March 21, 2008

UW's H Wing gets a big lift

By JOURNAL STAFF
Photo courtesy of BMWC Constructors [enlarge]

BMWC Constructors last Saturday lifted several pieces of mechanical equipment to the top of the H Wing of the Magnuson Health Sciences Center at the University of Washington. The mechanical contractor is expected to make a second series of lifts tomorrow.

BMWC last week used a Grove 300-ton hydraulic crane to lift a 20,000-pound air-handling unit to the top of the building's north side. Crews also lifted two chillers (weighing 6,000 and 8,000 pounds) and some smaller components, such as heat-recovery coils, an exhaust fan and duct sections. The crane had a 198-foot boom with a 70-foot jib. The materials were moved in six picks.

Tomorrow, BMWC will use a 360-ton hydraulic crane with a 184-foot boom and 160-foot luffing jib. Crews will move similar mechanical equipment to the top of the building's south side in eight picks.

BMWC project manager Kevin Flannery said they will start setting up the crane at 4 a.m. and should finish the lifts in the late afternoon.

Ness Cranes is supplying the cranes and operators. PSF is doing sheet metal work as a subcontractor to BMWC.

BMWC is a subcontractor to Skanska USA Building for the $35 million H Wing renovation, which includes a gut and renovation of five floors. BMWC's $10 million subcontract includes mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and controls.

The renovated H Wing is expected to be commissioned and tested this summer, then turned over to the university in October.