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Dynalectric and OSU: Making Connections for Medical Research

Each year in the United States, more people are disabled or die as a result of heart and lung diseases than from any other disease entity. In Ohio alone, there are currently one million people afflicted with heart and lung diseases. The statistics are staggering. The need for research is significant.

Diseases of the heart and lungs are preventable. The root of that prevention begins with fundamental research, followed by education, and proactive medical efforts. The Heart and Lung Institute of The Ohio State University (HLI) was created to develop just such a broad-based program.

The HLI is a nationally and internationally acclaimed center of excellence for fundamental heart and lung research. Located on the OSU campus, adjacent to the hospital and other medical buildings, the new, state-of-the-art HLI facility was designed and built to attract the best scientists, trainees and other critical staff needed to drive the research efforts.

The 130,000+ gross-square-foot structure serves a multi-purpose function, housing both research and academic facilities for the University. The HLI features an expansive, open atrium area at the entry, 52 working laboratories equipped with the latest in high-tech equipment, a multi-function instructional auditorium, academic and administrative offices for cardiology and pulmonary medicine, and other core facilities.

Construction of the HLI began in June 1998; projected occupancy is slated for June 2000. Dynalectric secured the electrical contract for the sophisticated, six-story research facility, working in tandem with project architect, DGI, and general contractor, Messer Construction. "At Dynalectric, we were both pleased and honored to earn the electrical contract for the Heart and Lung Institute at OSU," said Dynalectric President Gene Belew. "This building project goes well beyond a physical structure. Our work here directly supports the Institute's critical research. We are proud to contribute to such an important effort."

Dynalectric project general foreman, Sib Goelz, managed the electrical work for the HLI project, with an average of 30 Dynalectric electricians on site each day during peak construction. Dynalectric's extensive contract work at the facility included the installation of all electrical and data wiring. Dynalectric installed 94 electrical panels; wired two electrical substations in the building's penthouse; ran 774,500 feet of wire and 156,000 feet of conduit; installed 2,168 lighting fixtures, including a sophisticated dimming package in the auditorium; and ran 175,900 feet of data and phone wire for 1,216 voice and data drops throughout the facility.

In addition, Dynalectric managed a significant high-voltage cutover to provide a stable power source to the building. To complete the task, Dynalectric electricians excavated and intercepted two 13,000-volt underground cables feeding OSU hospital, and built concrete manholes around the cables. They spliced new cables to the existing underground cables, providing a power feed to the new HLI facility.

Dynalectric also installed the temperature control system, the fire alarm system and coordinated the standard wiring feeds for the elevators. One challenging aspect of the contract work was the electrical wiring in the atrium. "The expansive atrium is open all the way to the top of the building," said Marvin Dollery, DGI construction administrator. "Dynalectric did an excellent job ensuring that the large area was well lit, and that all of the electrical wiring was well-hidden."

For added protection, the intricate conduit, electrical and data connections that run to each of the 52 research laboratories were wired with clean power sources. Further, Dynalectric color-coded all of the circuits for easy identification and maintenance.

"Given today's advanced technology, any research building of this caliber will require complex HVAC and electrical systems," remarked Ralph Hudson, Director of Facilities Planning for Health Sciences at OSU. "Due to the nature of its function, this building has very sophisticated lab facilities that require intricate electrical systems, supported by uninterrupted power sources," he said. To provide that electrical safety net, Dynalectric installed a 1250 kW generator on the penthouse floor.

Using a crane, Dynalectric installed the massive, 23,850-lb. generator, as well as two transformers, weighing 15,200 lbs. each, on the building's top floor. These large fixtures were brought in through the side of the penthouse walls and placed on steel-framed pads built expressly to secure their substantial weight. "Because the generator, transformers, and all of the main switchgear were located on that top floor, we had to plan as best as we could to set the majority of the wiring after that penthouse floor was completed," explained Dynalectric project manager, Bob Miller.

"This project has run smoothly due to the commitment of a dedicated team. The three primary contractors on this job worked well, and worked well together," said Hudson. "We were fortunate that they all had such qualified people working in the field. The end result speaks for itself."

Project Facts
OSU Heart and Lung Institute: Down To The Wire
Project duration: 2 years
Data Drops: 1,216
Amount of conduit laid: 30 miles
Amount of wire installed: 181 miles
Number of lights installed: 2,168
Number of Dynalectric employees - peak: 30

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