Mercy Circle
Complex health care facility system receives 100% certification from the Department of Public Health
Client
The Sisters of Mercy
Location
Chicago, IL
The Project
Mercy Circle started in the architects’ mind as a five story retirement home owned by the Sisters of Mercy in Chicago. After protests and lawsuits from their neighbors, the final product was a three story project with independent livings units, assisted living units with an Alzheimer’s wing and a commons area with a fully functioning kitchen.
One of the challenges of the installation was the coordination of systems between the various wings of the building. The fire alarm had several annunciator panels that all had to talk to each other in case of a problem. The skilled nursing call system and the memory care system all had to talk to each other as well.
Receiving certification from the Illinois Department of Public Health for a health care facility is always a challenge, but our systems and installations were passed with flying colors.
The Challenges
The Shamrock Solution
Shamrock Electric was involved with the architect for three years helping to value engineer the project to meet the needs of the Sisters and the wants of the neighbors. Multiple services totaling 5,500 Amps to supply 110 units and the needs of the common areas were backed up by a 650 kW diesel generator. Time is money and after a three year delay, the schedule was compacted as much as possible to get the units occupied. Shamrock Electric met the schedule without a hitch.