In
order to bring a multi-story hospital wing up to 1998 code standards, Mahaska
County Hospital did a complete retrofit of its mechanical system. This included
installing
Ruskin’s FSD60V combination fire/smoke damper. By working within
the restraints of the existing structure, the design engineers were able to
deliver an efficient solution without the expense of new construction or
redesign. The FSD60V combination fire/smoke damper is unique in that it can be
installed with the actuator and accessories on either the top or bottom of the
damper, and with the blades oriented vertically. This made it the ideal solution
for the hospital which had 36 inch wide shafts.
The professionals who operate hospitals understand the importance of good air
quality in maintaining a healthy environment. Unfortunately, many health care
facilities don’t have the proper systems or adequate ventilation to meet
current codes. That was the case for Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
In 1965, the hospital was remodeled and expanded. This included building a new
multi-story wing. In 1998, the hospital decided to do a complete retrofit of the
mechanical system in the new wing and bring everything up to 1998 codes. To meet
this challenge, the hospital retained KJWW Engineering Consultants (Kimmel
Jensen Wegerer Wray) to engineer the renovation. In addition to meeting the new
code standards, KJWW Engineering Consultants knew the project would include
problems with existing space that would be difficult to solve.
The 1965 system used a dual duct design with constant volume terminal boxes.
The hot and cold air spiral ductwork ran through vertical chases located in the
exterior wall of each patient’s room. The free area of the chase was used to
draw return air back down to the mechanical room. Supply air was routed to the
register in the window sill located on each side of the shaft.
The biggest obstacle was figuring out how to bring the system up to 1998
codes without requiring additional space. The existing shafts were not fire rated and none of the penetrations were
protected with fire or combination fire/smoke dampers. The plans called for new
fire rated wall construction and combination fire/smoke dampers for penetrations
in all shafts.
Many of the applications had three ducts penetrating the shafts above the
ceiling, one hot supply and one cold supply and one return air. Because the shafts were only 36 inches wide, it was impossible to use
standard style combination smoke dampers with side mounted actuators and
accessories. They would be too wide to properly fit in the space.
KJWW Engineering Consultants turned to its local Ruskin Representative,
Hart-Hammer, Inc., of Des Moines, Iowa, and contractor Cunningham, Inc.,
Oskaloosa, Iowa, for help. Working together, Cunningham, Hart-Hammer and KJWW
Engineering Consultants found that Ruskin’s FSD60V combination fire/smoke
damper offered the performance and flexibility necessary to get the job done.
This combination damper can be installed with the actuator and accessories on
either the top or bottom of the damper, and with the damper blades oriented
vertically. Code-approved installation takes less space than a conventionally
mounted damper and retains the U.L. listing.
By mounting the actuators at the top of the existing chases, the hospital was
able to update their system without the expense, or time, involved in
redesigning or building a new one. With the use of the Ruskin FSD60V the project
was completed on time and economically.
For over 40 years Ruskin has manufactured leading edge dampers and louvers
like the FSD60V combination fire/smoke damper.
Copyright ©2000
Ruskin
