Health Care HVAC

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There are no industry standards for rebalancing HVAC water systems, so it got me thinking about the topic and I came up with several questions pertaining to rebalancing chilled water, condenser water, and hot water heating systems.

Air is the primary carrier of heat, moisture, contaminants, and airborne pathogens in patient rooms, isolation rooms, and operating rooms.

When the facilities management staff of Mount Vernon Hospital completed an assessment of its central chilled water plant, it became evident that while the original chillers had served the hospital well since its opening in 1975, they were ready for replacement.

Engineers’ daily challenges include calculations for outside air, supply air, and return or exhaust air flows — all while balancing mandated code requirements with owners’ expectations for performance, equipment first-cost, and future energy costs.

The Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX, comprises over 5 million sq ft and includes a central utility plant, steam production, and CHP capable of producing 14,800 tons of chilled water capacity.

Day-to-day operations and the occasional renovation create two sets of distinct threats to IAQ and patient health. From monitoring stations and magnehelic pressure gauges to multiple resources for design and O&M guidance, the author points to recent projects and current wisdom to create a valuable resource.

The special nature of the occupants and activities in these facilities create special IAQ requirements, and the concerns only multiply when fire and smoke enters the picture. See how current codes and designs employ a combination of active and passive strategies, building on past approaches to minimize future incidents.

In the spring of 2011, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville needed to update its HVAC equipment. However, the work needed to be achieved under a very tight deadline.

Today, many state institutions of higher learning and healthcare facilities face reduced budgets, aging infrastructure, and rising energy costs. According to the EPA, colleges and universities spend close to $2 billion each year on energy. These institutions are seeking innovative ways to renew facilities, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy costs. One option gaining some renewed momentum is the Energy Savings Performance Contract (EPSC).

A multi-function health services facility in Springfield, MO is a showcase for sophisticated air quality management. The Turner Center is a unit of the CoxHealth system and is part of the Cox South health care campus in south Springfield.