Encompass Blue for Hospitals

Due to the intensity and rigidity of work regardless of the day or time, hospital buildings arguably have higher energy consumption per square meter than any other building in the commercial sector. Hospital energy consumption is approximately 3-4 times higher than that of other commercial buildings, of which 60%-80% is due to heating, cooling, steam production, ventilation, lighting, equipment usage, domestic hot water, and cooking. The biggest predictor of energy usage of such facilities is the facility size (surface area), types of services, number of workers, number of beds, and geographical conditions.

Hospitals require efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maintain optimum indoor air quality (IAQ), aseptic conditions, and healthy, safe & suitable indoor thermal conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality and airflow) for patients, hospital personnel and visitors. Due to numerous medical facilities, the intricate nature of hospital work and infection-prone patients, hospitals require highly refined state-of-the-art HVAC solutions. For example, while hospital offices have the same requirements as other office buildings, operation theatres have very precise indoor air quality (IAQ) requirements.

Efficient hospital ventilation is integral in curbing and controlling airborne transmission and outbreaks of infectious diseases, as there is a correlation between the two based on air movements in buildings. Poorly designed, maintained (i.e., contaminated) and used HVAC systems are common in hospitals and lead to poor IAQ. This can cause sick building syndrome (SBS), numerous occupational hazards and hospital-acquired infections associated with heightened mortality, length of hospital stay and accompanying costs.

Hospitals’ facilities managements tend to opt for more financially affordable HVAC solutions, prioritising cost-cutting over optimum health for occupants, reflecting on the building’s physical condition. Thus, for the overall prosperity of hospital buildings, a thorough HVAC system is important.

Blue IoT’s sustainable building retrofit solution offers a cost-effective, short-payback program with minimal interruptions. This provides enhanced energy performance without compromising on excellent service levels and indoor thermal comfort levels within operating constraints. Blue IoT’s ‘Encompass Blue’ delivers the optimum solution for hospitals, providing IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) monitoring and airflow & filter management amongst others to ensure paramount health & wellness for hospital occupants.