340
Heating-Ventilating-Cooling: Design Criteria
344.4
FIRE SAFETY
In general, the HVC subsystem presents problems no different from
traditional systems as far as fire safety is concerned. This is true of the
plenum return system suggested here, where, as in a tradition plenum
design, the detection and control of fire and smoke must be considered
carefully.
There is one feature of the subsystem which could lead to a simplification
of normal fire strategy. The clear identification of each service module,
with its own HVC supply and return, in a particular fire section means that
it may be possible to limit emergency HVC measures to only the affected
fire section in the case of fire.
344.5
The general organization of the service module places all noise generating
equipment in the subsystem within the service bay. This isolation should
be reinforced by the use of isolation bases for equipment, choice of
efficient equipment with minimum sound levels, and sound absorbent
lining in the mechanical room. But the most important feature is the
acoustic sealing of all service openings in the shear wall between the
service bay and the service zone. Sound transmission through the
ductwork should be restrained by duct linings and sound traps in critical
functional areas. To provide adequate duct length to diffusers for
reduction of sound transmission, functional areas adjacent to a service
bay should be served from branch ducts approximately two hanger
spacings away from the shear wall and the diffusers connected by flexible
ductwork.
Sound transmission via the plenum, where one is used, should be
restrained by mufflers in the return air boots in critical areas.
344.6
ACCESSIBILITY
Generally, all components of the subsystem should be designed and
located so that routine maintenance and repair and minor alterations will
cause minimal disturbance to the hospital functions, and also facilitate
construction accessibility. Major repairs and alterations must be possible
with minimum down time and without interference to more than the area of
functional space requiring the change.
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