This project provided engineering services for a total building systems improvement in Sanger Hall on the Medical College of Virgina / Virginia Commonwealth University hospital campus in Richmond, Virginia. 

Sanger Hall is a 16-story, 500,000 SF NIH quality Biomedical Research and Medical Training Facility including Biosafety Level 3 Lab, Emphysema Research Center, Vivarium Isolation Chambers, and a Heart Center Lab.  The project involved phased replacement of 2 chillers, 3 air handlers, 4 cooling towers, 6 pumps, 50 VAV boxes, 8 fume hoods, the fire alarm system, and the sprinkler system.  The building has been continuously occupied and required phased construction and relocation of personnel as a standard design consideration.  PACE upgraded the building’s primary and secondary chiller and cooling tower plant to accommodate current and future growth of the structure.  The chilled water/steam VAV air handling systems were upgraded to single pass systems where required and applicable for reuse to reduce upgrade costs to the Owner.  The building utilized a pneumatic control system with a DDC overlay.  The controls were upgraded to DDC in a phased fashion. The project also required architectural modifications including ceiling work, finishes, and wall relocations.

PACE upgraded the building’s antiquated hydro-pneumatic water pressure tank with a modern Triplex Variable Speed Booster Pump system.  Each of the two hydro-pneumatic existing tanks measured 6’ in diameter by 22’ in length, freeing up valuable space in the building’s main mechanical room for future system improvements.  The modern system also allowed for simplified maintenance, eliminating separated controls, air compressors, and corrosion prone steel tanks.