Construction Specialties (CS) tried-and-tested wall protection range
Construction Specialties’ (CS) tried-and-tested wall protection range provided the cost-effective, easy to maintain solution for the interior areas of a world-leading centre of medical excellence.
The Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals in Huntley Street, London will pioneer advances in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat and mouth including dental, hearing, speech and balance services. It will also focus on treating head and neck cancers in adults and children.
Built on the site of the former University College London (UCL) Students’ Union building and the Royal Ear Hospital, the centre is at the heart of the University College Hospital campus. Comprising six storeys, for the state-of-the-art facility’s interior circulation and corridor areas, wall protection was required to safeguard the building’s fabric as well as offer a sturdy and comfortable support for vulnerable patients and visitors. CS had just the solution. Its Acrovyn® wall protection range, comprising a wide variety of models to suit different protection requirements, not only offers a robust, durable defence for interior surfaces, it helps to maintain an attractive and welcoming interior environment.
For the Huntley Street project, CS Acrovyn® Wall protection was used across all levels of the building. The scheme included 285 metres of CS HRS-6 Stainless Steel Handrail installed in circulation areas in order to provide robust pedestrian support with a crisp modern aesthetic.
In areas where both handrail support and protection from impact was required, CS Acrovyn® HRB-20 hand/crash rail was installed. Two colours of covers were used (dark grey on the handrail section, mid-grey for the crashrail part) to help distinguish the handrail. In total, more than 400 metres of hand/crashrail was installed using Quick Lock, CS’ unique, sturdy bracket system which considerably reduces installation time when compared to traditional brackets. The Quick Lock system also brings benefits of pre-fabrication and aids easy removal of hand/crash rail from the wall for redecoration and maintenance.
The surface-mounted, pearl grey CS Acrovyn SCR-200 Crashrail (116m) was fitted at two heights to the hospital’s back-of-house lobby areas. As well as providing heavy-duty protection, the crashrail’s flat aesthetic ensures it blends in with its environment. Often used in narrow corridors, the CS Acrovyn SCR-200 Crashrail is mounted directly to the wall to help save vital space.
In addition, CS Acrovyn® Corner Guards were applied to external corners throughout the hospital. Nearly 500 of the SM-20 and SSM-20 guards with flexible covers over continuous aluminium retainers were fitted to mid-wall height, creating heavy duty protection for vulnerable corners.
In staff breakout areas, ultrasound and dental treatment areas CS Acrovyn® Smooth, hygienic, impact-resistant wall cladding was used. Simple to install, Acrovyn® Smooth Sheet is also easy to clean and maintain, making it a cost-effective wall cladding solution which can be repeatedly washed to keep surfaces hygienically clean.
The Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals opened in October 2019. Thanks to CS’ Acrovyn® wall protection range, the building’s interior spaces are safeguarded against the long-term wear and tear associated with a high-profile medical centre. It will also help uphold hygiene standards throughout the hospital, as well as create an aesthetically-pleasing, comfortable environment for patients and staff alike.