International Project
The new Professional 1 medical office building in Mansfield , Texas . The aesthetic quality of each floor is re-enforced by large strip windows all around the building providing vistas in all directions . the patient experience , whilst patients do not sleep over at the facility . Facilities where patients sleep over are referred to as inpatient facilities .
As the life expectancy of people increases and their chronic conditions naturally escalate , it places a higher demand on comprehensive care for the ageing patients , hence the need for more in and outpatient facilities like hospitals and day clinics respectively .
Modern healthcare is endlessly evolving , so practitioners are best suited to facilities that allow those healthcare changes to occur seamlessly . With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to cause disorder , healthcare facilities globally are scrambling to use all available technology to increase patient and healthcare safety . Therefore , medical office buildings should have the infrastructure in place to meet these evolving needs .
Physicians , their staff , and patients require a pleasant working environment for optimal comfort and job functionality . It is therefore crucial that this new facility had a fully functional HVAC system .
Not only do clients have a high expectation of a wellfunctioning HVAC system installation , but they are also involved from the start of the project , providing their inputs , and making key decisions . Working with educated clients ( like this client ), is always appreciated .
WSP was appointed as the MEPF ( Mechanical , Electrical , Plumbing and Fire ) consultants on this project . Construction started in summer of 2019 and the building was occupied in winter of 2020 .
THE HVAC SYSTEM The new air-conditioning , heating and ventilation system comprises of four large Daikin Variable Air Volume ( VAV ) Direct Expansion ( DX ) Rooftop Package Units ( RTPUs ) located on the roof of the building . The building is divided into four different thermal zones : - two perimeter zones and two internal zones . Each zone will be served by a separate RTPU because the temperature profile for perimeter and internal zones are different . For example , the south perimeter zone may require more cooling during the afternoon when solar influx typically peaks , while the north perimeter zone may require less cooling .
Each RTPU serves all four levels and assigned to serve the following zones :
RTPU-1 103 kW cooling ( 354 MBH ) Serving the north perimeter zone . RTPU-2 214 kW cooling ( 731 MBH ) Serving internal zone 1 . RTPU-3 198 kW cooling ( 677 MBH ) Serving internal zone 2 . RTPU-4 145 kW cooling ( 497 MBH ) Serving the south perimeter zone .
Each rooftop unit comprises of supply and return air fans with volumetric fan tracking , Merv 8 and Merv 14 filters , multiple scroll compressors , dual R410 refrigerant circuits , condenser fans and coils , and the capability to operate at -17.8 ° C ( 0 ° F ). The return fan speed tracks up and down with the supply fan speed .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I February 2022 47