Strategic Alliances

Systems integrator important part of Norwood redevelopment

By John Karman

Projects with many complex IT systems are rarely hiccup-free. Often the main issue is that no single person is responsible for the integration of the various systems, resulting in long drawn out commissioning processes, disconnects among the various trades and sometimes last minute changes that are expensive. If someone is in charge, they’re generally one of the suppliers that knows their system but is not well-versed in others. This is particularly true for stipulated sum or construction management procured projects, though not the case for the CapitalCare Norwood redevelopment in Edmonton. The project is a combination of new construction and renovation of the existing Angus McGugan Pavilion. Once complete, the facility will house 350 continuing and post-acute care beds and include out-patient services geared to better serving an aging population.

EXPANDING CARE IN EDMONTON

In Canada, large and complex facilities with extensive healthcare technology systems are often procured using a public-private partnerships model. This means ownership and operation of these

Rendering courtesy Dialog

systems rests with the consortium, which then hires a specialist to direct the systems integration.

The method of delivery for Norwood is construction management. With this type of procurement, the construction manager is hired to manage the work for the client and there are separate tenders for the various trades like the mechanical and electrical contractors.

Norwood is a particularly complex project that has a combined total of 26 different healthcare technology systems, building management systems and communication systems, some of which have been custom designed for the facility. Further complicating matters is not all departments use these systems in the same manner.

Given this, the project team decided an independent systems integrator was needed. They developed a robust set of specifications, linking the role to each electrical system, as well as elevators, building automation systems, door hardware and other components. A cash allowance was then included in the electrical contractor’s tender price to cover the systems integration scope of work.

SMP Engineering was awarded the electrical design contract and is responsible for the systems integration design and creating use cases as part of the design process. Details were developed through a series of in-depth workshops. A responsibility matrix outlines the duties of each team member, including clinical users, Alberta Health Services (AHS) IT department, constructors, designers and AHS equipment planners.

Following this, a request for proposal was issued to five firms to bid on the systems integration component of the work. After a lengthy selection process in which several parties participated, the contract was given to Johnson Controls.

THE SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR ALSO TAKES AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SCHEDULING ALL INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES WITH THE OVERALL CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPANCY SCHEDULE.

THE PERFECT PARTNER

A systems integrator is responsible for a wide variety of issues related to the implementation of the design, including a review of all shop drawings and conducting a gap analysis of IT, healthcare technology systems and building infrastructure systems on the project to ensure integration is addressed and the individual systems can communicate with each other. The systems integrator also takes an active role in scheduling all installation, testing and commissioning activities with the overall construction and occupancy schedule. Key to this is the coordination of all systems with AHS’ IT department to ensure compatibility with its network.

A fundamental role of the integration specialist is to facilitate the use case study workshops with clinical as well as facility management and engineering staff to finalize details and ensure system programming and integration allows for their needs. The workshops also provide an opportunity for each system to be preconfigured and programmed appropriately to avoid major reprogramming during the commissioning process.

Further, the systems integrator must direct and witness all testing at subsystem and systems levels prior to calling for full third-party commissioning.

SUCCESSFUL TEAMWORK

The first use case studies with Norwood clinical, facility management and engineering, and IT staff have now been completed. Detailed discussions have unearthed some unexpected potential for improving facility operational efficiencies.

The final commissioning of the systems is still some time away with the project anticipated to be completed in 2022, but all parties involved feel the process will produce successful results.

John Karman is a senior projects director with SMP Engineering, a Western Canadian consulting firm that specializes in healthcare facility design. John is responsible for leading the electrical team on highly complex and large projects for healthcare, laboratory and educational facilities, as well as master planning.