PROJECT
radiology spaces. The hospital has also upgraded its MRI
and X-ray equipment, which required extensive fit-out by
the company.
35
2
BACK TO BASICS
Buirski says the hospital’s plumbing is a simple, yet
effective system. “We relocated the cold-water storage
tanks on site into the designated plant area room,
upgrading the system to deal with the unpredictable local
water supply. We then upgraded the existing pump system
to make allowance for the additional demand required by
the hospital and in turn meet SANS standards.”
“From the plant room, we pump domestic cold water to
all new and existing areas in the hospital and feed the
hot water generation plant. We have upgraded the old
plumbing infrastructure, and the water reticulation is now
compliant with the new system demands,” he says.
3
The hospital is making use of heat pump technology to
save electricity. “The discussion and debate was had
on solar technology versus heat pump technology, but
ultimately, the hospital went with heat pump technology
as they need guaranteed hot water as and when they
need it. It’s about reliability.”
The plant room houses a full new hot water generation
system, consisting of three 6 000ℓ hot water storage
vessels and two 60kW heat pumps that supply the new
and upgraded areas with a constant 60°C hot water
feed. The system has been designed to deliver hot water
to each point within 10 seconds of a tap being opened.
1
4
1. The shiny fire water
storage tanks.
2. Domestic water pump set
by Wilo.
3. The galvanised water
supply to the domestic
water storage tanks,
including a municipal
bypass installed onto the
building water supply, in
the event of the pump set
being out of operation.
4. Medical pipework at the
new theatre done by
Cabmed.
Continued on page 37 >>
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
October 2017 Volume 23 I Number 8