2024 MHCEA Spring Conference Speakers

May 14-15, 2024
St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center
10 4th Ave S
St Cloud, MN 56301

General Session Speakers

Energy Saving Strategies and Energy Code

Brad Kettunen, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Senior Associate, Mechanical Engineer, Dunham Associates

Brad has 24 years of experience in the field of mechanical engineering. He designs HVAC and plumbing systems, primarily focused on systems serving hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and medical office buildings. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He is a registered professional engineer and a LEED accredited professional with a Building Design + Construction designation, as well as an active member of the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE) and the Minnesota Health Care Engineers Association (MHCEA).

Paul Riemer, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Senior Associate, Mechanical Engineer, Dunham Associates

Paul is a registered Mechanical Engineer and Senior Associate at Dunham with 20 years of experience in the industry. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a LEED-accredited professional with a Building Design and Construction designation.

He has an ardent interest and specialized expertise in sustainable engineered systems for the built environment, including geothermal heat pumps, displacement ventilation, and heat recovery. He has extensive experience analyzing energy consumption at different stages of a building’s life, including predesign, design, commissioning, measurement and verification, and ongoing performance. His proficiency spans across both new construction and existing buildings, with concern toward design, LEED, MN Sustainable Building Guidelines/Sustainable Buildings 2030, retro-commissioning, and utility rebate programs. Paul regularly presents on topics pertaining to building systems and energy to various industry groups.

Justin Thiner, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Partner - Electrical Engineer, Dunham Associates

Justin is a registered professional engineer, who has been active in the field of electrical engineering since 2005. His career has focused primarily on the planning and design of electrical power distribution, lighting, lighting controls, communications, life safety, and emergency power systems serving complex healthcare facilities. This includes assessments, upgrades, remodels, and new construction of clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals, and medical campuses. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from South Dakota State University. He is a LEED accredited professional with a Building Design + Construction designation and is an active member North Central Electrical League (NCEL), the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the Twin City Healthcare Engineering Association (TCHEA), and the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE).

Abstract

Minnesota adopted a new Energy Code on January 1, 2024. This presentation will provide insight into the changes that the new energy code requires for compliance. We will discuss pathways to compliance with the energy code for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. We will explore requirements that are specific to healthcare environments with ASHRAE 170 and the energy code. As part of the presentation, we will also review energy savings strategies that go above and beyond the requirements of the energy code.

Learning Objectives

• Understand a high level implications for your design projects as it relates to the new Minnesota Energy Code.
• Pathways to compliance for MEP systems with the energy code.
• The energy code and ASHRAE 170 compliance
• Innovative energy savings strategies for MEP systems

FGI Guidelines, What you need to know

Dustin Rehkamp - Healthcare Architect

Dustin directs a multi-disciplinary team to create successful and effective solutions for health care clients. His experience spans various sectors with complex needs, from healthcare to recreation and corporate campuses.

Dustin has 20 years of experience working with influential healthcare organizations and is skilled at healthcare campus planning and development, project management and client relations. His leadership and technical prowess enhance each project.

Dustin is a co-chair of the MN AIA Government Affairs committee. He is the vice-chair of the ASHE Health Care Decarbonization Task Force. He is on the TCHEA executive committee, WHEA Code Committee, WHEA Sustainability Committee and part of the ASHE Equity and Diversity task force. Dustin is a certified healthcare architect with the American College of Healthcare Architects. He has a passion for mentoring the next generation and has been an ACE mentor since 2013.

Justin Thiner, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Partner - Electrical Engineer, Dunham Associates

Justin is a registered professional engineer, who has been active in the field of electrical engineering since 2005. His career has focused primarily on the planning and design of electrical power distribution, lighting, lighting controls, communications, life safety, and emergency power systems serving complex healthcare facilities. This includes assessments, upgrades, remodels, and new construction of clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals, and medical campuses. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from South Dakota State University. He is a LEED accredited professional with a Building Design + Construction designation and is an active member North Central Electrical League (NCEL), the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the Twin City Healthcare Engineering Association (TCHEA), and the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE).

