©2025 This excerpt taken from the article of the same name which appeared in ASHRAE Journal, vol. 67, No. 5, February 2025.
Emphasizing Energy Efficiency in Hospital Construction
By Mario Sérgio Pintos de Almeida, Kelvin Cruz de Oliveira
Mário Sérgio Pintos de Almeida, P. Eng., is owner of MSA Engenharia de Projetos Ltda in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Kelvin Cruz de Oliveira, P. Eng., is HVAC designer of MSA Engenharia de Projetos Ltda at the time of design and currently owner at PROMEC Engenharia e Projetos Ltda in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Mater Dei Hospital is known for its excellence in health-care services, commitment to the well-being and comfort of patients. Founded to provide high-quality medical care in a welcoming and secure environment, the hospital is recognized as one of the region’s top health-care centers with a focus on excellence in patient care.
The hospital, located in Brazil, offers a wide range of medical services and specialties from outpatient consultations to complex surgical procedures.
The air-conditioning system plays a crucial role in ensuring a comfortable and safe environment for all involved. However, the specifics of the tropical climate and proximity to the sea present unique challenges that require a careful and tailored approach in the design and operation of the air-conditioning system.
The primary HVAC system adopted was water-cooled chiller plants in a series counterflow (SCF), with dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) and active chilled beams applied to most areas with few exceptions for high-occupancy areas and the surgical center, for instance. With proper design and control, chilled beams can be a viable alternative to traditional HVAC systems, regardless of location. Mater Dei Hospital was the first hospital in Brazil to feature chilled beams.
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