Ad Lemaire

Performance Assessment of an Operating Theatre Design Using CFD Simulation and Tracer Gas Measurements

This paper advocates application of the performance-based approach to arrive at improved, innovative and more functional buildings. It does so by describing the development of a performance assessment methodology for the assessment of the efficiency of a ventilation system in an operating theatre. This assessment is performed in the design and use phase to adhere to the performance-based approach definition. The developed methodology was tested in a real case study with an innovative down-flow plenum. The focus was on the low infection rate functional requirement. The results from the case study indicated that the assessment methodology functions and that the innovative down-flow systems, that was the topic of the case study, adhered to the requirements set. Some parts of the methodology, however, allow openings for further research. On the other hand, a similar assessment can be extended to other requirements, such as thermal comfort, hypothermia, etc.

Ventilation of operating theatres requires a performance

M. Loomans , W. van Houdt , A. Lemaire , J. Hensen Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, Hospital Gooi-Noord, Netherlands, TNO, Netherlands Background: Due to infection risk, high demands are set for the air quality in operating theatres. As humans form the most important contamination source, ventilation of operating theatres is required. This is normally realised using a downflow plenum.