Veteran Administration Fort Wayne Medical Center Specialty Care Clinic Addition

HEAPY was selected to provide Fire Suppression, Electrical, Plumbing, and Technology services for the design and construction of a new 17,000 SF Specialty Care Building on the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, Fort Wayne Campus. This state-of-the-art facility will significantly enhance healthcare delivery for Veterans in the region.

The new facility will provide Veterans with improved access to essential services through dedicates for Audiology, Dental, Eye Clinic, and Education/Nursing Services. The project includes demolition of the existing building and parking area to accommodate the new construction. Specialized medical equipment and detailed healthcare planning are key elements of the design. The VA Space and Equipment Planning System (SEPS) was used to provide a program for design, which includes stacked IT and electrical closets for each floor and two large passenger elevators to serve the first and second floors. Site design incorporates new sidewalks and signage to ensure clear access for Veterans and their families from existing parking areas and sidewalks. The building is designed with future expansion in mind.

Electrification

HEAPY helped develop a concept for an all-electric heating plant solution to comply with the “Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability” dated December, 2021. This new order establishes goals for electrification, pollution free electric, reduced carbon emissions, electric vehicle targets and net-zero building goals. This building is one of the first in the nation to take a huge step towards compliance with the EO by avoiding fossil fuels altogether.

The mechanical system will feature a central air handling unit (AHU) system with electric variable air volume (VAV) boxes throughout. The heating and cooling plants are designed to support both current and future building additions.

To support the increased electrical demand of the HVAC system, medium voltage power will be pulled from the opposite side of the campus and routed through new duct banks. Underwriters Laboratories Master label lightning protection will enhance safety, alone with a new fire alarm system that includes pull stations, smoke detectors, and voice/alarm devices, which will be installed per NFPA guidelines. Installed Nurse call systems will meet per FGI/VA requirements, while Security cameras, access control, and paging speakers will be fully integrated throughout the building and connected to the existing campus systems.

New fiber and copper backbone cables will replace existing lines from Building 1 MDF. Telecommunication outlets will be installed throughout, with CAT 6A wiring in line with station standards. Additionally, new domestic water heaters will be installed to meet hot water demand, and all plumbing fixtures will match station specifications.