Humidifiers replaced at health center

The Jefferson County Health Center will be replacing the five humidifier components in its air-handling system after the maintenance staff found holes in the parts.

Facilities engineer Larry Mitchell explained to the board of trustees earlier this week the humidifiers are essential in maintaining the 30 to 40 percent humidity levels required in the operating room and medial-surgery areas of the health center.

Mitchell said an attempt to repair the componets was made, but the welding couldn?t hold.

Board chairman Bob Keller compared the humidifers to a vehicle?s radiator. He said mechanics used to be able to weld and repair radiators, but now the parts are made with such thin metal, it is easier to replace them than to repair them.

Mitchell had contacted three companies about replacing the humidifiers. Of the three, he recommended ordering the components from Affiliated Steam. Not only did the parts come with three-year warranties, compared to the one-year warranties on parts from other companies, a representative visited the health center.

?The guy came to look, asked lots of questions and even asked for water testing,? said Mitchell. ?The other companies didn?t visit and just wanted information over the phone.?

Trustee Greg Hanshaw motioned, and the board unanimously approved, replacing the humidifier components with Affiliated Steam units and getting them ordered as soon as possible. The cost is $93,838.

According to Mitchell, the health center?s maintenance staff will be installing the new components to save on labor costs.

?The problems we?ve had with our new facility have been manufactured components, not the facility itself,? Mitchell added.

The Jefferson County Health Center opened in April 2009.