While planning to install linear wall-to-wall convector heaters on a perimeter curtain wall at the 150 North Riverside Plaza high-rise building in downtown Chicago, the owner sought an effective way to maintain the aesthetic of the building without sacrificing floor space.
Custom convection style heaters, along with a custom-shaped bracket developed by Thomas Sales & Marketing, a manufacturer’s representative of mechanical and electrical products, proved to be the game-changing solution.
Custom convection style heaters
150 North Riverside Plaza features perimeter curtain walls that consist of floor-to-ceiling 12-foot windows
“Convector heaters use the natural room air currents to heat the space, ensuring that guests are met with warmth and comfort from the time they enter the building, until they leave,” said Andrew Martin, Manager of Product Management with Marley Engineered Products, adding “They are ideal for offices, hallways, lobbies, conference rooms, retail stores and other buildings with perimeter curtain walls.”
Located on the west bank of the Chicago River, 150 North Riverside Plaza features perimeter curtain walls that consist of floor-to-ceiling 12-foot windows.
SLQDB Series convection heaters
Although the client desired SLQDB Series convection heaters from Marley Engineered Products to be installed for supplemental comfort, heat loss and condensation prevention, the challenge came from the architectural nature of the project, as well as the need for available floor space in this 10-floor build-out.
The client preferred not to see a pedestal-mounted convector for aesthetic reasons, nor did they want to lose the six inches of floor space along the perimeter to a heater. Another issue revealed itself when the heater could not be wall mounted to the curtain wall because it required drilling into the window mullion, which would have voided the window system warranty.
Marley Engineered Products offers custom design
Additionally, the level of the curtain wall and lower sill ranged between 6" and 10" constantly changed throughout the floor, and the heater needed to be mounted level with the windowsill and match the color of the curtain wall.
“The varying heights of the window system limited our ability to install the heaters directly, where they needed to be,” said David Molk, Co-owner of Thomas Sales & Marketing, adding “Therefore, we needed a custom design that enabled us to mount the heaters properly.”
Custom bracket developed with custom length heaters
The solution was the development of a custom bracket with custom length heaters and colors
The solution was the development of a custom bracket with custom length heaters and colors, along with infield cutting/miters and the contributions of several electricians. The initial version was similar to that of a C-shape; however, the final iteration was an L-shaped bracket with a custom color to match the curtain wall.
This design ended up as the perfect solution because the brackets were ordered to the general height of that section of wall (6"-10"), leveled in field and fastened to the floor. The installer then marked and welded bolts to the bracket from which the heater was hung.
Convectors attached using bolts welded to the bracket
“David designed his own L-shaped bracket to attach to the floor and fit snuggly against the window mullion,” said Andrew Martin, adding “The convectors were then attached using bolts welded to the bracket, and everything was painted the same color as the window mullion, creating a clean, finished look and a true example of hidden heat.”
The general contractor was so pleased, in fact, that the installation method became the go-to standard convector build-out installation technique for the developer and was repeated at two more buildings in downtown Chicago: 110 N. Wacker Drive and 320 S. Canal Street.
