Mobile Air & Power Rentals

Scope Of Work

Walsh Construction Company didn't want to let the coldest, meanest winter in recent history derail the build-out schedule for Lincoln Park 2520, a luxury condominium project near Chicago’s north side. But permanent HVAC building systems would not be operational until spring, so Walsh would have to rely on temporary heating.

The standard solution for temporary construction heating involves placing direct-fired, open-flame heaters on each floor of a building and moving them around as needed. Unfortunately, this often results in spotty temperature control, poor air quality, and high humidity. This also poses a slew of safety problems, as tradesman must maneuver themselves and building materials around both the heaters and the high-pressure fuel hoses routed throughout the building.

Walsh Construction Superintendent Jon Olsen was determined to develop a better heating plan, one that would eliminate these obstacles while enabling his team to keep building throughout the winter. To meet this need, he called Mobile Air.

The Super-Secret Solution

Drawing on past experience with projects of similar scope, Mobile Air worked with Walsh Construction to develop a new approach using the company’s exclusive, patent-pending SSF technology.

“Our SSF – aka Super-Secret Flame – heaters are changing the face of temporary construction heating, especially for larger footprints and multistory buildings,” said Ryan Boyle, general manager of Mobile Air's Illinois office. “These heaters can be located inside or outside of a building, completely out of the way of construction activities. Either way, they provide near-permanent building IAQ during even the most extreme construction conditions.”

In the case of Lincoln Park 2520, just four SSF heating systems did the work of 40 “old-school heaters”. SSF heaters controlled dry heat distribution for each condo (and selected general areas), nullifying uneven heat zones. Tradesmen and materials enjoyed even temperatures throughout the building as well as low humidity and safe setup from an IAQ and equipment location standpoint.

“SSF is brand-new technology specifically designed and built to handle these kinds of tasks,” says Boyle. “Standard construction heaters with propeller fans or squirrel cage fans are not engineered to perform at this level with the combination of new technology.”

Olsen of Walsh Construction is a big proponent of the new technology – and Mobile Air. “I know what happens when other companies spread old-style unit heaters throughout the floors,” he says. “Cold spots, high humidity problems and additional labor costs as units have to be moved continuously as the project progresses. Mobile Air’s ability to work with our team to develop a plan for even heat distribution throughout all floors enabled us to meet our finish schedule obligations without any worries about timing or product warranties.

“I’ve worked with Ryan on several projects over the last 10 years, each about one million sq. ft. in size. All these projects were unique in the way temporary heat was provided – and all worked flawlessly. No system is complete without a dependable service staff, and the Mobile Air staff is highly competent and prompt regardless of what time, weekday or holiday, might be required. They truly have become part of the team at Walsh."

“Working closely with Mobile Air for winter temporary season heating is the only way to go.”

About Lincoln Park 2520

Designed by renowned architect Lucien Lagrange, this illustrious new landmark in the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood displays a European flair rooted in the heritage of Lagrange’s native France. Each of the 39 unique floor plans – from 960 sq. ft. one-bedroom homes to five-bedroom models with up to 8,310 sq. ft. of living space – represent the quintessence of gracious living with a contemporary panache. The development boasts every convenience of modern technology along with sustainable design. Lincoln Park 2520 is a environmentally-friendly building that incorporates strategies to use fewer natural resources, less energy, save money, and create environments that protect human health.

About Walsh Construction Company

This Chicago-based general contracting, construction management and design-build firm dates back to 1898 and is currently in its 4th generation of family leadership. The firm possesses experience in a variety of building, civil and transportation sectors, including wastewater and water treatment plants, rapid transit, highway and bridgework, educational facilities, warehouses, distribution facilities, athletic facilities, correctional facilities, offices, design-build projects and more. Recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as the largest construction firm in Chicago and named one of the nation’s top 15 contractors by Engineering News Record (ENR), The Walsh Group has invested more than $450 million in capital equipment and regularly employs more than 5,000 engineers and tradesmen. The company uses union labor and union subcontractors, and maintains regional offices across North America.