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| The pressure test for the Passive House hospital was successful  The world's first Passive House hospital, currently being built in Frankfurt, Germany, is a step closer to certification: an airtightness test for the building, which spans 78,000 square metres of gross floor area, was extremely successful. The Passive House Institute in Darmstadt has been consulting on this pilot project right from the start, including the initial planning phase. It has now been tasked with the certification of the project. A baseline study on the implementation of the Passive House standard in hospitals was carried out in advance by the Passive House Institute on behalf of the German Federal State of Hesse.It is clear that the highly anticipated hospital in Frankfurt's Höchst district has already progressed to the final stages. The scaffolding has been dismantled completely and the bright, white façade of the new build can now be seen. The interior finishing is currently being carried out. The certification of this Passive House new build included a pressure test to measure the building's airtightness. The differential pressure measurement method is used to detect any leaks, so- called thermal bridges, in the building envelope that might lead to uncontrolled heat losses. The pressure test for the Klinikum Frankfurt Höchst delivered excellent results, which is not only good for the energy balance of the building but will also help to prevent structural damage in the long term. Excellent result The measurement results confirm that the building achieves an airtightness value n50 of 0,13 h-1. This is a fantastic achievement and well below the Passive House requirement which allows an n50 value of up to 0.6 h-1. Oliver Kah was present on-site during the pressure test on behalf of the Passive House Institute. "The test in the eight-storey building went very well. The new build is outstandingly airtight, and is now a little closer to certification", explained Kah. Together with colleagues, Kah prepared a baseline study on the Passive House concept in hospitals prior to the new construction. Kah also praised the companies involved in the construction and the company contracted to carry out the pressure test for their work preparing the building for the test. After all, over 1000 windows had to be closed for the airtightness test, and the dampers of more than 50 units connected to the ventilation and air conditioning system had to be checked. Other technical systems also had to be tested, including numerous elevators whose motorised dampers have to open towards the outside in case of fire. "The prior inspection of the more than 2000 rooms alone was a huge task. However, because everything was well-prepared, the test for the entire new build could be completed in a single day", says Kah. Monitoring is planned The Passive House Institute has been accompanying the new construction of the Klinikum Frankfurt Höchst since the initial planning phase and has been tasked with the certification of the building. Furthermore, monitoring has been requested. In this way, the energy-relevant target values calculated in the context of scientific monitoring for Passive House hospitals will be tested in practice. As a result, recommendations for the planning and operation of further Passive House hospitals can be derived from the monitoring data. Completion in 2021 The new hospital building in Frankfurt-Höchst, with 664 beds, ten operating theatres and a hybrid operating room is to be completed in 2021. The costs for the replacement building are estimated at around 263 million euros. The Federal State of Hesse is investing around 55 million in the energy efficient new build, while the city of Frankfurt is contributing around 208 million euros. Two existing buildings dating back to the 1960s will be demolished after the Passive House hospital is put into operation. Two further construction projects are planned on the hospital premises after that. write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Construction News :: home page |