Financial institutions require a highly reliable uninterrupted power supply. With millions of transactions and trillions of dollars circumventing the globe daily, customers expect their banks to seamlessly, and securely transfer funds and close their transactions every time with no operational interruptions.
In order for global financial institutions to ensure such service, their electrical power system requires redundancy, regular maintenance, and upgrades. For that a trusted and experienced contractor is required. If not, even minuscule moments of interrupted service can have a cascading impact on consumer and business transactions that could cost millions in fees and penalties.
One such bank recognized that it was time for extensive renovations and upgrades to its New York City-based headquarters. In order to ensure the work would not have an arresting impact on the headquarters’ operations, as it remained open throughout the entire process, it was paramount for the financial institution to partner with the right electrical contractor.
For more than 75 years, electrical installer Hugh O’Kane Electric (HOK), led by President Hugh R. O’Kane, has become a leading specializer for companies seeking upgrades or expansions for their power sources throughout New York city and its surrounding boroughs. The company is wrapping up a five-year infrastructure upgrade project to the headquarters of a global banking corporation.
Significant Power Upgrades
The project involved installing five new uninterruptible power supply (UPS) Line Ups, along with the batteries and distribution associated with them. An UPS, also known as a battery backup, provides backup power when the main power source fails or voltage drops to an unacceptable level. A UPS allows for the safe, orderly shutdown of a computer and connected equipment.
Specifically, this part of the project included installing five new UPS systems, eight new mechanical substations, bus duct linking systems together for redundancy, UPS controls, a new station battery plant, critical distribution boards, a control system for UPS and mechanical equipment, new lighting, and power in equipment rooms. In addition, it included temporary wiring to support building operations while construction was ongoing.
In addition, contractors installed a new catcher UPS system. The project involved removing an existing UPS and battery room, including new distribution boards installed to power the new UPS and battery plant.
Power cogeneration, or combined heat and power, is not only a smart choice for the environment, but it’s also great for the bottom line. Cogeneration solutions represent a proven and effective way to foster a robust, long-term and resilient energy infrastructure.
For this project, HOK furnished and installed an electric building on the headquarters’ roof to support two new co-gen engines. The co-gens produce 4,160 volts that are fed into the electrical distribution system to power the building. The co-gen project also involved the install of all electric power wiring as well as all control wiring for the system.
Other key upgrades included:
Furnished and installed 4" for fiber and data raceways throughout the headquarters
Furnished and installed a new VESDA fire alarm system in the main electrical rooms; tied the VESDA into the class E system; removed the old pre-action system and installed a new one
Installed power, data and wiring for security bollards in the loading docks
In addition, extensive upgrades were carried out to the building’s lobby and plaza entrance. The work included a new reflecting pool, grass area, pole lighting, bench lighting, tree lighting, outlets. All of this was carried out while removing and relocating street lights and installing temporary power and lighting in the lobby to maintain access and operations as renovations were underway.
This is why projects of such magnitude require having the right contractor. This institutional expertise Hugh O’Kane is able to provide to private entities is paramount in order to design and implement network projects that can successfully expand their service offerings to increase their market share and gain more customers. This lineage and industry expertise has afforded Hugh O’Kane a competitive edge because it has expert knowledge of an area’s infrastructure and is able to work within the required parameters of existing power supply networks much more easily. In doing so, Hugh O’Kane is able to take the time required to provide a robust power infrastructure needed to ensure continuous, robust connectivity.