Overview:

At MEETH Hospital in New York City, our field crew completed an exhaust fan retrofit in a tight-access mechanical location where the existing ceiling-mounted unit had remained out of operation for an extended period. The project involved removal of the failed exhaust fan, installation of a new replacement fan package, manual speed control, duct adaptation, and final sealing to restore stable exhaust airflow. This case reflects a common NYC retrofit challenge, where access limitations and older building conditions shape the solution as much as the equipment itself.

Design:

Exhaust fan retrofit delivering 6,000 CFM at 2 in.wg. static pressure for a hard-to-access ceiling-mounted hospital exhaust application.

Time Highlights

• Phase 1: Disconnected electrical power and existing ductwork.
• Phase 2: Demolished and removed the existing exhaust fan.
• Phase 3: Furnished and installed a new EBM-papst exhaust fan package sized for 6,000 CFM at 2 in.wg. static pressure.
• Phase 4: Installed a manual speed controller for airflow adjustment.
• Phase 5: Installed two new duct reducers and canvas connections to adapt the new fan to the existing duct system.
• Phase 6: Sealed all joints and verified proper operation.

System Specs

🔷 Airflow: 6,000 CFM
🔷 Static Pressure: 2 in.wg.
🔷 Fan Package: BAIKAL exhaust fan with ebm-papst EC motor technology
🔷 Control: Manual speed controller
🔷 Ductwork: Two new reducers and canvas connections for integration with existing system
🔷 Application: Ceiling-mounted exhaust fan retrofit in a tight-access hospital mechanical location

Watch the video from the installation below:

Outcome

This retrofit restored a long-failed exhaust system in a hard-to-access ceiling installation and returned reliable exhaust airflow to the space. In older New York buildings, projects like this are rarely just simple fan replacements. Access, fit-up, sequencing, and restart stability all shape the engineering path. This installation shows how a constrained hospital retrofit can be executed with a practical replacement strategy and stable operational recovery.

For a deeper look at how tight-access conditions shape retrofit planning in older NYC buildings, see:
Why EC fan arrays solve the hardest HVAC retrofit problems in NYC buildings

GRR Cooling Experts. Precision retrofit engineering for critical environments.

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