With so many natural disasters hitting the U.S. lately, one thing’s for sure…..medical facilities don’t have time to shut down. But how do hospitals and clinics pull it off during Mother nature’s disasters?
Unfortunately, climate related disasters are becoming a more frequent common reality for communities all over the world. But don’t worry, most hospitals are preparing to meet these disasters head on!
A few of the most popular ways hospitals are preparing for extreme weather events are:
Reducing Energy Needs
Combined heat and power (CHP) systems (also known as cogeneration) produce heat and electricity from a single fuel source, usually a source such as natural gas. Another way to conserve energy is through retro commissioning. Retro commissioning uses low cost alternatives to energy-intensive operations. Solar Panels are a good example of Retro commissioning.
Design
The infrastructure of a hospital has a major effect on how well the building will stand up during a storm. Many hospitals are designed, putting the emergency room, electrical units, generators, and kitchens on the higher floors. They are designed that way to prevent essential equipment from being ruined during flooding.
Communication
Hospitals communicate and share disaster planning with each other. This kind of open communication and disaster planning help to strengthen the response in extreme weather events.
Unfortunately extreme weather events will continue to pose a major threat to our communities, due to all the climate changes. Facilities need to constantly be prepared for the next disaster. Hospitals need to continue to be a safe place and offer comfort and peace during these hard times.
To learn about medical chillers and the important role they play in hospitals, visit our website at legacy-chillers.com.