Des Plaines wraps the northeast side of O’Hare. Its southern half is lined with airport hotels, offices and the Rivers Casino, which opened in 2011, while industrial and distribution buildings fill the streets near the airport and the Elk Grove Village line.
The Des Plaines River also runs through town, and it floods; the April 2013 flood was one of the worst on record. Buildings with mechanical rooms below grade know that a boiler, pump or electrical panel at basement level is a risk worth planning around.
LOC-06Des Plaines · Cook County
What we see in Des Plaines buildings
- 01
Hotel systems that never rest
Guest rooms, kitchens, laundries and meeting rooms that run around the clock, where downtime is lost revenue.
- 02
Below-grade mechanical rooms
Boilers, pumps and controls in basements, worth checking after heavy rain and planning for when equipment is replaced.
- 03
Industrial heating and make-up air
Warehouse heaters and make-up air units that work hard through long winters.
- 04
Kitchen exhaust
Restaurant and hotel kitchens where exhaust and make-up air have to stay balanced.
NOTELocal notes
Good to know in Des Plaines.
Utilities
ComEd supplies electricity in Des Plaines. Natural gas is generally Nicor Gas; check your bill.
Permits
The City of Des Plaines issues building permits for commercial mechanical work.
Flooding
After any flood in a mechanical room, keep equipment off until it has been inspected. Gas valves and controls that have been under water must be checked before use.
Q&AQuestions
Des Plaines commercial HVAC questions.
Answers specific to Des Plaines. For more, see all 36 commercial HVAC questions.
Gas smell? Leave the building, don’t touch switches, and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. CO alarm? Get everyone out and call 911. No heat in freezing weather? Call us, and never use ovens or grills indoors for heat.
Our mechanical room took on water. Can we turn the boiler back on?
Not until it has been inspected. Gas valves, burners, controls and electrical components that have been under water can fail unsafely, so leave the equipment off and call for service.
If you smell gas, leave the building and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Velocity HVAC-R can inspect the equipment and tell you what can be repaired and what has to be replaced.
Can you work on hotel HVAC without disrupting guests?
Yes, with scheduling. Most hotel work can be phased floor by floor or done during low-occupancy hours, and critical equipment like boilers and chillers can be planned around peak demand.
We coordinate with the property’s engineering team so guests notice as little as possible.
Does Velocity HVAC-R serve Des Plaines?
Yes. Des Plaines is in our service area. We work on commercial and industrial buildings only.
Call 630-439-5958 to describe the building and equipment.
