Mechanical Piping Plumbing Journal 2008

ing system, which creates heat by burning fossil fuels or powering an electric element, the environmentally-friendly geothermal heating system typically cuts heating cost by 50 – 70 per cent. With these kinds of statistics, it’s easy to understand why the Manitoba Hydro Tower project is creating such a buzz. According to the Environmental News Network (ENN online), cities such as Minneapolis are looking to the Canadiandesigned Hydro Tower project as inspiration for future building projects in the Twin Cities. Given that there is such a similarity in climate between Winnipeg and Minneapolis, it is likely that the Hydro building will serve as a model to the Americans. In addition, employees of the Hydro Tower project will undoubtedly add to the positive buzz when they occupy this new space in May 2008. According to Manitoba Hydro representatives, the building will provide a healthy and effective modern office environment for its 1800 employees and private tenants. Below are a few of the features that visitors and employees can look forward to: • offices with 100% fresh outdoor air 24/365; • maximum exposure to natural daylight as fully unobstructed floorplates were included in the building design; • a waterfall in the south atrium entrance, which will provide humidification; • large entrance canopies at the main entrance to tame wind tunnel effects for pedestrians (Winnipeg’s intersecting Portage Ave. & Main St. area is notorious for its nasty, cold winds); • seasonal rooftop terraces for meeting space; and • accessible “green” roof space that 68 Underfl oor fan coil Inground geothermal piping Roughing-in wall hung toilets South Atrium Entrance - March, 2008 Inside 1/9 mechanic rooms in the building Dave Posthumus, Mechanical Superintendent, Derksen Plumbing & Heating (1984), Ltd. will feature living mosses, grasses and lichens. When asked about his day-to-day experiences on the Hydro Tower job site, Posthumus is quick to mention the word ‘unique’. First off, the fact that all of the mechanical systems are located under the floor is something that he’s enjoyed getting used to. “Instead of buying our guys a couple hundred ladders for the job, we’re buying them knee pads.” Posthumus is also quick to point out that although he currently has a solidly skilled group of Derksen employees, they’re always looking for more workers to satisfy the demand in the field. “We need more plumbers and pipefitters,” he explains, “Manitoba needs to do what it takes to insure skilled trades are not leaving the province. This is only one of the bigger mechanical jobs in Manitoba and we could Mechanical Contractors Associations of Alberta, B.C., Manitoba & Saskatchewan 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Mechanical Piping Plumbing Journal 2008

Mechanical Piping Plumbing Journal 2008 Contents MCA Canada Chairman MCA Alberta MCA British Columbia MCA Manitoba MCA Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Saskatchewan Manitoba Demographics & Management Employees Insurance – The Pros & Cons of Subguard® Construction Sector Council Data Richmond Olympic Oval Uses the Ice to Heat Things Up B.C.’s Hydrogen Highway™: The Hydrogen + Fuel Cell Alternative The Manitoba Hydro Tower Project Index to Advertisers

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