Kimelman Cancer Institute at Schneider Regional Medical Center

Project Details

Background

The Kimelman Cancer Institute at Schneider Regional Medical Center serves a critical role in providing oncology care for residents across the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, the tropical environment of St. Thomas presents unique challenges for mechanical systems. High humidity, salt-laden air, and the ever-present threat of hurricanes significantly accelerate corrosion and mechanical failures.

Traditional HVAC equipment, not specifically designed for such conditions, would fail prematurely—driving up costs, increasing downtime, and putting patient comfort and safety at risk. Addressing these environmental challenges was essential to ensure reliable and efficient operation of the facility’s HVAC infrastructure.

Challenge

The design team faced several obstacles in creating a system that would withstand the harsh island environment:

Climate & Corrosion:

High humidity and salty ocean air required heavy-duty construction and protective coatings to prevent rapid deterioration.

Hurricane Resilience:

Equipment had to be protected against storm damage while remaining accessible for service.

Limited Service Resources:

With few local technicians available, the design needed to prioritize reliability, simple operation, and components that could be serviced by typical mechanical contractors without specialized expertise.

Facility Constraints:

While indoor mechanical systems are ideal in this climate, existing space limitations required outdoor installations.

To solve these, air-cooled chillers were enclosed within hurricane-rated walls and given enhanced corrosion protection.
Outdoor air handlers were specified in stainless steel construction, a rare capability offered by only a few manufacturers.

Solution

Working collaboratively with TLC Engineering, WR Nash, and SVL, a robust and resilient HVAC solution was delivered:

Custom Air Handlers:

Nortek custom air handlers were fabricated in stainless steel to resist corrosion and withstand long-term outdoor exposure.

Chiller Design:

Daikin scroll compressor chillers were selected for their proven reliability and ease of service. Units received an additional layer of protective coating in Florida before being shipped by ocean freight.

System Redundancy:

Redundant systems were integrated to ensure continuous operation during service events or storm recovery.

Collaborative Support:

Daikin Applied Latin America provided critical coordination and startup assistance, ensuring systems were optimized for the hospital’s unique conditions.

SVL played a pivotal role in refining the air handler design, balancing the needs of the building, the owner, and the contractors to deliver a solution tailored to both performance and durability.

Results

The new HVAC infrastructure ensures:

Reliability in a Harsh Climate:

Equipment built with corrosion-resistant materials and coatings is expected to achieve long-term performance despite the island environment.

Serviceability:

Use of standard, non-proprietary components allows local contractors to maintain the equipment without requiring specialized expertise.

Energy Efficiency:

With electricity costs at $0.43/kWh—over four times the U.S. average—efficient operation directly reduces operating costs.

Resiliency:

Redundant systems and hurricane-protected installations provide peace of mind for both facility operators and patients.

Together, these improvements ensure the Kimelman Cancer Institute can continue delivering uninterrupted, world-class care in one of the most challenging environments for mechanical systems. By combining durable design, energy efficiency, and serviceability, the project provides long-term value and peace of mind for patients, staff, and facility operators alike.