Addendum_#5_Electrical_Study._Revised.pdf

11/14/25

11/14/2025

Addendum #5 Study

1. Introduction.

Gadsden County, Florida has identified a requirement for a new Special/Medical Needs Shelter (SpNS) for use during hurricanes and other natural disasters. HCA Florida Gadsden Emergency Facility (formally Gadsden County Hospital) in Quincy has been identified as the potential site for this future shelter. As a result, the County contracted with AE Engineering, Incorporated who in-turn hired Simes & Rosch Engineering to evaluate the adequacy of existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems at the emergency facility for use as a special needs shelter. This report will investigate the relevant criteria, existing conditions, and required MEP upgrades for the shelter. Note that the adequacy of the structure itself will be evaluated by others and is not included in the scope of this study.

The original hospital was designed and built in the early 1980s. With the exception of approximately 16,800 square feet of patient care wings and adjacent core that make up the proposed area for the shelter, the facility was upgraded in approximately 2009, including new 480 Volt electrical distribution and generator systems conforming to NEC Article 517 and a new chilled water HVAC system with air cooled chillers. The proposed area for the shelter was gutted with most of the interior partition walls, drop ceilings, flooring, power, lighting, and plumbing fixtures removed (Photo 1 shows a typical wing).

This study assumes that the three wings will be dedicated to people with special needs and the core would be used for administrative personnel, kitchen area, equipment rooms, storage, etc. (See Sheet A1, Overall Plan in the drawings). Sheet A2, shows a preliminary concept for typical wing with cots, nursing stations, restrooms, and storage rooms as previously designed for the County by local Architect, Joel Sampson. Per discussions, the shelter will also be used for other purposes throughout the year (i.e. potentially a senior center, conference center, etc), which have not been finalized. Ideally, the design will also support these other uses.

Note that the configuration, sizing, and cost data of MEP systems below are preliminary and may change as the design matures.

2. Criteria.

Florida Building Code (FBC) Chapter 423, Storm Shelters, covers requirements for storm shelters. FBC Chapter 423 calls out 2020 ICC 500, Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, and FBC Chapter 16, Structural Design as the main source of detailed criteria for storm shelters. Chapter 7 of ICC 500 covers specific MEP system features for hurricane storm shelters, including ventilation, the number of private water closets and lavatories, drinking water, rainfall drainage, lighting, and standby power. Note that the standby power system for the shelter is required to power the standby lighting and any mechanical ventilation and shall have a capacity for at least 24 hours.

Chapter 64-3, Special Needs Shelter, of the Florida Administrative Code calls out the Florida Department of Health Guidelines for Special Needs Shelters (2016 Edition) as the source of specific requirements for Special Needs Shelters. Per the guidelines, a person with special needs is defined as someone who during periods of evacuation or emergency, requires sheltering assistance, due to physical impairment, mental impairment, cognitive impairment, or sensory disabilities. Along with the other requirements for a typical storm shelter, the special needs shelter shall have “backup generator power to provide electricity during a power failure sufficient to support life sustaining equipment for the anticipated demand”.

3. Mechanical Systems.

On June 06, 2023, personnel from AE Engineering and Simes & Rosch visited the site to survey the condition and configuration of the existing heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems as well as to recommend upgrades as described below:

a. HVAC Systems.

(1) Existing HVAC Systems. The existing HVAC systems include air-cooled chillers, heating hot water boilers, associated chilled water and hot water pumps, central station air handling units (AHU’s), fan coil units, packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHP”S) and exhaust fans. The HVAC systems were renovated in approximately 2009 and the chillers, boilers and AHU’s were replaced at this time. The 2009 renovation was limited to the area that the hospital occupies and did not include renovations to the wings that are intended to be used for the new shelter. There are 2 air-cooled chillers sized at 110 Tons each and approximately 9 central station AHU’s that serve the facility. The central station AHU”S serve critical parts of the hospital like operating and other medical procedural rooms. The patient rooms are served by PTH’S. The existing HVAC systems are in good condition but are essentially already separated from the wings for the shelter and are not recommended for use for the shelter. These systems are also not served by the emergency generator and are not intended to be provided with emergency power.

