CSR: Critical healthcare

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The diverse functional requirements of Australian healthcare facilities and the fact that patients are often in their most vulnerable circumstances, requires an elevated level of attention in both design and product assembly to ensure that the physical amenity and technical performance of the building is realised.

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Whether the project brief includes medical or surgical services, such as critical emergency care, mental health, palliative care, diagnostic rooms or outpatient services; it is likely that there will be consideration of a combination of the following performance functions:

• Fire resistance level (FRL)


• Acoustic performance


• Impact resistance


• Thermal performance


• Durability


• Bacteria control


• Indoor air quality


• Connection and coordination of services


• Structure


• Sustainability

The complexity of the technical needs of healthcare is probably un-paralleled in any other building segment.
Better outcomes are achieved on major projects when the project team (including the client, architect, consultants, builder, and in some cases the facilities manager) works in collaboration with experienced contractors and manufacturers; as this collaborative process leads to improved value engineering of the project, including:

• Simplicity in the design solution


• Using the best combination of quality materials required to meet the needs of the project


• Ease of construction and better on-site quality control


• Resolution of abutment details between differing materials leading to improved site coordination


• Preparation of appropriate documentation for reference by the contractors


• And in some cases the development of new systems to meet custom solutions.

The success of good planning prior to construction, is that complex projects with challenging technical performance requirements can be achieved with a relatively simple wall systems where maximum benefit is gained from every component of the wall.
Carefully considered product selections at this stage deliver superior performance from day one, and prevent the additional costs of retrofitting materials post construction.
The benefits of creating good internal environments in healthcare facilities include better patient outcomes, and better working environments for the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Angus Kell
(B.App.Sc (Env.Des), B.Arch, ARAIA) National DesignLINK Manager CSR Lightweight Systems
For information and support with your next wall or ceiling project, backed by CSR – the name behind some of the building industry’s most trusted brands, contact DesignLINK™ on 1800 621 117 or visit www.CSR.com.au