Service: Electrical Engineering
Ontario Ministry of Health
Ontario Agency for Health Protection & Promotion (OAHPP)
(Sheila Basrur Centre)
Following the 2003 SARS outbreak, Public Health Ontario needed a site to bring together academic, clinical, public health and government experts on infection control and prevention. HH Angus was instrumental in providing a high quality, energy-saving workplace to meet LEED-CI Silver standards, key to highlighting PHO's commitment to sustainable practices.
A new 250kW natural gas-fired generator installed on the roof is the heart of the command centre. Its purpose is to exclusively back up the Electrical and Supplemental HVAC systems serving the command centre. As the area has unusual 416/240V service, special voltage requirements were engineered to facilitate both lighting and power equipment. Harmonic-type transformers provided clean, non-distorted power to two distribution panels, 80KVA UPS, receptacle, lighting panels and HVAC units. The 80KVA UPS unit provides 30 minutes of non-interrupted power to the command centre to allow the generator to start and reach full load capacity.
Since the original building did not meet LEED HVAC requirements, we provided detailed and well-thought-out designs to meet LEED criteria. High efficiency fixtures reduced the burden on city water supply and waste water systems. In addition, lighting was a major component for the LEED-CI Silver criteria, with glare and contrast ratio control, linear fluorescent direct/indirect lighting systems, LED downlights, and daylight harvesting.
Information technology infrastructure was key to the successful long-term functioning of this facility. The infrastructure included telecommunications rooms, conduits, cable support systems and structured cabling systems. The IT rooms house all of the building’s telecommunications fiber optics and copper backbone systems, horizontal cabling system and networking equipment, including telephone, data and video services. In the meeting spaces, the large display wall is intended for daily presentation requirements but, in the case of an emergency response scenario, the room will serve as a 24x7 mission critical war room.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Communications Design | Lighting Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Status: Completed 2009 | 40,000 ft2 | 250kW natural gas generator for emergency back up power | 416/240 volt service required special engineering for lighting and power | 80 KVA UPS
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
250kW natural gas-fired generator | Achieving LEED requirements, particularly for HVAC and Lighting | IT infrastructure
Peel Regional Police
Headquarters Renovation
The renovation project customized this building for policing and admin functions. Originally, the building had been designed for pharmaceutical research labs and support spaces.
HH Angus was engaged to provide M&E and IMIT consulting engineering for the partial renovation of this existing Peel Regional Police facility. The building has a gross area of ~ 91,000 ft2, with the renovated area totaling ~ 70,000 ft2.
The project involved replacing two boilers and heat pumps, along with the installation of a new make-up air unit on the roof. These service the entire building’s hydronic heating, while the new make-up air unit serves the basement area. As well, part of the contract was to upgrade mechanical systems to suit new load, due to changes in office floor layout and function.
Among the challenges of the project was the requirement for multiple site surveys in order to confirm the existing equipment on site. The project was also completed under a very aggressive schedule in order to meet the targeted occupancy date.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design | IMIT Consulting
PROJECT FEATURES
Renovated space size: 70,000 ft2 | Status: Completed 2019
LOCATION
Peel Region, GTA, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Extensive mechanical upgrades and replacements | Multiple site surveys to overcome lack of as-built drawings | Fast-track schedule
Images courtesy of CS&P Architects Inc.
Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal
Temporary Energy Centre
The CHUM temporary energy centre was built to supply Saint-Luc Hospital with steam, cooling, heating and emergency power services during the demolition of the existing energy centre and the construction of the new CHUM hospital and its energy centre. The temporary energy centre operated until commissioning of the new permanent energy centre was completed.
HH Angus was retained to study the equipment and systems required for this installation, and to prepare the phasing plan. We were also responsible for development of the conceptual design and the detailed design, and for engineering services over the course of construction and commissioning of the provisional energy centre.
This project resulted in a very complex power plant constructed in a constrained space on top of the loading dock building. The six spiral tube boilers supplied 860 kPa (125 psig) of steam to each mechanical room serving the existing facilities at Saint-Luc Hospital, the CHUM Research Centre, the Édouard Asselin and André Viallet Pavilions. As well, provision was made for the construction activities for the new facility. The electrical supply was upgraded from 12.5kV to 25kV, with transformers distributed throughout the site.
