ASHRAE Develops Sustainability Standard for Healthcare Facilities

Public comment invited.

Published August 2007 ASHRAE is forming a committe to create a standard of high performance design for hospitals, outpatient facilities, and nursing facilities.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is developing Proposed Standard 189.2, “Design, Construction and Operation of High-Performance Green Health Care Facilities.” Describing procedures, methods, and documentation requirements for sustainable health care facilities, the standard will be a code-intended baseline for efficiency and performance. It will apply to patient care areas and related support areas, including hospitals, nursing facilities and outpatient facilities. The standard will also apply to new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and alterations to existing buildings. ASHRAE began forming the committee to develop the standard in August of 2007. The public comment period on the proposed standard is open through Sept 3, 2007 on the ASHRAE Website.