Specialists collaborating toward a shared vision
Laing O’Rourke were main contractor for the build. They said, “…its opening marks the completion of stage one of a 14-year project known as the ‘3Ts’, bringing teaching, trauma and tertiary care facilities to the region. Laing O’Rourke Project Leader Gavin Body, “We have handed over an outstanding hospital to the NHS and I know it will transform the way that doctors and nurses can care for their patients. The project has been one with complex challenges, which have included delivering the new facilities while allowing the existing hospital to keep services running throughout.”
Rockfon’s Simon Slade, “This was a large, high profile project spanning several years, involving a number of design, planning and construction specialists along with three ceiling system installation companies, all working together to create a cutting-edge healthcare resource which we were very pleased to have contributed to."
HTM 60 compliance requirements
More than 21,000m2 of Rockfon Medicare Standard and Rockfon Medicare Plus were specified throughout the corridors, atrium, circulation areas, wards and ICU. Simon Slade explains why these tiles were chosen, “This specialist range provides superior performance in terms of infection control, Class A sound absorption and the highest fire safety (Class A1), while helping create light-filled spaces where sound is kept under control, which research shows aids recovery and wellbeing. Simple cleaning and low particle emission (ISO Class 3 and 4) also mark Medicare out as the perfect choice for healthcare specification.”
A team of specialist installation companies worked on the ceiling package
As well as its involvement in other facets of the build, Linear Projects England was involved in the installation of Rockfon acoustic systems at the hospital alongside two other specialist firms, Gen Drywall and AT Jones.
Wide-span ceilings – Primary Structure I Profile grid
Surrey-based Gen Drywall Contracts Manager, Mark Bean, spoke about which Rockfon systems were used for wide-span ceilings such as those in the atrium, “Rockfon’s Simon Slade attended quite a few site visits to provide design and technical advice and the Rockfon team came up with a solution to manage the sometimes very congested services – electrical, heating, water pipes etc. – in the ceiling void where traditional fixings could not be used. We used Chicago Metallic Primary Structure I Profile as the principle structure to shift, separate and organise the services, with a secondary grid installed underneath it to effectively conceal them.”
Corridor ceilings – Maxispan T24 grid
In the corridors, the cost-effective Rockfon MaxiSpan T24 system was used, where the grid is suspended from the walls by brackets. It can reach 3m in a single span, enabling BDP to specify three different module dimensions – 600x600mm, 600x1200mm and 2100x600mm – and different tile edge details, allowing the grid to be exposed, recessed or concealed in some areas of the hospital with the combination of square and plank modules being used in an novel way to visually break up the space while retaining acoustic and hygienic performance.
AT Jones also installed ceiling systems at the Royal Sussex. ATJ Group Director, Keith Horsford, commented, “This was an interesting, challenging and ultimately rewarding project. We worked alongside Rockfon to overcome congested services and benefited from the fact that the Rockfon system is very easy to work with. The lightweight tiles also help to simplify the process to achieving a quality installation. This is one of the best products on the market for when performance and aesthetics are key.”
Ceilings in the MRI scan room – Alu 740 grid
Another specialist grid was required in the MRI scan room as the strong magnetic fields in the scanner would be affected by a traditional galvanised steel grid. Made from non-magnetic (nonferrous) aluminium, Chicago Metallic Alu 740 was specified here.
Enhanced corrosion resistance grid in clinical areas
In clinical areas, including HDU and ICU, Chicago Metallic T24 Click 2890 ECR Class D grid was used. All ECR grid components and accessories are made of pre-painted galvanised steel Z 275 meeting the highest Class D corrosion resistance requirements of EN13964.
The perfect fit for healthcare specification
Infection control is paramount in healthcare and medical settings. Rockfon products are made from a core of basalt stone wool, which, in addition to being innately non-combustible, naturally offers protection against microbial spread. The Medicare range embodies additional antibacterial safeguards, vitally important for its use in the intensive care unit at the Royal Sussex.
Leading property and construction Consultancy, McBains, worked alongside the scheme’s contractor, Laing O’Rourke, providing construction supervision, together with cost and project management services. Director Steve Brooker commented: “The Louisa Martindale is an incredible, state-of-the-art building that has transformed patient care and staff working environments at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. This scheme is a shining example of how collaboration between consultant, contractor and client can ensure the successful delivery of a technical and logistically-challenging project”.
Editors additional notes
Jo Simpson, Directorate Lead Nurse for Neurosciences and Stroke, “This is going to be fantastic for staffing, for staff welfare.”
Bhaskar Ganai, Interventional Radiologist, “It’s changed how we are able to deliver high quality care.”
*Dr Louisa Martindale CBE (born 1872, died 1966) championed the cause of medical education for women, worked as a surgeon during two world wars, and was a world-renowned gynaecologist. Throughout her career she maintained her connection with Brighton where she had attended Brighton High School for Girls, and with the New Sussex Hospital where she continued to treat women and children until 1937.
