Palmerston North Hospital, Ventilation Improvement Project

In response to on-going global events and the need for healthcare facilities, above all, to have a heightened response to the risk posed by infectious diseases, a project was undertaken to provide specialist ventilation in several at-risk areas. Wards 24 and 26 (designated ‘Covid’ wards) required the ability to isolate potentially infected patients from others, and from the staff, whilst still maintaining the same level of care.  Working within a large multi-disciplinary design team, Aquair were engaged to undertake the services design and construction monitoring associated with this project.

To achieve the desired outcome, the HVAC design incorporated multiple HEPA filtered exhaust air ventilation systems with new and existing 100% outdoor air tempered supply air systems, creating the desired directional airflow within the wards.  The systems incorporate pandemic and standard operational modes and are controlled to maintain constant airflow even as the filters become dirty.  All exhaust systems include 100% duty/standby so that in the event of a failure, a second system will kick in automatically to ensure continuous service.

Above all, the design of the project considers the minimisation of health risks to all persons in the hospital, be they patients, staff, maintenance crews or other facilities workers.

With 12 months from concept to completion, some significant challenges were faced throughout the project; and included having to navigate restricted ceiling spaces full of undocumented services, an extremely tight construction timeline, and a simultaneous rise in pandemic cases adding pressure to the need to have the systems commissioned as early as possible.