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Pland Stainless healthcare products for hospital

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Nov 14, 2008

Pland Stainless, manufacturer of stainless steel washrooms and sanitaryware, has supplied a range of products to the new King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The products, which were installed by main contractor Skanska, included stainless steel sinktops, scrub-up troughs and Janitorial sinks.

Pland Stainless also supplied bespoke endoscopy sinks for the specialized dental lab within the hospital.

Special plaster sinks were also required for the prosthetic laboratory, for work involving the preparation and soaking of casting materials.

All products were manufactured in 304 grade stainless steel as well as being designed to comply with Health Technical Memoranda (HTM) 63 and 64.

King's Mill Hospital is part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is currently undergoing a GBP320m rebuild and modernisation scheme.

Pland Stainless has been manufacturing high quality stainless steel washrooms and sanitaryware products for almost a century.

The company has a wide range of products designed specifically for the healthcare sector, which is available in two grades of austenitic stainless steel, 304 and 316 grade.

304 grade, which was used on this project, is the standard grade and is appropriate for most healthcare applications.

A spokesperson from Skanska explains: "We have used Pland Stainless products for a number of years and always found them to be of the highest quality as well as being easy to install".

"The new King's Mill Hospital is going to be one of the most advanced in the country and the products will play a key role in ensuring hygienic and robust surfaces." Stainless Steel is being used on an increasing number of healthcare projects because it provides a hygienic and easy to clean surface.

The key element of stainless steel that gives it these properties is the minimum percentage, in this instance 18 per cent - of chromium.

The chromium has a great affinity for oxygen and during the manufacture of the steel, it forms a passive chromium-rich oxide layer on the surface.

Although only one to five nanometers and completely invisible, this layer gives stainless an ability to self renew.

Even when damaged or scratched, the protective film reforms immediately, making it ideal where the highest levels of hygiene are required.

The first major part of the rebuild of King's Mill Hospital was completed this year, with the opening in October by NHS chief executive David Nicholson of the King's Treatment Centre.

The next phase involves the opening of two ward towers in spring 2009, with the final phase, the third tower and Women's and Children's Centre, opening in 2010.

In addition to being fitted with the latest equipment, the hospital will also have an increased number of beds.

Steve Duree, Commercial Director at Pland Stainless, explains: "We are always delighted when our products are chosen for such worthwhile projects as hospitals".

"Our healthcare range is an integral part of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene and we are confident that it will become an invaluable part of tackling the spread of infections in hospitals".

Pland's range of healthcare products comprises standard items designed for healthcare use and washbasins and other products specifically designed to comply with Health Technical Memoranda (HTM) 63 and 64.