We recently completed the mechanical services works for the installation of 12 new washer disinfectors which are used to disinfect surgical instruments. The project was carried out in 2 phases with 6 washers installed in each phase. The works area involved working in wash and clean rooms in a live environment.
Our works involved the survey of the site to record the existing ventilation air volumes as well as the pressure differentials between each of the existing rooms. The site was then segregated into phase 1 and the ventilation system was rebalanced to the required volumes to ensure the correct pressure differential between the wash and clean room. We installed a temporary extract fan and ductwork in the phase 1 works area to ensure the site stayed at negative pressure at all times (as the decontamination facility was in operation around the clock) to ensure no dirt or debris from the works entered the live operating wash room. We installed a magnehelic gauge in the phase 1 area to continually monitor the pressure differential. We then isolated, made safe and disconnected the existing services to the existing washers (Steam, Condensate, Hot Water, Cold Water, Hot Water Secondary Return, Reverse Osmosis Water, Wastes and High Temperature Exhaust Ductwork). We removed the existing redundant washers from the site. We installed new Steam, Condensate, Hot Water, Cold Water, Hot Water Secondary Return, Reverse Osmosis Water, Wastes and High Temperature Exhaust Ductwork to the new positions required for the new washers. The new washers were then installed, tested, commissioned and validated. Once the validation had been approved and signed off by the client we set about returning the site back to its original condition with a stand down period. Phase 2 followed the same approach as phase 1 but included the extension of the extraction ventilation ductwork into the phase 2 area to ensure it stayed at a negative pressure.
When the works were completed we returned to site to return the air volumes and pressure regime were returned in the wash and clean rooms back to their original state.
This was a similar project to one we completed in 2017 at Belfast City Hospital, Centralisation of Elective Endoscopy
