MIDWEST HEALTH CONFERENCE

Transcription

1 MIDWEST HEALTH CONFERENCE A Practical Approach to Maintaining Compliant Humidity Levels Greg Lavriha, PE

2 KEY PERSONNEL Greg Lavriha, PE Greg Lavriha is an experienced mechanical engineer who specializes in troubleshooting building and room pressurization issues. He uses his comprehensive knowledge of HVAC systems operation to design ventilation, heating, and cooling systems and troubleshoot issues. Brad Steiskal Brad Steiskal has experience from the design phase to ownership. His many years with the TAB and Commissioning industry have helped him develop a solid background in the function and proper installation of all types of mechanical systems.

3 DESCRIPTION Humidity has become a common citation during regulatory surveys. This session touches on: Newest requirements and what that means to existing healthcare spaces Common methods of fixing humidity levels that are too high or low Pitfalls to be aware of

4 OBJECTIVES Understand the common causes of and solutions to high humidity Describe the common causes of and solutions to low humidity Explain the impact of temperature on relative humidity

5 AGENDA Compliance Tools Compliance Requirements Design & Operations

6 COMPLIANCE TOOLS

7 PSYCHROMETRIC CHART Graphical representation of air-water mixture Excellent tool for troubleshooting

8 HOW DO YOU USE IT? X

9 PSYCHROMETRICS Temperature Relative humidity

10 PSYCHROMETRICS Need 2 conditions to find location

11 PSYCHROMETRICS Which way do you move?

12 PSYCHROMETRICS DEW POINT

13 PSYCHROMETRICS MIXING OF 2 AIRSTEAMS Mixed air condition is along a straight line between two initial conditions

14 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

15 INDIANA HUMIDITY REQUIREMENT FGI Guidelines -2001

16 OHIO HUMIDITY REQUIREMENT ASHRAE Via Ohio Mechanical Code reference

17 ILLINOIS HUMIDITY REQUIREMENT ASHRAE Via Deptof Public Health reference to NFPA

18 CMS HUMIDITY REQUIREMENT ASHRAE Via reference to NFPA

19 HUMIDITY REQUIREMENT Federal regulation wins ASHRAE ??

20 NO --WAIT FGI & ASHRAE 170 are minimum standards

21 HUMIDITY REQUIREMENT Need to follow Manufacturer s Instructions for Use When more stringent

22 HUMIDITY REQUIREMENT New acronym IFU Generally most stringent for facilities with CMS accreditation

23 WHAT IS AN IFU Published installation & operation instructions Often includes environmental conditions

24 WHERE ARE IFU S FOUND? Surgical supplies Clinical lab equipment Radiology equipment And more

25 REVISE THE IFU S? Why doesn t manufacturer just revise?

26 REVISE THE IFU S? Clinical equipment is regulated By the FDA or other agency

27 REVISE THE IFU S? Revision is a 5 year process and expensive

28 HUMIDIFIER TYPES CMS references ASHRAE with no addenda for HVAC

29 HUMIDIFIER TYPES This version of ASHRAE 170 only allows steam humidifiers Latest version allows other types of humidifiers

30 HUMIDIFIER TYPES CMS ACCREDITED AREAS Be cautious with nonsteam humidifiers

31 SUMMARY IFU s are the requirement today And for foreseeable future Use caution with non-steam humidifiers

32 DESIGN & OPERATIONS

33 HIGH -DUAL DUCT/MULTIZONE Summer is the issue Hot deck is unconditioned mixed air

34 HIGH -DUAL DUCT / MULTIZONE Resolution if a few zones are high

35 HIGH -DUAL DUCT / MULTIZONE Resolution if most zones are high

36 HIGH SHORT CYCLE Coil needs to stay cold To dehumidify

37 HIGH SHORT CYCLE Resolution is adding reheat. Other options for new systems

38 HIGH SUPPLY AIR RESET Supply air at 63 degrees Space condition is 68 degrees with 80% RH 75 degrees with 62% RH

39 HIGH SUPPLY AIR RESET Resolution Include dehumidification mode & reheat

40 HIGH ROOM TOO COLD Supply air at 55 degrees 68 degrees is the limit while staying below 60% RH

41 LOW HUMIDIFIER DISPERSION Air not mixed Velocity too high

42 LOW SUPPLY AIR TOO COLD Supply air at 55 degrees maintain 70 degrees/40% space Supply air at 51 degrees maintain 70 degrees /35% space

43 LOW HUMIDIFIER DISPERSION Tubes cold

44 LOW HUMIDIFIER DISPERSION Available distance too short

45 LOW STEAM GENERATORS Steam generators have timed backwash cycle Resolution is to get generator that allows time of day schedule do backwash at off hours

46 LOW LOSS TO SURROUNDING Doors open Plenum

47 LOW ROOM TEMPERATURE HIGH Multiple spaces with one humidifier

48 SENSOR LOCATIONS Directly measure critical spaces Consider multiple sensors in labs warm & cool spots impact read

49 Greg Lavriha, PE