This video shows our recent work upgrading the HVAC systems at Pattonville High School. This was part of our $10.2 million energy conservation project with the Pattonville School District. As part of the HVAC system upgrade, 32 roof top-mounted HVAC units needed to be removed and new units installed.
The layout and space around the High School did not lend itself to using a conventional crane to lift the units off the roof. So Navitas, and their mechanical contractor partner Integrated Facility Solutions (IFS), engaged Midwest Helicopter Airways and their air crane helicopter to do the lifting.
It took almost a month of work to get the site prepared and schedules to coordinated in order to pull this lift off. Since the High School is just down the road from St. Louis’ Creve Coeur Airport and not far from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, flight plans had to be coordinated and filed with the FAA.
Pattonville High School is also a popular site for community events, and we wanted to make sure that no one was in the building during the lift for safety reasons. So, we worked with the school district to pick a day during their winter break when teachers and students would be away from school and no events were scheduled.
Once we had a date scheduled, the next step was to coordinate the actual lift. Navitas worked with IFS to plan the sequence in which the units were removed and replaced so that we could use the air crane efficiently. A staging area was created in the parking lot of the school so that the old equipment could be dropped off quickly and the new equipment picked up.
As the date drew near, Navitas worked with the IFS crew and the folks from Midwest Helicopter Airways to prepare the site. Extra care was taken to remove or fasten down anything that could possibly be sucked up into the rotors of the air crane or become flying debris that could harm someone.
Site safety was a big concern, so both Navitas and IFS had safety directors on site during the entire lift event.
Our last obstacle was the weather. As many of you know, the weather in the Midwest in late December can be unpredictable. But we were fortunate to have a good day for flying on the day of the lift.
All the crews did an amazing job. The lifts went as planned and the crews work quickly and efficiently. All old unit were removed, and all the new units were installed. The air crane performed 70 lifts and was able to do it in an hour and a half, which is an outstanding performance.
Thanks to everyone who made this possible. Great Job!
Click here to find out more about our project with the Pattonville School District.