www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I October 2024 35
Project
BURNS UNIT INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
By Kamva Ndlala
In healthcare , HVAC systems are crucial to the well-being and recovery of patients . The multifaceted role involves having complete control over how the patient , nurses , and visitors will react to the air that is being delivered .
The level of thermal comfort varies depending on the individual and the ailment for which the patient is being admitted . 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 , which is why this is the case .
Patients in an intensive care unit ( ICU ) for burns , are people who have suffered severe burns . Burns reduce skin surface area , which impairs the body ’ s ability to regulate its internal temperature ( Fernandez , 2021 ). Hypothermia can affect the vast majority of patients . Therefore , it is crucial to maintain temperatures at a minimum standard range of
26 – 28 ° C and a minimum of 50 % relative humidity ( IUSS , 2014 ) since hypothermia can increase the patient ’ s risk of mortality ( Page , 2014 ).
Healthcare facilities need an accurate and higher air change rate even if they are similar to other structures . Healthcare facilities need air circulation that is preferably free of contaminants . If the air is appropriately positioned and filtered where necessary , it can be regarded as being free of contaminants .
A burns unit ICU requires a three-stage filtration system to make sure that no outdoor air particles interfere with the patients ’ ability to heal , by spreading infections and external contaminants . As a result , the ICU ’ s area needs to have positive pressure to reduce the amount of unfiltered air that enters the room ( Lavedrine , 2005 ). It is best practice to maintain a high air change rate to reduce external contaminants and reduce cross contamination of airborne infections even if it is extremely improbable that a patient who has been rushed to an ICU will be diagnosed with an airborne illness like tuberculosis ( TB ) prior to admission ( Saran , 2020 ). RACA
For this full article visit : https :// maningaengineering . co . za / hvacin-healthcare-infrastructure /
Project name : Wits Roy McAlpine Burns Unit LIST OF PROFESSIONALS :
Name of company
Owner Architect / Designer Project manager
Electrical
University of Witwatersrand
GAPP Architects
University of Witwatersrand - CPD
Delta BEC
Consulting engineer
Mechanical Wet services
Maninga Engineering Maninga Engineering
Contractors
Civil Main building HVAC & R Wet services Steam Electrical
HVAC and associated product suppliers
Calibre Consulting GVK Siyazama Enviroware Construction Masangu Plumbing All Steam
Daikin Condair
Steam-to-steam humidifier .
" It was a comprehensive undertaking from scratch . The entire structure was erected to meet the exacting standards required for a burns ICU ."
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I October 2024 35