Humidity control strategies in operation theatre Malaysia

Abstract

Hospital buildings are complex indoor facilities with variable uses and functions that are deals with a higher number of people. Therefore, the air-conditioning (AC) system should be used to keep good indoor air quality (IAQ) for patients and medical staff to meet comfort and health reasons. Operation theatre is one of the important and critical rooms in the hospital building. Usually, operation process will take 5 hours until 12 hours depends on the operation or patience condition. Operation theatres required 100% for fresh air intake and 100% for exhaust air. Therefore, this study analyses the indoor air quality in Operation Theater (OT) at Malaysia. Then focuses on the humidity control strategies using psychrometric chart. AC system and selected IAQ parameter been monitored to understanding the quality of air and energy usage. The result shows carbon monoxide (CO₂), carbon dioxide (CO) and temperature (T) level were within the range stipulated in ASHRAE standard 62.1-2016 but relative humidity (RH) in operation theatre exceed the acceptable range. AC system showed the cooling energy usage as 90.1 kW and the heating required 5.6 kW in standard AC system operation. Psychrometric chart analysis to meet the desired temperature and relative humidity been proposed which contribute cooling energy usage was 95.9 kW and heating energy required 12.2kW. Recommendation alternative strategies to reduce cooling and heating energy been highlighted in this study.