Oxygen Tank Installation Marks Major Milestone in Construction Project

Why it matters: The UCSF New Hospital at Parnassus Heights (NHPH) team installed oxygen tanks without disrupting the flow of oxygen to the existing hospital. When activated, the tanks will supply oxygen to both the existing and new hospitals.

• It took a year and a half of preparation work, beginning in December 2022, to install the tanks.

The big picture: The installation site on Mt. Sutro required significant preparation. Superintendent Saleh Fadhel said the team had to shave part of the hill and build a massive shoring and retaining wall.

• "We installed 380 soil nails, spanning from 40 to 85 feet long, to stabilize the hillside," he explained. This was followed by creating a shotcrete wall, foundation piles, a mat foundation, and a slab on top of the mat foundation before erecting the steel structure that encloses the tank yard.

Given the complexity and size of the tanks � one 9,000-gallon tank and two 11,000-gallon tanks, each nine feet in diameter and 35 feet tall � logistics played a crucial role.

• The tanks were transported from the Midwest, and meticulous planning was required to move and install them. "We coordinated with Bigge to set up cranes within the project fence and in the oxygen tank yard," Saleh noted. "The installation involved six pieces of equipment, and we had to work on a Saturday to avoid the busy weekday traffic."

The tanks were installed on piles with anchor bolts about 12 feet long, embedded in 40-foot-deep piles. "Each tank has three legs, and each leg sits on a pile with four anchors," Saleh described. Despite facing challenges with alignment, the team successfully installed the tanks by the end of the day.

Go deeper: The installation was a collaborative effort involving multiple parties, including the contractor's team, owners' representatives, subcontractors, and specialists.

The team worked together to make on-site modifications, ensuring the tanks were installed correctly. "It was mind-boggling and awesome at the same time to see everyone come together to meet the deadline," Saleh remarked.

Next Steps: With the tanks in place, the project is moving into the testing and commissioning phase. The oxygen tanks, complete with vaporizers that convert liquid oxygen to gas, will soon be operational, ensuring a reliable oxygen supply to the existing and new hospitals.