Why Hospital Cooling Standards Matter
Due to the concerns for patient safety, health, and comfort, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are held to higher standards than other businesses when it comes to their HVAC system. A great deal of efficiency and attention to detail is crucial when it comes to their cooling needs. Even the slightest inconsistency can cause problems for hospital operations. When looking for HVAC services in Atlanta, keep in mind the significance of hospital cooling standards and why they are a vital component to the everyday operations in a hospital setting.
Health Safety
Hospitals have an increased need for strict HVAC controls due to the high concentration of pathogens that could compromise patient and personnel safety. Airborne-infectious isolation rooms and bariatric patient rooms have different needs from regular inpatient rooms. Proper ductwork and ventilation systems are needed in order to keep contagious illnesses from spreading to different areas within a hospital. Otherwise, the healing and recovery process could be compromised.
Emergency Planning
In the event of an emergency, every hospital should have a safety plan that works for all personnel and patients. Unlike most buildings that evacuate in the event of a fire, hospitals that have patients who are not capable of moving out of harm’s way. They require an HVAC system designed with smoke dampers to prevent the spread of smoke to other areas within the same building. This allows for a more controlled environment and a safer emergency plan. It is also important that your hospital HVAC system and electrical system can handle emergency situations such as a power outage, which can last days in severe cases.
Variable Room Needs
Operating rooms, laboratories, and other areas with high sterilization requirements need a HVAC system that will operate on higher levels of filtration, temperature, and humidity control. Patients are usually more susceptible to changes in air flow, pressure, and humidity due to their varying health conditions and personal comfort requirements. Therefore, each room requires an HVAC system that is flexible in response various patient needs.
Equipment Operation
When planning and selecting an HVAC system for a hospital, it’s important to consider what the future use of each room/area will be. For example, a MRI room has different cooling needs than that of an ultrasound room. Different systems and equipment put off heat, which requires a full-functioning HVAC system to maintain cooling needs.
Don’t risk your patients or personnel’s health by neglecting your HVAC system. If you’re looking for an Atlanta HVAC company who knows the significance of hospital cooling standards, look no further than Anytime Heating, Cooling and Plumbing Serving metro Atlanta for nearly two decades, we are available 24/7 to better serve you and your business. Contact us today, or give us a call at 770-504-5881 to schedule an appointment.