The website of the Health Estate Journal

Canopy considerations for cleaner airflow

Jon Fletcher, operations director at Interfurn UK, which designs and manufactures ultraclean hospital ventilation (HVAC) systems and healthcare and laboratory furniture, discusses the company’s approach to designing ultraclean ventilation (UCV) canopies – which it says offer greater protection against infection and improved cleanliness for patients and staff than more ‘traditionally designed’ systems, alongside enhanced performance, greater energy efficiency, easier installation, and a more ‘future-proof design’.

The words ‘ultraclean ventilation canopy’ in the traditional sense often fill estates managers, Authorised Persons, theatre managers, and mechanical design engineers, with a feeling of fear and dread. Entrainment, low velocities, leaking filters, theatre downtime etc., may well figure in the nightmares of many estates and theatre managers throughout the UK. Unfortunately this fear has been founded on many years of bitter experience working with the same old ‘traditional’ canopies, which are very inflexible, and have very rigid and fixed criteria to meet the test requirements of an unoccupied theatre. You can thus imagine the scepticism if you approach many mechanical design engineers or estates managers about an innovative flush-mounted canopy system, which we believe offers unrivalled flexibility for the latest generation of hybrid theatres, plus improved system performance, not only when the theatre is in a static state, but also while it is in use. 

Turning the concept on its head

At Interfurn Medical Systems we specialise in ultraclean canopy innovation. We have brushed aside the long-standing traditional principles of UCV design, and turned the concept on its head – to create a system which is much more stable and flexible, and designed to suit modern-day operating theatres. This article is intended to shed some light on these innovations, and how they may help healthcare engineers, theatre, and estates managers, overcome the limitations and problems previously imposed by traditional canopy design. I will also explain how easy it is to be innovative and still pass an HTM 03-01 validation test with a flush mounting canopy. 

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

The Fire Safety Event 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
30th April - 2 May 2024

Wales regional conference, exhibition and awards dinner 2024

International Conference Centre (ICC) Newport
28th - 29th May 2024

NAHFO National Conference 2024

Crowne Plaza Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 5th June 2024

Design in Mental Health 2024

Manchester Central
4th - 5th June 2024

InstallerSHOW 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
25th - 27th June

Healthcare Estates 2024

Manchester Central
8th-9th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Health Estate Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Health Estate Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

The Fire Safety Event 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
30th April - 2 May 2024

Wales regional conference, exhibition and awards dinner 2024

International Conference Centre (ICC) Newport
28th - 29th May 2024

NAHFO National Conference 2024

Crowne Plaza Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 5th June 2024

Design in Mental Health 2024

Manchester Central
4th - 5th June 2024

InstallerSHOW 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
25th - 27th June

Healthcare Estates 2024

Manchester Central
8th-9th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Health Estate Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Health Estate Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025