Projects
Education Facilities
Westwood Mechanical has successfully completed projects across every level of education including K-9, high school, community college, university facilities, and laboratories. We have accomplished differing levels of certification, including LEED, and have worked with the many standards and protocols required to address varying levels of abatement, decontamination, sterilization, and biosafety. Having worked on Northern Manitoba sites we understand the requirements and complexity when completing remote access projects. We are proud of our contributions to these communities and our involvement in building educational facilities that benefit everyone.
University of Manitoba Tache Arts Complex T-2 Desautels Concert Hall Addition
The Desautels Concert Hall is located on the University of Manitoba in the Tache Arts Complex.
This project consists of the construction of a 24,650 square foot concert hall with a 407 seat auditorium, stage, orchestral pit, back of house, green room, multiple dressing rooms, sound control booth, space for audio/visual equipment, front of house reception, food and beverage concession, storage and ticketing area.
During construction it was determined that the specified rectangular ducts had to be changed to oval ducts for better sound in the theatre.
The excavation site was deep and wide in a very tight site on the University complex. Westwood updated their people on the safe work procedures for excavation and ensured the procedures were followed. Craning as well was a challenge as the craning was through the side of the building. Safeguards were followed for the safety of all. All crews were made aware when there was overhead work by Westwood or other trades on the project. During their daily meeting risks were evaluated and everyone was made aware of the possible safety issues.
God’s Lake School New K to 12 School
God’s Lake School is a remote site located at God’s Lake Narrows, Manitoba.
The project consisted of construction of a new K to 12 school in this remote Northern community. Due to the remote nature and the economy of using winter roads, drawings had to be reviewed closely and detailed drawings and material order sheets developed to ensure material was on site when required.
Working on a remote Northern location caused several risks. The cost of air freight if material was missed or the winter road delivery was negated by ensuring detailed takeoffs and early ordering to ensure all material were ship by winter roads. Vandalism was a concern as materials were bulk shipped and left on site long before they were needed. All materials were stored in lockable containers. The need for warrantee call was limited by performing complete commissioning to help prevent call backs. The weather was of great concern. Planning ahead was done when booking flights and the booking were proactively changed if bad weather was forecasted.
Ecole Margaret Underhill School Steam System
The Ecole Margaret Underhill School project consisted of demolition of the existing boiler, install of 2 new boilers, supply and install of a new roof-mounted ERV. Westwood acted as the General Contractor. Our subtrades consisted of asbestos abatement, ventilation, insulation, controls, test and balance, electrical and civil.
Adhering to the schedule was of utmost importance due to the time constraints of the school reopening after the summer break. This was accomplished by having the consultants do regular site visiting and being prepared to present resolutions to the consultants should issues arise. Purchase orders were issued for all subtrades and supplies at the start of the project to ensure timely delivers and to lock in pricing.
University of Manitoba Parker Building Steam Heating Upgrades
This project consists of the complete replacement of the steam system within the lower level of the Parker Building on the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus. The new steam and hydronic systems included steam and condensate piping and associated valves, a flooded heat exchanger, circulation pumps and condensate receivers, makeup air units, hot deck steam heating coils and cold deck chilled water coils, existing AHU upgrades with casing insulation, access doors and slide gate dampers.
The need to continue cooling in the building required the installation of the new cooling supply/return headers to a point to allow the capability to temporally utilize the existing cool deck coils for interim cooling and delaying the new cooling coil installation and final piping ties to the late summer. New safety relief valves were required to replace the 6-inch vents piping with new 8-inch piping complete with new pitch box at roof penetration.
Challenges to the project included working in proximity with the welder. Crews were reminded to use PPE as required. Daily meeting included the risks that were involved.
The discovery of possible asbestos resulted in the shut down of work until the area could be tested and abatement done by qualified experts. Crews were reminded of the need to follow asbestos protocol.