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Isolation Panels
Q. We are currently planning
construction of a new ambulatory surgery
center. The question has arisen on the
requirement for isolation panels in the
operating rooms. No flammable gases will
be used in the ORs, however the question
of the panels requirements, since these
are a wet environment, is being
discussed. I understand ASCs have or
have not installed the isolation panels.
Curious on what others have done and how
you have interpreted the code? M.M.
A. Just about all hospital
maintenance staff hate to maintain the
IPS. It is one of the first questions we
ask when starting a new hospital design.
Typically they tell us to keep IPS out,
for it is not required by code as in the
past except for a wet areas like cysto
rooms. North Carolina is the only state
that mandates IPS usage at every
critical care area. This is a huge cost
to the hospital. I think it does provide
a degree of safety, and if cost and
maintenance are not of concern they can
be of value to the surgery staff. Vince
Rea, PE, LEED, AP, TLC for Architecture,
Orlando, FL |
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Published By:
Diesel Exhaust Systems
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