As part of the current redevelopment, VAE Group were engaged by Nambour Hospital to remove three deteriorating water-cooled chillers, their associated pumps and electrical switchboards and replace them with new equipment. In addition, a total plant management system was installed and commissioned to control the new and existing central chilled water plant.
Given that this all had to happen whilst still maintaining air conditioning to the hospital, the management of downtime was a critical issue and resulted in VAE identifying the following key design considerations:
- Limiting disruption to the hospital through procurement and logistical solutions
- Central plant staging and control which operates efficiently during low and peak load conditions
- The selected equipment must be reliable and have local support for parts
- Consideration for a maintenance regimen that would have minimum impact on operations
- Provide an advanced plant management system which can be expanded to new equipment with future extensions to the hospital
- Monitor and report on the central plant’s control and efficiency
