Validation of an active chilled beam design for a healthcare facility

Conventional air-conditioning methods in hospitals have often involved air-recycling and indefinite pressure regimes, which increase cross-infection risk.  Poor comfort conditions and indoor air quality (IAQ) have also been issues.  These were major considerations in the design of the $1.8B Fiona Stanley Hospital. Active chilled beams (ACBs) were selected for the wards.  ACBs provide constant volume air supply, which allows air paths to be tightly controlled, they use 100% outside air, which prevents recycling of air between different rooms, and they provide individual room temperature control.  However, comfort, IAQ and condensation were all concerns. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation and full-scale prototype testing were used to verify the decision to use ACBs. The findings of this paper support the decision to use an ACB solution, and highlight the importance of accurate modelling and prototyping.