Case Study
Biala Community Health Centre EC Fan Upgrade
Here's a showcase of past work completed by SABE Services Group
Client: Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Sector: Healthcare
Duration: 1 week
Biala Community Health Centre (CHC) plays a vital role in delivering accessible, community-focused healthcare services, supporting the health and wellbeing of local residents through a range of clinical and support programs. Maintaining safe, hygienic, and well-ventilated amenities is essential to meeting healthcare standards and ensuring a comfortable environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
SABE Services Group recently delivered a comprehensive toilet exhaust fan upgrade at Biala CHC, replacing two failed axial fans with high-performance EC fans to improve reliability, airflow, and energy efficiency. Following a detailed site assessment, our projects team managed and executed the full scope of works, including removal of existing axial fans, modification of ductwork, installation of new EC fans, and the design and installation of a new auto changeover control panel.
Challenge
The project presented several significant logistical and operational challenges. The existing plantroom was located on Level 8 of the building, while lift access was only available to Level 7, requiring all equipment to be manually transported up the final level via stairs. This was particularly difficult given that each of the replacement fans weighed approximately 80 kg, creating handling, safety, and installation constraints.
The original axial fan arrangement operated on a run-and-standby configuration controlled by a manual changeover switch located on the main control panel. This required maintenance technicians to physically attend the plantroom each month to alternate the fans, increasing labour requirements and the risk of human error. In addition, the non-return dampers installed within the ductwork had failed, and access to the duct section was severely restricted, making replacement difficult without major disassembly of existing services.
Further complexity was introduced by the discharge roof cowl location, which could only be accessed using a safety harness. This created additional safety requirements as access was necessary to ensure the new fans could achieve their intended performance.
Solution
To overcome the access limitations of the site, SABE Services Group project technicians carefully transported the new EC fans up the final staircase from Level 7 to Level 8, manoeuvring the units through a standard doorway and into the plantroom. This approach allowed the installation to proceed safely while working within the building’s existing constraints.
Following the safe decommissioning and removal of the failed axial fans, sufficient access was gained to remove the defective non-return dampers located within the ductwork. With the system opened, new ductwork transitions, flexible connections, and replacement non-return dampers were installed. These components were prefabricated and designed to utilise the existing support structure to support the weight of the new EC fans.
A new automatic changeover control panel was designed and installed by the SABE Services Group BMS Division. The new control system replaced the manual changeover switch and enables automatic duty cycling between the fans on a weekly schedule, removing the need for routine manual intervention.
Results
The upgraded system was successfully commissioned with the new EC fans operating at the required design duty via a 0–10V control signal directly from the Innotech controller. The new control strategy provides automatic changeover between duty and standby fans on an agreed 7-day cycle, with automatic changeover also occurring in the event of a fan fault, ensuring continuous and reliable operation.
As part of the SABE Services Group holistic approach, specialist safety equipment was used to gain safe access to the roof exhaust cowl, allowing the discharge to be cleaned and restored to full operating condition. This ensured the new fans could operate at maximum efficiency and deliver the required performance. Replacement non-return dampers were also installed to restore correct airflow direction and ensure the ventilation system operates as designed.
The project not only restored airflow to the facility but also delivered a complete system upgrade. The installation of energy-efficient EC fans, combined with fully automated controls, removed the need for manual changeover, reduced ongoing maintenance requirements, and improved overall reliability, safety, and energy performance of the system.
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