Hospital and Surgical
General Design and Application Considerations:
Many operating rooms are now functioning with lower ambient temperatures
(typically ranging from 55°F to 65°F drybulb). Therefore,
consideration must be given to ensure the hospital has the technical
capability to achieve and maintain the humidity levels well below
60% RH. In order to achieve this goal, the supply air must be provided
at much lower absolute moisture levels (e.g., 30°F to 35°F
dewpoint) if the room temperatures are to be maintained at the cooler
temperatures so often being demanded. Controlling the humidity independently
from the temperature also allows the space temperature to be elevated
and reduced very quickly when going into or out of a surgical case.
Environmental
Standards or Requirements:
Unless state health agency guidelines differ from those outlined by
ASHRAE and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), most hospital
HVAC systems are designed to condition the operating rooms to temperature
and humidity levels of those displayed in the ASHRAE and AIA guidelines.
In general, the design temperature range for operating rooms is between
68°F and 73°F (drybulb) and the design humidity range is between
30% and 60% Relative Humidity. While this is often viewed as a strict
set of design parameters, there are footnotes within the guidelines
that allow for some flexibility from these guidelines.
Is it “Raining” in Your Surgery Suite? |
Is it “raining” in your operating rooms? Do you find that there are times throughout the year when humidity levels are so high that droplets of condensation are dripping from the ceiling diffusers and suspended fixtures of your surgery suites? This is a common complaint being heard frequently in hospitals today and this article is an effort to give readers an understanding of the cause of this moisture/humidity phenomenon. By understanding the cause of the “rain” and the probable cause of higher than desired relative humidity levels, these problems can be resolved and/or prevented from occurring in your operating suite. |
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Reference Sources:
1. AIA Guidelines, Guidelines for Design and Construction
of Hospital and Health Care Facilities, Chapter 7, Table 7.2,
AIA Academy
2. HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics, ASHRAE 2003
