530
Cost Base: Description of Hospitals Studied
An interesting aspect of the distribution to the tower floors is the vertical
stacks, approximately 11'0" x 7'9", at each of the four corners of the tower.
The northeast and southwest stacks contain supply ducts and the others
contain the exhaust systems. Access to these shafts is very difficult.
Extensive adjustment has been reported in the Memphis system to
achieve adequate balance. Operating expenses for the first year
appeared excessive, but apparently subsequent adjustments have
corrected this situation.
532.4.4
Atlanta, Georgia, VA Hospital
The HVC system for the Atlanta wards is typical for recent VA hospitals. It
consists of induction units in peripheral bedrooms and a simple ducted
system for interior spaces. Almost all of the individual elements of the
system are low or medium in cost, except for the terminals, which are
relatively high in cost because of the nature of their integration with the
other building components. Recirculation occurs only through the
induction units.
532.4.5
Watsonville, California, Community Hospital
The Watsonville hospital has been utilized to illustrate a project which
does not conform to VA standards but indicates trends in community
hospitals, which might affect future VA planning. It is smaller than most
VA hospitals, with a projected capacity of 202 beds. This factor to some
degree produces a higher cost but it is not considered to be a major
influence.
The Watsonville hospital utilizes 100% fresh air, tempered and controlled
by reheat elements at each room. The air-distribution system, as
previously explained is related to the patient bathrooms at the exterior
walls.
This is the most costly system studied. However, the largest element of
cost is in the ductwork which requires little or no maintenance, whereas
the cost of terminals is very low, and it is the terminals of induction
systems that produce the highest maintenance cost.
2 - 179
Previous Page
