• Isolation rooms
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DoH isolation room design validation

BSRIA combines computer and physical modelling techniques to validate the DoH design guidanceThe Department of Health contracted BSRIA to carry out an independent validation of their design guidance for isolation rooms contained in "HFN30 Infection Control In The Built Environmental Supplement 1: Isolation Facilities in acute settings".

BSRIA constructed a full-size mock-up of a PPL (Positive Pressure Lobby) isolation room at its laboratories in Bracknell, Berkshire. The demonstration facility, realistic in terms of fitting and contents, contained a fully functioning ventilation system to simulate a real-life installation.

Various validation techniques were applied including:

• room air velocity surveys
• smoke visualisation tests
• tracer gas techniques

BSRIA also provided computer modelling expertise in order to simulate the design and predict the airflow within the isolation room.