Service: Mechanical Engineering
Confidential Client
Data Centre Expansion
Data centres operate 24/7. This large Tier 3 facility expansion required defined levels of redundancy to ensure the most complete reliability possible.
Our mechanical and electrical design included a central cooling plant and emergency generation system to support the critical data floors. The development involved a two-phase ‘design and construct’ concept, which was incorporated into the base design and operating strategy. The project was executed on time and within budget.
Mechanical Design
The Phase 1 concept required 3 X 750 ton centrifugal chillers, electrically powered with variable frequency drives (VFD’s) and incorporating N+1 redundancy. The chilled water distribution system was based on a primary and secondary concept with a ring main for increased redundancy, which allowed for back feeding in the event of hardware failure. All pumps have VFD’s for slow start and energy efficiency. Transformers were used to step down from 600V to 460V to further increase reliability on the VFD’s. The condenser water system was based on induced draft with counter flow cooling towers with VFD’s on the fans and utilizing tower free cooling for energy efficiency.
The design of the cooling system provided for Phase 2 expansion and the ability to implement an additional 2250 tons of cooling through 3 X 750 ton chillers, with improved redundancy to (N+2). The mechanical piping and ventilation design was carried out using Bentleys Autoplant 3D software to ensure functionality of the equipment and piping layout design. The 3D modeling was used successfully by the Constructor and integrated into their BIM (Building Information Modeling) program.
Electrical Design
The electrical engineering design provided for a 50,000 ft2 raised floor computer area serviced by redundant feeds from the existing 27.6kV distribution to redundant 600V distribution systems. Four 2 MW parallel synchronized diesel generators with capacity to increase to six; two systems of four redundant 750 kVA UPS modules; and state-of-the-art life safety, alarm monitoring, and security systems.
Subsequent upgrades to the facility included installation of two 3000A Static switches to the two parallel redundant 750kVA UPS systems, configured to not only permit seamless transfer of critical loads between utility and emergency power in the event one UPS system fails, but also to permit seamless transfer to the surviving UPS system. HH Angus functioned as Prime Consultant and Electrical Engineer for a series of reports, studies, distribution upgrades and raised floor expansions at the site.
The Data Centre’s diesel generator system included three buried storage tanks, each with a capacity of 75,000 litres, a generator ventilation system and diesel exhaust for four 2MW generators.
ICT Scope
Our communications group was involved with multiple communications projects for the expansion, starting from the structured cabling system, DAS –Distributed Antenna System, and building systems LAN/WLAN design. We provided a detail compliance analysis of the new proposed sites with references to the TIA 942 Data Centre standard.
As a part of the DAS, we provided an unbiased, independent assessment of the current data centre cabling infrastructure performance, as well as design recommendations and specifications to eliminate both scheduled and unscheduled downtime. The assessment included a comprehensive computer room site inspection, determination of the full scope of the telecommunications needs, design of a suitable structured cabling system, and the creation of written reports, prints and specification documents.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Communications Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Status: Completed 2010
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Comprehensive assessment of existing IT infrastructure | Engineering for structured cabling systems, DAS and building LAN/WLAN design | Identified full scope of telecommunication requirements | N+1 redundancy | 3 X 750 ton centrifugal chillers powered by VFD's | Multiple communications projects

Designing for Uptime
Reliability was improved with underground remote water storage to support a 24-hour cooling tower make up in the event of supply water failure.
Electrical reliability was achieved through the installation of 6 X 2 MW diesel generators (N+1 redundancy), and a fuel storage facility consisting of 3 X 75,000L underground tanks.
Scotiabank
Ecosystem Program
The Scotiabank Ecosystem Program represented a comprehensive one million ft2 ‘refresh’ for floors and offices in downtown Toronto. The most pressing challenge was the schedule, which was both complex and compressed; for example, drawings for three floors were delivered in only three to four weeks, a more typical timeframe for design of a single floor.
Another challenge was implementing a design standard for existing buildings and infrastructure that differed by location. Often, the only common elements were architectural treatment and power supply. While all the buildings complied with the standards template for audio visual and connectivity, each presented unique challenges that required custom deviations from the standard in order to successfully execute the retrofit. Existing spaces were fully demolished down to the floor plate. The grid remained, but all lighting was reworked to conform to the new design. This was the third stage of a three-stage refresh, with our team having previously delivered stages 1 and 2.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Audio Visual Design | Communications Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Status: Completed 2017
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Complex and compressed schedule | Design template had to be customized by location | All lighting reworked to conform to design
— Image courtesy of HOK
Queen’s University
15 MW Cogeneration Facility
Acting as the Owner’s Engineer and Project Manager for Queen’s University, our involvement included: cogeneration plant design outline, equipment performance criteria, economic analysis review, the creation of project specific EPC&M contract documents, liquidated damages and insurance requirements, administration of contract documents, and life cycle analysis of tendered submissions.
