St. Clair Hospital

About The Project

Dodson, a division of RVE, provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering services in support of the construction of a state-of-the-art Emergency Department. The project consisted of a 18,000 square foot addition and multiple alterations. Dodson provided new mechanical and electrical design solutions employed for the project to enhance the environmental quality and safety of the staff and patients. The HVAC system is intended to safeguard the occupants during the unexpected occurrence of a release of infectious agents through carefully designed infrastructure and operational sequences initiated by the Emergency Department Staff or via the building automation system. The new Emergency Department includes standard treatment exam rooms, pediatric treatment exam rooms, fast track rooms, as well as an airborne infectious isolation room. The Surgery Expansion Project included the expansion of the Surgical Suite with a new 3,800 square foot Surgery Addition. A program goal was developing modern operating room HVAC concepts intended to enhance the thermal comfort of the surgical staff and aid in the control of infectious agents. Special HVAC systems were included in the design for enhanced control of temperature and relative humidity allowing an expanded range for the Operating Room environment. Of particular importance was the significant reduction in space temperature and relative humidity requested by the surgical staff to counter the thermal effects of the extensive gowning requirements. Nontraditional dehumidification systems provided an effective solution. The infectious agent control measures included a two-stage ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system in each of the air distribution systems. The UVGI systems are intended to inhibit mold spore production and fouling at the cooling coil/drain pan assembly for improved long-term energy and maintenance reduction; the system also provides “fly-by” irradiation of airborne pathogens.