In a building dedicated to advanced medical research, precision is critical, so Palmer Christiansen Co. counted on Victaulic products to meet the demands of a new Utah research facility. Victaulic’s grooved joining system not only ensured a quick, smooth installation but also provided Palmer Christiansen the flexibility to adapt to late design changes, keeping the project on track to meet a tight deadline. Victaulic is a major sponsor of MCAA26.
Precision, Planning, and Coordination
When the Huntsman Mental Health Institute began construction on its new Translational Research Building at the University of Utah, the facility’s design was as ambitious as its mission. The 185,000-square-foot facility will be home to the world’s only 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner dedicated to brain research and will house advanced laboratories focused on youth mental health, suicide prevention, and care for underserved populations.
For Palmer Christiansen Co., a third-generation mechanical contractor based in Utah, the project required precision, planning, and coordination at every step. The building’s curved façade, sensitive research environments, and extensive mechanical systems demanded the level of craftsmanship and adaptability that Palmer is known for. To help achieve that, the contractor partnered with Victaulic for product support and field collaboration.
‘No Room for Error’
The Translational Research Building was designed to push boundaries in both science and construction. Its geometry introduced unusual routing challenges, with angled floor plates and curved walls that required careful layout of heating-hot-water, chilled-water, glycol, domestic-water, and laboratory-air systems. The building also houses a vivarium and MRI suites where vibration and noise had to be minimized and hot work was restricted.
Learn more about how Victaulic’s grooved technology can minimize noise and vibration: https://www.victaulic.com/noise-and-vibration-attenuation/
“Everything about this project had to work together—safety, coordination, quality, and schedule,” said Brett Christiansen, president of Palmer Christiansen Co. “When you’re building a research facility like this, there’s no room for error.”
The company’s experience with high-performance health care and research facilities made it a natural fit for the University of Utah and the Huntsman Foundation. “People hire us because they expect more,” Christiansen said. “We’re not the low-cost provider. Our clients know we’ll deliver a quality installation and meet the schedule, even on complex jobs.”
Building With Confidence
Palmer Christiansen, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, has used Victaulic products for more than three decades and was one of the first Utah contractors to adopt the grooved copper system. That history gave the team confidence in both product performance and support.
When a late-stage design change required an alternate butterfly-valve disc material, Victaulic helped locate and deliver the component in time to keep the project on schedule. Christiansen explained, “Victaulic worked with us to source an alternate valve disc material on short notice so we could stay on schedule. They stand behind their products, and when we need help, they deliver.”
Palmer’s crews installed Victaulic QuickVic™ Installation-Ready™ couplings and fittings across the facility’s carbon steel heating-hot-water and chilled-water systems and the copper domestic water system. The grooved joining method eliminated hot work and fire watch requirements in sensitive research zones while providing a built-in visual indicator to verify proper installation, which acts as an added quality control measure across the Victaulic grooved systems.
“Victaulic is clean and quick to install,” said Bill Rosser, project superintendent. “We don’t need welders, grinding, or a fire watch, which keeps the jobsite safer and cleaner. We can move material easily and install with one person and a socket. That kind of efficiency keeps work organized and helps us meet the schedule.”
Adaptability in the Field
Flexibility proved critical as the project evolved. When design adjustments were introduced, Palmer’s crews could disassemble and reassemble grooved sections quickly without cutting or reworking impacted pipes.
“If a layout changes, we can immediately remove a grooved tee or add a section right there,” Rosser said. “We don’t have to haul anything back to the shop. It’s fast and clean, and it keeps the job moving.”
The grooved system offered adaptability that also allowed the contractor to plan for future expansion. Certain laboratory spaces were shelled for later build-out, and the Victaulic system layout makes those future tie-ins simple and fast.
To keep work flowing efficiently, Palmer assembled some piping sections offsite and delivered them as needed. This coordinated approach reduced congestion and helped maintain a safe, steady rhythm of installation. “Prefabrication for us is about coordination, not reducing labor,” Christiansen said. “It helps keep people safe and the job running smoothly.”
Across the job, Palmer’s craftsmanship was evident. “Our crews take pride in how the finished systems look—everything straight, plumb, and clean,” Rosser said. “You can walk through and see the quality.”
A Productive Partnership
For Keith Moon, Victaulic territory sales manager, the project reinforced a longstanding relationship built on trust and performance. “Palmer is one of the most respected mechanical contractors in the state,” Moon said. “Their workmanship and reliability make them a preferred partner on complex projects. Our role is to support them so they can keep doing what they do best.”
That collaboration, Christiansen added, was key to success. “We rely on partners who can react quickly and provide reliable products,” he said. “That kind of trust helps everyone meet their goals—the owner, the engineer, and the contractor.”
Phase one of the Translational Research Building is nearing completion, with full build-out expected in spring 2026. The project remains on schedule and continues to meet stringent quality standards. The mechanical systems have performed as designed, delivering the noise and vibration control required for precision research environments.
“From safety to performance, Victaulic helped us deliver the level of quality our clients expect,” Christiansen said. “They’ve been part of our success for decades, and that partnership continues to pay off.”
For more information, visit www.victaulic.com. MCAA thanks Victaulic for being a major sponsor of MCAA26 and co-sponsoring the annual golf tournament.
