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Lightweight steel tiles from Decra Roof Systems have helped
a state-of-the-art, factory-built hospital unit meet a
fast-track build programme and the local council’s
conservation criteria. |
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1,500 Decra Oberon tiles in dark brown Bark colour provide
the traditional pitched finish appropriate for the
vernacular in Hayes, Middlesex, but weigh 90% less than clay
tiles that are also subject to breaking and loosening. |
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They were specified by design
and build contractor Wernick Buildings who use
low-maintenance Decra tiles “constantly” on their modular
projects, in this case their Rapidplan™ 3000 building. |
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They certainly help to reduce
healthcare building delays, the 37 modules being delivered
and craned into position at Hayes Cottage Hospital over four
days and fitted out over eight weeks. |
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The one- and two-storey,
brick-skinned 829m˛ building is used as a satellite renal
dialysis unit for Hammersmith Hospital and replaces a
redundant building at what is now a 50-bed nursing home run
by the Fordham family. |
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Owner John Fordham had been
contacted by Hammersmith Hospital’s renal department, which
is responsible for all dialysis in West London, asking if he
would be interested in building a unit on the site that
would be rented and staffed by the NHS. |
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John was, and after visiting two
other dialysis units that had been designed and factory
built by Wernick Buildings, he and the Hammersmith team
briefed the company to design and build one for them to the
latest specifications. |
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Externally, this had to comply
with the requirements of the local council’s conservation
department, and the Decra Oberon tiles were installed on
site over four weeks by sub-contractor Jamek. |
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Internally, the design had to
meet strict NHS guidelines as well as John’s vision of a
user-friendly, open-plan design that patients, who require
dialysis three times a week, would appreciate. |
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At the Hayes site, everyone has
tried to keep the cottage hospital culture but with the very
latest equipment and facilities, and there are 24 dialysis
stations in the unit. Using such a lightweight roof system
has meant supporting framework has been kept to a minimum to
achieve the open-plan ethos. |
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Jeff Bownds, PR and marketing
manager for Wernick, said: “The Decra tiles were specified
not only for their light weight which is ideal for factory
builds but also because they matched the specification and
type required and the client liked them.” |
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John Fordham added: “The
low-cost, high-specification nature of Wernick's building
just made sense to the dialysis team and us. Wernick have
achieved a look that is aesthetically pleasing and efficient
in use.” |
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For further information on Decra Roof Systems Ltd see
www.roofinfo.co.uk/decra |
