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Cast-iron systems are filling the prescription for drainage on major hospital projects throughout the UK. Qualities such as longevity, acoustic performance and fire resistance are commonly quoted by specifiers when explaining why cast iron is their material of choice, and the fact that many of these projects are undertaken as Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs), is also a determining factor. |
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Engineering services provider AMEC
is heavily involved in infrastructure projects, including the provision
of healthcare facilities using the PFI process. Amongst the key projects
undertaken by AMEC is the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, the first
major district hospital completed under the Government’s PFI initiative.
On this and other healthcare projects, cast iron drainage systems have
been specified as PFI Manager Graham Rowe explains: “The
PFI process establishes a model of healthcare accommodation which has
the full buy in of clinicians and staff who deliver the service. Whilst
the facilities provided at the outset may satisfy the intended purpose
for many years, the continual advance of medical technology and the
various changes that medical space invariably undergoes mean that a
certain degree of flexibility will be required of the built environment.
It can be an advantage to have as an anchor the strength that cast iron
provides to track back to during refit projects. The varied forms of
jointing methods which allow for speedy interchanging of fittings also
offer considerable benefits.”
Mark Toovey, the Chief Public Health Engineer of AMEC adds his voice to the case for cast iron, saying: “In cast iron, we have a material that is well known for its strength and durability and it provides a secure solution to projects which are fast track in their programming requirements. Both stored and installed materials are vulnerable to damage and the composition of cast iron takes away much of the frustration involved in the replacement of damaged materials.” He continues: “Many of the clients and design team partners we work with prefer the benefits that cast iron brings in terms of fire safety and integrity. We also find that the proven track record of cast iron with regard to whole life costings helps reduce ongoing expenditure for our clients and partners over the life of the project.” Currently under construction in London is a £225m building project that will result in a new University College London (UCLH) teaching hospital at Euston Road. Consulting engineers DSSR are responsible for the design, specification and supervision of all of the mechanical, electrical and public health systems. Senior Engineer Tony Mason says that cast-iron is his material of preference because it offers a range of benefits over other materials. He says: “Plastic simply does not come into the equation. Cast iron is robust, durable and does not need fire stopping. Cast iron systems also have 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.” These sentiments are again echoed by Peter Blick, Senior Engineering Consultant with the Bristol office of Hoare Lea, who was responsible for the specification of cast iron for a £137m project being undertaken for the Dudley Group of Hospitals. He describes cast iron as being “almost self-regulating in its specification”. He says: “Cast iron has a number of benefits which are particularly relevant to hospital facilities. High on the list are the superior acoustic qualities and fire resistance. Then, of course, there is the rigidity cast iron brings to the installation, plus its reliability and longevity.” |
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