Medical Project Sample

VENCOR HOSPITAL
Arlington, Virginia

This project involved the renovation of an outdated medical facility, formerly known as Northern Virginia Doctors Hospital. The project was challenging for Shapiro & Duncan because it involved working with an out-of-state General Contractor, Architect & Engineering firm, and an Owner, who needed to have immediate results to retain the medical staff.

The first assignment for Shapiro & Duncan was to demolish the antiquated medical gas systems throughout the hospital along with a complete wing of patient rooms. The remaining patient rooms remained occupied during construction and the Emergency Room continued to function. Because of our past experience, we were able to assist hospital administrative staff in coordinating temporary medical gas needs to maintain life safety requirements.

The entire boiler and chilled water systems needed to be renovated along with the domestic hot water supply. The planning necessary to sustain a comfortable environment while disabling all temperature control was accomplished by Shapiro & Duncan taking the lead and suggesting the use of a temporary air cooled chiller stages to the rear of the hospital. Temporary air handling units (AHUs) were rented and ducted to provide the necessary fresh air to the occupied portions of the hospital.

The renovation also included demolition of circa 1950's operating rooms and the installation of five state-of-the-art surgical suites. Two of the operating rooms designed specifically for micro-surgical procedures required specialty HVAC systems. The entire steam supply and return pipe system was replaced including all piping in the steam tunnels. This work was extremely hazardous due to the fact the existing steam had to remain operational until the last minute to provide humidity control and to feed the sterilization equipment.

The newly renovated Vencor Hospital opened on schedule and work was completed on budget.