ANN ARBOR - A major program to replace chillers at the University of Michigan Hospital is wrapping up, all under the noses of the facility's patients and staff.

Since mid-November, a cadre of Hardhats have been quietly working on the third level (the mechanical floor) of the massive hospital, performing Phase III of a program to replace the main cooling air handlers and associated equipment during the off-season for air conditioning.

The $3.1 million project is expected to wrap up the first week of April. Phases 1 and 2 increased the system's cooling capacity and reliability.

"We're replacing equipment that's about 27 or 28 years old that has come to the end of the line," said Doug Mayher of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 190, foreman for John Darr Mechanical. "Hopefully what we're putting in will give the hospital another 25 years of service."

Steve Carroll of IBEW Local 252, foreman for J.C. Squared Electric, said in addition to wiring in the new air handlers, sparkies spent a considerable amount of time "moving conduit around so that this will be a lot easier to do in the future."

TIGHTENING an electrical box cover is Steve Carroll of IBEW 252.

Doug Mayher of Local 190, behind three new air handling coils.