Copper Proves to Be the Superior Piping System for Hospital Expansion Project
Unique Building Design, Versatility And Reliability Make Copper Pipe The Better Choice Over Black Steel For Plumbing And Mechanical Systems
The Nemours/A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital chose copper over black steel for plumbing system Tweet
The semi-circular design of the new $215 million, five-story hospital building required a large-diameter piping system that was lightweight, malleable and easy to work with. Black steel pipe — the material originally specified for the project — did not meet the criteria and was proving to be difficult for the job. As a result, Binsky/Snyder Mechanical Contractors, SkanskaUSA and AEI Engineers, as a group, decided to contact the Copper Development Association (CDA) for assistance.
“We got a call from the engineer on the project asking about bending copper tube in sizes up to 2 1/2 and 3 inch so that they could have it wrap around two football-shaped additions,” said Dale Powell, project manager and piping application specialist for CDA. “Following discussions with the engineer and installing mechanical contractor, it was determined that the amount of bend required would be well within the limits for copper tube and could easily be accomplished by several local pipe bending companies.”
On the advice and recommendation of CDA, the hospital opted to go with a copper piping system instead of black steel pipe. Copper tube, of various sizes, is now being installed for domestic hot and cold water service, HVAC systems as well as for medical gas distribution. Copper’s superior performance, durability, versatility, reliability, resistance to corrosion – as well as its ease for bending and fabrication – ultimately made it the better option for this project.
According to Michael Duffy, project manager for Binsky & Snyder, “Given the radius of the building, the bending required and the weight of the piping, it was much easier for us to work with copper than steel pipe.”
When complete, the hospital expansion will consist of a 144-bed unit with underground parking. The parking garage will also connect to the existing building by means of a three-story connecting link. The building’s first floor will contain a new emergency department, atrium, retail and dining facility.
Recently, CDA released a video case study to highlight the new copper piping system installation at the Nemours/A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital.
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The Copper Development Association is the information, education, market and technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industries in the USA. Learn more at our blog. Follow us on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Tyler Brown
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Video
Photo Gallery
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The semi-circular design of the new A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital building required a large-diameter piping system that was lightweight, malleable and easy to work with. -
Copper tubes were installed for domestic hot and cold water service, HVAC systems, and medical gas distribution. -
The project design team worked at an offsite warehouse to pre-fabricate the plumbing modules for the bathrooms and medical gas systems. -
Using modular construction techniques reduced the number of tee fittings and soldered or brazed joints. -
A plumber prepares the copper piping on racks at the warehouse.
