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Leak Detection: Preventing Catastrophic Damage Before It’s Too Late

Written by Joe Mundell | Sep 29, 2021 9:31:58 PM

Leaks in sensitive areas can be devastating to your operations.

Imagine this: a surgeon is performing life-saving surgery, researchers are in a lab about to make a breakthrough discovery, and nurses are providing critical care to COVID-19 patients.

Just then, your basement data center begins to flood.

Equipment starts to shut down, electrical issues spread throughout the building, and chaos ensues. Patients are being transferred, equipment is damaged, and bad news surrounds everything. 

Water leaks are among the most damaging mishaps that can occur in a hospital or healthcare organization, even though they are among the easiest to monitor and mitigate.

Hospital plumbing systems are often intermixed and may include water and sprinkler piping, as well as heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning piping.

Without a proper system in place to monitor water leaks, equipment rooms, data centers, procedure rooms, and so much more, these areas are at risk from installation deficiencies, improper welding of fittings, and frozen pipes.

 

What Is Leak Detection?

Leak detection is the process of installing sensors within a facility to continuously monitor the risk of a water leak.

Water leaks can cause catastrophic damage to a hospital’s facility and take a long time to repair.

From surface-level finishes like carpeting, drywall, and flooring to costly and critical equipment and data centers, it is wise for hospitals to have a system in place to prevent such damage. 

How Leak Detection Technology Works 

Sonicu can help. To begin, we recommend identifying all critical rooms in your organization that could benefit from a leak detection system.

These usually include data centers, equipment rooms, and storage areas for important assets.

This ensures that your organization is monitoring and protecting what matters most.

Installing a Sonicu leak detection system is as easy as 1-2-3 and takes just minutes!

Simply ensure you have all the required hardware on hand and follow our guided Implementation Wizard, which walks you through installing sensors and setting up alarms and notifications for staff.

Because of our sensor’s wireless capabilities, anyone can install a leak detection system - regardless of technical expertise!

No complicated configurations or wiring are needed, and the installation process is as seamless as booting up a new smartphone or device you’d buy from a big-box retailer.

Sonicu isn’t meant to replace your current maintenance or facilities teams, but rather act as a support tool to continually monitor things they shouldn’t have to.

SoniCloud, Sonicu's cutting-edge software system, includes features such as...

  • Alarm notifications that alert staff when issues arise
  • Customizable schedules programmed around employee shifts to ensure the right people receive notifications at the right time
  • Tiered alarming that pushes notifications further down the chain if issues arise and aren’t handled promptly
  • All of these features ensure that your facility is staying safe, and more importantly, dry!

 

Interested in Leak Detection?

Of course, there are things hospitals can do to maintain their systems and reduce the risk of a water leak. These can include, but aren’t limited to: 

  • Exercise domestic water control valves annually to dislodge corrosion or sediment that will ultimately cause them to seize 
  • Check and clear HVAC condensate drains monthly to ensure proper drainage
  • Check and clear roof drains monthly to prevent potential water damage
  • Test sump pumps quarterly to ensure that if an emergency arises, your facility is ready
  • Regularly check the connection of dissimilar metals that are prone to corrosion

If you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy partner to handle your hospital’s leak detection, contact us today to learn more.