Healthcare Occupational Hygiene

Supporting NHS Scotland during Covid-19

Rapid ventilation engineering and assurance helped transform Glasgow’s SEC into a safe, operational temporary hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NHS Louisa Jordan

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The challengeDeliver safe, compliant ventilation within a three-week hospital build.

Service deliveredVentilation assessment, Ventilation strategy, Airflow & pressure management

IndustryHealthcare

LocationScottish Events Campus, Glasgow

The challenge

The client challenge

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, NHS Scotland needed to rapidly create additional hospital capacity while cases and hospital admissions were increasing.

The Scottish Events Campus in Glasgow was selected for a 1,036-bed temporary hospital, with the entire build required to be completed in no more than three weeks.

IOM was appointed to provide specialist ventilation expertise and determine whether the existing systems could safely support the building’s new healthcare function.

This required assessing existing ventilation plant, identifying what could be reused or repaired, determining what additional equipment was required and establishing the work necessary to achieve compliance with Scottish Health Technical Memorandum SHTM 03-01.

A three-week build. An existing exhibition venue. Healthcare ventilation standards. The ventilation strategy had to be delivered at exceptional speed.

How we helped

Our approach

Assess the existing systems IOM inspected the ventilation plant across the site to establish what was installed, its condition and performance, and what could be brought back into service.
Develop the ventilation strategy Working closely with NHS Scotland and the design and build team, IOM helped develop the ventilation strategy and oversaw its implementation to ensure the required standards were achieved.
Create safe airflow IOM worked with mechanical and electrical designers to implement a pressure cascade throughout the building, providing appropriate airflow within critical and non-critical areas.
Verify performance Air samples were analysed by IOM’s laboratory to confirm that the ventilation plant could provide an environment meeting the standards required under SHTM 03-01.

Services delivered

Ventilation assessment Assessment of existing plant, condition and performance.

Ventilation strategy Development and oversight of the ventilation solution alongside NHS Scotland and the wider project team.

Airflow & pressure management Implementation of appropriate airflow and a pressure cascade across critical and non-critical areas.

Air sampling & assurance Laboratory analysis to provide evidence that the ventilation environment met the required standards.

Client outcomes

Measurable outcomes

3 weeks Target build period for the temporary hospital

1,036 Beds accommodated in the facility design

SHTM 03-01 Ventilation requirements supported

What changed

Before

An exhibition centre needed to be rapidly converted for healthcare use
Existing ventilation systems required substantial modification
Existing plant needed to be assessed for condition and suitability
A compliant ventilation solution was required within a three-week build programme

After

A coordinated ventilation strategy was implemented
Appropriate airflow and pressure relationships were established
Ventilation performance was assessed against SHTM 03-01 requirements
NHS Scotland had an operational temporary hospital ready to support the pandemic response

Practical next steps

Key recommendations

Assess existing ventilation infrastructure early Understand what equipment can be retained, repaired or needs replacement before major works progress.
Define ventilation requirements alongside the wider design Coordinate airflow, pressure and system performance with the operational requirements of the facility.
Verify performance before occupation Use appropriate testing and evidence to demonstrate that ventilation systems meet the required standards.
Plan for ongoing monitoring and maintenance Ensure estates teams have the information and systems required to identify ventilation issues and maintain compliance.

THE WIDER IMPACT

Ready when Scotland needed it

Although NHS Louisa Jordan was ultimately not required to treat Covid-19 patients, the facility remained operational and ready for use between April 2020 and April 2021.

It was subsequently used for outpatient appointments, staff training and Covid-19 vaccinations, becoming one of the largest vaccination hubs in Europe. The original case study reports more than 32,000 healthcare appointments and over 6,900 healthcare staff and students trained, with more than 400,000 vaccinations anticipated by July 2021.

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