Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.
Issue link: https://mcdmag.epubxp.com/i/105316
A completely assembled 25-foot multi-trade rack that includes MEP and HVAC components. Approximately 250 multi-trade racks will be installed in the corridors of the new Saint Joseph Replacement Hospital. PROJECT SCHEDULE CREATED CHALLENGE THAT LED TO PREFAB SOLUTION The demands of an incredibly tight schedule pushed the owner and its design and construction team to consider prefabrication. Sitework started on the project in mid-December 2011 and it must be complete for the hospital to move from existing buildings and be open and operational by late December 2014. "The fact that we are trying to put so much in such a short amount of time means that we have to work around the clock and stack trades," said Jopy Willis, senior superintendent for Mortenson. "BIM gives us confidence that we know exactly what is going on so that when we build a rack that has HVAC and every other trade in it, we understand it's all going to work when we get in the field," he added. Davidson added having all trades coordinated from the beginning makes for a seamless jobsite. "Having the coordination of all the trades from the beginning, on a project this size — mechanical, electrical and plumbing — it has been a huge plus," Davidson added. "It ties into the prefab because by the time we've worked out all of the conflicts through virtual design and construction, it will be exactly right before it's fabricated." at the site, and significantly reduces time spent off the ground. "Some of the biggest benefits for us as a mechanical contractor are increased safety and risk mitigation due to the controlled prefabrication environment. Factors such as reduced ladder work, minimized clutter at the jobsite, easier mobility, reduced overhead work and protection from weather elements have all minimized risk of injury," said Wendell Lanman, executive project manager with U.S. Engineering Company, the mechanical contractor directing the multi-trade prefabrication assembly at the leased warehouse. Lanman said all piping and ductwork is prefabricated in U.S. Engineering Company's warehouse and brought to the leased warehouse in Denver for assembly into the multi-trade racks. "These racks are in 25-foot lengths, and stockpiled here until we can move them to the project where we install and hook them together very easily," he said. "What this will do is cut down on the installation time in the field from months to weeks. It's a state-of-the-art process that we need to utilize on fast-track projects to meet the schedule." The prefabrication of multi-trade racks that include HVAC ductwork, hot and cold water, electrical systems and cable trays raises the question if the traditional single-trade specialty contracting shop will transform into one-stop shops for commonly prefabricated trades. "U.S. Engineering has been providing prefabrication since our inception, but has recently been seeing new opportunities with the increased adoption of multi-trade prefabrication," Lanman said. "It's a more efficient process where multiple trades work together to fabricate building sections, which are then delivered and installed in a modular fashion at the jobsite," he added. U.S. Engineering believes that those who don't adapt to new technologies will be left behind. "Similar to BIM, prefabrication will become an essential part of the building process," said Lanman. "Companies that choose not to adopt it will likely have to outsource or lose out entirely." The Exempla Saint Joseph Replacement Hospital project site, which is being built in downtown Denver, Colo. BUILT-IN SAFETY SOLUTIONS Safety is one of the most obvious benefits of prefabrication. Assembly of some of a construction project's most complicated and critical elements in an offsite controlled warehouse reduces congestion of both personnel and materials www.mcdmag.com January/February 2013 | Medical Construction & Design 55