CAN/CSA-Z317.2-M91 (R1999)

Preface

This is the first edition of CAN/CSA-Z317.2, Special Requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Health Care Facilities, one of a series of Standards on the special requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of health care facilities. This Standard has been prepared to assist architects, engineers, health care facility administrators, professionals, and operations and maintenance staff to plan, design, commission, and operate their heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems effectively and efficiently. It is written in SI (metric) units.

Indoor air quality, an important health consideration, is especially critical to sick, infirmed, and injured persons resident in health care facilities. Such patients may be allergic and/or immune suppressed, and therefore particularly susceptible to airborne infections and allergic reactions. Inadequate indoor air quality may complicate their care and recovery.

This Standard discusses only those requirements pertinent to health care facility design, construction, and operation. It is based on Ontario Ministry of Health Guidelines, Alberta Ministry of Health Guidelines, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE) Standards, and other applicable sources. The ASHRAE publications 52-1968 (Reaffirmed 9176), Method of Testing Air-Cleaning Devices Used in General Ventilation for Removing Particulate Matter; 62-1989, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality; and Guideline 1P, Guidelines for the Commissioning of HVAC Systems, served as the basis for the requirements presented in this Standard as well as the CSA Draft Publication, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, revised in April 1987. The Health Building Manual, published by Energy, Mines and Resources Canada in May 1988, and the Alberta Government publication, Mechanical and Electrical Design Guidelines for Health Care Facilities, were also used in the development of this Standard.

This Standard was prepared by the Subcommittee on Special Requirements for HVAC Systems in Health Care Facilities under the supervision of the Technical Committee on Environmental Control in Health Care Facilities. It was formally approved by the Technical Committee and the Standards Steering Committee on Health Care Technology. It has been approved as a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada.

Scope

1.1

This Standard provides criteria for the aspects of HVAC systems unique to health care facilities. These requirements may be above and beyond those generally applied in planning, designing, constructing, commissioning, maintaining, and operating HVAC systems in other building types. This Standard is not intended to dictate the actual design, design initiative, or construction procedures. Rather it is intended to assist the user/owner and designer when considering the relevant issues and provide guidance for reaching optimum decisions.

Note: References to HVAC in this Standard refer to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

1.2

The Standard does not include requirements for other building systems including, but not limited to,

(a) the envelope;

(b) the structure;

(c) electrical/lighting systems;

(d) plumbing; and

(e) fire protection/life safety.

Note: Deficiencies in the above systems may affect the commissioning and operation of HVAC systems. When identified, these deficiencies should be resolved by the appropriate parties before completion of the HVAC commissioning process.

1.3

The measurements given in SI (metric units) are to be considered the official measurements. Measurements provided in parentheses are for information only.

1.4

In this Standard the word shall indicates a mandatory requirement; the word should indicates a recommendation or that which is advised and not mandatory.

Notes accompanying a Clause do not contain mandatory or alternative requirements. The purpose of a note is to separate from the clause explanatory or informative material that is not properly a part of the Standard. 

Notes to figures and tables are considered to be part of the figure or table and are written as mandatory requirements.

1.5

The definitions expressed in Clause 2 are integral to understanding the text of this Standard.