Markets & Projects
Our air handlers are designed to meet the most stringent needs of these industries:
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Princeton Firestone University Library
Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university in Princeton, NJ.
Princeton, NJ
Owner:
Princeton University
Consulting engineer:
Bruce E. Brooks
Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, PA as the College of New Jersey, Princeton was the fourth-chartered institution of higher education in the Thirteen Colonies. Princeton University has been in its current location since 1896.
Challenges
In 2012, the university undertook the initiative of renovating the Firestone Library which was initially built in 1948. The intrinsic architecture made it challenging for the mechanical engineers to develop solutions for replacing and improving the HVAC systems. The HVAC scope of work included replacing air handlers, increasing capacity and introducing heat recovery equipment.
The Ingénia design team developed solutions utilizing Ingénia’s jobsite assembled construction. The HVAC retrofit included installing two new air handlers to handle the central heating, cooling, dehumidification and humidification of the library. Precise temperature and humidity levels were imperative due to the sensitive nature of the application. To validate the equipment quality, the jobsite assembled units were factory assembled, air leak tested and taken completely apart for shipment and reassembled in the field. This is a unique feature available exclusively with Ingénia’s custom air handlers. The reassembly process was supervised by a factory engineer.
McGill University Health Center (MUHC)
The McGill University Health Center (MUHC) is one of the world’s foremost academic health centers. Built on the tradition of the medical leadership of its founding hospitals, the MUHC provides exceptional multidisciplinary patient-centric care.
Location:
Montréal, QC
Owner:
Centre universitaire de santé McGill
Consulting engineer:
S.N.C. Lavalin
One of the most innovative academic health centers in North America, the MUHC's Glen site will transform patient care and provide a state-of-the-art teaching environment for the next generation of health professionals. Located between NDG and Westmount, this new MUHC building is one of North America's most innovative academic health centers. It includes six establishments in one:
- Montréal Children's Hospital
- Royal Victoria Hospital
- Montréal’s Chest Institute
- Cedars Cancer Center
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center
- McGill Academic Eye Health Center
Challenges
The construction of this large hospital project with several pavilions needed to meet accelerated construction and tight budget constraints. Nearly one hundred air-handling systems ranging from 5,000 to 40,000 cfm were designed for this major project.
Solutions
Ingénia's sales team worked with the engineers and contractors to design and produce high-performance ventilation systems with increased productivity. In order to maintain optimal thermal performances, the casings were manufactured with a 3’’ thick nothrough metal construction and injected with polyurethane. For added durability, the exterior surfaces of the unit were covered with an oven-baked powder paint and the internal surfaces were coated with an antimicrobial powder paint to provide improved air quality.
Mercy Hospital West
Mercy Health - West hospital delivers world-class healthcare to the communities of Cincinnati’s West Side. It incorporates the latest development in hospital designs, all of which have been proven to enhance the patient’s experience.
Location:
Cincinnati, OH
Owner:
Mercy Health
Consulting engineer:
Heapy Engineering
Mercy Hospital West - Mercy Health’s newest hospital opened in November 2013 in Cincinnati, OH. It includes a maternity care, a cancer center, a heart center with open heart surgery, orthopedics and a woman’s health center.
Challenges
A new building was added in 2013 to the Mercy Healthcare network. Ingénia’s engineering team worked closely with the consulting engineer to design and specify 12 new air handlers ranging from 23,000 to 65,000 cfm and operating total static pressures up to 10” w.g. The design team wanted to ensure the cabinet design included the most hygienic and energy-efficient features.
Solutions
The Ingénia design team and local sales representatives worked with the consultant to design one desiccant unit to handle the dedicated outside air for the building and 11 other units to condition the rest of the areas. In order to provide the highest indoor air quality cabinet walls, the engineer specified a 4” wall thickness cabinet with injected polyurethane foam with a thermal resistance value of 26. To provide a hygienic interior finish, all of the AHU’s internal exposed surfaces were coated with an antimicrobial finish after all manipulations (including bending and shearing) were completed. All units included multiple fan systems and specially designed acoustical baffles to meet low sound level requirements.
