Thoughtfully planned plumbing systems help prevent messes and aggravation down the road. Follow these guidelines for clog- and hassle-free practice plumbing.
You've just spent a lot of money and time refurbishing your hospital, and only a few months later, you're getting frustrated. The drains are clogging; you realize you need filtered water in your tub table; and the scarcity of oxygen outlets has become a nuisance as a web of flexible hoses develops over your head to feed additional animal cages. How could you have missed these issues during the design process?
In truth, it's easy to overlook such details. Plumbing often takes a back seat as owners and architects discuss choices in floor tile, kennel sizes, color palettes, and more. But overlooked details can lead to big headaches down the line. So while you're contemplating room layouts, keep these important plumbing tips in mind. These strategies can save you time, money, and hassles.
First you need to know the detailed plumbing specifications for veterinary hospital equipment. Click below for a table that shows a breakdown of rooms, a list of equipment you might include, and the necessary supply and drainage connection requirements.
SEE TABLE
Each hospital has different needs, depending upon its size and specialty. But keep these guidelines in mind.
Treatment rooms generally open to the laboratory, radiography room, dark room, pharmacy, and food preparation room. Each of these rooms should have a sink. Hospital bathing and dog grooming areas also should have a sink and elevated tubs. I recommend installing pressure-assisted faucets for the tub, which let your team easily sweep away any solids stuck on the tub walls with a jet of water.
One caution: Don't include sinks or floor drains in your surgery suite. The floors in your surgery should be smooth, nonabsorbent, skid-proof, and resistant to detergents and solvents.
With the plumbing in place, the next step is to take a close look at the equipment that connects to these pipes, drains, and outlets. Consider these equipment issues:
True, the plumbing systems likely won't be the first detail your clients notice. But thoughtfully constructed plumbing systems ensure the comfort of both your patients and your practice team. So make sure you give these critical systems the attention they deserve-and make your facility as perfect as possible.
Ramzi Namek, PE, is an associate at RTKL in Washington, D.C. He has more than 10 years of experience designing mechanical and plumbing systems for commercial buildings.
From exam room tips to practice management insights, get trusted veterinary news delivered straight to your inbox—subscribe to dvm360.