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DURANGO, CO — Nestled amidst the rugged peaks of the San Juan Mountains, lies the historic Strater Hotel—a timeless icon of Victorian architecture and hospitality. For Brook O’Roark, a seasoned mechanical contractor with over two decades of experience spanning from Pennsylvania to the Southwest, the Strater Hotel project represented both a challenge and an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a landmark known for its elegance and charm.
The Strater Hotel project, however, posed a unique set of challenges. Built in 1887, the hotel’s aging infrastructure required an upgrade to its heating and cooling systems, particularly urgent given the risks associated with the outdated two-piped steel system. This system, which circulated hot water for heating and chilled water for cooling, was not only inefficient, but also posed a potential hazard of catastrophic failure—a concern that weighed heavily on the hotel’s management.
“The old system was a glycol steam line system that used hot water for heating in the winter and chilled water for cooling in the summer—the same water, both hot and cold, ran through the pipes,” said O’Roark. “The system had been installed during a renovation in the ‘70s and was long overdue for replacement.”
Altitude Backflow, LLC
Trained as a union pipe fitter in Pennsylvania, O’Roark moved west to the Colorado area, where he honed his plumbing skills and extended his expertise to the intricate mechanics of HVAC systems—a crucial aspect of his work ranging from residential homes to commercial businesses. He founded Altitude Backflow, a company that specializes in backflow prevention in addition to general plumbing and HVAC services. This venture reinforced O’Roark’s commitment to innovation and compliance with stringent regulatory standards—a testament to his dedication to quality and reliability in every project he undertakes.
Working with Dahl Plumbing, the local distributor of premium plumbing and heating products, the hotel management determined that a Mainline® heating and cooling system that features highly efficient technology that is specifically designed to operate at low ambient temperature typical of Colorado would be the ideal solution. Representatives at Dahl that were familiar with O’Roark’s established expertise in installing these types of systems recommended him for the project.
“As you might expect, in hotels it’s typical to have one guest that wants their room cooled and another guest that wants their room heated. This new technology uses refrigerant to transfer that heat or that cooling to different rooms to make it highly efficient,” explained O’Roark.
The PressACR System
The project, meticulously planned over three years and divided into phases, began with Phase One in early 2024. This initial phase focused on retrofitting 13 guest rooms, setting a benchmark for comfort and efficiency. Each phase demanded careful planning and execution, with O’Roark collaborating closely with the hotel’s maintenance engineer as they navigated the complexities of retrofitting a historical building without compromising its architectural integrity.
Enter the NIBCO®’s PressACR® system—a revolutionary approach to joining refrigeration piping that features enhanced efficiency, reliability, and safety. The scope of the project required that pressing technology be employed over traditional methods of silver soldering, which carried risks of contamination and required stringent fire safety measures. PressACR offered a streamlined, flame-free installation process. This not only mitigated risks but also significantly reduced labor hours—a critical factor in an operational environment as sensitive as a historical hotel with high guest occupancy.
O’Roark, who had not previously used pressing technology, was initially cautious about using NIBCO’s PressACR system. O’Roark had relied on conventional techniques such as silver soldering for his entire career. However, his skepticism was quickly alleviated upon learning about the system’s advantages during comprehensive training sessions conducted by manufacturers’ representative, Marshall-Rodeno Associated, at Dahl.
“The job was very intriguing,” admitted O’Roark. “I knew the system was from NIBCO, and I had installed hundreds of NIBCO valves over the years and never had a problem, so I knew it would have to be a reliable, quality system.”
Managing Complexity
Central to the success of the installation were mode boxes—complex units housing nearly 60 connections each. With eight lines coming out of each mode box, each unit serviced four individual rooms. These boxes, essential for distributing heating and cooling throughout the hotel’s rooms, required installation in the tight mechanical cavities above the hotel’s hand-painted ceilings.
Leveraging PressACR’s versatility, O’Roark prefabricated components wherever possible, minimizing disruption to the hotel’s day-to-day operations and ensuring that the project stayed on the established timeline.
“We used every size PressACR fitting from ¼-inch to 1-1/8-inch in each mode box along with a variety of different configurations from couplers to reducers,” said O’Roark. “We were able to get into places in very tight spots to create the connections using the NIBCO pressing system.”
The PressACR system’s ability to create secure, clean connections without the risks associated with open flames or soldering fluxes proved transformative, not only in terms of efficiency but also in enhancing overall system reliability. This was particularly crucial in an environment as historically sensitive as the Strater Hotel, where maintaining a pristine appearance and operational efficiency was vital. And the system’s efficiency was a game changer.
“We saved at least 50 percent labor—maybe even higher if we would have had to silver solder,” said O’Roark. “And that’s not taking into consideration the added savings of not needing a fire watch, where two people would be required to watch the work area for eight hours after a torch was in use.”
“This historical building was extremely flammable—just one spark in the 150-year-old-insulation, and the building could explode,” added O’Roark. “It would have been very risky, not to mention extremely costly in labor, to solder with a flame in this kind of situation. By using PressACR, we saved days and days of labor. It’s hard to even put a value on it.”
History Meets Comfort
As O’Roark reflected on the project’s success, he acknowledged the invaluable support of Dahl Plumbing, whose partnership and confidence in NIBCO’s technology played a pivotal role. The installation’s cleanliness and precision were complimented by hotel management and ownership upon starting up the new system.
“This was the most high-tech installation that I’ve completed,” said O’Roark. “Part of the thrill of this project was taking something old and beautiful and making it the most comfortable hotel for miles around.”
Looking ahead, O’Roark anticipates even greater efficiency in the next two phases, building upon his experience and leveraging prefabrication techniques to streamline the installation processes even further. Phases two and three will require double the number of rooms to be renovated.
With each phase, the Strater Hotel will move closer to becoming not only an example of historical preservation, but also a model of modern comfort and sustainability in hospitality—an achievement that O’Roark took immense pride in. As guests return to experience the hotel’s new comfort and efficiency, they will unknowingly enjoy the fruits of O’Roark’s labor—and a testament to expertise, collaboration, and technological advancements.
For more information about NIBCO’s PressACR system, visit: www.nibco.com/brands/nibco/press-systems/pressacr/