Viking Sprinkler News
Regions Hospital expansion project - St. Paul, Minn.
Viking embraces challenging project
May 19, 2009
Viking Automatic Sprinkler Co. is in the midst of a major facility and renovation project at one of the largest employers in St. Paul, Minn., Regions Hospital.
The $179 million project includes an expanded and upgraded emergency center, two levels of underground parking, and a new 900-space employee-parking ramp to allow staff to park near the hospital campus.
“We embraced the opportunity to reinforce our reputation as the premier fire sprinkler contractor in the region on this extremely challenging and high profile project,” said Viking Project Manager Sean Flaherty.
At the center of the expansion is a new 11-story, 385,000-square-foot T-shaped tower.
The top five floors of the new tower will be patient care units. Each floor will have 36 private patient beds. The third floor will be a new surgical services area with 20 new operating rooms.
Viking’s scope of work includes the installation of 13 wet sprinkler zones, six dry sprinkler systems, three wet standpipes, one double-interlocked pre-action system, and a new 1,000 GPM electric driven fire pump.
Awarded by Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors Inc., the 5,415 head job was sold by Jon Langdon, designed by Tom Chrisien, and project managed by Sean Flaherty.
The field crew, led by Mike Johnson, is on pace to finish the project on time and within budget.
The project began in November 2006 and is scheduled to be complete in October 2009. Regions’ new ER will open a few months earlier in July 2009, in response to the growing health care needs of the area.
Region’s ER is the front door for more than 50 percent of the patients cared for at the hospital. More than 71,000 patients are expected to be cared for in the ER this year.
“We’re honored to be the provider of high-quality fire protection services for a facility that will serve our community for years to come,” Flaherty said.
Mark Leroux Accepting the Safety Award
Viking once again sets the standard in safety
August 15, 2007
The Duluth office of Viking Automatic Sprinkler won the 2006 Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Award. The award is given out on an annual basis for safety performance and is sponsored by the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota and the Duluth Builders Exchange.
Viking was presented this award based on their 2006 safety performance, which was a standout performance consisting of zero recordable injuries. Viking was able to achieve these results through skilled employees with a dedication to safety. Viking's vision is to "Set the Standard" in their industry and understands that it starts with safety.
Viking Sprinkler part of Midtown Exchange project in Minneapolis
June 13, 2005
Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company is currently working on the Midtown Exchange project - on the corner of Lake Street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis.
Midtown Exchange, formerly known as the Sears Building, is a one million square foot renovation project and is one of the largest projects in the state, second only to the Mall of America.
The building has been a landmark since 1928. It was occupied as a Sears retail store and main warehouse from 1928 until the mid 1980s. The historic building has been vacant for the last 20 years, but the massive concrete structure and building exterior stayed in remarkably good condition during this time.
Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company was contracted, by Ryan Companies US. Inc., to install several new systems throughout the facility, including a fire pump, six standpipes, and close to 10,000 sprinklers. In addition a new 75,000 square foot parking structure is being built with eight additional standpipes and 650 sprinklers.
When complete in the fall of 2005 the site will be home to a variety of tenants including:
- Allina Commons health care offices (250,000 sqft.)
- Global Marketplace (75,000 sqft.)
- 70,000 sqft. of Retail/Service Space
- 110,000 sqft. of miscellaneous office space
- 128-room full-service hotel
- 53 Town homes
- 88 Condominium units
- 223 Rental Apartments
- Other miscellaneous housing facilities geared around a wide range of incomes.