A Houston hospital stays afloat during extreme weather

Hospitals learned the lessons of Katrina


Texas Medical Center in Houston is the world’s largest medical complex. It has dozens of buildings, 106,000 employees who care for some 10 million patients per year.

After Hurricane Allison, Texas Medical Center in Houston added various engineering features to help withstand extreme weather, according to an article on the WBUR website.

First, they built a moat — a hydrostatic wall, about seven feet tall,  made from a mix of granite and a half-inch of glass. And outside that, an earthen berm.

There are pumps in this reverse moat to get rid of any water that makes it over. But then, even if all that fails, there are the flood doors.

Read the article.



October 10, 2019



Recent Posts

Wanted: Scientific Standard for Hospital Cleaning

No accepted criteria exist for defining a surface as clean using microbiologic methods.


NLCS Strengthens Safety and Compliance with Comprehensive Electrical Program

Case study: A renewed partnership with Siemens helps the senior living provider meet NFPA 70B standards, reduce risk, and enhance reliability across its communities.


Sun Valley Surgery Center Suffers a Data Breach

On September 3, 2025, SVSC became aware of a potential issue involving SVSC’s information systems.


EV Charging Stations: Planning for Safety, Convenience, Expansion

Managers need to ensure patient access, coordinate with clinical operations and ensure every phase of construction supports the facility's mission.


Why Ambulatory Surgery Centers Are Turning to Dedicated HVAC Systems

Design experts from Neenan Archistruction explain how single-unit HVAC systems for each operating room enhance infection control, comfort, and resiliency.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.