(2) Shelter HVAC Requirements. ICC 500 Section 703.6 requires mechanical ventilation systems for occupancies greater than 50 people. The required ventilation rate is 5 CFM per person and the ventilation system must be on standby power. It should be noted that the Florida mechanical code also requires

0.06 CFM/SF of ventilation air so this will be included in the ventilation calculations. The county requires that all HVAC systems serving the shelter be on standby power.

(3) Shelter Ventilation System. To comply with the ventilation requirements, it is recommended that a dedicated outdoor air system be provided for the shelter.

Preliminary sizing for this system is 1,700 CFM. Since this is a 100% outside air system, the unit must incorporate an energy recovery wheel. This system will provide ventilation air to the wings and central core area. The energy recovery wheel will provide significant energy savings and will reduce the required cooling capacity to approximately 7.5 Tons. This will be a direct expansion type unit and will not be connected to the existing chilled water system. This unit will be served by the standby generator. This unit will require a new mechanical room space for the air handling unit. The ideal location for this AHU will be in the NW corner of the core area adjacent to the west wing. The condensing unit section is intended to be located to the south of the west wing. See Drawing M1 for proposed layout.

(4) Shelter Wings HVAC Systems. The existing wings were served by a total of 36

PTHP’s. It is recommended that this same approach be used. The existing PTHP’s are in various states of disrepair so it is recommended that all 36 existing PTHP’s be replaced with new units. These units will be served by the standby generator.

(5) Shelter Core Area HVAC System. The central core area is recommended to be served by a dedicated direct expansion VAV split-system heat pump. This unit has an estimated capacity of 10 Tons. The air handling unit will be located in the proposed new mechanical room and the outdoor unit will be located adjacent to the DOAS-1 condensing unit. This unit will be served by the standby generator.

4. Plumbing Systems.

On June 06, 2023, personnel from AE Engineering and Simes & Rosch visited the site to survey the condition and configuration of the existing plumbing system as well as to recommend upgrades as described below:

a. Domestic Water Systems.

(1) Shelter Plumbing Requirements. ICC 500 Table 703.3 requires one water closet per 50 people and that water closets must be private. Lavatories are not required.

Section 703.4 requires 1 gallon of drinking water per occupant. The proposed new plumbing systems for the shelter wings is shown in the concept drawing sheet A2 that was discussed in the introduction. Each side of each wing would be provided with a new toilet room for a total of 6 new toilet rooms. Each toilet room would be provided with a water closet, lavatory, and shower. All toilet rooms would be ADA accessible. New plumbing systems for the core area would be determined based on the specific architectural layout for the core area.

(2) Domestic Cold Water. The shelter area is currently served by the domestic cold-water system that serves the hospital. The existing system is sufficient in size capacity to serve the shelter and unless there is a specific requirement by the county to provide a separate domestic water service to the shelter, it is recommended that the shelter remain connected to the existing domestic cold-water system. If desired, a meter could be added to the cold-water piping serving the shelter. This meter could be used to domestic water monitor consumption by the shelter if necessary to calculate the water cost of the shelter.

(3) Domestic Hot Water. The shelter area is currently served by the domestic hot water system that serves the hospital. The existing system is sufficient in size and capacity to serve the shelter. If desired, a new dedicated domestic water heater could be provided to serve the shelter. This water heater would be installed in the proposed new mechanical room.

b. Sanitary Systems.

(1) The shelter area is currently connected to the existing hospital sanitary system.

The existing sanitary system is sufficient in size capacity to serve the shelter and there is no need to provide a dedicated sanitary service for the hospital. It is recommended that the new and existing sanitary systems in the shelter be connected to the existing sanitary system.

5. Electrical Systems.

On June 06, 2023, personnel from AE Engineering and Simes & Rosch visited the site to survey the condition and configuration of the existing electrical system as well as to recommend upgrades as described below:

a. Power.

