Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center is a spinal injury treatment center owned and operation by Los Angeles County. The Owner plans a 16-phase building expansion through the year 2003, at which time it will contain 1,340,000 SF of office and hospital space, all served by the central plant.

The plant contains three (3) 1,150-ton steam fired, two-stage absorption chillers, (2) 1,125-ton high efficiency electric chillers, a 5-cell ceramic cooling tower, four (4) 25,000-pph high pressure steam boilers, heat exchangers, water pressure booster system, water softeners, hot water heaters, 12 kV electric distribution and 6 MW of 480-volt diesel engine driven generators with fuel storage and transfer system. It utilizes the latest in absorption chiller technology with double effect steam fired units.

The plant was designed for a 3.2 MW (electric output) cogeneration option. The project also provided a 1,000-foot utility tunnel, new domestic hot water system, domestic cold water system expansion and modifications, storm drain and sanitary sewer system modifications, new fire protection water loop, fire alarm system and energy management and control system.

LSW Engineers was recognized by CELSOC with the 1996 Honor Award, Engineering Excellence for its work on this project.

Owner: County of Los Angeles
Size: 50-acre Medical Complex; 5,600-ton Chilled Water Plant; 100,000-pph Boilers and Site Distribution
Construction Cost: $25,000,000 (plant and utilities)
Completion Date: 2003