BronxCare Return Fan Retrofit for a Critical Environment (OR Support)
BronxCare Return Fan Retrofit for a Critical Environment (OR Support)
Mar 4, 2026
Overview:
On March 1, 2026, our field crew completed a return fan retrofit at BronxCare under live hospital conditions. The existing assembly was removed and a new return fan package was installed, including custom duct transitions, a new electrical panel with overload protection, and speed control ready for controls integration.
Design: Return fan retrofit delivering 12,000 CFM with stable control for a hospital critical environment supporting the Operating Room (OR) unit.
Time Highlights
• Phase 1: Disconnected intake and discharge ductwork.
• Phase 2: Disconnected electrical and removed the existing return fan (wheel, shaft, housing, motor).
• Phase 3: Furnished and installed the new return fan and fabricated intake and discharge duct transitions to match existing ductwork.
• Phase 4: Installed a new electrical panel with overloads and a speed controller, ready for controls integration.
• Phase 5: Reconnected electrical, sealed all joints, started up, and verified stable operation.
System Specs
🔷 Airflow: 12,000 CFM (return)
🔷 Fans: Two (2) ECM fans by Ziehl-Abegg North America Why NYC buildings switch to EC fan arrays
🔷 Ductwork: Custom intake and discharge transitions to match existing ductwork
🔷 Electrical: New panel with overload protection and speed control
🔷 Control: Speed control enables right-sizing airflow to demand, improving efficiency
🔷 Completion: 7 hours onsite under active hospital operations
Watch the video from the installation below:
Outcome
In critical environments like an OR unit, airflow stability is not optional. This retrofit restored reliable return airflow and improved controllability. Speed control helped reduce unnecessary fan run power by matching airflow to demand, supporting measurable energy savings while maintaining stable operation.
For NYC retrofit planning under tight shutdown windows, see: HVAC retrofit in NYC without downtime
GRR Cooling Experts. Precision retrofit engineering for critical environments.
Request an engineering site assessment>
More installation cases on our YouTube channel>
Overview:
On March 1, 2026, our field crew completed a return fan retrofit at BronxCare under live hospital conditions. The existing assembly was removed and a new return fan package was installed, including custom duct transitions, a new electrical panel with overload protection, and speed control ready for controls integration.
Design: Return fan retrofit delivering 12,000 CFM with stable control for a hospital critical environment supporting the Operating Room (OR) unit.
Time Highlights
• Phase 1: Disconnected intake and discharge ductwork.
• Phase 2: Disconnected electrical and removed the existing return fan (wheel, shaft, housing, motor).
• Phase 3: Furnished and installed the new return fan and fabricated intake and discharge duct transitions to match existing ductwork.
• Phase 4: Installed a new electrical panel with overloads and a speed controller, ready for controls integration.
• Phase 5: Reconnected electrical, sealed all joints, started up, and verified stable operation.
System Specs
🔷 Airflow: 12,000 CFM (return)
🔷 Fans: Two (2) ECM fans by Ziehl-Abegg North America Why NYC buildings switch to EC fan arrays
🔷 Ductwork: Custom intake and discharge transitions to match existing ductwork
🔷 Electrical: New panel with overload protection and speed control
🔷 Control: Speed control enables right-sizing airflow to demand, improving efficiency
🔷 Completion: 7 hours onsite under active hospital operations
Watch the video from the installation below:
Outcome
In critical environments like an OR unit, airflow stability is not optional. This retrofit restored reliable return airflow and improved controllability. Speed control helped reduce unnecessary fan run power by matching airflow to demand, supporting measurable energy savings while maintaining stable operation.
For NYC retrofit planning under tight shutdown windows, see: HVAC retrofit in NYC without downtime
GRR Cooling Experts. Precision retrofit engineering for critical environments.
Request an engineering site assessment>
More installation cases on our YouTube channel>