Royal Melbourne Hospital

The Royal Melbourne Hospital undertook a series of upgrades and improvements to modernise its systems and expand its facilities.

A.G. Coombs was appointed as Head Contractor to deliver the John Cade Building Central Plant Node and Clinical Services Building Central Plant Node upgrades, and to manage the associated complexities of working within a live operating environment.

The rebuild incorporated the supply, installation and commissioning of a new heating hot water system consisting of two 2200kW steam to water heat exchangers and two 4000kW gas fired low temperature hot water heaters.

A.G. Coombs was also responsible for the chilled and condenser water, steam, natural gas, condensate, and domestic hot and cold water systems in the John Cade Building Central Plant Node. In the Clinical Services Building Central Plant Node, A.G. Coombs undertook an upgrade of the condenser and chilled water pipework, electrical and Building Management Systems.

Following the plant upgrade was a total rebuild of the Emergency Department’s air conditioning system, including the installation of multiple air handling units, medical gases, isolation rooms, triage, seven separate plant rooms and a two-storey administration wing. A.G. Coombs also assisted with a generator upgrade.

Project handover was staged over a period of 2.5 years, with the hospital remaining fully operational at all times.