The Plenum Ventilation System at RVH EHOD 2026

The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast was a pioneer in building design thanks to its plenum ventilation system. This system, which pushed conditioned air up a long plenum basement corridor into the wards above, has claim to be the first air conditioning system installed in a public building anywhere in the world.

The system was created by Birmingham-based engineer Henry Lea, who developed this pioneering approach on earlier projects with William Henman, the architect of the RVH. But there was also significant local involvement: Samuel Cleland Davidson's Sirocco Works provided the large turbine which can still be powered on today. Running the length of the hospital's Victorian Corridor above, the basement features a large, brick-lined tunnel which acted as a main duct, distributing conditioned air to the original wards.

The system included sprinklers for humidification and temperature regulation to maintain a healthy and comfortable environment for patients and staff. Join the Belfast Trust Estates team for this special tour where you can see the original engines and turbine in action and visit the basement plenum duct underneath the old hospital corridor.

This event is part of a series organised by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust for EHOD 2026.

Accessibility: Please note -  Steep steps and narrow passageways - not fully accesssible

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