Hospital EC Fan Array Retrofit
Hospital EC Fan Array Retrofit
Project Overview
GRR Cooling Experts completed a fan system retrofit at a hospital in New York City, replacing belt-driven equipment powered by a 60 HP motor with eight ZIEHL-ABEGG direct-drive EC blowers.
The replacement accommodated the existing upward-discharge arrangement and included an access door built into the fan wall for maintenance.
The work was completed in 12 hours. Post-startup measurements recorded 29,900 CFM at 5.0 in. w.g. static pressure.
Watch the Installation
Watch the project video to see the existing blower removal, mounting panel installation and assembly of the new EC fan array.
Discharge Arrangement and Service Access
The existing blower discharged air upward rather than using the inline arrangement more commonly encountered in GRR’s retrofit work. The replacement fan wall was configured to accommodate this discharge direction.
Service access also needed to be addressed. GRR incorporated an additional door into the fan wall to provide access for future maintenance.
Retrofit Scope
Disconnected wiring from the existing motor and removed the old blower housings, impellers, shafts and bearings.
Fabricated and installed a galvanized mounting panel.
Installed eight ZIEHL-ABEGG direct-drive EC blowers, including an additional fan for redundancy.
Incorporated an access door into the fan wall.
Fabricated eight adapters and installed eight backdraft dampers.
Installed a Baikal control panel with BACnet/IP support and individual overload protection.
Wired all eight blowers to the new panel and completed startup.
Project Execution
Removal, installation, electrical wiring and startup were completed within a total work period of 12 hours. The crew reported no major unexpected installation issues.
The work progressed through each stage to startup, with the discharge arrangement, service access and electrical connections addressed as part of the installation.
System Specifications
Application: Hospital fan system retrofit
Location: New York City
Measured airflow after startup: 29,900 CFM
Measured static pressure after startup: 5.0 in. w.g.
Previous motor: 60 HP
New fan configuration: Eight ZIEHL-ABEGG direct-drive EC blowers
Redundancy: Additional fan included within the eight-fan configuration
Discharge arrangement: Upward discharge
Service access: Access door incorporated into the fan wall
Controls: Baikal control panel with BACnet/IP support
Total work duration: 12 hours
Results
Post-startup measurements confirmed the airflow and static pressure listed above. According to the project team, the replacement delivered greater airflow and pressure than the previous system.
The direct-drive configuration eliminates belts and pulleys from the fan drive, removing the need for belt tensioning, alignment and replacement. The new access door provides access for servicing the installation.
For more on maintenance and retrofit considerations, see why older NYC buildings are moving from belt-driven fans to EC fan arrays.
Related Project
See another hospital fan modernization project: a 25,000 CFM return fan EC fan wall upgrade with three direct-drive EC fans and a dedicated control panel.
Planning a Similar Retrofit?
Explore our HVAC retrofit engineering and execution services, or contact GRR Cooling Experts to discuss your fan system, airflow requirements, controls and available shutdown window.
Project Overview
GRR Cooling Experts completed a fan system retrofit at a hospital in New York City, replacing belt-driven equipment powered by a 60 HP motor with eight ZIEHL-ABEGG direct-drive EC blowers.
The replacement accommodated the existing upward-discharge arrangement and included an access door built into the fan wall for maintenance.
The work was completed in 12 hours. Post-startup measurements recorded 29,900 CFM at 5.0 in. w.g. static pressure.
Watch the Installation
Watch the project video to see the existing blower removal, mounting panel installation and assembly of the new EC fan array.
Discharge Arrangement and Service Access
The existing blower discharged air upward rather than using the inline arrangement more commonly encountered in GRR’s retrofit work. The replacement fan wall was configured to accommodate this discharge direction.
Service access also needed to be addressed. GRR incorporated an additional door into the fan wall to provide access for future maintenance.
Retrofit Scope
Disconnected wiring from the existing motor and removed the old blower housings, impellers, shafts and bearings.
Fabricated and installed a galvanized mounting panel.
Installed eight ZIEHL-ABEGG direct-drive EC blowers, including an additional fan for redundancy.
Incorporated an access door into the fan wall.
Fabricated eight adapters and installed eight backdraft dampers.
Installed a Baikal control panel with BACnet/IP support and individual overload protection.
Wired all eight blowers to the new panel and completed startup.
Project Execution
Removal, installation, electrical wiring and startup were completed within a total work period of 12 hours. The crew reported no major unexpected installation issues.
The work progressed through each stage to startup, with the discharge arrangement, service access and electrical connections addressed as part of the installation.
System Specifications
Application: Hospital fan system retrofit
Location: New York City
Measured airflow after startup: 29,900 CFM
Measured static pressure after startup: 5.0 in. w.g.
Previous motor: 60 HP
New fan configuration: Eight ZIEHL-ABEGG direct-drive EC blowers
Redundancy: Additional fan included within the eight-fan configuration
Discharge arrangement: Upward discharge
Service access: Access door incorporated into the fan wall
Controls: Baikal control panel with BACnet/IP support
Total work duration: 12 hours
Results
Post-startup measurements confirmed the airflow and static pressure listed above. According to the project team, the replacement delivered greater airflow and pressure than the previous system.
The direct-drive configuration eliminates belts and pulleys from the fan drive, removing the need for belt tensioning, alignment and replacement. The new access door provides access for servicing the installation.
For more on maintenance and retrofit considerations, see why older NYC buildings are moving from belt-driven fans to EC fan arrays.
Related Project
See another hospital fan modernization project: a 25,000 CFM return fan EC fan wall upgrade with three direct-drive EC fans and a dedicated control panel.
Planning a Similar Retrofit?
Explore our HVAC retrofit engineering and execution services, or contact GRR Cooling Experts to discuss your fan system, airflow requirements, controls and available shutdown window.