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applications

Surgical Suites
(Operating Rooms)

General Design and Application Considerations:


Many operating rooms are now functioning with lower ambient tempera-
tures (typically ranging from 55F to 65F drybulb). Therefore, consideration
must be given to ensure the hospital has the technical capability to achieve
and maintain the humidity levels well below 60% RH. In order to achieve this
goal, the supply air must be provided at much lower absolute moisture levels
(e.g., 30F to 35F dewpoint) if the room temperatures are to be maintained at
the cooler temperatures so often being demanded. Controlling the humidity
independently from the temperature also allows the space temperature to be
elevated and reduced very quickly when going into or out of a surgical case.

In a recent publication from the American Society of Heating,


Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) entitled
HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics, it is pointed
out that there are special considerations for the design
of the operating rooms. The HVAC requirements for
operating rooms include regulating temperature and
humidity, as well as space pressurization, ltration of the
supplied air, allowable recirculation of the air, and the
effectiveness of air system delivery options. Health care
facilities are environments of controlled hazards.

Environmental Standards or Requirements:


Unless state health agency guidelines differ from those outlined by ASHRAE
and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), most hospital HVAC systems are
designed to condition the operating rooms to temperature and humidity levels
of those displayed in the ASHRAE and AIA guidelines. In general, the design
temperature range for operating rooms is between 68F and 73F (drybulb) and
the design humidity range is between 30% and 60% Relative Humidity.
While this is often viewed as a strict set of design parameters, there are footnotes
within the guidelines that allow for some exibility from these guidelines.

Concepts and Designs, Inc. 2100 Park Drive NW Owatonna, MN 55060


phone: 507.451.2198 website: www.cdihvac.com email: sales@cdihvac.com
One such footnote states that Nothing in
these guidelines shall be construed as
precluding the use of temperatures lower than
those noted when the patients comfort and
medical conditions make lower temperatures
desirable Some surgeons may require room
temperatures that are outside of the indicated range.
All operating room design conditions shall be developed
in consultation with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and
nursing staff. It is precisely these lower temperatures that are often being
maintained within many of the operating rooms. This in turn will require a
dehumidication system that is capable of achieving and maintaining low
dewpoint supply air.

Comparison of Engineering Best Practices


with AIA Guidelines and ASHRAE Handbook
Operating Room
100% Outside Recirculating Surgical
Air System Air systam Cystoscopic Rooms
Minimum Air Changes of Outdoor Air/Hour
Manual * 5 5
ASHRAE Handbook 15 5 *
AIA Guideline * * 3
Minimum Total Air Changes/Hour
Manual * 25 25
ASHRAE Handbook 15 25 *
AIA Guideline * * 15
Relative Humidity
Manual * 30 to 60%RH 30 to 60%RH
ASHRAE Handbook 45 to 55%RH * *
AIA Guideline * * 30to 60%RH
Design Temperature
For more information
Manual * 68 to 75F 68 to 75F
contact CDI:
ASHRAE Handbook 62 to 80F * *
507.451.2198 AIA Guideline * * 68 to 73F
sales@cdihvac.com
* No Value Given.

Reference Sources:
1. AIA Guidelines, Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities, Chapter 7, Table 7.2,
AIA Academy
2. HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics, ASHRAE 2003

Concepts and Designs, Inc. 2100 Park Drive NW Owatonna, MN 55060


phone: 507.451.2198 website: www.cdihvac.com email: sales@cdihvac.com
2009 Concepts and Designs, Inc.

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