Etobicoke General Hospital Early Works
Bird managed the early works project at Etobicoke General Hospital, upgrading and expanding the heating and cooling systems to support future hospital expansion. The project included extensive mechanical upgrades, underground piping installation, and carefully coordinated shutdowns to minimize disruptions to hospital operations.
As the general contractor, Bird was responsible for coordinating all sub-trades and supplying all labour and materials for the mechanical work, including ventilation and boilers, which required two new 200 HP boilers. In addition, Bird installed a heating and cooling system, including two plate-and-frame heat exchangers, four 600-ton chillers, and a new cooling system, which included 14 pumps ranging from 30 HP to 125 HP. A new high-voltage transformer and bus duct were also installed in the scope of work.
Project Details
To optimize this complex system, Bird installed an 800-ton BAC cooling tower with a winter operation option, along with two heat exchangers for free cooling upgrades. The project also included significant underground work, such as a 345-foot directional bore for a 12-inch HDPE drainage pipe and 600 feet of eight-inch stainless steel domestic cold water line for the new patient tower. As general contractor, Bird also managed critical upgrades to emergency power systems, transformers, medical gas, and coordinated all roofing, siding, paving, and parking lot construction with minimal disruption to hospital operations.
Minimizing Disruption to Critical Operations
The tie-ins required extensive shutdowns, affecting hospital operations and operating rooms. Bird worked closely with EGH to coordinate scheduled shutdown times to minimize the effect on patients and to keep the hospital in working order.
Team Selection
Bird assembled all subcontractors, including electrical, civil, structural, medical gases, fire protection, demolition, and asbestos removal.
Additional Upgrades
Bird made improvements to the water treatment, HVAC, plumbing, gas, and high-pressure steam systems to meet all relevant CSA requirements.
