Underground Watertight Doors Spare Texas Children's

A little more than two years ago, George Peterkin Jr., a member of Texas Children's Board of Directors, attended a flood seminar co-hosted by Rice University and the Texas Medical Center. He returned with concerns and approached Mark A. Wallace, Texas Children's president and chief executive officer. The hospital's building and grounds committee then funded a flood study of its campus, which was completed in 1999.

"This led Texas Children's to create a statement saying that in the event of flooding, it was in our best interest to defend in place," said Mark Kenneday, director of engineering and environmental services. "We decided we never wanted to have to transfer patients."

The board approved the installation of underground watertight doors, similar to those found on a submarine, in the underground tunnels connect Texas Children's various buildings. Each heavy metal door is surrounded by a rubber bladder, which inflates to seal the door and prevent water from entering.

The first phase, the installation of five doors to protect the West Tower, was begun in 2000 and completed earlier this year. The second phase is currently under construction at the Texas Children's Clinical Care Center, while the third phase to protect the Feigin Center will begin and be completed later this year. Texas Children's is working with St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital to determine the best way to protect the shared Abercrombie/St. Luke's building.

"The flood doors enabled us to keep our plant dry and maintain power during the recent floods," said Tim Chafin, assistant vice president of ambulatory services. "Also, we pulled the trigger early in closing the flood doors and gates and distributing flood logs."

The flood doors weren't the only things that helped Texas Children's during the storm. Texas Children's, operating under a disaster alert earlier in the week, completed an emergency preparedness drill in May and dealt with a minor garage fire recently, which served as good preparation.

"People often wonder why we have the disaster drills - this is why," Chafin said. "The experiences of the past few weeks prepared us well."

Pat Perry, the administrator on call during the flood, called a disaster alert early, activating the Texas Children's team and preparing resources. Susan MacDonald, the backup administrator on call, joined Perry and Susan Distefano, vice president for patient care services, as well as representatives from security and facilities planning, public affairs, development and other areas to establish a command center. The group monitored weather information, addressed staffing issues and arranged for rooms and food for patients, families and employees.

"I was impressed with everyone's `can-do' attitude," MacDonald said. "We had folks doing things outside the scope of their normal responsibilities, and everyone pitched in."

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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