McKenney’s constructed and installed a rooftop chilled water (CHW) plant, piping and duct at a new 35,000-square-foot colocation data center in downtown Atlanta.

THE CHALLENGE

McKenney’s had to install completely redundant piping with eight-inch mains and 12-foot-tall steel supports for the plant consisting of a premanufactured pump house and three 350-ton air cooled chillers. The major electrical and mechanical equipment—as well as piping and supports—had to be lifted to the roof during one weekend with a shared crane. Working on an elevated platform, the team had only 10 days for installation after pipe placement on the roof and no option for “stick-building” the piping system.

THE SOLUTION

To minimize safety risks, the McKenney’s team spent nearly 1,500 hours manufacturing completely assembled headers including engineered steel supports in advance at its fabrication facility. McKenney’s 16-member crew then safely lifted all of the equipment and piping to the roof.

THE RESULTS

The team completed the installation in less than a week—with no major safety concerns—allowing the CHW system to start up on schedule.