The Grand Harbour Building C, an existing high-rise condo building in downtown Toronto, needed a new Make Up Air (MUA) unit installed in an extremely tight mechanical room on the top floor. We collaborated with a design-build contractor to devise a feasible solution that navigated the constraints of the small space and the building’s older infrastructure.
Challenges
Due to the small space and working in an existing older building, there were many challenges we had to overcome. The unit needed to be delivered up the elevator to the mechanical penthouse, and each section of the unit was required to pass through multiple 33” wide doors before reaching its destination.
The location of the MUA is also very tight, so we needed to make sure the unit’s overall length and width did not exceed the limitations we had. This required several design iterations and site visits to ensure we got it right.
The Solution
Our solution involved a Krueger Air Handling Unit (AHU). We worked closely with both the selection program and the Krueger engineering support team. The fan section was the biggest challenge. The initial selection started with a single direct drive supply plenum fan. However, this wasn’t feasible as the dimensions exceeded the door width along the entry path. Working with Krueger’s application engineering team, we were able to revise the fan section to a dual plenum fan arrangement. This modification, in addition to relocating the VFD, resulted in achieving the desired section dimensions.
Our Approach
To navigate the constraints, we performed multiple design iterations and site visits. By collaborating with the Krueger engineering support team, we refined our approach to ensure each section of the unit could be transported and installed without exceeding the space limitations. The dual plenum fan arrangement and the relocated VFD were key modifications that allowed us to meet the tight space requirements.
Conclusion
Overall, this was a fun project that showcased our skills in meeting challenges and helping this condo building upgrade its MUA unit. Our innovative approach and close collaboration with engineering experts ensured a successful installation despite the spatial constraints. Contact us to learn how we can provide tailored solutions for your HVAC challenges.
