By Julie Brown, Institutional Market Leader, Johnson Controls

Are your building systems aligned with your guiding mission of quality patient care?

One midwestern medical center was faced with this question when examining its fire safety systems. The hospital’s mission to serve its community with exemplary healthcare services was threatened by outdated fire alarm equipment and technology that could no longer keep up with the hospital’s services. The existing system’s tendency to activate false alarms was disrupting the hospital’s day-to-day activities, and the facility team was struggling to stay on top of the issue. These false alarms required constant unnecessary evacuations, potentially undoing careful sterilization processes and interrupting crucial medical care. In an environment where peace and quiet is directly related to patient outcomes, updating these systems quickly was critical. And with the hospital’s expansion plans already underway, including additional adjacent medical office buildings, it was necessary to centralize the systems in multiple locations for easy monitoring and maintenance.

Smarter fire safety technology for less disruptions

Working with Johnson Controls, the hospital upgraded its entire facility’s fire alarm system for maximum safety. It also took advantage of the addressable notification capabilities of the new system for improved reliability and easier maintenance. Addressability enables self-testing capabilities through a fire alarm panel, efficient inspections, detailed reports on device performances and quieter, less disruptive testing devices.

In addition, Johnson Controls implemented the TrueSight Workstation, enabling remote access to the fire alarm panel. This centralizes the entire system within a single location, allowing for multiple locations to be remotely monitored at once, while simultaneously centralizing staff foot traffic to reduce the possible spread of disease.

Creating the optimal healing environment

The project has updated and modernized the entire medical center, including initiating devices and head end, to create a safer, more resilient space for healing. With a centralized system supporting multiple sites, the facility team can now test the technology without disrupting patient healing or staff care. These upgrades have allowed the hospital to create a safer environment, allowing healthcare workers to focus on providing lifesaving care. Johnson Controls is powering this hospital’s mission to deliver best-in-class healthcare to the community, no matter what.

Testing without disruption for fire safety compliance is more critical than ever, due to increases in occupancy during the COVID-19 crisis. Your building upgrades must be ready for anything, from a fire emergency to a global pandemic. Learn how you can protect your healthcare facility through the latest fire safety technologies here.