How to Plan HVAC System Upgrades in Older Hospital Buildings

Upgrading the HVAC system in an older hospital building presents unique challenges.

Hospitals require strict indoor air quality (IAQ) standards, precise temperature and humidity control, and reliable operation to support patient care. And aging infrastructure, outdated designs, and space constraints complicate the upgrade process.

Careful planning is essential to ensure compliance with regulations, minimize disruptions, and improve energy efficiency.

Assessing the Existing System

Before embarking on an upgrade, it is critical to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current HVAC system. This process should include:

• Evaluating System Performance: Identify inefficiencies, maintenance history, and common failure points
• Inspecting Ductwork and Air Distribution: Many older buildings have inefficient duct systems that contribute to energy loss and poor airflow
• Reviewing Load Requirements: Determine whether the existing system can handle the current and future demands of the hospital
• Compliance and Code Review: Ensure the current system meets health and safety codes, including ASHRAE 170, NFPA 99, and local building regulations
• Energy Audits: Assess energy consumption and identify potential savings opportunities through newer technologies

Developing an Upgrade Strategy

Once the existing system has been evaluated, the next step is to develop a clear upgrade strategy. This should include:

• Defining Project Goals: Whether the focus is on improving energy efficiency, enhancing air quality, or replacing aging components, clear objectives should be established
• Budget Planning: Estimate costs for equipment, labor, and potential construction modifications. Consider incentives and funding opportunities for energy-efficient upgrades
• Phased Implementation: Since hospitals operate 24/7, an upgrade should be planned in phases to minimize service disruptions
• Selecting the Right Technology: Determine whether retrofitting components or installing a completely new system is the best approach

Choosing the Right HVAC System

Hospitals require specialized HVAC systems to maintain stringent air quality and infection control standards. When selecting an upgrade, consider:

• High-Efficiency Chillers and Boilers: Modern equipment reduces energy consumption and operating costs
• Variable Air Volume (VAV) Systems: These allow for better control of airflow and temperature in different hospital zones
• Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) Systems: ERVs improve efficiency by capturing and reusing exhaust air energy
• HEPA Filtration and UV-C Technology: Upgrading filtration and sterilization components helps mitigate airborne contaminants and improve infection control
• Smart Building Automation: Implementing HVAC automation and IoT sensors enhances system monitoring, reduces maintenance costs, and improves efficiency

Addressing Structural and Space Constraints

Older hospitals often have space limitations that make HVAC upgrades complex. Consider:

• Utilizing Modular Equipment: Prefabricated HVAC units can be installed with minimal disruption
• Exploring Rooftop or External Installations: If interior space is limited, external placement may be a viable solution
• Integrating with Existing Systems: In some cases, a hybrid approach that retains functional components while upgrading key elements can optimize performance
• Enhancing Insulation and Sealing: Improving insulation can reduce HVAC load requirements and enhance system efficiency

Managing Installation and Minimizing Disruptions

To avoid disruptions to patient care, meticulous planning and execution are required. Strategies include:

• Scheduling Off-Hours Work: Perform installations during nights or weekends to minimize patient and staff inconvenience
• Isolating Work Zones: Use temporary partitions and negative pressure containment to prevent dust and contaminants from spreading
• Coordinating with Hospital Staff: Engage facility managers, infection control teams, and clinical staff in the planning process to align with hospital operations
• Testing and Commissioning: Conduct rigorous system testing before full implementation to ensure reliability and compliance

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance and Safety

Hospitals must adhere to strict regulatory requirements. Consider:

• Meeting Air Exchange and Ventilation Standards: Compliance with ASHRAE 170 guidelines for air changes per hour (ACH) in patient rooms, operating rooms, and isolation rooms
• Fire Safety and Emergency Protocols: Ensure HVAC modifications align with NFPA 99 and other fire safety codes
• Addressing Infection Control Standards: Work closely with infection control teams to mitigate risks associated with HVAC system changes
• Maintaining Proper Documentation: Keep detailed records of equipment specifications, maintenance schedules, and compliance reports

Evaluating Long-Term Maintenance and Sustainability

A well-planned HVAC upgrade should incorporate long-term maintenance and sustainability goals, including:

• Predictive Maintenance Programs: Implement sensor-based monitoring to detect issues before failures occur
• Staff Training: Ensure hospital maintenance teams are trained to operate and troubleshoot the new system effectively
• Energy Efficiency Optimization: Continuously analyze energy consumption data to identify opportunities for further efficiency improvements
• Exploring Renewable Energy Options: Consider integrating solar, geothermal, or other renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on traditional power

How GPRS Helps You Plan HVAC System Upgrades

GPRS offers a comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services designed to aid you in your HVAC system upgrade projects.

When you need to cut or core concrete to run new conduit, our precision concrete scanning services ensure you avoid any existing utilities, post tension cable, or rebar embedded within the slab. Utilizing ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanners, our SIM-certified Project Managers provide you with safe coring locations, helping you avoid costly and potentially dangerous subsurface damage.

Our 3D laser scanning services capture our concrete scanning mark-outs, as well as all existing above-ground features. Our in-house Mapping & Modeling Team can take this data to create 2D and 3D plans and models that aid in the design process and reduce clashes.

All this accurate, field-verified data is at you and your team’s fingertips 24/7 thanks to SiteMap^® (patent pending), our project & facility management application. Accessible via computer, tablet, or smartphone, SiteMap^® is a single source of truth for the information you need to avoid mistakes, change orders and reworks caused by miscommunication.

From skyscrapers to sewer lines, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World^® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

What deliverables does GPRS offer when providing 3D laser scanning services?

We can provide 3D modeling in many formats such as:

• Point Cloud Data (Raw Data)

• 2D CAD Drawings

• 3D Non-Intelligent Models

• 3D BIM Models

• JetStream Viewer

Customizable deliverables upon request include:

• Aerial Photogrammetry

• Comparative Analysis

• Deformation Analysis

• Digital Drawings of GPR Markings

• Floor Flatness Analysis/Contour Mapping

• New Construction Accuracy Analysis/Comparative Analysis

• Point Cloud Modeling Training Webinars

• Reconciliation of Clients 2D Design Drawings

• Reconciliation of Clients 3D Design Model

• Structural Steel Shape Probability Analysis

• Template Modeling

• Volume Calculations

• Wall Plumb Analysis

What is Building Information Modeling (BIM)?

Building Information Modeling, or BIM, is more than just a 3D model. It gives engineers the ability to manage the building data through its whole lifecycle, providing accurate spatial relationships and manufacturer details as well as geographic information and other pertinent aspects of the building.

Can ground penetrating radar (GPR) differentiate between rebar and electrical conduit embedded within a concrete slab?

Yes, GPR can accurately differentiate between rebar and electrical conduit in most cases. At GPRS, we have an extremely high success rate in identifying electrical lines in supported slabs or slabs-on-grade before saw cutting or core drilling.

Additionally, our Project Managers can use electromagnetic (EM) locators to determine the location of conduits in the concrete. If we can transmit a signal onto the metal conduit, we can locate it with pinpoint accuracy. We can also find the conduit passively if a live electrical current runs through it.

The combined use of GPR and EM locating allows us to provide one of the most comprehensive and accurate conduits locating services available.