Client: Region of Waterloo
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Size: N/A
Sunnyside Home Long-Term Care Facility had an existing 350kW diesel generator that had reached end of life and needed to be replaced. In addition, the existing generator did not meet the current facility requirements for size and redundancy, as well as other deficiencies with the existing electrical distribution system that had to be investigated. JLR’s scope of work on the project included separate phases for schematic design, detailed design, tendering, contract administration, commissioning, and postconstruction.
During the schematic design phase, JLR verified the facility’s normal and emergency power distribution infrastructure completing both documentation reviews (record drawings, technical documents, and utility information) and in-person site reviews (building interior, electrical distribution equipment, and site layout) to confirm the system configuration and gather information. In conjunction, a comprehensive review of the existing diesel generator was completed to detail its condition and verify its distribution and interconnection with transfer switches serving various facility loads. After the investigation and data gathering was complete, JLR completed a full options analysis to guide the Owner through to the most feasible design solution. One of the primary constraints for this site was available space within the building for new electrical equipment, so three options were proposed for locations of the new generators and electrical distribution equipment. For each option, the following criteria were analyzed: interior construction impact; exterior construction impact; final state visibility/aesthetics; maintenance of electrical distribution equipment; impact to staff operations; and cost. The options analysis was documented in a schematic design report and submitted to the Region of Waterloo (Region) for review and approval of the recommended option. Following approval of the schematic design, detailed design and construction documents were prepared for the project consisting of the following scope of work:
- Two new 600kW standby diesel generators installed in parallel complete with sub-base fuel tanks, outdoor rated walk-in enclosures installed on a new concrete pad, and fully compliant with CSA C282, to provide emergency and back-up power to the entire facility.
- Removal of the existing 350kW diesel generator.
- New electrical distribution equipment including generator paralleling switchboard, two new closed transition automatic transfer switches, and downstream distribution panels.
- Separation of existing life safety and non-life safety loads onto separate ATS’s as required by code.
JLR’s design documents included a succinct construction phasing strategy to address the critical needs of occupant safety and facility uptime/operations throughout construction. The construction phasing was outlined in five separate phases and detailed out in separate dedicated phasing drawings. Each phase outlined the required shutdowns and included careful consideration for equipment lead times allowing the successful Contractor to “work ahead” on major critical path items such as cable trenching/site works and switchgear modifications while the generators were on order. Strict requirements were provided to the contractor for both the maximum allowable length of shutdown as well as the required notice to the facility in advance of each shutdown. Careful collaboration with the Region’s facilities management group ultimately lead to a drawings and specifications package that addressed all the facility’s needs. During construction, JLR attended separate shutdown coordination meetings with the contractor and Owner, and performed detailed reviews of the contractor’s detailed methods of procedures which outlined comprehensive requirements that were adhered to in preparation of, during, and after the shutdowns.
Throughout the design process, JLR collaborated with specialist subconsultants to ensure that the requirements of all authorities having jurisdiction were met, and that the necessary approvals and permits were obtained to implement the project. This included Environmental Compliance Approval, ESA Plans Review, the local building department, and the Region itself. JLR also worked closely with Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro (the local distribution company) to coordinate the requirements to allow the new closed-transition automatic transfer switches to be installed.