PROJECT 27 and these needed to be filtered and purified from the back up tank to remove dissolved substances such as chlorine and byproducts thereof . The back up water installation allows for continuous operation of the ward , crucial for both operational efficiency and patient care during water shortages .
“ A lot of thought went into providing consistent hot and cold water due to the special needs of a burns ICU and burns patients . “ It was of utmost importance that a system with minimal maintenance requirements was implemented – ensuring a sustainable solution for the current hospital staff and future ,” Ndlala says . Doctors and nurses were provided with showers and private ablution areas . Patients were provided with hand basins in their wards due to ICU patients generally not making use of baths and showers .
Piping was changed from copper pipes to multilayer pipe composed of PE-RT and aluminium . This meant getting the best of both plastic and metal piping systems . The substantial aluminium layer also provided stability and mechanical strength .
Throughout the project , collaboration with structural engineers and other consultants was pivotal . Ndlala highlights the seamless coordination with external partners in achieving project milestones through clash detection and general design philosophy .
Critical to the design and energy efficiency , was a pre-existing boiler at the hospital . The boilers vast capacity as a strategic advantage , Ndlala explains , " The hospital ' s boilers , originally used for water heating , proved instrumental in our humidification strategy . By utilising steam from these boilers , we minimised additional electrical load and ensured consistent , isothermal humidification in the HVAC air handling unit which was essential for maintaining air temperature stability and system reliability .
Massive back up water tank
" To manage energy consumption effectively , we integrated a steamto-steam humidifier . This innovative approach leverages existing hospital infrastructure , such as boilers , to minimise additional electrical load ," says Ndlala .
Ndlala highlights the project ' s focus on sustainability and costeffectiveness . " We aimed to integrate sustainable solutions that make the most of existing resources . Our system design had to consider cutting operational costs but also improves reliability by keeping control mechanisms simple , particularly in humidification during winter .
Reflecting on the project ' s challenges , Ndlala cites space constraints as a significant hurdle . " Despite building from scratch , space
October 2024 Volume 30 I Number 8 www . plumbingafrica . co . za