scope:

This Standard provides criteria for the aspects of HVAC systems that are particular to health care facilities. These criteria lead to more stringent requirements that are above and beyond those generally applied in planning, designing, constructing, commissioning, maintaining, and operating HVAc systems.

This Standard sets values of certain parameters, identifies the suitability of possible design options, establishes recommendations for zoning, controls and monitoring, and sets targets for energy conservation. This Standard is not intended to dictate the design concepts, construction procedures, or operating and maintenance procedures, but rather to provide guidance that prompts discussion and assists in the formulation of rational, practical decisions.

Notes:

(1)References to HVAC in this Standard refer to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

(2)The reader is urged to refer to Appendices A and B for general information on types of HVAC systems and guidelines for users.

(3)This Standard addresses minimum requirements. Health care facilities should strive towards higher standards.

The Standard does not address requirements for other parts of the building such as

(a)envelope;

(b)structure;

(c)electrical power and lighting systems;

(d)plumbing; and

(e)fire protection.

Note: Inadequate standards applied to these parts of the building could have adverse effects on the design, performance, and/or operation of the HVAc systems. Problems involving standards should be identified during the design process and resolved prior to building completion.

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 with 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 to be part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Legends to equations and figures are considered requirements.

This Standard is written in SI (metric) units