The City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA, is a national cancer research center and hospital. ACCO was the general contractor responsible for the building construction and MEP for this new central plant. The project was constructed under the guidelines of OSHPD.

The Central Plant consists of three 1,750-ton chillers with primary pumping and variable speed secondary pumping. Thermal storage is integrated into the project by the use of a 2.2 million gallon chilled water storage tank that is erected adjacent to the Central Plant building.

Heat rejection for the system is accomplished by a 3-cell, induced draft, fiberglass cooling tower. A concrete basin is utilized as the support structure and water basin. The new heating plant consists of three 600 boiler horsepower steam boilers by Cleaver Brooks.

ACCO became involved in this project in a partnering arrangement with the City of Hope and their consultants. ACCO participated with the gas and electric utilities to study three system approaches: ice storage, gas absorption, and chilled water storage systems. The City of Hope selected the chilled water storage system. They recognized that ACCO’s technical skills and know-how would benefit the hospital in leading a team through the design and construction of the project.

Project Data

• 2,200,000 Gallon Chilled Water Thermal Storage
• 5,250 Tons of Cooling Capacity

Project Team

• Owner - City of Hope
• Engineer - Ove Arup & Partners
• Mechanical Contractor - ACCO Engineered Systems