510
Generalized Needs and Requirements: Hospital Needs
512.2.2
Maintenance needs and building adaptability are closely interrelated as
the following examples illustrate:
1. Adequate work space provided to allow for future change also
facilitates routine and emergency maintenance.
2. An ability to replace major equipment items is necessary for proper
building performance and efficient maintenance and, in addition, it
provides for future upgrading to meet changing requirements.
512.3
BUILDING MANAGEMENT
512.3.1
Primary objectives of the building management program are hospital-wide
asepsis, an attractive milieu, and patient and staff comfort. This is
achieved through technical cleaning procedures and frequent
bacteriological monitoring. The ability to provide prompt and thorough
performance of housekeeping activities is vital to establishing a high level
of care.
512.3.2
The selection of floor, wall and ceiling materials has an important affect on
building management cost as well as on the ability to obtain an
appropriate environment.
512.4
FIRE SAFETY
512.4.1
One of the most controversial subjects in building design today is that of
fire safety. Codes currently in effect are under criticism from many
directions. They are alleged to favor safety of property over safety of life,
to be based on experience with low rise buildings and inappropriate for
high rise, to provide inadequate protection from smoke as compared to
fire, and to be based on the unrealistic principle of complete building
evacuation. The majority of patients who die in hospital fires succumb to
asphyxia, not burns. The rate at which bedridden patients can be
evacuated vertically from the upper floors of a high rise nursing tower
precludes clearing of the building as a means to safety.
The process of code writing rarely derives from scientific analysis of how
buildings burn. The testing of building components to establish fire ratings
is expensive, of doubtful relevancy, and in fact impossible for many
assemblies due to limitations in test furnace capabilities.
2-4
Previous Page
