scope:

This Standard provides requirements for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of HVAC systems in HCFs. In general, these requirements are more stringent than those applied to non-health care facilities.

Note: See Annex A for general guidelines on HVAC system design. Table 1 provides specific design parameters for HVAC systems.

This Standard

a) specifies minimum values for certain parameters;

b) establishes the suitability of different design options;

c) establishes recommendations for zoning, controls, and monitoring; and

d) outlines best practice for energy conservation.

This Standard is not intended to preclude the use of design concepts and the adoption of installation, operations, and maintenance procedures more stringent than those specified in this Standard. In cases where clinical evidence supports additional measures to improve the safety and efficacy of HCFs, such additional measures should be considered in the design, installation commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the HVAC system.

This Standard applies to new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and alterations to existing buildings (alterations include changes in function or size of spaces and the rearrangement, replacement, or addition of HVAC equipment).

Note: "Like for like" replacement of worn or failed components is generally considered to be routine maintenance; however, a more in-depth analysis should take place when replacing major components. See Clause 5.8.4.

This Standard does not address requirements for other elements of a building that are not directly a part of the HVAC system but can affect the design, performance, or operation of these systems, including but not limited to

a) building envelope;

b) structure;

c) electrical power and lighting systems;

d) plumbing system; and

e) fire protection system.

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.