Indoor Air Quality for Health Care Facilities

A building’s HVAC system is designed to perform several tasks: filter, cool, heat, humidify, dehumidify, pressurize, and/or exhaust. Each of these tasks affects indoor air quality. For example, if incom­ing air is not properly filtered, excessive dust from the outdoors is drawn into the building. If supplied air is not conditioned or heated satisfactorily, occupants may experience thermal discomfort. If supplied air is not dehumidified appropriately, excessive relative humidity levels may promote microbial growth. If patient isolation rooms are not properly pressurized, unwanted airborne transmis­sion of pathogenic bacteria may occur. If airborne chemicals are not properly exhausted from laboratories, these chemicals may migrate into nonlaboratory spaces. These are just a few examples of how the performance of the HVAC system can affect indoor air quality.

To effectively address mechanical system concerns, health care engineers should be aware of the corresponding indoor air qual­ity (IAQ) issues. A chapter in the Mechanical Systems Handbook for Health Care Facilities provides basic information regarding several key indoor air quality issues for the health care engineer. Several common mechanical systems concepts (such as building pressurization, moisture, filtration, and local exhaust) are reviewed from an IAQ perspective. By studying the chapter, the health care engineer should better understand how mechanical systems can affect indoor air quality.

Excerpt from: Mechanical Systems Handbook for Health Care Facilities
J. Robbin Barrick, PE, and Ronald G. Holdaway, PE
ASHE copyright 2014. Available at the ASHE Store.

 

Related Resources

Resources
Energy Treasure Hunts
The hidden savings can make you wealthy, but you must find it first.
Resources
Energy Procurement
To execute a balanced energy management program, you must not neglect the procurement side of the business.
Resources
You Win with People
Energy efficiency—or energy productivity, takes a village or team to produce results.
Resources
Applying Advanced Analytics to Improve Health Care Facility Operations
This first step on the energy efficiency journey is viewing the hospital portfolio as from a mountaintop.
Resources
The First Step in the “Long Push" – How to Get Started with a Self-Funded Energy Sustainability Program
The self-funded approach to an energy sustainability program is often referred to as the “Long Push” because it is a multi-year, multi-phase program
Resources
Maximizing Your Environment with Optimum Chiller Performance
Chillers can create a healthier health care environment, cut energy costs, and be tailored to fit almost any need.