Emergency Preparedness: Ensuring AHU Resilience in Hospitals
Contents |
[edit] Introducing resilience in air handling units
In the high-stakes environment of a hospital, uninterrupted operation of critical systems is paramount, especially during emergencies such as power outages or natural disasters. Among these essential systems are Air Handling Units (AHUs), which play a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality and ventilation in healthcare facilities. In this article, we will delve into the importance of designing AHUs in hospitals to withstand emergencies, ensuring their resilience and continuous operation during critical situations.
[edit] The vital role of AHUs in hospitals
Air Handling Units are the backbone of a hospital's HVAC system, responsible for delivering clean and conditioned air to various areas, including patient rooms, operating theatres, and isolation units. Proper ventilation and air quality are vital in preventing the spread of infections, maintaining a comfortable environment for patients and staff, and supporting medical procedures. Hence, the reliability and resilience of AHUs are of utmost importance in healthcare facilities.
[edit] Power outages and AHU contingency plans
Power outages can occur unexpectedly due to various reasons, such as severe weather events, utility failures, or equipment malfunctions. During these events, AHUs can lose power, jeopardising indoor air quality and the well-being of patients and healthcare providers. Hospitals must have well-defined contingency plans in place to address such situations promptly.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Installing uninterruptible power supply systems for critical AHUs ensures continuous operation during brief power interruptions and provides time for backup generators to come online during prolonged outages.
Emergency Generator Backups: Hospitals should have reliable emergency generators capable of supporting essential systems, including AHUs, during extended power disruptions. Regular maintenance and testing of these backup systems are essential to guarantee their functionality.
[edit] Natural Disasters and AHU Protection
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods, can severely impact hospital infrastructures and disrupt HVAC operations. Protecting AHUs against potential damages caused by these events is crucial for maintaining a safe and functional environment.
Elevated AHU Placements: Elevating AHUs above potential flood levels helps safeguard them from water damage during flooding events.
Seismic Bracing: Hospitals located in seismic zones should employ seismic bracing to secure AHUs and prevent damage during earthquakes.
[edit] Redundancy and Backup AHUs
To ensure AHU resilience, hospitals can implement redundancy measures, including the installation of backup AHUs.
N+1 Design: Adopting an N+1 design ensures that hospitals have one additional AHU as a backup for critical areas. This redundancy guarantees continuous airflow and maintains indoor air quality if one unit experiences a failure.
Remote Monitoring and Control: Implementing remote monitoring and control systems enables facilities managers to assess AHU performance in real-time and take corrective actions promptly in case of issues.
[edit] Conclusion
Emergency preparedness is a fundamental aspect of hospital management, and AHU resilience is a critical component of this strategy. Designing AHUs to withstand emergencies such as power outages and natural disasters is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality, ventilation, and patient comfort during critical situations. Employing contingency plans, backup systems, and protective measures enhances the reliability and performance of AHUs, ensuring that hospitals can continue to provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients and healthcare providers, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
--Building Ventilation Solutions
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air conditioning inspection.
- Alteration work.
- Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital.
- Care Standards Act 2000.
- Cooling systems for buildings.
- Constant air volume.
- Ductwork.
- Energy efficiency retrofit training videos.
- Heating ventilation and air conditioning HVAC.
- Hospital isolation rooms
- How a Complex Hospital Building for Orthopaedic Services was Constructed in Less Than Four Months
- How to Develop the Most Constrained Hospital Sites to Reduce Waiting Times and Improve Patient Care
- How to Use Your Air Conditioning Energy Assessments to Reduce Energy Costs.
- Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
- Mechanical ventilation.
- Natural ventilation.
- National Refurbishment Centre.
- North Middlesex University Hospital Maternity Unit
- Point Cloud modeling considerations for M&E in refurbishment projects.
- Resilience.
- Remedial works.
- Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit.
- Restoration.
- Royal Brompton Hospital National Health Trust v Hammond and Others (No3)
- Sea Sand Tower Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Thermal comfort.
- Types of building.
- Upgrade.
- Variable air volume VAV.
- Variable refrigerant flow VRF.
- Ventilation.
- When hospital buildings aren’t healthy.
- Wuhan (COVID19) Hospital
- Wuhan Hospital, China
Featured articles and news
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
The story of this knowledge quarter building.
In ecology, in hydrology, in biology and in architecture.
Creating environments that promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
UK cases of neutral current diversion
Research project looks for example contributions.
Overstocking and macro-economics cause a decline.
The 2024 update of the Common Assessment Standard
Demonstrating organisational capability’ to fulfil roles under the Building Safety Act.
56 recommendations for a better built environment
Published by the CIC ahead of the King’s Speech.
SkillELECTRIC Top 8 Competitors Named
in annual search for the UK’s best student electrician.
CIOB Diversity and Inclusion technical information sheet
Step-by-step guide on implementing D and I practices.
Conservation and the Indian City. Book review.
Reversibility in conservation ethics
Learning from painting conservation.
Where It's AT Podcast launched!
New CIAT Architectural Technology Podcast goes live.