Pressure independent control valves proved to be a key in wringing the benefits out of smartly managed chilled water temperature, but that wasn’t all. Airside energy recovery, desiccant dehumidification to eliminate reheat in operating room environments, and upgrading to ECM fan systems have all contributed to this hospital’s fiscal wellness.
ASHRAE 170 is just the baseline for the fight against hospital acquired infections (HAIs). The ongoing human and financial tolls taken by these infections point to the need for engineers and facilities to raise their IAQ game wherever possible. Move beyond the minimum and get into the what, where, and how of HEPA filtration, ultraviolet technology, and catalytic air cleaners.
For a building program to be successful and sustainable, it must include an operating budget as well as a construction budget. Fifteen to 20% of the total cost of a building is first cost, and that remaining 80% or more is in the operation of the building over its life.
A pharmaceutical company looked to its new 350,000-sq-ft world headquarters as a place to further improve sustainability and reduce energy consumption.
Although it’s only 25% complete, the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s (COTA) ongoing $75 million conversion to compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled buses is already saving more than 2.5 million gallons of diesel fuel and emitting 100 tons less bus emission contaminants annually in the greater Columbus, Ohio, area.