Caen University Hospital: Highest Standards, Tailored Solutions from Our Equans Experts
The Caen University Hospital is undergoing a renovation and has entrusted the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) and plumbing work to the experts at Axima, part of Equans. Since the pandemic, public health concerns have been prioritized at the highest level.
As part of Europe’s largest HVAC engineering firm, Axima is capable of analyzing, designing, and installing solutions that take all parameters into account to ensure strict air and water quality standards.
Operational since 1975, the Caen University Hospital will soon be replaced by a new hospital complex on the current site. The new buildings will welcome their first patients in 2026. As the lead contractor for a consortium with the Normandy-based company Fouchard, the experts at Axima, a subsidiary of Equans France, are carrying out the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and plumbing work with the highest standards for air and water quality.AIA Life Designer is serving as the project manager for the entire project.
Healthier and more sustainable air quality
Since the pandemic, healthcare facilities have been eager to adjust the direction of airflow in patient rooms based on the conditions being treated, which involves managing pressure gradients.
Aware of the airborne transmission of viral diseases in healthcare facilities, Axima’s experts will implement an indoor air partitioning system. Each of the 35 operating rooms and 26 imaging rooms will be independent. These rooms are classified according to the risks associated with each condition and the degree of contagiousness.
Specifically, the ventilation systems will be separate for each hospital sector, with one air-handling unit per risk level and per operating room. When it comes to air quality, the hygiene of the air being circulated is a critical factor. As a result, the highest standards apply to operating rooms, resuscitation units, intensive care units, and medical imaging areas. This commitment to quality is reflected right from the preliminary design phase.
Furthermore, since IT security is also a key focus for the University Hospital, Axima will provide air conditioning for the mini data center housed within the facility.
“ We need to rethink the hospital. Having a sustainable and adaptable hospital is essential today. We must strike the right balance between incorporating more new technologies and controlling energy consumption. Of course, this has significant implications for the HVAC system; air-handling solutions and heat recovery technologies were incorporated during the design phase of the future Caen University Hospital. ”
Plumbing and Water Treatment Solutions
As with air, water quality is a major concern in hospitals. It must fully comply with health and safety requirements. Wastewater disposal is also critical, particularly in certain areas such as those exposed to X-rays. The system implemented by Axima will treat radioactive wastewater, which is directed into tanks specifically designed for this purpose.
“ In 2026, with 929 beds and 97,000 m² of equipped space, the Caen University Hospital will serve as a model for meeting the region’s healthcare needs. As part of Equans, Axima is pleased to contribute to its reconstruction by drawing on a range of unique expertise to meet healthcare requirements. With secure solutions, Equans remains true to its mission of protecting, connecting, and powering the infrastructure and facilities that are essential to our daily lives. ”
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