Midland Memorial Hospital Plans For A Greener Future
Midland Memorial Hospital Plans For A Greener Future
Midland Memorial Hospital’s initiative to become a more environmentally friendly facility has carried over into the new patient tower building plans.
The hospital has decided to pursue the goal to become a LEED certified facility as the new patient tower is constructed. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance ‘green’ buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. In the healthcare industry, LEED certification specifically addresses issues such as increased sensitivity to chemicals and pollutants, traveling distances from parking facilities, and access to natural spaces.
Some of the ways Midland Memorial Hospital will achieve this certification through the construction of the new patient tower are as follows:
Exteriors
- Sunshades over windows with East, South and West exposure.
- Low-E insulated window glazing
- Reflective, single-ply membrane Roof
Interiors
- Recycle bins in high-traffic areas
- Materials used from post-consumer recycled content (I.e., carpet tile,
entrance mats, seating fabrics, aluminum crash rails, millwork cabinetry, window treatments, terrazzo flooring, etc.)
- Rapid renewable materials (i.e., rubber flooring)
- Formaldehyde-free cabinetry
- Low-emitting materials – Green Guard Certified (i.e., adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet,composite wood, etc.)
- Daylight views for patients, public and staff
- No-wax floors for water use reduction
Operational Systems
- Water efficiency (i.e., low flow fixtures, sensory faucets at hand sinks)
- Indoor Pollutant Control Source (exhaust any rooms which contain chemicals)
- Individualized controllability of systems (i.e., thermostats, light level controls)
- Increased Ventilation Effectiveness (room air exchanges)
- Installation of a high tech Energy Management System. (will create more efficient lighting and HVAC systems) Additionally, our new Central Utility Plant will have a higher level of efficiency with new technology.
- Rain water capture system (stores and holds rain water for irrigation use instead of using city water.)
Through the combination of these plans, the implementation of several new green initiatives in our existing facility and a continued partnership with Keep Midland Beautiful, Midland Memorial Hospital is striving to provide exceptional healthcare to the people of the Permian Basin while maintaining an eco-friendly culture that will ensure a beautiful Midland for years to come.
|
