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58 | J U N E 2 0 2 5 Mechanical & HVAC Systems operational costs, and strengthening infrastructure. Therefore, the company specializes in designing and modernizing building systems that integrate clean energy solutions, enhancing performance and sustainability. MCW's engineering solutions focus on upgrading electrical systems (ensur- ing buildings can handle the variable supply of renewable energy while maintaining reliability and operability); intelligent load management (using smart controls to align energy consumption, while maximizing environmental benefits); battery storage and backup integration (incorporating storage solu- tions for energy reliability and resilience). To fully capitalize on clean energy, buildings need high-performance mechanical systems, so MCW's focus in this regard is threefold: aligning heating, cooling, and ventilation systems with energy availability for peak performance; implementing advanced controls to optimize energy consumption and reduce waste; and enhancing insulation, windows, and other structural elements to reduce overall energy demand. Lovely writes, "By integrating smart technologies, data-driven energy man- agement, and resilient infrastructure, buildings can transition smoothly into a cleaner energy future." Innovation of another kind was recently demonstrated by Sprint Mechanical Inc., which has been kept busy on a variety of projects requiring its extensive mechanical services, including the 4th Intake at Enwave's John Street Plant (Sprint's team was responsible for the installation of new pumps, heat exchang- ers, and chilled and lake water pipes within the facility). Sprint is also adept at solving problems associated with mechanical contracts, a case in point being Scarborough General Hospital, which recently underwent a significant renovation and required Sprint to install three chiller units, four fans, and one air handling unit onto the roof. The weight of all these units, combined with the precarious nature of the location, required meticulous planning and exe- cution; plus, the hospital had to remain operational throughout the renovation. In order to safely install these units, the Sprint SGH Team collaborated with LGH (a global leader in premium lifting and rigging rentals) to acquire special- ized rigging for the heavy AHUs and chillers. The Sprint SGH team first determined the reach, boom height, and crane size. From there, it worked backwards to fit the rigging to the lift. Each of the three chillers weighed 5,900 pounds, and the AHU was broken down into four sections for the lift. The total weight of the unit was over 100,000 pounds, with the largest section weighing nearly 34,500 pounds. LGH supplied Sprint with multiple sizes of spreader beams to accommodate the varying load weights, and pre-rigging the beams enabled Sprint to save time and money in the field. After nearly 18 months of pre-lift planning, the 650-ton crane (one of only a few available in Ontario) was positioned on property next door to the hospital, and the hospital's critical care ward was evacuated during the lift, which was accomplished without incident. Finally, innovations in maintenance are reflected by the work of Hytec Water Systems, a 30-year-old company whose founders have devised a proven, elegant way of protecting against soft water corrosion in a wide variety of large plumb- ing systems, including high-rise and low-rise condo buildings, commercial buildings, farming operations, and industrial water systems. Hytec's system can control and arrest corrosion in copper pipes for years, even if pinhole leaks have begun to develop. First, the company introduces naturally occurring hard water minerals such as zinc orthophosphate and potassium carbonate into a building's water supply; these minerals create a paper-thin layer in plumbing that immediately arrests corrosion and the forma- tion of biofilm. Once the 100 percent safe and NSF-approved minerals are introduced, Hytec takes care of monitoring, ensuring that levels are optimum, pumps are func- tioning perfectly, and plumbing is working smoothly. Most recently, Hytec augmented its system with a remote monitoring and safety package whereby clients can view water quality levels around the clock via a myHytec online dashboard. Hytec wires its system directly into the Internet, so detailed status is reflected in real time through the myHytec interface. By knowing precisely where water levels are, clients no longer need to schedule random maintenance visits, and there's no danger of the system running out of supplies unexpectedly. A WHY IS ISLAND HEALTH USING THE TGH? IT MANAGES THERMAL ENERGY LIKE YOU DO! "I have worked at decarbonizing healthcare facilities for over 10 years. None of the other heat recovery solutions have come close to the achieving results like the TGH technology. Recently I have worked with Thermenex on five projects, saving millions in capital cost with operational cost savings to come." Ryan Galloway Technical Lead for Major Capital and New Construction for Island Health Thermenex.indd 1 Thermenex.indd 1 2025-05-12 12:24 PM 2025-05-12 12:24 PM