OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION | GRANGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL hospital will help the health board realise its clinical futures strategy for sustainable health and care services for the whole of the NHS in Gwent. Recognising IT as fundamental to the strategys success, Aecoms IT specialists were an integral part of the design team from the start. They designed the IT of the building, supporting not just the health boards immediate clinical care and IT needs, but also its future ambitions to deliver strategic clinical goals [see box out, Integral IT]. Because we were designing for MMC and bringing in modular MEP elements that are quite different for a healthcare setting, we worked with the health boards estates team to address any concerns they had about resilience, future expansion and maintenance. Prefabrication requires better coordination of the MEP design, helping to minimise distribution route lengths, omit unnecessary bends, and avoid onsite modifications. This minimises pressure losses in the heating, cooling and ventilation systems, and reduces the energy consumption of fans and pumps, helping to cut running costs. Prefabricated systems such as the modular wiring and electrical busbar also minimised the depths of ceiling voids, optimising floor-tofloor height and reducing the overall building height. This resulted in a smaller faade area, lowering the energy use associated with heating the building. We were able to show the client how prefabrication would bring additional benefits, particularly around meeting energy targets and future flexibility. and we believe prefabrication of MEP systems could benefit most medium to large construction projects. Aecom has another hospital project exploring fully modularised plantrooms, and there are opportunities for this approach to go even further. CJ SARAH GEALY is regional director at Aecom HEALTHCARE | VENTILATION GUIDANCE NHS publishes ventilation guidance for healthcare HTM 03-01-2021 aims to make natural ventilation the default strategy, followed by mixed-mode and then mechanical N HS England has published updated guidance on ventilation for healthcare premises providing acute care. The Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) gives advice and guidance on the legal requirements, design implications, maintenance and operation of specialised ventilation. HTM 03-01 2021 Part A focuses on the concept, design, ventilation systems. Part B focuses on the management, operation, maintenance and routine testing of existing healthcare ventilation. applications has been revised, and information on the reason for ventilation has been given. The HTM also introduces the concept of the multidisciplinary Ventilation Safety Group in healthcare organisations. Its remit will be to assess all aspects of ventilation safety and resilience required for the safe development and operation of healthcare premises. The HTM supports UK legislation to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, and promotes sustainable methods of ventilation in healthcare facilities. Its core principle is that the default method of ventilation should, as far as possible, be natural ventilation, followed by mixed-mode, with mechanical ventilation the last option. As well as specifying solutions with the lowest life-cycle electronically commutated fans. To determine whether this guidance is applicable for non-acute premises, a risk assessment of the nature of the treatment being delivered, condition of the patients, and intensity of use needs to be undertaken by those responsible for the facility. Read the HTM at bit.ly/CJAug21HTM MAIN CHANGES SINCE THE 2007 EDITION The clients needs and legal requirements are more clearly explained A standard method of identifying and labelling ventilation systems, and the creation of an inventory of installed systems The issues of resilience and diversity are addressed Guidance on refurbishments or when changing use of existing installation Guidance on life-cycle and the updating of mid-life plant Issues around rooms where anaesthetic agents are used are addressed new fan and control technology and, so, reduce energy consumption Prefabricated systems helped minimise the depths of ceiling voids New and emerging technologies are catered for Advice on installation standards and the appointment of an independent validator More detailed information on the commissioning process Revised validation acceptance standards and methodology Revised and updated routine inspection and maintenance guidance 54 August 2021 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Aug 21 pp52-54 Grange hospital.indd 54 23/07/2021 12:18