HVAC SYSTEMS
A good time for an update to ventilation –HTM 03-01
Bruno Guedes, head of Technical Solutions at Barkell, a leading UK manufacturer of bespoke air-handling units, takes a look at some of the key changes and areas addressed relating to air-handling unit design in the revised HTM 03-01, which was published in June this year.
On 22 June 2021, the revised Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 03-01 (2021)1
– Specialised ventilation for
healthcare buildings, was published by NHS England & NHS Improvement. Developed with the support of a specialist healthcare construction team from CIBSE – the CIBSE Healthcare Group – along with many other professional institutions and individuals involved in hospital ventilation, the HTM 03-01 (2021) document offers comprehensive advice and guidance for ventilation in healthcare. This much anticipated revision was on the works since 2019, and has been well received by those in the industry – including myself – who are keen to see the guidance being brought up to date with current legislation, standards, best available technologies, and modern methods of manufacturing.
What is the HTM 03-01?
The Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) are a series of documents published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which – alongside the Health Building Notes (HBNs) and Building Regulations Approved Documents – form the core guidance for the construction industry in the design and delivery of healthcare buildings in the United Kingdom. The HTMs are comprised of many documents providing guidance for engineering technology used in the delivery of healthcare, with HTM 03-01 in particular considering the legal requirements, design, specification, installation, maintenance, and operation of ventilation systems in healthcare premises. The HTM 03-01 is published in two parts: Part A considering the design, specification, installation, and initial acceptance of a healthcare ventilation systems, while Part B addresses the maintenance, management, and operation, of those same systems. Part A applies to all new and refurbished installations, meaning that these won’t need to be updated until the time they are refurbished, and Part B is applicable to all systems, irrespective of their age, meaning that existing installations should comply with the new requirements retrospectively.
Air-handling units represent a significant portion of total energy consumption in healthcare buildings, and the ventilation system design should consider this by utilising, where possible, the best available, most energy-efficient, and sustainable technologies.
Why revise HTM 03-01?
The HTM 03-01 version from 2007 was undoubtedly due a ‘refresh’, having been in circulation for nearly 14 years. The previous document was outdated in terms of technologies, design, and manufacturing methods, which are nowadays crucial to meet the increasing demand for energy-efficient products that reduce waste and contribute to more demanding environmental targets. This includes the NHS and its commitment to becoming the first carbon-neutral national health service, by bringing its direct carbon emissions to net zero by 2040 (an 80% reduction by 2028 to 2032), and on its supply chain by 2045.2
Adding to this, the hyper-awareness around the importance of IAQ (indoor air quality), and the intense scrutiny on ventilation in public places brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, meant that the publication of the revised guidelines was not only necessary, but fundamental to bring reassurance that future systems are designed and installed to a state-of-the-art standard.
As with any industry, a change in legislation or guidance always incurs additional work, and causes disruption to
ongoing projects. Because these guidelines were issued without much notice, and became immediately effective, the industry has somewhat been left playing ‘catch-up’. However, we are certainly glad that government regulators are re-thinking the existing design approach, and taking action to improve on the current guidance. Never have we as an industry and a society seen so much interest from the public in ventilation and indoor air quality, so if there is a good time for an update, now is definitely it.
Indoor Air Quality
The discussion around Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in public buildings, and especially healthcare settings, has been gaining traction for some time. The catastrophic effects of pollution are coming to the forefront, as we experience the impact of global warming worldwide, and the stress that everyday local pollution puts on our health. In sensitive settings like healthcare, IAQ is an even more pressing topic. Great Ormond Street Hospital, along with Global Action Plan, commissioned the Clean Air Hospital Framework3
in 2018 to
identify the issues faced in healthcare settings, and look at strategies for
September 2021 Health Estate Journal 37
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