As the number of New Yorkers infected by COVID-19 skyrockets, health-department officials are bracing for the inundation of local hospitals in coming weeks by thousands of people requiring medical attention.
In response to the crisis, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a $350 million Mission Assignment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for construction of four alternate care facilities in New York — including the Westchester County Center arena in White Plains, N.Y. Dating back to its opening in 1930, the Westchester County Center has hosted tradeshows, sports, political and family entertainment events ranging from New Kids on the Block to Dancing with the Stars.
The Army Corps of Engineers allotted 21 days to complete the Westchester County Center project … and transform the arena into an alternate care facility to provide acute care. In addition, the project required construction of four MASH-style tents in the arena’s parking lot. Ruggedly built of aluminum instead of standard canvas, the four tents now house half of the total 110 hospital beds at the Westchester site.
In need of some kind of protection against freezing for the water lines into the COVID-19 field hospital, the project’s general contractor Haugland Energy Group reached out to AEF Sales.
Shown here are Nelson CLT Series self-regulating cut-to-length cables protecting water lines into and out of the four hospital tents. The cables maintain pipe temperature to prevent freezing in ambient temperatures down to -40° F. (Courtesy of AEF Sales)
AEF is local sales representative of Emerson brand Nelson heat tracing cables and accessories. The supplier has worked with Haugland on various power plant projects in the past and enjoys a strong partnership with the contractor.
Recognizing the importance of rendering the Westchester County Center operational, Emerson’s sales representatives removed all barriers to expeditiously meet the order quantity.
President of AEF Sales Pietro Fasolino (deeming the wait for delivery unacceptable) personally drove a truck more than 100 miles to the Emerson manufacturing and warehouse facility in East Granby, Conn., to pick up the Nelson cable Sunday night and ensure on-site delivery at 5:30 am Monday.
Nelson CLT Series self-regulating, cut-to-length cables maintain pipe temperature to prevent freezing in ambient temperatures down to -40° F, making it a suitable choice for New York winters where nighttime temperatures reach 0° F.
Nelson Heat Trace CLT Series heating cables provide a simple cost-effective solution for preventing frozen pipes. These cables are normally installed in commercial and light industrial applications to maintain pipe temperature and fluid flow. (Courtesy of Emerson)
As a result of the efforts of AEF and Emerson, the water lines were fully protected from the elements by the time service was initiated.
“Behind the scenes, Emerson’s team worked alongside us to rapidly get the right heat-trace cables into the hands of Haugland Energy Group contractors on the frontlines of this project,” says Fasolino.
“Emerson cut lead times from weeks to days or even hours — ensuring the quick mobilization of the alternate care facility in an emergency situation.”
“Emerson is proud to have worked closely with AEF and Haugland Energy Group as they raced to complete the Westchester project and mitigate the impact of COVID-19,” says Kelly Pierce, Sales Channel Manager for Nelson at Emerson. “Emerson’s regional sourcing and manufacturing strategies helped us identify the fastest path to move Nelson cables from the initial order to onsite delivery.”
The Westchester County Center project is a part of Emerson’s efforts to combat COVID-19 by supporting critical infrastructure and by helping federal, state and local governments address urgent healthcare needs. In most communities throughout the world, Emerson has been designated an essential business for critical industrial and municipal infrastructure — including production facilities for power, water and wastewater, energy, pharmaceuticals, refining, medical supplies and more. This designation ensures Emerson can respond quickly with the products and services required for safe, productive operations.
For more information, visit emerson.com/en-us/automation/nelson.
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Filed Under: Cables + cable management, Fighting COVID-19
