UH/CH Infrastructure Relocation at University Medical Center South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina

Client Medical University Hospital Authority
Size 16,884 SF

In 2010 the Medical University Hospital Authority began to evaluate the potential threat to existing infrastructure and systems servicing both University and Children’s Hospitals. The question was simple. “What do the University and Children’s Hospital lose as a result of a flood event?” The result of the assessment was a comprehensive plan to relocate mechanical and electrical systems to an adjacent building, in turn mitigating the risk of a storm surge or similar event.

This multi-phased infrastructure upgrade to MUHA’s emergency services consists of a six-story structural steel building set on top of 90′-0″ drilled shafts sandwiched between University and Children’s Hospital. The exterior skin is composed primarily of Centria metal panels with an integrated removable louver system, allowing the hospital access to perform major equipment repair/replacement in the distant future. The bottom level consists of a new loading dock and receiving area, servicing both facilities. The remaining floors house mechanical pumping systems, electrical switchgear and emergency feeders, transfer switches, steam boilers and related equipment, emergency generators and fuel system, as well as new cooling towers. Numerous tie-ins were performed connecting the new central plant to the existing facility while maintaining services to the existing hospitals.

This project helped to provide the hospital system with an entirely new Central Energy Plant, housing all major and emergency equipment above the flood plain, enabling the hospital to better protect its patients and staff in the event of a catastrophic storm.