Heating and ventilation systems HTM 03-01: Specialised ventilation for healthcare premises Part A

4.52 For centrifugal fans, a diffuser screen/blast plate

should be fitted immediately downstream of their

discharge.
Supply fan drive arrangements
4.53 Where the fan drive is via a motor-driven belt and

pulley, it should be external to the air stream. This

arrangement has the following advantages:
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not transmitted down into occupied areas of the
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g. the drive may be through a V-belt or toothed
belt and pulley. The latter has the advantage of
eliminating belt squeal on start-up and has a
longer service life. It is particularly suitable
where the fans drive motor is fitted with a soft
start.
4.54 The drive train should be easily visible without the

need to remove access covers. Protecting the drive

train with a mesh guard is the preferred option.
For weatherproof units designed to be located
outside, the fan drive will be external to the duct,
but enclosed. It should be easily visible through a
viewing port with internal illumination and be
accessible via a lockable hinged door.
4.55 For direct-coupled fan and motor units, the motor

may be within the air stream, provided the motor

windings are protected from over-temperature by a
thermister and lockout relay.
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(where the motor is fitted within the fan and is

integral to it) and in-line axial fans with a pod
motor, the fan/motor combination may be within
the air stream, provided the motor windings are
protected from over-temperature by a thermister
and lockout relay.

22

Extract fan drive arrangements

4.57 Where the fan drive is via a motor-driven belt-and-

pulley arrangement, it should be located external to

the air stream.
4.58 The fan drive and motor may be located inside

the duct within the air stream, provided the motor

windings are protected from over-temperature by a
thermister and lockout. The drive train should be
easily visible through a viewing port, have internal
illumination, and be accessible via a lockable
hinged door.
4.59 Where the system air is explosive, aggressive or

has a high moisture content, the extract fan motor

must be located outside the air stream. This is
generally achieved with axial fans by using a
bifurcated unit.
Control
4.60 Fans in healthcare applications are generally either

single- or two-speed. Where there is a requirement

for two-speed operation, this is generally via a local
user control (for example in a hood-extract system
to provide a boost facility) or via a time schedule
for energy saving during unoccupied periods.
4.61 Normally, only a single motor is required with a

standby motor available for fitting as necessary,

or fitted, but not belted. Twin, run and standby
motors with the standby being jockeyed around
are not required.
4.62 Where there is a specified requirement for standby

fans, the system should incorporate an automatic

changeover facility activated via an air-flow sensor.
Fault indication should be provided.
4.63 In terms of start-up and operation, fans are

increasingly becoming computer-controlled.

Inverter-drive, variable-speed and soft-start systems
are becoming a standard approach. Most healthcare
applications require known amounts of air to be
delivered while the system is in use. Constantvolume systems that deliver specified air-change
rates are therefore the norm. Duct- or roompressure-controlled, variable-speed systems have a
very limited application in healthcare.
4.64 It is necessary to ensure that should the computer

control system or its software develop a fault the

fan can be switched to a direct-start, fixed-speed
manual operation. This is particularly important
for critical care systems serving operating suites,
high-dependency care units of any type, isolation