Considerations for heating hospitals
The design of hospitals and the equipment used in them is driven by guidance from NHS Estates. In a report commissioned by NHS Estates, the Centre for Healthcare Architecture and Design (CHAD) provides the following guidance: The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems should be logically designed to operate efficiently and provide local control where required. Set out thermal and ventilation requirements and performance standards (refer to specific guidance as appropriate).
Issues to consider:
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- Maximising the use of natural ventilation
- Minimising the use of heating
- Minimising the use of cooling
- Surface temperatures of radiators
- Zoning, draining and cut-off controls
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers recommends temperatures for the following areas of hospitals.
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- Bedheads/wards 22–24
- Circulation spaces (wards) 19–24
- Consulting/treatment rooms 22–24
- Nurses stations 19–22
- Operating theatres 17–19
In specifying heating equipment for hospitals, the following factors should be considered:
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- Risk from hot surfaces and sharp edges
- Positioning of radiators
- Ease of use
- Aesthetics
- Robustness
- Sizing of radiators
- Heating performance and energy efficiency
- Maintenance and cleaning