A new hospital will open in March in Joplin, Mo., four years after a tornado destroyed the original. The new 875,000-square-foot, $335 million Mercy Joplin has been built to be more storm-resistant, according to an article on the Modern Healthcare website.
The new facility has laminated glass throughout the building and exterior glass designed to withstand winds of at least 140 mph.
In areas where patients are less able to be moved, exterior windows are rated to withstand winds of 250 mph.
All mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have been moved to a central engineering plant about 400 feet east and halfway below ground, to limit exposure to the elements.
All utilities are now located 25 feet underground to protect and the hospital will have two feeds for electricity and two options for water.
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