The steam piping to each building had to be routed so as not to interfere with construction of the massive P3 CHUM mega-hospital. Provisions for future connections were made to reduce interruptions of the steam supply to the CHUM Research Centre.
Working in collaboration with the Constructor, the general contractor and the subcontractors, we were able to apply innovative design approaches to reduce the cost of the energy centre. This was achieved while maintaining the facility’s established life cycle parameters, and without compromising technical or operational quality.
A very important aspect of our work was ensuring that the connection of the new temporary energy centre and the disconnection and the decommissioning of the existing energy centre would have no impact on the day-to-day operations of the existing health care facility.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering
PROJECT FEATURES
Status: Completed 2012 | Disconnection and decommissioning of existing energy centre was achieved with no impact on day to day operations of existing hospital | Innovative design approaches resulted in cost reductions for energy centre
LOCATION
Montréal, Québec
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
P3 | Steam, cooling, heating and emergency power services | A very complex power plant in a constrained space | Routing of steam piping designed to avoid interference with construction of P3 mega hospital
CREIT
Bloor-Dundas District Energy Feasibility StudyHH Angus was engaged to conduct a feasibility study for a Low Carbon District Energy Plant serving a new, three million square foot mixed use residential and commercial development along Bloor Street in Toronto.
The full development is being implemented in several stages over ten years. HH Angus provided Prime Consultant and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering services, and developed a conceptual framework for the study.
The study considered a combination of traditional and renewable energy sources to provide heating and cooling, reviewing a range of options that included the following:
- Condensing hot water boilers, efficiency up to 90-95%
- Centrifugal water-cooled magnetic bearing chillers
- Water source heat pumps (heat recovery chillers) to provide simultaneous cooling and heating
- Air source heat pumps to provide simultaneous cooling and heating
- Ground source heat pump system
- Ambient loop system
- Sewer heat recovery system
- Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system to generate power using a gas-fired generator and to provide heat using waste engine heat, with overall generator efficiency up to 80%. CHP can be used as backup power source and to reduce energy cost during periods of peak cooling and electrical demand.
HH Angus conducted calculations of estimated heating, cooling and electrical loads, plus energy consumption for future development, establishing options for the arrangement of the District Energy plant, including provision for expansion to provide heating and cooling to future developments in the neighbourhood.
Our study scope also included tentative District Energy plant layout and area requirements, capital budget, operating costs and NPV estimates for each option, as well as analysis of results and corresponding recommendations.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering
PROJECT FEATURES
Size: Low carbon district energy study | Due diligence engineering report | Status: Completed 2018
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Assessment of district energy plant designs to serve 3 million ft2 of mixed use development | Calculation of estimated heating, cooling and electrical loads and energy consumption for future development | Analysis of results and corresponding recommendations for optimal design | Consideration of traditional and renewable energy sources
Toronto Public Library
Wychwood BranchThe Wychwood Library is one of Toronto’s oldest libraries, built in 1915/16 and listed among Toronto's designated Heritage Properties.
HH Angus provided mechanical and electrical engineering for the renovation and expansion of the Wychwood Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Following a feasibility study that identified the desired expansion was possible, the facility expanding from 6,381 ft2 to 15,000 ft2, with mechanical and electrical systems replaced throughout the facility, including new incoming electrical and communication services.
The project included interior and exterior renovations to building structure, mechanical and electrical systems and a complete redesign of the floor space. Necessary facility upgrades included replacing flooring, millwork, furniture, elevator and heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems and equipment, building systems, and building envelope repairs.
The redesign of this heritage facility created room for approximately 2000 ft2 of seniors’ program space as well as innovative space for youth, both of which were needed in the community.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Heritage building | Green roof on expansion | Completed 2022
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Interior and exterior renovation | 2-storey expansion | Mechanical and electrical systems replaced throughout | New incoming electrical and communication services
Celebrating heritage
Key features of the original building were maintained and highlighted through the lighting design, which emphasized the brick exterior and vaulted ceilings in the Great Hall.
Header image credits: Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd.