(1) Existing Electrical Distribution System. As mentioned in the introduction, with the exception of the wings and core that make up the proposed area for the shelter, the facility electrical distribution system was upgraded in approximately 2009 (see Partial Existing Single Line Diagram, Sheet E3). A pad-mount utility transformer (see Photo 2) feeds a 2,000 Amp, 480Y/277 Volt main Switchboard ‘MSB’ in the main electrical room that in turn, feeds normal power panelboards throughout the building. Switchboard ‘MSB’ also feeds a hospital style Type 1 Essential Electrical System as defined by NEC Article 517 (via three automatic transfer switches). The essential power system is also fed by a 500 KiloWatt (KW), 480Y/277 Volt diesel emergency generator with a 2,500-gallon sub-base tank, weatherproof enclosure and a concrete barrier wall for protection. All of this equipment appears to be in excellent condition. Note that if the existing electrical distribution system was used for the shelter, it is anticipated that the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) will not allow the shelter to use the existing transfer switches given that it does not fall under the allowable electrical loads for essential power systems as defined by NFPA 99, Healthcare Facilities. Given this and the fact that the County wants to keep the electrical service separate from the emergency facility for billing purposes, a new electrical service and meter would be provided for the shelter as described below.

(2) New Generator for Shelter. The SpecSizer generator sizing program from

Caterpillar was used to evaluate the proposed loads on the new generator (see SpecSizer report in the calculations). The estimated load for the new shelter is 244 KVA. Note that per discussions, this estimated load for the shelter includes the new HVAC system described above. Based on the fact that the existing generator appears to be fully loaded and the shelter is not part of the emergency care facility, which falls under the Florida Agency for HealthCare Administration (AHCA), the generator power for the shelter will be kept separate from the hospital essential power system described above. A new separate 300 KW diesel generator with 150 mph rated aluminum enclosure and a 72 hour subbase tank is recommended for the shelter. When a permanent generator is purchased, a walk-in aluminum shelter (with missile impact rating )should be provided.

(3) Electrical Service for the Shelter. Florida criteria for storm shelters does allow for using a portable generator with a single automatic transfer switch for providing standby power to a storm shelter as planned by the County and described in paragraph 5.a.(4) below. However, given that this facility will be used as a Special/Medical Needs Shelter (SpNS), it is strongly recommended that ultimately a permanent emergency generator be provided with a separate branch and related transfer switch for the essential power system (see paragraph 5.a.(5)).

Per ICC 500, the permanent generator should be accessible by a protected access route that meets the provisions for exterior wall and roof impact protective systems.

Based on preliminary load data, a new 600 Amp, 480 Volt underground service lateral would be provided from the existing pad-mounted 480Y/277V utility transformer to new service equipment for the shelter include a CT enclosure and meter and a new 600 Amp, 480 Volt three pole enclosed circuit breaker in a NEMA 3R enclosure.

(4) Electrical Distribution for Shelter (with Portable Generator) (Phase 1). A 600

Amp, 480 Volt feeder would be routed from a quick connect box at the service equipment to a new 600 Amp, 480 Volt Panel ‘MDP’ via a new 600 Amp, 480 Volt, four pole automatic transfer switch (with bypass) that will allow automatic transfer to a portable generator described above. 600 Amp, 480 Volt Panel ‘MDP’, located in the core, will feed all 277 Volt lighting in the shelter, as well as 480 Volt HVAC equipment (see Electrical Plan, Sheet E1 for preliminary location).

Panel ‘MDP’ will also feed new 600 Amp, 208Y/120 Volt Panel ‘SLDP’ (via a 150 KVA dry transformer) that will provide power to 225 Amp, 208Y/120 Volt Panel‘SL4’ (also located in the core) and 225 Amp Panels ‘SL1’ through ‘SL3’, located in the wings. These panels will feed all 120 and 208-Volt loads, including receptacles for medical equipment (i.e oxygen concentrators), the exhaust fans, PTAC’s, telecommunications, and fire alarm panel. See new single line diagram on Sheet E4 for more information.

(5) Electrical Distribution for Shelter (with Future Permanent Emergency Generator)