Abstract

he design of hospitals and clinics is a very specialized industry and can be overly complex. Developing a basic understanding of the various types of codes will empower you to be able to ask important questions, keep your facility construction costs down, and assist for future modifications as well as accreditation reviews.

Recent legislation the adopted the 2022 FGI guidelines as baseline for hospital construction. While most projects have already been using the 2018 and 2022 guidelines, this will now become a code requirement for any new construction or remodel in and I-2 occupancy in Minnesota. This adoption brings with it a variety of questions regarding which code to be used with Joint Commission still using NFPA 101 - 2012.

Along with NFPA 101 – 2012 and the 2020 Minnesota state building code, these are the baselines for any building renovation or new construction. There are different terminologies between NFPA 101, IBC and the FGI guidelines. A basic understanding of the differences between certification, accreditation, licensure, and building permits and the codes that influence these will assist in maintenance of existing facilities and the construction of future ones.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the overall codes required for Healthcare design in Minnesota and gain familiarity with agencies responsible for enforcement.
• Understanding basic programming requirements in healthcare and how FGI is organized.
• Achieve an overall understanding of code minimum for Mechanical and Electrical system in healthcare.
• Understand requirements and recommendations dictated by FGI and what the implications to design projects are given the recent change in Minnesota codifying FGI in the state.

Breakout Session Speakers

Longterm Track: Decoded: Delayed Egress vs Controlled Egress

Gene Jones, AHC - Allegion Healthcare Business Development Leader, Allegion

Gene has over 30 years of experience in the door and hardware industry. He has worked in various roles including distribution, where he worked with healthcare clients and general contractors across the country. Gene is currently responsible for developing the healthcare business within Allegion, supporting market development, as well as working with architectural firms, healthcare systems and Group Purchasing Organizations on various initiatives and projects. He is also an Architectural Hardware Consultant and lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Abstract

The possibility of elopement or theft often motivates the use of locking systems that deter passage thru egress doors, but building, fire and life safety code requirements must be met. This course will cover two types of systems used to deter egress, and the code requirements that apply to each. Understanding these systems can help ensure that the correct components are specified and installed, and that the system will be code compliant.

Learning Objectives

• Distinguish between the delayed egress and controlled egress applications.
• Properly apply code requirements for fire door assemblies and positive latching to applications with electrified hardware.
• Differentiate between the two code sections relative to electromagnetic locks, and which release devices are required for each application.
• Identify delayed egress locks and the applications where doors may be locked in the direction of egress for additional security.
• Apply the stairwell reentry requirements to doors serving egress stairs, including the various options allowed by NFPA 101 – The Life Safety Code and the International Building Code

Hospital Track: Temporary HVAC (What happens when your heating or cooling is compromised?)

Brian Burke, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Partner, Mechanical Engineer, Dunham Associates

Brian has been active in the field of mechanical engineering for over ten years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota State University. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional with a Building Design and Construction designation. Brian is a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE).

Brian has extensive experience with the design of HVAC, medical gas, and plumbing systems for commercial, education, and healthcare facilities. He has applied his skills to a variety of projects, including infrastructure assessments, upgrades, remodels, and new construction projects. Brian also specializes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling software used to validate system design. He is a Partner at Dunham and has focused his career on the healthcare market and has led the mechanical system design of many significant projects.

Eric Krause - Director of Regional Hospital Facilities Operations, Allina Health

Eric Krause serves as the Director of Regional Hospital Facilities Operations overseeing seven metro and regional hospitals within the Allina Health network. In this role, he manages the daily operations of facilities across campuses, ensures regulatory and accreditation compliance, and provides oversight for construction projects at these medical institutions.

Eric's journey in healthcare began as a master plumber in Montana. He later ventured into education, establishing a business aimed at teaching students the intricacies of proper boiler operation. Additionally, Eric holds a Minnesota 1-B boiler operator license, further demonstrating his expertise in facility management.

