SKY TOWER - Johnson Controls

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SKY TOWER - Johnson Controls
SKY
Auckland
         TOWER
Johnson Controls installs new chiller system at Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower.
Located in the heart of Auckland, the Sky                           THE BRIEF
Tower has been an icon on the city’s sky line
for 20 years and boasts a hub of adrenaline
activities, superb dining and breath-taking
views.
                                                       1            Johnson Controls was
                                                                    awarded the Sky Tower
                                                                    project following a competitive
                                                                    tender process. The project
Offering 360 degree panoramic views up to 80                        included decommissioning all
kilometres in every direction, the Sky Tower is    end of life equipment, installing three brand
not only a premier dining venue, it also serves    new air cooled chillers on level 54, and
as a telecommunications tower for broadcasting     conduct all necessary testing before
major television and radio networks, along with    commissioning the new units.
wireless internet, and weather measurement
services for the region.                           Each chiller was to be installed in succession,
                                                   as it was imperative that the system remained
At the time of construction in the mid-1990s,      operational throughout the project. Other
the YORK chiller system was lifted up to level     critical project requirements include the ability
54 using the onsite crane. Fast-forward to         to supply fit-for-purpose products, within the
2014 when the chiller system was due to be         limited floor-space allocated.
replaced, site access limitations presented a
unique challenge.                                                    PREPARATIONS &
                                                                     INSTALLATION
Johnson Controls was appointed due to the
team’s intimate knowledge of the original
installation, and strong capability to deliver a
solution despite rigid requirements.
                                                        2            The single biggest challenge
                                                                     of this project was getting all
                                                                     three chiller units up to level
                                                                     54 in a service elevator. Over
This major project came with many challenges       a period of three weeks, Johnson Controls’
as the entire system needed to remain fully        team completely disassembled all three chillers
operational while the work was carried out.        into over 1,500 pieces that could be
Johnson Controls was also required to              strategically packed inside the Sky Tower’s
coordinate with other suppliers to ensure large    single service elevator and hoisted up to the
deliveries, and moving equipment caused            service floor.
minimal disruption to the restaurants on the
upper levels.

 Johnson Controls Case Study – Sky Tower - 2018
SKY TOWER - Johnson Controls
Each day, Johnson Controls transported the                             brazed joint between the tube and fin. By
parts required for the day’s work and                                  installing this new condenser coil, the Sky
meticulously loaded the service elevator –                             Tower gained the same cooling capacity while
maximising space and weight. The service                               using 50% less refrigerant.
elevator was exclusively booked between 5am
and 6:30am every day, to enable swift product                          Additionally by introducing new Variable Speed
transportation.                                                        Drive (VSD) scroll compressors and controlled
                                                                       condenser fans, the Sky Tower has total fan
Harsh weather conditions also meant the metal                          speed control which minimises power spikes,
work required a special highly durable exterior                        and enhances head pressure control.
paint to avoid possible future corrosion, and
every nut, bolt, and washer was replaced with                                                THE OUTCOME

                                                                            4
more resistant stainless steel substitutes.
                                                                                       Johnson Controls New
Additionally, the metal control panel enclosures                                       Zealand successfully
were replaced with GRP solutions to better                                             completed this project
protect the control equipment and wiring from                                          within five weeks, while
the prevailing winds, and the ocean breeze.                                            keeping the tower’s facilities
                                                                       operational every day with minimal
Site safety was paramount throughout this                              disruption.
project as excessive winds could blow
components off the service level where there                           Due to the number of technical and
are no barriers. Extra diligence was required to                       logistical challenges, a high level of
tie all tools and products down to ensure                              engineering expertise was required as was
everyone working, and the general public                               meticulous project management. The
below, remain safe.                                                    installation team comprised of six engineers
                                                                       working simultaneously on site and at the
                       THE EQUIPMENT                                   Johnson Controls workshop. Numerous

       3           The Johnson Controls
                   YORK® YLAA Air-Cooled
                   Scroll Chiller was chosen for
                                                                       suppliers were also working at the Sky
                                                                       Tower which Johnson Controls team was
                                                                       required to work around.

                   its superior energy efficiency,                     Despite the large challenges, Johnson
flexible control options under different loads,                        Controls delivered, installed, and
and size. These chillers deliver top-of-the-line,                      commissioned all three chillers within the
full-load efficiency for assurance of                                  required timeframe and to budget.
performance in the most demanding
conditions.                                                            The Sky Tower now enjoys the benefits of
                                                                       the new chillers which deliver greater
Installing micro-channel condenser coils                               energy efficiency. This project was one of
utilises and ultra-efficient design providing                          the largest, most challenging and rewarding
greater heat rejection. Unlike standard                                projects undertaken by the New Zealand
condenser construction, this is made possible                          service team in the last decade.
by multiple channels within the tube and a

ABOUT JOHNSON CONTROLS’ BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES & SOLUTIONS
Johnson Controls Building Technologies & Solutions is making the world safer, smarter and more sustainable – one building at a time.
Our technology portfolio integrates every aspect of a building – whether security systems, fire protection, energy management, or
HVACR – to ensure that we exceed customer expectations at all times. We operate in more than 150 countries through our unmatched
network of branches and distribution channels, helping building owners, operators, engineers and contractors enhance the full lifecycle
of any facility. Our arsenal of brands includes some of the most trusted names in the industry, such as Tyco®, YORK®, Metasys®,
Ruskin®, Titus®, Frick®, PENN®, Sabroe®, Simplex® and Grinnell®. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.
SKY TOWER - Johnson Controls
Figure 5: First chiller removed. Space available for installing
                                                                         the new chiller
Figure 1: Chiller delivered to the Auckland warehouse

                                                                         Figure 6: Installation underway on the first chiller

Figure 2: Disassembly commences on the chillers

                                                                         Figure 7: Installation is progressing

Figure 3: Replacement of the control cabinets

                                                                         Figure 8: One of the finished chillers, installed and
Figure 4: View from level 54                                             commissioned
ABOUT JOHNSON CONTROLS’ BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES & SOLUTIONS
Johnson Controls Building Technologies & Solutions is making the world safer, smarter and more sustainable – one building at a time.
Our technology portfolio integrates every aspect of a building – whether security systems, fire protection, energy management, or
HVACR – to ensure that we exceed customer expectations at all times. We operate in more than 150 countries through our unmatched
network of branches and distribution channels, helping building owners, operators, engineers and contractors enhance the full lifecycle
of any facility. Our arsenal of brands includes some of the most trusted names in the industry, such as Tyco®, YORK®, Metasys®,
Ruskin®, Titus®, Frick®, PENN®, Sabroe®, Simplex® and Grinnell®. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.
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