Value Delivered
Safe, reliable electrical power distribution systems services for a world-class, state-of-the-art academic medical center; improved patient care, comfort and outcomes; minimal disruption to daily hospital routines; leading-edge life safety, communications, fire and security systems installations; dependable emergency power supply; expanded healthcare for Chicago's western suburb.
Solutions
Gibson provided single-source electrical contracting services for the construction of a new, five-level hospital addition as well as an extensive upgrade of the existing six-level institution, its energy building and utility tunnels. The scope of work called for installation of three independent electrical power distribution systems – the main normal 12-kilovolt system, and emergency and life safety systems, each rated at 120/208/277/480 volts.
The company also installed the healthcare facility's uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system, consisting of two 160-kilovolt ampere and three 300-kilovolt ampere systems. Additional electrical system components included a 2,000-kilowatt generator, nine switchboards, one 5,000-ampere paralleling switchboard, 80 panelboards, 12 transformers and more than 60 motor connections.
In patient care areas, laboratories and other spaces, Gibson installed nearly 10,000 receptacles, switches, lighting fixtures and other electrical devices, connecting them with more than 100 miles of conduit and 375 miles of wire and cable.
To further enhance patient care, Gibson installed the new facility's operating and specialty room surgical lighting booms; medical equipment raceways, duct and vendor low-voltage cabling; and medical gas master and area alarms. The company's technicians also installed the voice/data copper and fiber backbone, as well as the nurse call, public address, intercom, fire alarm and voice evacuation systems.
Gibson completed the electrical construction project by installing interior lighting and shade controls, card access and security systems, a CCTV (closed-circuit television) system, WiFi capabilities, electric pipe freeze protection, pneumatic tube power and low-voltage control, parking lot lighting and gate systems, and lightning protection.
By project's end, the Gibson's installers, commercial electricians, and its subcontractors had spent more than 125,000 man-hours to bring the project to its successful completion.
One of Gibson’s major challenges on this project was to ensure non-disruptive project delivery. This was seldom easy. For example, as part of its work on the existing building, Gibson had to demolish a number of electrical closets to make space for new patient-care rooms. However, these closets serviced occupied patient rooms that had to have continuous power.
This meant demolition activities had to be carefully planned and continuously reviewed. Yet, in spite of obstacles like these, the Gibson team completed its work without interrupting the hospital's daily routines.
Client Background
The Loyola University Medical Center is one of the nation's leading academic medical centers. An 801-licensed-bed institution, it includes the Loyola University Medical Center campus in Maywood and its Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital of Loyola, the Burn/Trauma Center, and the Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine.