Healthcare Design - December 2013 - 34

CUSTOM
REPRINTS
Help your company
stand out among the
rest. More than mere

occupancy sensors are ideal over motion sensors for patient rooms,
because they won't tum lights off when occupied just because the
occupants haven't moved in a while. Also, sensors will need to be
replaced every 5-10 years to prevent malfunction during use.

photocopies, reprints
are customized, high-
quality printed and digital

Lessons learned
Today's MOB is a far cry from those built a quarter of a century
ago. As building technology has advanced, so, too, has the MEP

replications of original

designer's ability to deliver integrated systems, fine-tune controls, and

editorial or featured

promote energy efficiency in these spaces.

coverage of y our company,
product and/or service.
Here are some ways reprints
can be used:
*

Sales and marketing

Some lessons that have emerged include the importance of
bringing an MEP engineer onto a project during the design phase of
infrastructure-ready projects, in particular. Fitting modular equipment
into a predefined space once design is finalized or construction be-
gins can limit the type of equipment that can be used and ultimately
drive up the equipment and or construction price. Prior to finalization

materials

of the architectural component of the design, there should be an

*

Direct mail enclosures

intermediate phase where MEP equipment is sized, designed, and

*

New product

laid out to minimize surprises down the road.

announcements

Flexible zoning becomes critical in MOB design, as well, because

*

Recruitment and education

*

Trade show handouts

*

Brand awareness and

*

E-mail campaigns

identity

the IAQ and load requirements of a waiting room will differ greatly
from an exam room or surgical suite, so specifying variable air volume
( VAV) boxes on the mechanical system will help maintain enough
flexibility to allow rezoning as needed over the life of the MOB. A VAV
system can be modular and, therefore, easily expandable.
Once space needs have been defined, it's critical to choose the

For more information and to

right HVAC equipment, not only to ensure flexibility and potential

order your reprints, please

growth, but also the desired control over the indoor environment and

contact:

the most cost-effective, energy-efficient solution. Smaller, packaged
rooftop HVAC units (as opposed to larger equipment), for example,

Erin Tyler Beirne

are ideal for growing MOBs, as they are easy to service, very avail-

216-373-1217

able, and expandable.

etyler@vendomegrp.com

Electrical and plumbing infrastructure and utility feeds (water,
power, and gas) must be right-sized for the eventual load, in order to
minimize disruption and expense upon future expansion. Depending
on the project, it may be advantageous to provide plumbing, gas, and

VENDOME

I-iEALTHCARE
MEDIA

electrical connection points ("stubs") to further ease the disruption of
future expansions. Whether employing a full build-out or infrastruc-
ture-ready design, right-sized infrastructure will support equipment
use throughout the MOB.

Supporting new models of care
Both the full core, shell, and interiors build-out and the infrastructure-
ready building methods provide advantages and disadvantages to
meet the needs of any MOB's plan for future growth. As MOBs deliver
more and more medical care, flexibility, energy efficiency, and a posi-
tive patient experience will be critical to their success. Designing the
right MEP systems to support them will make all the difference.
William Ammons, PE, LEED AP, is senior mechanical engineer
at McGuire Engineers Inc. (Chicago). He can be reached at
bammons@mepcinc.com. William Stangeland is president of
McGuire Engineers Inc. He can be reached at wstangeland@
mepcinc.com.

34

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Healthcare Design - December 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Design - December 2013