(Phase 2). A 600 Amp, 480 Volt feeder would be routed from the service equipment to a new 600 Amp, 480 Volt Panel ‘MDP’ via a new 600 Amp, 480 Volt, four pole automatic transfer switch (with bypass) that will allow automatically transfer to a new permanent generator as described above. 600 Amp, 480 Volt Panel ‘MDP’, located in the core, will feed all 480 Volt HVAC equipment (see Electrical Plan, Sheet E1 for preliminary location). Panel ‘MDP’ will also feed new 400 Amp, 208Y/120 Volt Panel ‘SLDP’ (via a 112.5 KVA dry transformer) that will provide power to 100 Amp, 208Y/120 Volt Panel‘SL4’ (also located in the core) and 100 Amp Panels ‘SL1’ through ‘SL3’, located in the wings. The panels will feed all normal power receptacles and other 120 Volt loads. Additionally, Panel MDP will provide normal power to 400 Amp, 480Y/277 Volt Panel ‘EMDP’ which will power all 480 and 277 Volt emergency loads (including the dedicated outside air unit for ventilation and lighting) and 208Y/120 Volt Panel ‘EMLDP’ (via a 112.5 KVA dry transformer). Panel ‘EMLDP’ will provide power to 100 Amp, 208Y/120 Volt Panel‘EML4’ (also located in the core) and 100 Amp Panels ‘EML1’ through ‘EML3’, located in the wings. The panels will feed all critical 120 and 208-Volt loads, including receptacles for medical equipment (i.e oxygen concentrators), the exhaust fans, telecommunications, and fire alarm panel. See single line diagram for permanent generator on Sheet E5 for more information.

Another option would be to provide the electrical infrastructure for the permanent generator system described above while using the portable generator, so that the system would not need to be reconfigured when the permanent generator is installed in the future.

b. Lighting. Most of the original lighting in the area of the proposed shelter has been removed. New energy efficient, recessed 2’ x 4’ LED light fixtures will be provided throughout the shelter. The light fixtures will have minimum color rendering index (CRI) of 80 and a color temperature rating of 4,000K. Light fixtures in the corridors and along the path of egress will be provided with 90-minute emergency batteries. Exterior light fixtures will consist of photocell controlled, full cutoff LED wall pack fixtures to replace the existing fixtures.

Lighting Control. To increase energy efficiency, a lighting control system consisting of occupancy sensors and time controls will be provided where appropriate and as required by the 2023 Florida Energy Code.

c. Telecommunications. Telecommunications Systems will be provided per EIA/TIA and the County’s standards. Per discussions, the telecommunication systems will be kept separate from the existing system for the emergency facility. Details are as follows:

(1) Telecommunications Outside Plant. 2-4” telecom service conduits (one with 4-1” innerducts) will be provided from the property line to a new IT room in the core.

See Telecommunications Riser Diagram, Sheet E5, for more information.

(2) Telecommunications Inside Plant. A wall-mounted telecommunications rack with

Category 6 patch panels will be provided (active equipment by Owner). Standard workstation outlets consisting of two Cat 6 jacks will be provided in offices and at the nurse’s stations per EIA/TIA standards. A 4” x 4” box with conduit routed above the ceiling will be provided for each workstation outlet. Horizontal Category 6 cabling will be supported by J Hooks above the ceiling.

Approximately eight network drops and related power will be provided for wireless access points (WAPs) throughout the shelter.

(3) Telecommunication Grounding. Telecommunications grounding will be provided per IEEE Emerald Book, latest edition, and TIA/EIA standards with all grounding pathways and conductors labeled in accordance with TIA/EIA 606-A. A main 18”x 4”x 1/4” copper grounding bar will be provided in the telecom room. A #6 AWG insulated grounding conductor will be provided from the grounding bar to each equipment cabinet.

(4) Cable TV (CATV) System. The point of connection for the CATV system will be a new handhole located five feet outside the building. A (4) inch conduit will be provided from the handhole to the CATV distribution board located in the new telecommunications room. Service entrance cable will be provided by the local CATV provider. RG-6 and RG-11 cabling will be provided throughout the facility (based on CATV outlet locations provided by the County).

d. Security Systems. Boxes, raceways, and power will be provided for intrusion detection, access control, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems throughout the shelter based on security systems selected by the County.

e. Fire Alarm. The existing abated area that will be used for the shelter is fed by limited fire alarm devices as part of the fire alarm for the facility. A new separate addressable fire alarm system will be provided for the shelter. The fire alarm panel will be located in the electrical room in the core with an annunciator at the manager’s office in the core.

6. Conclusions and Recommendations.

New independent mechanical and electrical systems should be provided for the shelter as described above. An assessment of the structure should be completed before a final decision is made on the viability of this facility for use as a special needs shelter. The cost estimate (to be provided with the final report) should be revisited after the final design is completed.

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