Mercy Hospital Joplin (Mo.), built after deadly tornado, has expanded definition of building for resiliency, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
Mercy replaces the former St. John’s Regional Medical Center, which was destroyed after the EF-5 tornado.
The new healthcare facility has been storm-hardened to an apparently unsurpassed level, the article said. The design team used the old hospital as a guide to determine which materials withstood damage from the tornado.
Custom-made safety laminated windows that are rated to withstand damage up to 250 mph, 140 mph or 110 mph were installed depending on specific space needs and the vulnerability of occupants in that area. Precast concrete finishes and a concrete roof helped to harden the exterior.
Managing IAQ in Healthcare Facilities During Wildfires
Building Hospital Resilience in an Era of Extreme Weather
From Cooling Towers to Cost Savings: Hospital Seizes Power-Saving Opportunity
Design Standards as Strategic Assets
Rising Violence is Exposing Gaps in Hospital Security