Dayton Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Pavilion

HEAPY provided MEP, fire protection, and technology design for Dayton Children’s Hospital’s new behavioral health pavilion, which will expand capacity to meet the rising demand for pediatric behavioral health services and provide comprehensive care services under one roof. The facility aims to enhance patient and staff support with improved access to outdoor green spaces, elimination of dead-end corridors, abundant natural light, and flexible unit subdivisions for high-acuity patients. The design team prioritized creating a healing and engaging environment for children and families, while also providing a secure and safe space for healthcare practitioners, nurses, and maintenance staff. Thoughtful lighting design creates to a calm and inviting ambiance, particularly in communal spaces.

During the master planning process, HEAPY proposed several options to incorporate sustainability and resiliency design strategies in alignment with the owner’s state goals. The design follows the New York Mental Health Standards set by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Fixtures and hardware were selected to meet these requirements, incorporating input from healthcare providers, nurses, and maintenance staff. All building infrastructure systems and equipment were designed to ensure easy and secure access for maintenance and repair without entering secure patient areas.

HVAC Systems

The mechanical systems are designed with cross-connected Air Handling Units (AHUs) to ensure continuous operation even if one unit fails. The use of N+1 arrangement and fan wall technology within each unit enhances reliability. The heating hot water plant includes redundant condensing boilers with dual fuel backup, ensuring uninterrupted service.

Electrical & Emergency Power Systems

Electrical and emergency power systems were designed with redundancy, using two-ended feeds from the campus’s medium-voltage loop. This eliminated the need for an additional generator and reduced costs. Step-down and step-up transformers minimize wiring size and installation costs, with provisions for future growth through spare underground conduits.

Fire Protection & Plumbing Systems

The plumbing systems are built with redundancy and resiliency, featuring two separate water sources and a redundant dual-fuel water heating system. Advanced fire protection systems were integrated to meet stringent safety standards. All fixtures are ligature-resistant, and patient rooms have independent controls, allowing water to be shut off to individual rooms as needed, ensuring both safety and operational efficiency.

Safety & Security

Enhanced security systems, including access control, CCTV, and panic buttons, ensure a safe environment. These technology elements were carefully integrated into the interior design of the communal spaces and patient rooms, helping to create a safe and secure environment that still promotes respite and healing.