April 24, 2014

ABC Awards • Mechanical Construction

Photo courtesy of 7 Cedars Casino

Air Systems Engineering replaced the HVAC system of the bingo wing at 7 Cedars Casino.

7 Cedars Bingo Hall renovation
Air Systems Engineering

General contractor: Aecon Buildings

Architect: Rice Fergus Miller Architecture & Planning

Engineer: Sazan Group

Owner: JKT Gaming (Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe)

ABC members: Aerotek Construction Services; Cornell Plumbing & Heating; Tradesmen International; Star Rentals; West Coast Omniduct

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe operates the 7 Cedars Casino that provides dining and gaming for the North Kitsap area. In 2010, Air Systems Engineering partnered with Aecon to develop plans and budgets to update and enlarge the existing bingo wing of the facility. Work included replacing the aging HVAC system with a new system capable of ventilating the space using 100 percent outside air with heat recovery.

The project was scheduled to begin in late spring 2012, with the opening of the gaming floor by Christmas. However, funding was delayed until late July, shortening the schedule by eight weeks. Opening the gaming area late was not an option, and two additional bars and a restaurant were added to the scope.

To expedite work, Air Systems Engineering pre-ordered long lead time equipment during demolition. At the same time it relocated several existing HVAC units so adjacent spaces could remain air-conditioned during construction.

Although pre-ordered, much of the equipment didn’t arrive until late November, requiring Air Systems Engineering to squeeze six weeks of work into the remaining four. The volume and variety of work required contractors to stagger their installations, working in alternating shifts, including swing and graveyard shifts — all during inclement winter weather.

Air Systems Engineering’s work included setting and assembling large air handlers (48,000 cfm), a 200-ton-capacity chiller and four packaged HVAC units, as well as installing heated water piping, underground chilled water piping, controls and sheet metal connections. It also performed air balancing and commissioning.

A major challenge was a complex equipment lift into the building’s second floor mezzanine. Teams worked to provide a safe and effective lift plan that included the crane set up, fork boom equipment and hand winches.

Although there was much work to do in ancillary areas, the gaming floor opened on Dec. 21.

Air Systems Engineering held mandatory daily safety meetings among the crews to discuss plans and ensure proper coordination of the work. That helped the company achieve zero lost-time accidents in 3,154 hours worked.

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