Healthcare facilities across Canada are places of intense pressure, where an efficient building facility supports all branches of patient care. To that end, hospitals need a boiler system that is reliable and consistent. One whose high level of efficiency meets their huge steam needs. But a good boiler system is about more than just providing adequate amounts of steam. From heating and steam sterilization to food prep and laundry services, hospitals rely on their steam boilers for many essential operations. As a result, no matter how robust the system, hospital steam boilers have the pressure of constant but fluctuating demand which can prematurely age them.
While each healthcare campus has its own balance of facilities and equipment that draws on steam, at the core there is always the need for a boiler that provides clean, efficient steam and lots of it. Here is a look at some considerations that need to be made to be sure that hospitals end up with the right boiler:
LOAD FLUCTUATION
The steam needs of a hospital tend to fluctuate during different times of the year, and even during different times of the day. For example, large amounts of steam are usually needed early in the morning to heat the building. For this reason, it’s important for hospitals to have a boiler system that can increase production in a short period of time when steam needs start to spike. To meet this need, it’s becoming more common for hospitals to use smaller, modular boilers that can start producing steam in just a few minutes rather than larger traditional boilers that take longer to get going if they aren’t kept in standby mode.
ENERGY EFFICIENT
Saving the bottom line is the goal of most hospital boards, but instead of looking to cheap out on large purchases like steam boilers, most hospitals would be better off choosing a boiler that will help them save money in the long run. Industrial boilers tasked with supplying steam to an entire hospital campus typically require large amounts of fuel to run. However, some newer boilers are designed in a way that makes them more fuel efficient than older models. These boilers can help hospitals save a significant amount of money on their energy costs every month. In the long run, that will support patient care and please the board better than an unreliable, cheaper unit.
SAFETY
Safety is never something to overlook when it comes to boilers, especially for hospitals. Most modern boilers are inherently safer than boilers that were manufactured several decades ago with modern advances in manufacturing and materials. Of course, the only good accident is one that never happens. Having a boiler monitoring system in place, so you know about any issues before they become problems is a key to boiler safety. A comprehensive monitoring system with in-house and off-campus monitoring can keep track of boiler scale, water quality, energy usage and more hallmarks of boiler system health. Combined with frequent servicing and water treatment a new boiler system will be incredibly safe.
SIZE
It’s common for space to be at a premium inside a hospital steam plant or boiler room. Modern, modular boilers are sometimes half the size of traditional boilers, which can be particularly advantageous for hospitals that may have limited amounts of space. Their smaller size adds to their efficiency, and you can fit more modern steam potential in the same space as a traditional boiler. Which allows for even the oldest, most cramped facility to save money and be more consistent.
BACKUPS
Many regions have regulations where backup power options are required in healthcare facilities. Whether complying with an N+1 redundancy requirement, the NFPA-110 Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, the Ontario Government Emergency Fuel Distribution Protocol or other local regulations, most hospitals need room for an extra boiler in case of emergencies or malfunctions. Some facilities require a backup fuel source by regulation. This can be arranged through a secondary emergency boiler that runs on a secondary fuel or a dual-fuel type boiler system can be installed that can switch between the main power-source and the back-up, be it natural gas, propane, No. 2 oil or electricity.
OPERATOR NEEDS
Regions vary with regards to the requirements for on site boiler operators. Across Canada, each province has different regulations and knowing the facility’s steam load requirements fully is the only way to see if a dedicated operator is necessary. A steam load study before renovations and construction starts can assess if an operator-free steam system is possible for a given facility.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Many regional governments and hospital groups have put in place green targets and incentives for the reduction of emissions of harmful substances like NOx. An efficient, green boiler system can help facilities meet those goals. At the end of the day it makes sense that a healthcare facility would want to keep harmful toxins out of the air as much as possible and a modern green boiler system can make that happen.
To address these considerations, the Miura EX-series Dual Fuel boiler systems have become top choice among healthcare facilities in North America. Being perfect for modular boiler systems where a series of EX boilers function like a single unit. Because the units can be turned on and off depending on the precise amount of steam needed at any given time, the facility never produces more steam than it needs. This improved efficiency helps hospitals conserve energy and save money.
Learn more about how Miura’s modular, efficient EX-series water-tube boilers can help your healthcare facility achieve its efficiency and budgetary goals here.