UPMC Passavant
UPMC Passavant is a nonprofit, acute‐care hospital located in the suburban North Hills of Pittsburgh, PAz
Location:
Pittsburgh, PA
Owner:
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Consulting engineer:
FMR & W
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is a $10 billion integrated global nonprofit health enterprise that has 21 hospitals, more than 62,000 employees and more than 5,100 licensed beds.
Challenges
A new building was added in 2008 to the UPMC Healthcare network. Ingénia’s engineering team worked closely with the consulting engineer to design and specify 13 new air handlers ranging from 11,000 to 56,000 cfm and operating total static pressures up to 12” w.g. The design team wanted to ensure that the cabinet design included the most hygienic and energy-efficient features.
Solutions
The Ingénia design team and local sales representatives worked with the consultant to design two heat recovery units to handle the dedicated outside air for the building and 11 other units to handle surgery rooms and general areas. In order to provide the highest indoor air quality cabinet walls, the engineer specified a 3” wall thickness cabinet with injected polyurethane foam with a thermal resistance value of 19.5. To provide a hygienic interior finish, all of the AHU’s internal surfaces were coated with an antimicrobial finish after all manipulations (including bending and shearing) were completed. All units included multiple fan systems and specially designed acoustical baffles to meet low sound level requirements.
New York’s Public Safety Answering Center II
This Bronx, NY project provides a new 525,000 sq. ft. call center and improves the City’s emergency communication systems, including response to 911 calls.
Location:
Bronx, NY
Owner:
New York City Department of Design & Construction
Consulting engineer:
JB & B, New York
PSAC ll was designed to withstand the effects of a major disaster, both natural and manmade, and to operate without interruption. The building also complies with the Green Buildings Law (Local Law 86 of 2005).
Challenges
The design objective was to maximize energy efficiency while providing a comfortable and sustainable environment. The construction logistics and structural constraints required that the large air handlers be fully assembled in the field, therefore, shipped completely disassembled.
Solutions
The Ingénia design team and local sales representatives worked with the consultant to design 18 custom-built air handlers. In order to provide the highest thermal performance, the engineer specified a 4” wall thickness cabinet with injected polyurethane foam with a thermal resistance value of 26. The units also included enthalpy recovery wheels at the minimum outside air inlets, recovering energy from the exhaust air stream and rigid plate exchangers for the 100% outdoor air units. The largest air handlers were 60 ft. long x 20 ft. wide x 14 ft. high. These sizeable units were factory assembled, air pressure tested, completely disassembled for shipment and reassembled in the field. This is a unique feature available exclusively with Ingénia’s custom air handlers. The reassembly process was supervised by a factory engineer.
Maison symphonique de Montréal
Part of the Place des Arts complex, The Maison Symphonique de Montréal is a concert hall of located in the heart of downtown Montréal.
Location:
Montréal, QC.
Owner:
Groupe Immobilier Ovation
Consulting engineer:
S.N.C. Lavalin
Inaugurated in 2011, the Maison Symphonique de Montréal is a classical music concert hall that meets the highest international standards for natural acoustics, stage layout and architecture. Its perfect visibility and enveloping privacy offer viewers an exceptional audio and visual experience. The symphony hall seats 2100 guests.
Challenges
This project in downtown Montréal needed to meet very demanding noise and air quality constraints. The project required the construction of 14 systems from 2600 to 25,000 cfm while meeting sound levels of NC-20 in the theater.
Solutions
The Ingénia sales team worked with the consulting engineer to build ventilation units to meet the very strict acoustic criteria. The fans were meticulously selected to obtain the lowest sound and vibration levels possible. The walls of the sections other than the wet sections were made using acoustically insulated panels with perforated inner walls. In order to avoid any risk of condensation and humidity in the wet sections, the panels of these sections were insulated with polyurethane.
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
The Pavillon Pierre Lassonde serves as a gateway to the museum complex. A powerful architectural gesture, the glass building is bathed in absolutely splendid natural light.
Location:
Québec, QC
Owner:
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
Consulting engineer:
B.P.A.
