Cast Iron - just what the Doctor ordered

Cast iron systems are being used to fill the ‘prescription’ for drainage on the UK’s largest hospital development project. Currently under construction, the new University College London Hospital (UCLH) teaching hospital at Euston Road, London, will enjoy the benefits of a cast iron internal rainwater system, suspended drainage and internal soil stacks.

The building project, valued at more than £250m will result in a major new 669-bed state-of-the-art hospital that will replace many of the existing facilities in the area. Work is currently underway on phase 1, a 17-storey block scheduled for completion in 2005. Consulting engineers DSSR (Donald Smith, Seymour & Rooley) are responsible for the design and specification of all of the mechanical, electrical and public health systems. For the drainage system, senior engineer Tony Mason says that cast iron is the material of preference. He says: “Cast iron offers a range of benefits – it is robust, durable and it does not require fire stopping.”

Gareth Welding of the Cast Iron Drainage Development Authority says that the last point is of particular significance, with fire and heat resistance being a priority in the design of any public building.

He comments: “Cast iron offers considerable benefits over other materials, being flame proof for four hours and acting as a barrier to flame expansion. Fire cannot be propagated in cast iron networks and cast iron does not emit any toxic fumes.”

There were other practical benefits for the specification of cast iron, as Tony Mason explains: "Plastic simply did not come into the equation. PVC-u systems are fusion jointed so if you need to connect in to the system, you have to cut into the pipework. A cast iron system has the considerable benefit of being de-mountable. All you need to do is unbolt the joints which makes it a fast and easy job to fit in new lengths."

The Cast Iron Credentials briefing document is available free of charge from CIDDA at Wyatt House, 72 Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8BR. The CIDDA hotline number is 0121 693 9909.