by Rebecca Walker — November 20, 2009—Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas is the first healthcare facility in the world to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
In close collaboration with healthcare provider Seton Family of Hospitals, the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. provided its APOGEE Building Automation System (BAS) technology and the implementation and project management skills necessary to achieve many of the points needed to win the unprecedented LEED Platinum Certification, notes the USGBC.
LEED certification standards are difficult to meet for any building, but are especially tough for hospitals. Because they operate around the clock, hospitals are tremendous energy usersaccording to Seton, hospitals comprise some 4 percent of the world’s building stock, but consume 8 percent of the energy. Many LEED certified buildingstypically commercial office structuresare designed for specific occupancy hours and will not face fines or other regulatory sanctions if indoor air quality slips below specified levels.
For more information, see the Web site of the U.S. Green Building Council.