The Pierre Lassonde pavilion of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) opened on June 24, 2016, on Grande Allée in Québec City. With a futuristic approach, the new building, of international caliber, unifies as never before the urban life of Québec City to the picturesque landscape of the National Battlefield Park. By allowing the MNBAQ to double its exhibition space, the new 14,900 m² building now serves as a bright and contemporary gateway to the museum complex, which already has three pavilions, in addition to providing it with larger spaces to present its collections and showcase art and artists from here and elsewhere.
Challenges
A new cutting edge pavilion was added to the three existing pavilions of the MNBAQ. It required the joint work of Ingénia and the consulting engineering group to design 20 ventilation units from 2000 to 32,000 cfm. The systems had to be designed to ensure constant comfort to the users and maintain optimal condition for the conservation of the works of art.
Solutions
The Ingenia sales team worked with the consulting engineer to design ventilation units to achieve optimal ambient conditions. In order to maintain thermal performances, the casings were manufactured with a 3’’ thick no-through metal construction and injected with polyurethane. For added durability, the exterior surfaces of the unit were covered with oven-baked powder paint. Moreover, to guarantee optimal air quality and therefore eliminate bacterial growth, the internal surfaces were coated with an antimicrobial powder paint.
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the western hemisphere and the second largest cultural attraction in Chicago, IL.
Location:
Chicago, IL
Owner:
City of Chicago
Consulting engineer:
McGuire Engineers
The Museum of Science and Industry was founded in 1933 and has since celebrated more than 80 years of “inspiring the inventive genius” to more than 180 million guests.
Challenges
In 2008, several air handlers over 50 years old serving the ventilation for the central pavilion of the west court needed replacement. The very limited access to the mechanical rooms added to the requirement of heat recovery and larger capacities to meet current standards made space become the major issue and constraint.
Solutions
The Ingénia design team developed solutions utilizing Ingénia’s jobsite assembled construction. Each unit was designed in parts small enough to be brought into the building through a roof hatch. This design concept provided the engineers with complete flexibility for the limited space and saved the contractor significant assembly labor. All units included heat recovery wheels to meet the energy standards and the units were designed to handle additional capacity for current ventilations standards as well as increased people and equipment loads.
La Tour Deloitte
A remarkable presence in Montréal’s skyline and a striking philosophy on modern productivity.
Location:
Montréal, QC
Owner:
2917599 Canada Inc.
Consulting engineer:
H.H. Hangus
Completed in May 2015, Deloitte Tower is the first privately owned and financed commercial building built in downtown Montréal in more than 20 years. This 26 story, 495,000-square-foot office tower is connected to the historic Windsor Station building and stands out for its modern lines in the Montréal skyline.
Challenges
This office tower project required the design and production of 22 centralized, compact and ultra-quiet units of 23,000 CFM floorby- floor units. It was imperative that sound levels in adjacent offices did not exceed NC-35.
Solutions
The Ingénia sales team worked with the consulting engineer to design air handling units to meet the specified acoustic criteria. To maintain optimum thermal performances, the casings were manufactured with a 2’’ thick no-through metal construction and injected with polyurethane while the internal walls were covered with 4" thick sound absorption panels to meet the acoustic criteria. For added durability, the exterior surfaces of the units were coated with powder paint.
Google-1K Fulton
Originally built in 1923 as the Fulton Market cold storage facility and completely overhauled in 2015 as 1K Fulton, the 550,000 sq. ft.,LEED, high tech complex now serves as the home of Google Chicago HQ.
Location:
Chicago, IL
Owner:
Sterling Bay Ltd.
Consulting engineer:
WMA Engineering
Three 150,000 cfm custom roof‐top air handlers for Google’s Chicago, IL Headquarters.
Challenges
Nestled on “green roofs” all three Ingénia custom AHUs faced the same technical challenges: minimize energy consumption, minimize footprint and minimize sound in a cabinet with maximum visual appeal.
