Engineering HVAC Solutions Around Ongoing Pharmaceutical Operations
At AWB Engineers, our design philosophy centers on precision, adaptability, and attention to detail. Principal Engineer Pawel Szczurko recently led a project that put all three to the test: upgrading the HVAC system at a fully operational pharmaceutical compounding facility.
Because the facility needed to remain in production throughout the project, our team had to devise solutions that respected both the complexity of the existing infrastructure and the continuous demands of a live manufacturing environment.
Designing Around a Live Operation
With operations running 24/7, this project called for strategic planning and exceptional coordination. The existing HVAC system included rooftop units and HEPA filtration systems built into the ceiling spaces—serving clean-room-grade environments that demand rigorous standards for air quality, pressure control, and real-time monitoring.
The challenge was to improve the system while maintaining uninterrupted operations and doing so without compromising the building’s structural integrity.
Reinforcing the Roof—From the Inside
The building’s original steel structure wasn’t designed to accommodate additional rooftop equipment. Simply placing more HVAC units on the roof would have introduced dangerous stress levels. So instead, we engineered a custom reinforcement solution inside the building, enhancing the steel structure to support both the added mechanical load and the wind forces acting on new ductwork.
Clean Rooms Require Clean Design
In pharmaceutical environments, HVAC systems do more than regulate temperature. They safeguard human health. Every element—from air filtration to pressurization—must meet strict regulatory standards and operate flawlessly, around the clock.
That’s why our team takes time to go beyond code compliance. We apply specialized knowledge and decades of experience to anticipate needs, avoid disruptions, and engineer with intention. And we listen to our clients’ goals, concerns, and the operational realities they face.
Trusted to Deliver, Proud to Support
Our work on this pharmaceutical project is one more example of how AWB Engineers helps mission-critical facilities modernize and evolve without sacrificing safety or performance.
Whether we're supporting human health, high-performance spaces, or high-stakes operations, we’re proud to design systems that work as hard as the people utilizing them.
