The TCF Center, Detroit’s downtown convention center, was recently designated as a temporary alternate care facility by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the state of Michigan, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

When healthcare personnel prepare to enter patient sections, they must don medical clothing and protective equipment in negative-pressure areas. Providing high-quality lighting in a fully sealed, negative-pressure unit is imperative.

In conjunction with Team Electrical Sales and in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, eLumigen’s linear vapor-tight fixtures were selected for the facility. In addition to fitting the harsh environment needs of the temporary healthcare center, the luminaires use roughly half the amount of energy consumed by fluorescent tubes. The wet-rated fixtures have been installed overhead and on walls in triage zones, temporary shower areas, patient care rooms, medical storage, and food service cafeterias.

Construction has already begun and will be performed by the TCF Center workforce and union labor. The temporary care site is planned for COVID-19 patients, relieving the burden on local hospitals treating patients with the coronavirus. With guidance from FEMA and other officials, the site will be designed in the most efficient way possible in order to allow the convention center to resume normal operations, in the weeks ahead, when this crisis eases.