Solutions
The Ingénia design team and local sales representatives worked with the consultant to design three custom-built air handlers. Ingénia’s electronically commutated EC fan array saved 300 HP of energy without jeopardizing performance to bring down the total HP of all three units from the original design of 900 HP to 600 HP. Also, the 3’’ foam injected Cabinet was lined with acoustic panels in order to drastically reduce the sound power levels of 150,000 cfm systems below NC‐40 in the occupied spaces. By combining the EC fan array to large surface ‘A’ coil arrangement, the footprint of each system was reduced by over 500 sq. ft. without increasing velocity in the systems. Moreover, by incorporating specially designed, low-pressure drop heat–pipe heat exchangers in every system considerable energy savings were achieved.
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Industry
Commercial office space
Project Name
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Headquarters Building
Owner:
U.S. Government
Location:
441 G St NW, Washington, DC, 20001
Consulting engineer:
R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LCCP
Contractor
Shapiro & Duncan, Inc.
Project Summary
Built between 1949 and 1951, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) seven-story building located in Washington DC has served as a model for both government and private buildings throughout DC.
As in many postwar buildings, the mechanical room and all its components were constructed as part of the building structure. The massive 14’+ height air handlers reached EOL (End-of-Life) and required replacements.
Due to existing piping and ductwork space limitations around the units, extensive coordination was required.
Challenges
The replacement 14’+ height 75,000 CFM Air Handling Units located in the Penthouse could only be done through an existing 94” wide x 137” deep x 84” high freight elevator, therefore the need for units to be in “knocked down” configuration.
Due to the existing piping and ductwork surrounding the replacement Air Handling Units, an experienced manufacturer that designs units with modeling software to help eliminate coordination risks with prefabricated piping and ductwork was required.
Experienced field technicians performed field assembly of these “knocked down” configuration units and performed field leakage testing on-site after assembly.
Solutions
INGÉNIA® provided (7) 75,000 CFM double decker air handling units to provide redundancy and reduce required floor space. The other (5) units were various CFM rated units and were single decker units.
Experienced field technicians performed the field assembly of the “knocked down” units and performed customer-witnessed field leakage testing, meeting the specified requirement of 1% leakage at 10” w.g. pressure. Most units achieved a leakage rate of less than 1/2%.
All AHU’s were shipped as knock down construction due to the limited access into the mechanical rooms. The assembly of the units was done by our local representative’s service team.
The AHU’s featured INGÉNIA’s aluminum construction, with lighter panels making field assembly easier and faster. Additionally, aluminum provides better corrosion resistance.
Design coordination was facilitated by Ingenia’s virtual air handler modeling technology which saved precious time throughout the design process. Complex piping for the units was perfectly fabricated based on Ingenia’s 3D models and Revit drawings.
Incyte Pharma
Industry
Pharmaceutical
Project Name
Incyte Pharma
Owner:
Energy Transfer Solutions LLC
Location:
1801 Augustine Cut off, Wilmington, DE 19803
Consulting engineer:
NV5
Contractor
Worth & Company, Inc.
Project Summary
When our client, a leading consulting engineer, encountered height restrictions to introduce new air handling system into the mechanical room for Incyte pharma, they turned to us for a custom solution.
This case study outlines how our tailored approach not only met but exceeded expectations, thanks to strategic collaboration and superior engineering.
Challenges
The primary challenge revolved around height restrictions within the mechanical room. These constraints impeded the integration of the air handling system consisting of four indoor air handling units and two indoor/outdoor exhaust units (EAHU), potentially compromising their functionality and overall efficiency. Finding a solution that could accommodate these limitations without sacrificing performance became our mandate.
Solutions
Our team approached the challenge with a blend of ingenuity and precision engineering. Recognizing the critical need to minimize the height of the return fan module above the air handling unit, we devised a multi-faceted solution:
Customized Design: Leveraging our expertise in custom solutions, we tailored the design of the air handling unit to optimize its dimensions while maintaining peak performance standards. By meticulously designing each component to fit within the height parameters, we ensured a seamless fit within the mechanical room.
Raceway Conduits: To address concerns about maintaining a leak-tight unit, we provided empty raceway conduits alongside the units, facilitating the field mounting of controls. This strategy not only preserved the unit's integrity but also facilitated the installation process.
