Posted on August 12, 2024
Scarborough General Hospital, a critical healthcare facility in Ontario, recently underwent a significant renovation. The goal of this renovation was to expand its diagnostic imaging services and modernize its operating rooms. As part of the renovation, Ontario-based mechanical contractor Sprint Mechanical Inc. was tasked with installing three chiller units, four fans, and one AHU (air handling unit) onto the roof.
The weight of all these units, combined with the precarious nature of the location, required meticulous planning and execution. Another significant challenge of the project was ensuring the hospital remained operational – especially the emergency department, which needed to remain open 24/7.
In order to successfully and safely install these units, the Sprint SGH Team collaborated with LGH to acquire the specialized rigging it needed. This specialized rigging for the heavy AHUs and chillers would then be hung from a 650-ton crane – one of the few available in Ontario. For these reasons, time was of the essence.
The hospital had to remain operational during the installation, necessitating a specific crane path and minimal evacuation of hospital areas. In order to prevent a hospital closure, the team needed to set the crane on the property next door to the hospital.
The critical care ward at Scarborough General needed to be evacuated during the lift, requiring all tasks to be completed within a single shift.
The project involved multiple stakeholders, including the hospital, general contractors, sub-trades, crane operators, equipment manufacturers, shippers, the City of Toronto, and a nearby women’s shelter used for crane operations. This coordination process took nearly a year and a half.
The SolutionThe Sprint Mechanical Team was a dynamic group of professionals that were key to the Scarborough General Hospital Project’s success. From the Project Manager and Operations Supervisor, to the Site Coordinator and Signalers, every member of the team was paramount to the safe execution of the project. In addition, Sprint Mechanical’s long-standing relationship with LGH Outside Rental Representative Wayne Thompson proved invaluable for success. LGH’s comprehensive catalog and reliable rental fleet provided Sprint Mechanical with the necessary equipment and confidence to execute the project smoothly.
The Sprint SGH Team first determined the reach, boom height, and crane size. From there, the team worked backwards to “fit the rigging” to the lift. Each of the three chillers weighed 5,900 lbs. The AHU was broken down into four sections for the lift. The total weight of the unit was over 100,000 lbs, with the largest section weighing nearly 34,500 lbs. LGH’s Wayne Thompson was able to supply Sprint with multiple sizes of spreader beams to accommodate the varying load weights.
Because Thompson was able to keep the team updated on the availability and delivery of these beams, Sprint was able to pre-rig three different spreader beam options in their shop. LGH’s extensive catalog made it easy to identify and confirm the availability of the required rigging equipment.
Pre-rigging three different sizes of spreader beams also saved Sprint time and money in the field. Adjustments were made ahead of time to accommodate headroom heights and overloaded lifting lugs, ensuring the safe and efficient lifting of the AHUs.
The renovation project at Scarborough General Hospital was completed successfully within the planned timeframe. After nearly 18 months of pre-lift planning, the collective of project stakeholders was able to breathe a sigh of relief! LGH’s reliable rigging solutions and comprehensive support enabled Sprint Mechanical to execute the project efficiently, ensuring the hospital remained operational throughout the process.
Ian Bergeron, VP of Safety and Legal Affairs for Sprint Mechanical, praised LGH’s role in the project:
“Simply put, LGH’s catalog was the simplest single source of what we needed from one supply chain, taking a lot of stress off us for obtaining what we needed when we needed it. The rigging equipment we get from LGH is always certified, in good condition, and complete, with no missing parts. Wayne was great at keeping us posted on delivery, and the shipments came on time.”
Sprint Mechanical’s collaboration with LGH demonstrates the importance of reliable and comprehensive rigging solutions in executing complex projects. The successful renovation of Scarborough General Hospital underscores LGH’s commitment to delivering safety, certainty, and excellence in lifting and rigging solutions.
Sprint Mechanical Inc. is a well-established mechanical contractor with a 36 year history in design/build, construction management, traditional plan and spec contracting and Infrastructure Ontario – Design, Build Finance and Maintained private partnership projects (P2/P3). We have completed several successful mechanical contracts – from retrofit projects to multi-million dollar commercial construction projects. Our attention to detail has established our company’s reputation as one of the leading mechanical construction firms in Ontario.
LGH holds North America’s most extensive inventory of lifting and rigging equipment, with a mission to ensure the safety and efficiency of operations worldwide. With over 70,000 pieces of gear and a network of locations across Canada and the US, LGH remains committed to excellence and innovation in every aspect of our service.
