Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

Main Switchgear Replacement

The scope of this project encompasses the installation of new service switchgear at the hospital, replacing aging infrastructure to accommodate the upcoming hospital expansion. The complexity of the project is heightened by the need to construct the new switchgear in a separate location, reroute existing utilities, and employ a carefully phased approach to transition from the old system to the new. Each step, from installation and commissioning to transferring substations and final decommissioning, is meticulously planned to minimize operational challenges and ensure continuity of essential hospital services.

Throughout the project, a primary focus is placed on safeguarding patient care by coordinating all construction and demolition activities with hospital operations staff. Electrical shutdowns are scheduled during periods that will not impact patient care, and when unavoidable, emergency generator power is deployed with approval from all relevant departments. The hospital’s implementation of a comprehensive Safety Risk Assessment protocol further underscores its commitment to maintaining an uninterrupted, safe environment for patients and staff during this complex infrastructure upgrade.