide safety and energy-efficiency for your building project. These advantages are all worth considering when the “right” project comes along. Accuspec would be glad to help you determine the Please select a tab below to view the feasibility of an EAS Off-site Constructed Mechanical Plant for your next products we represent in each state. project.

Q. What are the typical cost savings associated with an Off-site Constructed Mechanical Plant as compared to its field built counterpart? A. 15-20%

Q. How much time can be saved in the Please feel free to call us to learn completion of a typical project? more by clicking here. A. For new buildings 3-6 month reductions are common.

Q. What if I have a preference for a particular brand of equipment? A. EAS can easily accommodate your preferences, and will pass on any purchasing discounts that may apply. Accuspec® is a manufacturer's representative specializing in airflow movement and control products within critical environments. Read more >

Our large geographic coverage Accuspec, Inc. Accuspec, Inc. includes: 600 Pepper Street 161 Madison Avenue, Suite 330 • 5 boroughs of New York City Monroe, CT 06468 Morristown, NJ 07960 • Long Island • Lower New York State Phone: 203-261-8100 Phone: 973-227-8666 • Northern and Central New Jersey Fax: 203-261-1981 Fax: 973-227-2114 • Connecticut • Western Massachusetts Get Directions Get Directions

General Information: Service: [email protected] [email protected]