With over 35 years of commercial HVAC experience under our toolbelts, we understand that solving customer problems often requires creative thinking.
That’s why, when Square One Shopping Centre hired the Springbank team of engineers to install new energy-efficient rooftop HVAC units at their busy, downtown Mississauga location, we knew a unique solution would be required to complete the job safely and efficiently.
“Recommending high-quality HVAC solutions is only part of our job. We also need to ensure that the equipment can be delivered and installed in the available workspace, regardless of its location. Sometimes, we need to think outside the box to ensure that the work is completed in the safest and most efficient manner possible. Fortunately, finding creative solutions is one of our team’s biggest capabilities.”
– Paul De Thomasis, Vice President, Springbank Mechanical Systems
The Project: Installing A New Rooftop HVAC Unit
Our team visited the customer to learn all about their needs, goals, and system configuration, and presented our recommendations for the latest energy-efficient HVAC technology custom-designed to their requirements and space.
However, as with many similar projects, delivering and installing multiple units onto the roof poses significant challenges. Using cranes to lift and lower the equipment to the target area is the traditional method; however, this mall is located in Mississauga’s downtown core, which is surrounded by tall structures and sees heavy foot and vehicle traffic.
Additionally, the HVAC units were to be installed on a lower roof elevation and at a distance of over 500 feet from the building’s edge.
Using a crane under these circumstances would be highly problematic. Not only would the project take days to complete, but delivery and installation by crane would significantly hamper ground-level activities.
After assessing all available alternatives, we recommended contracting a Bell 212 helicopter to lift the HVAC equipment via air hoist to the desired location.
Special Considerations For Airlifting Commercial HVAC Equipment Using A Helicopter
Utilizing a helicopter involves much more than securing a pilot and pointing him in the right direction. Several key considerations had to be addressed and solved before the equipment took flight, including:
Comprehensive Logistics Planning
Every aspect of the operation must be meticulously choreographed for precision and safety. Our team conducted multiple “tailgate meetings” to map out every step of the lift, ensuring all logistics were covered based on our thorough site assessment, which included weight limits and access points. We also ensured that clear communication channels were available between aviation, rigging, and HVAC crews. Furthermore, workers on the roof and ground were prepared with specific PPE for the job and safety courses about helicopter rigging and lifting.
Following Critical Safety Protocols
Heavy-lift projects carry inherent risks to public safety, worker safety, and property safety. We took every step to ensure the safe air delivery and installation of the HVAC units by:
- Controlling ground-level pedestrian and vehicle traffic during the operation
- Ensuring the HVAC unit was rigged correctly with secure, balanced attachment points
- Prepping the site to remove any debris that could be affected by the helicopter’s powerful rotor downwash
Securing Applicable Permits And Coordinating With Stakeholders
Urban settings in particular require permits before conducting such an operation, especially in this location where an international airport is nearby. We secured the required documents while coordinating with city officials, federal airspace representatives, and local air traffic control to secure flight paths and arrange temporary closures.
The Results: A New Energy-Efficient HVAC System Installed With Speed, Precision, And Cost Effectiveness
The entire airlift was completed in just 1 hour with minimal disruption to ground-level activities, saving the customer a significant amount of money by avoiding costly road closures and traffic management.
Our HVAC technicians were then able to get the rooftop up and running in hours, rather than days or weeks, with minimal impact on their daily business operations. Faster installation also meant that the customer could reap the energy savings that their new system delivered sooner.
The project was completed to the customer’s complete satisfaction, providing another big win for the Springbank team.
“We take pride in being problem solvers for our customers through collaborating on creative, cost-effective solutions that get the job done. This approach to building trusted partnerships has helped us grow into a leading commercial HVAC service provider in Toronto and Southern Ontario, and it’s a tradition we believe will help move our industry forward.”
– Paul De Thomasis, Vice President, Springbank Mechanical Systems