Rigorous Testing: Prior to deployment, our solution underwent rigorous testing to validate its efficacy. The air leakage test, a crucial benchmark of cabinet performance, yielded exceptional results of 0.28% air leakage, with the test pressure set at 12 inches of water gauge.
Energy recovery: To adhere to energy recovery codes, we integrated our specialized recovery coils; facilitating heat transfer between the exhaust air and outside air streams.
Conclusion
In overcoming the challenges posed by height restrictions, our custom solutions demonstrated our commitment to innovation and excellence. Through strategic collaboration and meticulous attention to detail, we not only met but exceeded the clients’ expectations, delivering a solution that sets the standard for efficiency and reliability in air handling unit design and installations.
As industry pioneers, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of possibility, ensuring unparalleled success for our clients.
Drexel University
Industry
Governmental / Health / Education
Project Name
Drexel University - Equus – Tower Health - College of Medicine
Owner:
Energy Transfer Solutions LLC
Location:
50 Innovation Way, Wyomissing, PA, 19610, USA
Consulting engineer:
AKF Engineers Group
Contractor
Worth & Company, Inc.
Project Summary
Situated at 50 Innovation Way, Wyomissing, PA, Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health was constructed in 2021 by Equus Capital. This cutting-edge, 178,000-square-foot, six-story academic building serves as a regional campus accommodating over 1,100 medical students. Local sales representative, Energy Transfer Solutions (ETS), in collaboration with AKF Engineers, spearheaded the design of a sizable custom rooftop air handling unit with a total capacity of 210,000 CFM for the new campus. The unit included a service vestibule designated for housing electrical equipment and piping specialties. The fan motors are outfitted with Ingénia’s most efficient EC technology, complemented by their advanced touch-screen airflow monitoring system.
Challenges
Thorough coordination with 3D models proved crucial for prefabricating all pipe supports and floor reinforcements, and for designing space for major mechanical equipment prior to unit installation. Planning guaranteed that field installation wouldn’t disrupt other equipment.
The airflow tunnels were linked through a shared vestibule, extending into a larger plenum designated as a mechanical room by the customer. Testing of both tunnels was performed at the factory.
The supply fan arrays were configured with 30 supply fans and 16 return fans, ensuring minimal cabinet size while optimizing airflow redundancy.
Solutions
We conceptualized, engineered, and delivered Ingénia’s top-tier AHU, featuring a lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum construction cabinet and exceptional Indoor Air Quality (I.A.Q.) features.
The contractor handled the installation of mechanical equipment, piping, and electrical accessories in the field. We ensured precise sizing and fabrication of the unit piping based on our 3D models and Revit drawings. Ingénia’s virtual modeling technology expedited design coordination, significantly reducing time and effort required for field equipment installation in the service vestibule and mechanical compartment.
Experienced field technicians conducted the assembly of the unit and executed field leakage testing witnessed by the customer, surpassing the specified requirement of 1% leakage at 10” w.g. pressure. The resulting leakage was below 0.5% of the design airflow.
The unit was equipped with large EC fan arrays, comprising a total of 60 supply fans and 32 return fans, controlled by Ingénia’s Fan Array Touch Screen Control Panels with BAS communication. These panels facilitate effortless monitoring and adjustments of fan control settings, while also displaying system status and airflow, and detecting and advising on any system faults.
Additionally, Ingénia’s team designed and fabricated custom exterior Z-brackets to facilitate the field installation of screen walls on all four sides of the units, enhancing the building’s architectural design as per the customer’s request.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ingénia's comprehensive solutions provide a complete approach to addressing the complexities of HVAC system design and installation. By integrating innovative design features, meticulous planning, advanced technology, and a commitment to quality assurance, Ingénia has not only delivered a top-tier Air Handling Unit (AHU) but also streamlined the installation process, ensured superior performance, and enhanced the overall functionality of the system.
The successful completion of field leakage testing, the integration of advanced control systems, and the delivery of custom solutions tailored to the customer's needs all underscore Ingénia's dedication to delivering exceptional products and services that exceed expectations, contributing to the efficiency and sustainability of building infrastructure.