Providence St. Jude Medical Center

Overview 

Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California, is a 320-bed nonprofit hospital that has provided advanced medical care to the local community for more than 60 years. 

As a longtime partner, Southland Industries supports St. Jude through a mechanical and controls service and maintenance agreement. This partnership helps ensure the hospital's critical infrastructure systems operate at peak performance while addressing the challenges of aging equipment. 

Our Approach 

To address obsolescence in the hospital's controls system, we performed a modernization upgrade on a 400-ton Trane centrifugal chiller. The existing system lacked a micro control systems (MCS) controller, which led to reduced efficiency, limited visibility, and increased maintenance costs. 

Our scope included installing a new MCS Magnum control panel with a touchscreen graphical interface, retrofitting the starter for compatibility, and programming the new control system. Our team also coordinated delivery, demolition of the old controls, installation of the panel and sensors, wiring, and system startup. 

Working within an active medical facility, we minimized downtime while overcoming challenges such as sourcing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Trane components and troubleshooting a faulty OEM oil pump. Following installation, we provided onsite training, completed condenser tube brushing, and coordinated a warranty replacement for a screen defect, ensuring minimal disruption to hospital operations. 

Result 

The project restored reliable operation to a critical 400-ton chiller and enhanced system diagnostics and serviceability through a modern touchscreen interface. By upgrading to advanced controls, we reduced maintenance complexity and improved refrigerant efficiency, with an optional purge system recommended for additional energy savings. Through proactive service and warranty coordination, our team minimized downtime and ensured consistent performance.