510
Generalized Needs and Requirements: Hospital Requirements
513.5.6
Maintenance Requirements
1. Where possible, compatible surfaces should be selected for all nursing
units. Alterations of a minor nature should not create excessive dust or
other potential housekeeping problems. Surface materials should be
replaceable with an ability to match seams, textures and colors
throughout the building's life span.
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. Change of surface materials may require
different cleaning compounds, equipment or techniques.
2. Routine equipment servicing should not interfere with ongoing activities
and disruption caused by emergency repairs should be minimized.
Methods of reducing equipment down-time and the extent and nature
of the activities affected by individual items of equipment are important
considerations in achieving the stated objective. Maintenance needs
and building adaptability are closely interrelated as the following
examples illustrate:
1. Adequate work space provided to allow for future change will also
facilitate 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
will provide for future upgrading to meet changing requirements.
3. Service distribution networks may be partially redundant to
minimize activities affected by repairs. Redundancy also facilitates
alteration and extension of services.
4. Repairs or minor alterations must not be made in a way which will
reduce the capability for future change. A system discipline, once
established, must be respected by maintenance personnel as well
as independent contractors.
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