d+a | Issue 115 • Apr/May 2020

89 DESIGN The key design elements that were adopted for emergency and disaster preparedness were: • Departmental compartmentalisation • Expandable/Convertible exterior space • Mass casualty decontamination design solutions • Dedicated patient-transfer elevators • Emergency observation unit conversion to pandemic isolation flows • Mechanical system infrastructure (seasonal/ pandemic exhaust design) DELIVER The Emergency department was designed to operate under normal circumstances with six key zones including a fever clinic, multiple floors with 23-hour emergency observation areas, trauma/resuscitation rooms, emergency room beds, a fast-track/triage area and dedicated CT and Radiology imaging service section. The final design developed by our team allowed for compartmentalisation into multiple zones that provide isolation and expandability during a mass casualty or pandemic outbreak. While the physical design and planning of the facility were done meticulously, it was imperative that a mechanical strategy be implemented to complement the design and provide true isolated zones within an operating hospital. We worked with the engineers on the MEP strategy to allow for the compartmentalisation and isolation of several zones during the flu season or potentially pandemic events, such as COVID-19.