Medical Gas – RMH Group

The RMH Group provided engineering services for a major healthcare expansion in Northern Colorado designed to meet growing regional demand. The project includes a new north-side tower that will expand hospital capacity from 191 to as many as 323 beds while adding a dedicated cancer center, expanded emergency department, and enhanced imaging and cardiac services.

Phase 1 includes new imaging and cardiac catheterization facilities, as well as a medical office building (MOB) housing the cancer center. Phase 2 delivers a 229,270-square-foot inpatient tower connected to the MOB, along with a larger emergency department. The cancer center comprises 16,000 square feet of oncology space, including a 10,000-square-foot infusion center with 22 treatment bays. The inpatient tower provides 96 MedSurg and ICU beds, with infrastructure in place to support future expansion. Emergency services will be expanded with 12 additional treatment beds and 10 Clinical Decision Unit beds.

The project required an extensive upgrade to the campus’ critical mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, including fire pumps, an electrical distribution system, hot water heat exchangers, and a chiller. Technology integration was a key component of the expansion, featuring sophisticated systems for structured cabling, security, audiovisual, nurse call, real-time location services, distributed antenna systems, and emergency responder radio communications infrastructure.

While this project did not pursue LEED certification, it was designed with an emphasis on energy efficiency. UCHealth’s goal for the project was to achieve a minimum Energy Star 90 rating and an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) that meets or exceeds the State of Colorado Building Performance Standard of 172 EUI for hospitals. RMH’s engineering design of the MEP systems for the project is contributing to an estimated Energy Star 96 rating and an EUI of 161.4.

This expansion is designed with a forward-looking vision to accommodate future service growth, seamlessly integrating with the existing facility while embodying the architectural vernacular of northern Colorado. The new tower’s interior design will emphasize open, light-filled spaces that capture the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, setting a benchmark for patient-centered care in the region.

The AdventHealth Castle Rock Cancer Center is a 24,000-square-foot outpatient facility that supports medical oncology, infusion, and radiation oncology services.

RMH provided integrated mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology engineering from schematic design through construction administration. Engineering design supported specialized clinical environments, including exam and procedure rooms, infusion bays, pharmacy and administrative spaces, and a radiation oncology suite with a linear accelerator vault. System infrastructure was planned to allow future expansion with minimal operational impact.

Mechanical scope included HVAC system modifications, zoning, and integration of controls with existing base-building systems. Plumbing and medical gas systems were designed to meet oncology and infusion requirements. Electrical engineering addressed power distribution, lighting, and controls coordinated for clinical workflows and advanced medical equipment. RMH also provided fire alarm and fire suppression performance specifications, along with low-voltage systems for structured cabling, telecom pathways, nurse call, audiovisual, and paging.

Construction-phase services emphasized coordination, constructability, and system performance through submittal reviews, RFIs, and site observations. The completed facility delivers resilient, adaptable building systems supporting high-reliability cancer care for the Castle Rock community.

The expanded Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Francis Medical Center offers an exceptional level of care for infants born before 32 weeks of gestation, those weighing less than 3.3 pounds, or critically ill babies who require breathing assistance. The expanded NICU includes several enhancements:

Increased capacity from 30 to 46 beds
Two couplet rooms, allowing mothers and their babies to stay together while receiving expert, round-the-clock care. At the time, the St. Francis Medical Center’s NICU was the only one in Colorado and only the fourth in the nation to feature couplet rooms.
Additional space for caring for multiples, such as twins and triplets
Advanced room lighting designed to support and stimulate infants’ circadian rhythms
A family sleeping area with privacy partitions and fully private restrooms
An outdoor patio and wellness garden
A NICU family lounge for families of patients to connect with others in similar situations
A dedicated breast milk storage room
A family pre-discharge room to help parents prepare for returning home

The NICU expansion was the first phase of a multi-part project comprising 168,000 square feet and costing $102 million. This project also included a new emergency department, operating rooms, antepartum rooms, and space for future growth. RMH is serving as the project’s mechanical and electrical engineer, as well as the lighting designer.

The RMH Group delivered comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for the Children’s Hospital North Expansion. This project transformed a 47,000-square-foot clinic into a 236,000-square-foot pediatric hospital, addressing the growing needs of Northern Colorado and Wyoming families.

Key services included HVAC, medical gas, building automation, energy code compliance, and fire protection systems. The project utilized the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method, ensuring efficient collaboration and innovation. Notable features include wireless lighting controls and advanced standby power generators, enhancing energy efficiency and reliability. The expansion also added a new medical office building, an outpatient clinic, and critical infrastructure upgrades. This leading-edge facility now offers comprehensive pediatric services, including orthopedics, cancer care, and emergency services.

The collaboration between the project team and the Owner’s staff led to creating a facility that achieved an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 150, surpassing the future compliance benchmark of 172 EUI set by the State of Colorado’s Building Performance Standards for hospitals by 2030.

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