CR4HC Climate Resilience Strategies for Extreme Heat: Element 3.4
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Buildings and Campus - Facility Operations
Healthcare buildings are vulnerable to power outages because they rely on electricity, plumbing systems, and energy sources like natural gas to operate systems that are critical to patient care and occupant safety, such as: lighting, air conditioning, medical and sterilization equipment, security systems, fire alarms, and electronic medical records. Buildings without operable windows can be especially at risk of overheating during power outages. Inpatients also require access to food service, clean water, laundry, and custodial services. (FEMA ASPR, 2019).
Operational resilience starts with design conversations about the building shape and structure, the location and type of windows, the building’s overall insulation, its roof type and color, and the extent to which landscaping will be used to protect the building from exposure to climate change-related hazards like extreme heat and flooding (Element 3.3). Healthcare organizations can enhance climate resilience in operational facilities by updating protocols for preventive maintenance and plans for cycling down systems during power outages to reflect the results of the organization’s prospective risk assessment (Element 1).
Tools and Resources:
Planning
- Planning for Urban Heat Resilience - PAS Report 600: Report that lays out a framework for addressing urban heat, which requires setting clear urban heat planning goals and developing associated metrics for success; building a comprehensive “fact base” of information on heat risks; developing a diverse portfolio of heat mitigation and management strategies; managing uncertainty; coordinating across planning efforts; ensuring inclusive participation in planning processes; and effectively implementing, monitoring, and evaluating urban heat resilience efforts. https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/publication/download_pdf/PAS-Report-600-r1.pdf
People and Operations
- Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit: Extreme Heat Facility Preparedness Guidance: This document, a part of the Americares' Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit and designed for administrators of health centers and clinics, provides guidance on developing policies and procedures for ensuring facilities are resilient and prepared for an extreme heat event. https://www.americares.org/wp-content/uploads/2.-ADMIN.Heat_Facility_Preparedness_Guidance_2023Final.pdf
- Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit: Extreme Heat Immediate Response Checklist: This checklist, a part of the Americares' Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit and designed for administrators of health centers and clinics, provides ideas and steps to help a facility when a heat wave has been forecasted for the local area. https://www.americares.org/wp-content/uploads/ADMIN.PreparednessforExtremeHeat_ImmediateResponse_Checklist_ReviseFINAL.pdf
- Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit: Health Center Power Outage Guidance: This document, a part of the Americares' Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit and designed for administrators of health centers and clinics, provides recommendations for policies or procedures in the event of a power outage that can be included in an Emergency Operations Plan or into a standalone power outage plan to help ensure the safety of staff and patients in the event of a power outage during a heat wave. https://www.americares.org/wp-content/uploads/ADMIN.Heat_HealthCenter_Power_Outages_Final.pdf
- Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit: Long-Term Climate Resilience and Sustainability: TThe document, a part of the Americares' Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit, is designed for administrators of health centers and clinics to provide ideas and steps that can be taken to enhance resilience to extreme weather and promote healthier and more sustainable communities. https://www.americares.org/wp-content/uploads/ADMIN.Heat_LongTerm_Climate_Change_Resilience_Final.pdf
- Health Facilities Preparation for Extreme Heat: List that offers guidance to health facilities on effectively safeguarding both staff and patients during heat waves and extreme heat events. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/climate-change-health/health-facilities-preparation-extreme-heat-recommendations-retirement-care-facility-managers-health-canada-2011.html
- OSHA Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool: This website provides resources and eTools to use to develop Emergency Action Plans which help facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures/eap/elements
- Sample Care Center Heat Wave Procedure: This document provides an example of Heat Wave Procedures for a Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Facility. https://www.cahf.org/Portals/29/DisasterPreparedness/extreme%20temps/evergreen_sample_heat_wave_procedure.pdf
Physical Infrastructure
- Climate Ready DC Resilient Design Guidelines: These guidelines share a methodology for conducting a climate resilience needs assessment and suggests steps for planning, designing, and constructing projects to support resilient outcomes in the built environment. https://doee.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddoe/service_content/attachments/CRDC%20resilient%20design%20guidelines_FINALApproved.pdf
- Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit: Long-Term Climate Resilience and Sustainability: The document, a part of the Americares' Climate Resilient Health Clinics Toolkit, is designed for administrators of health centers and clinics to provide ideas and steps that can be taken to enhance resilience to extreme weather and promote healthier and more sustainable communities. https://www.americares.org/wp-content/uploads/ADMIN.Heat_LongTerm_Climate_Change_Resilience_Final.pdf
- C40 Knowledge: Adapting to Extreme Heat: Provides guides and examples on how to implement a wide range of simple, cost-effective technologies and strategies to reduce the impact of heat on health and urban infrastructure. https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/topic/0TO1Q0000001lllWAA/adapting-to-extreme-heat?language=en_US
- CMS Categorical Waiver: This CMS categorical waiver permits health care facilities to utilize alternate sources of power other than a generator set or battery system, including a Health Care Microgrid System (HCMS), so long as it is in accordance with the 2021 edition of NFPA 99, the 2023 edition of the National Electric Coed (NFPA 70), and associated references. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-23-11-lsc.pdf
- Mitigating the Effects of Extreme Heat: Presentation that summarizes the effects of extreme heat on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems within health care facilities and examines how engineers can help lessen the effects of high temperatures on buildings. https://www.csemag.com/articles/mitigating-the-effects-of-extreme-heat/
References
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