PATIENT AND HVAC HEALTH: Water system design and treatment

摘要

Hygienic water systems are essential in all buildings but in a hospital, special care has to be taken to keep patients safe from waterborne pathogens such as Legionella, which can be particularly infectious to those with low immunity. The water that comes out of the taps must be clean, but also water used for HVAC and operating equipment - droplets in the air are what spreads infection. Bacteria laden water can also have a detrimental effect on the HVAC equipment itself, with system fouling, usually caused by Pseudomonas, leading to inefficiencies and breakdowns, increasing maintenance costs and potentially resulting in downtime. The health of both patients and HVAC equipment is therefore essential. In Guardian's view, healthy water systems begin when a building's constructed, followed by appropriate treatment methods.