38 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I March 2026
LABORATORIES voices
Emergency preparedness formed another pillar of infection control. Weekly and monthly generator tests ensured seamless transition to standby power during grid outages. All critical ventilation systems were verified to be connected to emergency circuits and tested to confirm automatic restart after power restoration.
THE ROLE OF THE BMS The BMS functioned as the hospital’ s operational command centre. It provided real-time monitoring of environmental conditions across the facility, allowing technicians to detect early signs of malfunction. The system also facilitated control and optimisation, enabling setpoint adjustments, energy-saving schedules and remote troubleshooting.
Beyond immediate monitoring, trend data collected by the BMS supported predictive maintenance. By analysing patterns such as rising motor amperage or declining airflow, technicians could anticipate mechanical wear or clogging and schedule interventions before failures occurred. This predictive capability was central to reducing unplanned downtime and maintaining reliability.
Working in a hospital environment demands instrumentation beyond the standard technician’ s toolkit. Digital manometers were indispensable for measuring pressure differentials in critical rooms. Airflow capture hoods verified air change rates and diffuser performance. Thermal imaging cameras quickly identified electrical hotspots or coil blockages. Particle counters confirmed filtration effectiveness and cleanroom compliance, while refrigerant leak detectors and calibrated gauges supported environmental integrity and system performance.
All maintenance activities were captured within the CAFM system. Each record included asset identification, task details, technician notes, parts used and time taken. This created a complete, traceable history of every component. Historical data analysis informed future maintenance strategies – identifying recurring issues, refining service intervals and supporting capital planning.
For audits and accreditation, documentation was paramount. The hospital maintained a full asset register, electronic and physical logbooks in major plant rooms, and specific logs for filter changes and pressure verifications. Technician certifications, including Safe Handling of Refrigerants and infection control training, were recorded and readily accessible for inspection.
TEAM STRUCTURE AND TRAINING I oversaw a multi-level maintenance team designed to balance expertise, responsiveness and skill development. As technical manager, I was responsible for overall strategy, compliance and
38 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I March 2026