The project-specific EPC&M contract included the Expression of Interest process, preparation of request for proposals (RFP) for engineering, as well as procure, construct and maintain contacts.
We also provided design review, schedule and cost management, scope control, contract administration, inspection services, commissioning assistance, and management and contract close out.
HH Angus was also retained for utility interface items, including design of the 44kV grounding transformer, transfer protection trip system and the natural gas letdown station.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering
PROJECT FEATURES
Status: Completed 2007
LOCATION
Kingston, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Plant design outline | Economic analysis review | Project specific contract documents | Contract documents administration | Life cycle analysis | Design review | Design of 44kV grounding transformer
Northern Health Authority
Fort St. John Hospital & Peace Villa
HH Angus participated in the integrated and sustainable design process, assessing several different mechanical concepts focusing on heat recovery, improved space air distribution and high-efficiency equipment. Considering the climate, extensive consideration was given to balancing the use of 100% outdoor air systems with total enthalpy heat recovery wheels, with the need to reduce energy consumption.
Mechanical and electrical engineering for this new build acute care community hospital included related services such as laundry and food services, and a replacement residential care facility. The hospital provides 58 inpatient beds with full diagnostic and treatment facilities, three operating rooms, endoscopy suite, and 124 residential care beds. Part of our scope, via our affiliate ACML, was to provide the hard Facilities Management for this project.
The project has been certified LEED® Gold and includes specific energy saving elements as a key component of the design. We worked extensively with all other design team members to meet aggressive energy consumption targets without increasing capital costs.
Also notable was the design and construction of the complex and high-efficiency heating plant featuring a series of condensing hot water boilers piped in a cascading temperature arrangement. The focus was on delivering a well-sealed and insulated building to reduce building envelope energy losses and allow the heating boilers to run at peak energy efficiency. This will provide the client with long-term energy savings, as heating costs have traditionally been very high.
The specification of the pad-mounted generator enclosures saved both time and money. Unconventionally, the generators were pre-fabricated and installed in sound-attenuated enclosures before being shipped to site. This allowed for quick ‘plug and play’ installation when these units arrived on site.
Lighting strategies were crucial, with a target of 30% energy reduction below ASHRAE standards while still meeting CSA light level requirements. Implementation of an extensive low voltage lighting control system further reduced energy consumption.
Vertical transportation elements included three passenger elevators and six service elevators.
For the IMIT scope, the Angus Connect team designed a new wired/wireless system, network and infrastructure to help improve workflow with the introduction of RFID tagging to help with inventory and distribution, as well as laying a robust foundation for a future Real Time Location System. Additional major systems included telephone, nurse call, public address, patient entertainment, intercoms, video conferencing and patient monitoring. Our team also planned for and added the infrastructure for the new digital modalities and connection to a centralized PACs system, which improved diagnosing and reporting, and facilitated consultations between staff members.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | IMIT and Security Consulting | Vertical Transportation | Lighting Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Size: 330,000 ft2 | Status: Completed 2012
LOCATION
Fort St. John, British Columbia
PROJECT FEATURES
REVIT MEP provided design and documentation | Centralized UPS | Integrated communications systems platform for all building operations and healthcare applications | LEED® Gold Certified

Respecting Indigenous ceremonies
The two spiritual rooms were designed to accommodate Sweet Grass and Smudging ceremonies, with dedicated exhaust to extract smoke and odours generated from the ceremonies.
— Image courtesy of Fort St. John Hospital Foundation
Town of Innisfil
Innisfil Public Library
The Town of Innisfil lies on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, some 80 kilometres north of Toronto. From its beginnings as a lumber region, it evolved into a cottage community and then into a rural residential centre, as more and more cottagers turned their properties into year-round homes.
Today, permanent residents account for over 90% of the population, supported by expanded municipal services such as the community library.
HH Angus’ scope for this library renewal and expansion project included upgrading existing and adding new HVAC, plumbing, electrical and lighting systems in both the renovated and new spaces.
The site consisted of 11,500 ft2 (1,068m2) of existing space and an adjoining new construction of 11,000 ft2 (1,022m2).
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Size: 11,500 ft2 renovation and 11,000 ft2 of new construction | Status: Completed 2015
LOCATION
Innisfil, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Innovative-mechanical, electrical and lighting design for the library | Upgraded and added new HVAC, plumbing, electrical and lighting in both renovated and new spaces
