To meet cooling needs in weather that fluctuates between 80 and 100 degrees with high humidity eight months out of the year, the Rush Health Systems complex in Meridian, Miss., had always added on to its central four-pipe chilled water and boiler system as the complex expanded over the years . However, increasing patient dissatisfaction with thermal comfort led Fred Rogers, vice president, chief resource officer and facility manager, to seek alternatives to handle the needs of the complex, which is housed in four major structures totaling 1.2 million square feet.

When a multimillion dollar renovation of the third floor women services center began in 2005, Rogers decided to provide individual HVAC zones for each room in the 14,500-square-foot labor and delivery center. He chose the CityMulti VRFZ (variable refrigerant flow zoning) two-pipe system, which delivers simultaneous cooling and heating via variable refrigerant flow design, an inverter-driven compressor and a branch circuit controller. The system automatically adjusts the compressor motor speed to deliver the needed amount of refrigerant.

Rogers chose among multiple styles of indoor units, such as ceiling-recessed cassettes with square grills and 4-way deflectors or ceiling-concealed ducted units, to meet the needs of each space. The indoor units run from 24 decibels at low speed to about 47 decibels at high speed.

Rogers plans to deploy the systems in the final two phases of the renovation, the C-section wing and 46 more patient rooms.

Rogers expects the new HVAC system to increase the capacity of the central system, be energy efficient and decrease the load on the existing chillers.

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC HVAC

HILTI
CP 637 firestop mortar is a quick-setting compound for firestopping a variety of applications including large penetration openings in floors or walls. Can be troweled, poured, or pumped and sets in as little as two hours. The product bonds to most steel, concrete and masonry substrates, according to the company. It is water-resistant, a smoke barrier and provides a heat sink.

DUPONT FIRE EXTINGUISHANTS
FE-13 is a clean agent Halon 1301 alternative for total flooding and inert applications in occupied areas for Class A and B fire assets. Storage temperatures from –40 degrees to 130 degrees F. Nozzle coverage area is 30-by-30-feet, with a maximum nozzle height of 25 feet. Zero ozone-depletion potential, according to the company.

BLAZEMASTER
Metacaulk pipe collars are prefabricated and intumescent for through-penetration firestop systems using 1-1/2 inch to 6-inch PVC, CPVC, ABS, PVC foam core, ABS foam core, FRPP, PEX pipe and electrical cable. Installs with a simple locking device. May be used on up to 3-hour rated concrete floors and walls or up to 2-hour rated gypsum walls or wood floors.

ANSUL
The Inergen 200 Bar System is a fixed-nozzle fire suppression system with zero ozone-depletion potential. The inerting agent is stored and flows as a gas mixture of nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide that is safe for discharge in occupied areas, according to the company. Typical protected hazards include computer rooms and switchgear.

FLEXHEAD
The commercial ceiling sprinkler works with any contractor-installed sprinkler head, according to the company. The flexible hose is available in 2- to 6-foot lengths. The sprinklers can be reconfigured without draining or disassembling the hard pipe. Approved for use with light-, medium- and heavy-load grids.

HARRINGTON SIGNAL
Acclimate is an addressable photoelectric smoke detector with 135 degree F thermal sensing. On-board software combines the signal from the thermal and photo elements to avoid nuisance alarms. Detector sensitivity can be programmed in the control panel and unit adjusts its sensitivity according to the installed environment.

GENTEX CORPORATION
The SSPKWLP Series is a low profile, wall mounted, synchronizable 24VDC speaker/strobe. Available in a red or white faceplate, it provides 25 or 70.7 VRMS speaker voltage, tamperproof selectable candelas of 15, 30, 60, 75 and 110, and a frequency range of 400-4000Hz. A fixed 15/75 candela unit is optional.

SYSTEM SENSOR
The ExitPoint PF24V directional sounder can play a recorded alert message, such as “exit here,” with a total of 15 single and combination language choices, including English/Spanish and English/French. Between voice instructions, a pulsating tone consisting of broadband low, mid and high sounds, available in four patterns, helps occupants locate the exit.

3M
Novec 1230 fluid is a Halon replacement with zero ozone-depletion potential, an atmospheric lifetime of five days and a global warming potential of one. It is non-conductive, non-corrosive and fast-evaporating, according to the company. The fluid can be applied in streaming, flooding, inerting and explosion-suppression applications. If it is banned or restricted as a fire protection agent within 20 years, the company will refund the purchase price.

FIRE-LITE ALARMS
The IPDACT module transmits alarms from a fire alarm control panel via any IP network line. Unit connects directly to the primary telephone port. A standard phone line serves as backup. Supervised line functionality detects off-line alarm panels. Supports dual destination IP receiver addresses for high redundancy configurations.

COOPER WHEELOCK
The POWERPATH Series PS-24-8MC is an 8-amp, 24VDC, filtered, regulated, supervised remote power supply/charger for supervision and expanded power-driving capability for fire alarm notification appliance circuits. May be connected to any 12V or 24V fire alarm control panel. Capable of charging either 7- or 12-amp/hours of battery backup and synchronizing company strobes and horns.

GAMEWELL-FCI
The FocalPoint Mobile is a wireless tablet PC that monitors multiple fire alarm systems in real-time, via text or CAD-type drawings. Users can view specific floor plans, identify the location and type of multiple fire alarm events and auto-navigate to them. Unit also provides a history of previous incidents. Connects via a wireless network connection or cellular broadband.

GE SECURITY
The SIGA-IPHS intelligent 4D multisensor detector has ionization, photoelectric and heat sensors and compares data against historical patterns and fire characteristics before going into alarm. Automatically updates historic information, is electronically addressable and has an integral microprocessor to make alarm decisions at the detector. Has five sensitivity settings and 20 pre-alarm sensitivity values.

NOTIFIER
Company mass notification systems encompass many options, from the FireVoice 25/50 for smaller facilities to the Digital Voice Command for larger campuses. NOTIFY-IP, a voice over IP technology, can send live voice instructions anywhere via the Internet. The portfolio includes a line of visual and audible peripheral notification appliances such as amber strobes, LED signs and speaker clusters.

SAFETY TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Transparent polycarbonate cabinet unit for automated external defibrillators is equipped with an alarm with flashing LEDs. Offers a choice of 32 unique alarm tones and independent strobe and siren timing. Product mounts on the wall and is secured with a thumb lock.

SIEMENS BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES-FIRE SAFETY
The FS-250 is a single-loop fire alarm panel, supporting up to 252 addressable inputs and 252 signal/relay outputs. Uses intelligent fire detectors that are polarity-insensitive and able to operate on standard wire with no special twist or shield. The panel is programmable from the keypad or through Windows-based PC programming software.

SILENT KNIGHT
The IFP-NetUL software monitors up to 16 IFP-Series intelligent analog/addressable fire control panels. Users can auto-navigate to the device in alarm, zoom for floor plan detail, or reset and silence the panel. Pull-down menus and proximity displays provide device-specific information and functions. Records operator, event and response with a time and date stamp. Can provide fully linked multimedia information labels.

SIMPLEXGRINNELL
The TrueAlert text messaging appliance is an electronic readerboard with a two-line LED display that stores up to 32 preprogrammed emergency messages. It is compatible with the company’s addressable fire alarm systems and can be mounted to a wall or suspended from the ceiling. During non-alarm periods, the display can show general messages.

3M FIRE PROTECTION
Fire Barrier pass-through devices are fire-rated up to three hours and can be used from 0 to 100 percent filled. They work with a fixed fire-rated intumescent material that expands in a fire, a foam smoke seal and optional mounting or stud bracket. Available in 2-inch or 4-inch round or square shapes.