CHU de Caen: they take care of us and we'll take care of them
The Caen University Hospital is getting back on its feet and entrusting the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) and Plumbing expertise, as well as the cybersecurity of its networks, to Axima experts at Equans, and that's no small feat. Since the pandemic, public health issues have been at the heart of our concerns.
Ensuring the hospital's good health means giving importance to life.
By integrating a major HVAC design office, Axima is able to study, design and install solutions that take into account all the parameters and requirements that guarantee irreproachable air and water quality.
Yes, you read that right: IR-RÉ-PRO-CHABLE!
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In operation since 1975, Caen's CHU will soon make way for a new hospital complex on the existing site. The new buildings will welcome their first patients in 2026. Axima, a subsidiary of Equans France, is acting as principal in a consortium with Fouchard, a company based in Normandy, and is responsible for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) and plumbing works, with the highest standards of air and water quality. Project management for the entire project is provided by AIA Life Designer.
As Roger Modoloni used to say, "to change the world, you have to start by changing yourself!
An airy performance
Avoiding the transmission of viruses to the whole department is a nice touch, isn't it?
In fact, since the pandemic, healthcare establishments have been keen to adjust the direction of airflow in patient rooms, according to the pathologies to be treated, involving the management of pressure cascades.
Aware that the airborne transmission of viral diseases in health care centers is a major protection issue, our experts will set up an indoor air partitioning system.
When you go into hospital for an operation, it's not to come out with a virus!
Each of the 35 operating theatres and 26 imaging rooms will therefore be totally independent. These rooms are classified according to the risks associated with their pathologies and degree of contagiousness. In concrete terms, the aeraulic systems will be separate for each hospital sector, with one air handling unit per risk level and per operating theatre.
When it comes to air quality, the hygiene of the fluids conveyed is of paramount importance. As a result, the highest standards are applied to operating rooms, intensive care units and medical imaging departments. This quality imperative is reflected right from the preliminary studies.
We may not be colleagues, but we share the same opinion as doctors: to give a treatment, you must first correctly analyze the symptoms.
Ciao organic and digital viruses
As IT security is also a key concern for the CHU, Axima will provide air conditioning for the mini data center housed within the establishment.
“ We need to rethink the hospital. Having a sustainable, scalable hospital is essential today. We need to find the right compromise between introducing more new technologies and controlling energy consumption. Of course, the consequences on the HVAC package are significant, but air treatment solutions and heat recovery technologies were found during the design of the future Caen University Hospital. ”
The right water treatment to prevent pizza residues in the pipes
As with air, water quality is a major issue in hospitals.
It must be perfectly compliant with health requirements. Wastewater disposal is also of strategic importance, particularly in certain areas such as those exposed to X-rays. The system installed by Axima will enable radioactively-laden water to be treated and sent to specially-designed tanks. Thanks to this technique, we might just avoid the arrival of the Ninja Turtles!
Back to the future
“ In 2026, with 929 beds and 97,000 m2 of facilities, the Caen University Hospital will be a model for meeting the region's healthcare needs. As part of Equans, Axima is delighted to be contributing to its reconstruction by deploying a unique range of expertise to meet health requirements. With its secure solutions, Equans is true to its ambition to protect, connect and supply the infrastructures and establishments that are essential to our daily lives. ”