26 PROJECT
The level of thermal comfort varies depending on the type of clothes worn ; the movement of air around the person ; the heat of surfaces in the immediate surroundings ; moisture contained in the air ; and the metabolism rate ( which includes the layers of skin ) all contribute to the temperatures felt by the patient . It is not just a case of putting the patient into any available room .
Of course , the ICU has to be maintained as a sterile environment so that patients don ’ t succumb to infection – something which is especially dangerous in burn victims . To maintain the desired temperature , humidity and level of sanitation required , both plumbing and HVAC had to be scrutinised . Detailing the integration of plumbing solutions , Ndlala highlights the use of a calorifier for efficient steam utilisation in water heating . " The calorifier , akin to a large geyser , harnesses steam from the hospital ' s boilers to produce hot water . The hot water is circulated around the facility through a multilayer pipe composed of PE-RT and aluminium .”
The hot water system was designed to avoid creating any ‘ dead legs ’ that could reduce the effectiveness of the hot water circulation . Recirculating hot water is crucial in hospitals as it ensures that hot water is always available at the right temperature for sanitation , patient care , and comfort . The design ensures a consistent temperature throughout the system is maintained , prevents delays in getting hot water , and minimises the risk of bacterial growth in the water supply .
The huge colorifier
The project started in 2022 with the demolition of the pre-existing burns unit . Work continued until 2024 . Back up water installations had to be done ,