The Nasrec field hospital was commissioned in April 2020 to help alleviate the burden of Covid-19 patients at clinics and hospitals across Johannesburg. The site was developed in 2 phases with phase 2 becoming operational in August. 

The facility provides a safe environment for those who are Covid-19 positive, but who are unable to self-isolate, thereby protecting family members, and the greater community, from further spreading the highly transmissible virus. 

The rate of Covid-19 infection in a city as densely populated as Johannesburg, where living conditions are often overcrowded and sanitary facilities below basic, was of paramount concern to the SA Department of Health. As such it was imperative that the isolation facility was set up in record time. 

The centrally located GL Events, Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, with 150,000 square meters of versatile and flexible indoor and outdoor space, was considered to be the ideal location to establish an isolation centre. 

Upon completion of phase 2 the site developed from an isolation centre to include provision of medical care. It was reclassified as a field hospital and from August was treating Covid-19 patients in need of oxygen. The facility has 1500 beds available, 500 with direct oxygen and 70 with oxygen concentrators. 

With such critical medical equipment on site, as well as vital air filtration, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, the requirement for a reliable power solution that keeps these systems operational was of the highest priority.

Due to keeping stock in bond and at regional service centres at all times, HIMOINSA were in a position to commission a project of national importance within 48hrs of an effective contract and sign-off. 

Three 500kVA units were placed strategically on site to provide power to the different halls being utilised for patient care. The units provide essential standby back-up power in the event of a grid outage. With regular load shedding scheduled in the city the requirement for reliable back up power is a certainty. 

The generator sets power the critical mobile oxygen concentrators which provide vital support to the COVID-19 patients, as well as the air filtration system, HVAC systems and communal lighting. The air in the facility is filtered twice, both through a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) and UV lights. 

Due to the sensitivity of the equipment being powered by the generator sets each unit is manually controlled and has its own unique starting sequence. HIMOINSA Southern Africa OEM Technical teams provided on-site training to technicians at the hospital to ensure the start-up process can be initiated seamlessly. 

For the duration of the contract HIMOINSA in-house technicians also provide ongoing rapid service support and remotely monitor the units 24/7 via DSE890 WebNet interface to ensure that the engine and alternator parameters are correct and in line with OEM specification.