NECA contractor teams with Architect: Smithgroup, Boston, MA; GC: Consigli, Boston, MA; EE: E31, Boston, MA
Methuen, MA – Lynnwell Associates, based in Quincy, Massachusetts, has completed the complex and multifaceted electrical, tel-data and security installations at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s (DFCI) Merrimack Valley outpatient facility, located at 5 Branch Street in Methuen, MA. The new DFCI facility, which opened on January 29th, offers adult patients expanded cancer and blood disorder care with Dana-Farber’s world-leading cancer treatment and support services.
The state-of-the-art 60,000 sf Dana-Farber Merrimack facility features an environment similar to the Dana-Farber Longwood (Boston) facility. Equipped with 24 exam rooms and 32 infusion bays, DFCI Merrimack allows for patient access to Dana-Farber’s clinical trials. Expanded patient support services, include genetic counseling, coordinated care with licensed oncology social workers and with highly-specialized registered dieticians.
Lynnwell Associates comprehensive electrical scope entailed the installation of new switchgear, which included critical and life safety equipment and four additional automatic transfer switches that work in conjunction with an existing transfer switch and backup generator. The NECA contractor also provided a new, advanced lighting control system, as well as comprehensive LED lighting and specialty lighting throughout the facility. The contractor also was tasked with the installation of a new fire alarm system; Nurse Call system; a new security system complete with CCTV; and an intercom system, as well as a new paging system. In an expansion of the original project scope, Lynnwell installed a RTLS (Real Time Location System) and a CAMS system throughout the facility, as well as a new A/V system. The project also entailed installation of the facility’s extensive and complex tel/data system.
Among its many features, the new Dana-Farber facility houses a specialty Clean Room lab, which provides genetic testing and other cancer research functions. The clean room is a fully modular, prefabricated panelized system, inclusive of walls, ceiling and ceiling suspension, in which Lynnwell’s installations included vapor-tight specialty lighting.
The facility also features a prefabricated electrical penthouse, which was airlifted into place atop the 3-story facility’s roof.
The fast-track 8-month project schedule, which commenced in February 2019, was compressed by 10 weeks to accommodate Dana-Farber’s occupancy requirement schedule. Lynnwell reached substantial project completion in October in meeting the escalated schedule.
Lynnwell Associates Project Manager Bobby Falzone and Electrical Foreman Scott Reed supervised the project team, managing a field crew of 20 IBEW Local 103 electricians, which included three foremen, as well as three technicians.
Due to the compressed timeline, much of the electrical fit-out was performed in mid-summer and the facility’s glass facade created an intense heat condition inside the building. To ensure all electricians and other tradespeople were able to safely perform construction tasks without working in oppressive heat, portable air conditioning units were installed throughout the facility’s work areas.
Lynnwell Associates worked on a project team headed by general contractor Consigli. Todd Flanders, project superintendent for Consigli, commented on the team effort that was required. “Lynnwell Associates’ project team was instrumental in our ability to meet the project’s compressed schedule. They are a unique team and performed their complex scope to the highest level of quality in a facility that has very stringent requirements. All key timeline milestones were met thanks to a great cooperative effort of all our subcontractors.”
Lynnwell’s PM Falzone added, “It required a massive team effort amongst all the trades. Lynnwell Associates is proud to have been involved in such an important project for Dana-Farber and the city of Methuen, as well as the residents of Merrimack Valley.”
Project construction team contributes $3300 to Jimmy Fund
The Dana-Farber Merrimack Valley project raised a total of $3300 for Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund. The construction team collected $1100 in the community outreach effort headed by general contractor Consigli Construction’s Superintendent Todd Flanders and Lynnwell’s Foreman Scott Reed. Matching amounts were donated by Anthony and Matthew Consigli of Consigli Construction and Terva, the owner’s project representative.