With a commitment to professional development, Eric has obtained certifications as a Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager (CHFM) and a Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC). He has also contributed significantly to the healthcare engineering community, having served as the President of the Minnesota Healthcare Engineers Association. Currently, Eric is actively involved in various American Society of Healthcare Engineering task force committees, where he continues to make valuable contributions to the field.

Justin Thiner, PE, LEED AP BD+C - Partner - Electrical Engineer, Dunham Associates

Justin is a registered professional engineer, who has been active in the field of electrical engineering since 2005. His career has focused primarily on the planning and design of electrical power distribution, lighting, lighting controls, communications, life safety, and emergency power systems serving complex healthcare facilities. This includes assessments, upgrades, remodels, and new construction of clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals, and medical campuses. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from South Dakota State University. He is a LEED accredited professional with a Building Design + Construction designation and is an active member North Central Electrical League (NCEL), the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the Twin City Healthcare Engineering Association (TCHEA), and the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE).

Abstract

How do you facilitate temporary HVAC systems during a planned or emergency outage? This presentation will address the process of addressing an outage of your HVAC systems and the impact to patient care during the outage. We will touch on the methods for evaluating the conditions within the space that should be maintained during the outage. We will discuss the need for a multidisciplinary team to evaluate the impact of the outage and the acceptable method for providing a temporary solution to the outage. We will discuss the implementation of temporary HVAC systems through the eyes of a facility manager.

Learning Objectives

• Continuing patient care during an HVAC outage
• Temporary HVAC system condition evaluation
• Temporary system options depending on the patient care areas served
• Implementation considerations and applications

Longterm Track: Helpful Hints to Have a Compliant Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan in Assisted Living Facilities

Bob Dehler, PE - Engineering Manager, Minnesota Department of Health

Mr. Dehler is a professional engineer with over 27 years of engineering experience including over fifteen years at the Minnesota Department of Health. He has managed the engineering program for about the last 9 years.

Bob graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a degree in civil engineering and is a licensed engineer in the state of Minnesota. As the manager of the engineering services section, he is responsible for the plan review and inspections of construction in health care facilities throughout the state of Minnesota. The section enforces licensure requirements of the State of Minnesota and federal certification requirements of the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS).

Bob is a member of ASHE (American Society of Healthcare Engineers), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association and the Healthcare Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) of The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI).

Bob graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a degree in civil engineering and is a licensed engineer in the state of Minnesota. As the manager of the engineering service section, he is responsible for the review and inspection of construction in healthcare facilities throughout the state of Minnesota. the sections enforced licensure requirements of the state of Minnesota and federal certification requirements of the state of Minnesota and feral certification requirements of the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS).

Bob is a member of ASHE, NFPA, and the healthcare guidelines revisioned committee of the Facility Guidelines Institute

Abstract

Bob will talk about the statutory requirements around fire safety and evacuation plans for assisted living facilities. One of the major items of confusion for assisted living facilities is the requirement of the fire safety and evacuation plan. MDH Engineering hopes to clear any confusion with the fire safety and evacuation requirements in this session. We will discuss what we have found on other providers plans and you may find some helpful hints for your facility.

Learning Objectives

• Review assisted living law and the requirements for fire safety and evacuation plan
• Discuss what the department of health engineers are looking for on survey
• Learn what to include and what to not include on your plan
• Clarify staff and resident training of evacuation procedures

Hospital Track: MDH issues and adoption of FGI for hospitals

Benjamin Zwart, PE - Health Care Engineer, Minnesota Department of Health

Benjamin Zwart is a Public Health Engineer at the Minnesota Department of Health in their Health Regulation Division, Engineering Services Section. He received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1997 and has been a Registered Professional Engineer since 2002. Mr. Zwart has worked for the Minnesota Department of Health since 2003. He is responsible for plan review and approval of construction plans for health care facilities. He conducts on-site inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with Life Safety Code and other applicable state and federal rules and standards. He also provides technical assistance to design architects and engineers on issues regarding health care facilities construction.

He has three girls, twins that are 14 and an 17 year old. They tend to keep him on his toes.

Abstract

Abstract Details Coming Soon.