Rockfon help create Derby 'super hospital'

The new multi million pound Derby City General Hospital is making extensive use of Rockfon Ceilings.

The new multi million pound Derby City General Hospital is making extensive use of Rockfon Ceilings.

Although the hospital is not scheduled for completion until March 2008, some of the facilities are already in use and 160,000 sq m of Rockfon ceilings from the MediCare range have already been specified.

Designated a 'super hospital', the GBP333m PFI project demands products and systems that promote a safe, clean environment over the long term, in keeping with standard PFI practice.

Bob Hallam-Allsop from SKANSKA Construction Limited, was involved in the specification of Rockfon Ceilings.

"The demands of the location called for a ceiling that had long term performance as well as being visually pleasing," he comments.

"Rockfon ceilings contain all the characteristics required for the Derby City General Hospital, especially in terms of fitting large quantities".

RockLink 24 and 24 ECR (Enhanced Corrosion Resistant) grid systems were used together with the RockLink Maxi-Span system, created especially for corridors.

Because hospital corridor ceiling voids are extremely congested with a myriad of services they are not conducive to the use of suspension hangers, back to the soffit or primary grids, therefore RockLink Maxi-Span was the ideal solution.

This is a cost efficient grid system where time and money can be saved by not fixing a primary grid.

It saves on installation time, as there is less grid and more planks for a more monolithic appearance.

The MediCare range of tiles is ideal for hygienic environments where fire resistance and safety are paramount concerns.

"Fire resistance and sound absorption were some of the key characteristics we required for the ceilings, Rockfon systems offered solutions to specification requirements," continues Mr Hallam-Allsop.

"Rockfon ceilings offered the perfect solution for such a large scale project".

Being manufactured from stone wool, MediCare tiles resist moisture and bacteria and unlike many ceiling tiles, do not need chemical additives in their core, nor do they rely upon surface treatment to provide micro-organism resistance.

The Ceiling Contractor, Carlton Ceilings and Partitions Limited (CCP), are no strangers to Rockfon products and are also installing various Rockfon systems at the St James Hospital in Leeds and the London Hospital.

Andy Hewitt from CCP is delighted with the outcome at the Derby Hospital.

"We have installed Rockfon ceilings throughout the Hospital and I am impressed with the products and ease of installation," he comments.

"Before and during installation we received a lot of support and assistance from Rockfon staff which we are sure will continue throughout the 2nd Phase of the project".

With years of experience in providing ceilings for high specification projects, Rockfon are ideally suited to provide a ceiling solution for the remainder of the hospital development.

Construction of the hospital began in May 2004 with ceilings being installed from May 2005.

The first phase of the hospital is due for completion in the second quarter of 2007 with overall completion of the second phase by December 2008.

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