EMERGENCY GENERATOR CAPACITY UPGRADES
CLIENT: Edward Hines, Jr. Medical Center
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
PROJECT STATUS: Completed July 2022
PURPOSE: The Edward Hines, Jr. Medical Center needed to house two new 1,250-kW emergency generators to provide critical backup power to the VA hospital's chiller plant. The project required upgrading essential utilities including stormwater systems, water mains, and installing a 40,000 gallon fuel system to enhance emergency preparedness and ensure uninterrupted patient care during power outages.
Richard's mission was to complete a design-bid-build of a 4,000 square foot addition adjacent to the existing 100,000 square foot VA hospital while maintaining full hospital operations. The goal was to create a seamless integration of emergency power infrastructure that would ensure continuous operation of critical cooling systems essential for patient care and medical equipment.
The enhanced emergency power capacity would provide Veterans and medical staff with confidence that essential hospital systems would remain operational during utility outages, supporting the facility's mission to deliver uninterrupted healthcare services.
CHALLENGE:
Active Hospital Integration: Constructing a 4,000 square foot addition adjacent to a fully operational 100,000 square foot VA hospital required meticulous coordination to avoid disrupting patient care and hospital operations.
Complex Utility Coordination: Installing stormwater system modifications with rerouted storm lines, new water mains, and upgrades to existing lines while maintaining hospital utilities demanded precise phasing and backup systems.
Main Entrance Protection: Original designs threatened closure of the hospital's main entrance, requiring innovative solutions to maintain patient and visitor access throughout construction.
Massive Fuel System Installation: Installing a 40,000 gallon underground fuel tank with delivery system required extensive excavation and coordination with existing underground utilities in an active hospital environment.
Seamless Architectural Integration: Ensuring the new addition with structural steel framing, CMU walls, brick-faced façade, and TPO membrane roofing integrated seamlessly with the existing hospital architecture and aesthetic.
Critical Systems Installation: Installing HVAC components, LED lighting, grounding, and a new fire alarm/mass notification system while maintaining existing hospital safety and environmental systems.
OUTCOME:
Enhanced Emergency Preparedness: The hospital now has robust backup power capability with two 1,250-kW emergency generators ensuring continuous operation of critical chiller plant systems during power outages.
Cost Savings Achievement: Value-engineered ductbank redesign delivered significant cost savings to the VA while improving project efficiency and reducing construction complexity.
Operational Continuity Success: Maintained full hospital operations throughout construction, with phased construction approach ensuring zero disruption to patient care services.
Main Entrance Preservation: Successfully avoided main entrance closure through innovative design solutions, maintaining convenient access for patients, visitors, and emergency services.
Seamless Integration: The new 4,000 square foot addition integrates flawlessly with the existing hospital architecture and infrastructure, appearing as if it was part of the original design.
Sustainable Construction Practices: Implemented environmentally responsible construction methods that minimized waste and environmental impact while delivering enhanced emergency capabilities.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Upgrade: Veterans now benefit from upgraded stormwater systems, enhanced water mains, and a reliable 40,000 gallon fuel system that ensures long-term emergency preparedness and operational resilience.
