HVAC & Plumbing
VA Columbia - Waste & Vent Piping Replacement
This seven story hospital complex built in the 1970’s had premature failures and corrosion in the drain, waste and vent system that was taxing the maintenance staff. Replacing the entire system was the charge for LSA while keeping the hospital in operation during the retrofit. As one might imagine, the field documentation of existing systems and routing of piping was an immense task in itself as there was not a comprehensive or accurate accounting of the systems’ transformation over the years. Once completed, the design of the new system and its phasing to allow the existing system to remain functioning while pieces were replaced, tested and put into operation was the next step toward the goal. Selecting new riser locations or replacing existing was based on available space and the type of functions within each area. Eighty to ninety percent of the work in the building outside of the crawlspaces had to be performed after hours. Rooms occupied full time were carefully coordinated with staff to insure minimal impact on patient care. To hasten the installation and allow for easier future modifications PVC was the chosen material. A well-timed process of investigation, environmental control, wall and piping demolition, pipe installation, wall reconstruction and finishing wrapped up with a clean-up and sterilization process was the typical evening’s work for the installer.