Feature
MEDICAL FACILITIES –
CRITICAL PLACES FOR THE CORRECT HVAC SOLUTIONS
By Benjamin Brits
Medical facilities from rural clinics to large hospitals and surgeries are expected to see continual growth over the next five years , with the most rapid expansion in the private sector in South Africa .
Although the ongoing pandemic continues to have an effect on the world , it has brought to the fore an important aspect of the modern world – healthcare . It has proven that the preparedness of many countries managing a pandemic is lacking , but has also opened doors to fast-tracking improved systems , methods and solutions for the facilities that form the basis for the supply of all medical care .
The considerations for HVAC in a medical facility include elements such as particular temperature conditions – depending on requirement or procedure , filtration – to ensure optimal air quality , humidity levels , space pressures and air flow designs . Most technology today has seen some type of improvement to reduce heat load , and especially lighting , which was historically challenging to work with due to the emanating heat of the types of globes used . You may recall old footage where the assistant
An newly-built isolation ward showing the ‘ airlock ’ before entering the room . Here , the correct room pressures are essential .
© Airetronic Maintenance and Sales frantically wiped and dabbed the perspiration from the doctors to avoid ( as best possible ) patient contamination .
Without the correct air conditioning , medical facilities in general and complicated surgeries would be extremely dangerous places . So , from a general hospital ward to a neurosurgical procedure theatre , there are what seems to be an endless set of configurations for a facility ’ s HVAC system that is intended to not only keep patients safe , but everyone working in the facility safe as well . This is from a growing trend in packaged solutions to highly specialised facility designs that are far from mere comfort cooling and heating .
“ The essential requirement for air conditioning in any medical facility is to produce the right amount of air in the right condition to achieve the desired result inside any space . In most cases in these applications , affordability is not the question , but rather reliability . An extremely important note here is that we cannot have companies applying commercial grade air conditioning solutions to these types of facilities as we have seen , because they are vastly different ,” says Mike Schaefer , director of HCM Contractors .
In these facilities the HVAC is all about what is not seen . To a patient they wouldn ’ t have known the difference between a split wall unit in their private room , ducted diffusers from an air handling unit in general areas , or the air quality requirements in a theatre . The correct design solutions are essential , especially when you are dealing with people ' s lives .
Today however , everyone is much more aware given what the Covid pandemic has done , and so applying those correct principles will be more important in future to manage outbreaks of any kind . Continual progress in filtration improvements will no doubt also ensue . We are further likely to see the type of technology that was historically reserved for specialist theatres become more widespread into places where many people are expected to gather .
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RACA Journal I May 2021 www . hvacronline . co . za