The health sector demands an infrastructure that is flexible and adaptable for multi-purpose medical use. Recent hospital projects demonstrate that medical steel buildings are well placed to meet and exceed the increasing needs in the health sector. And why not? After all, steel construction offers a complete solution for hospitals and medical clinics. Let’s see how metal structures are affordable.
Benefits Of Using Steel Structures For Medical Facilities
The metal building offers many advantages over traditional medical facilities. Medical metal buildings are suitable for all purposes, from being cost-effective to fast assembling. Let’s break this down into details.
Cost Saving
Metal structures are more affordable in the long run than traditional construction methods. For instance, metal does not rot or decay with changing seasons as it does not absorb water and moisture from the air. So management doesn’t have to waste money on frequent repairs and replacements.
Steel buildings are resistant to pests such as termites, which can weaken the frame and panels over time. When properly sealed with a waterproof sealant, steel prohibits insects from entering. So you won’t need to call a termite inspection and control team on a monthly basis.
Durability & Longevity
When galvanized, structural steel resists corrosion. High-quality steel maintains its durability and longevity with minimal upkeep. Steel does not shrink, bend, twist, or develop cracks, making it an excellent candidate for creating operating rooms, emergency rooms, modular bathrooms, or clean rooms.
Steel, when coated with fire retardant, becomes resistant to fire, so you can create a record room to keep patients’ files and documents safe. Let’s see the customization options that can be useful for medical structures.
Steel structures with paint coatings can be easily cleaned from dust and contamination, making them more durable. With insulation, steel can achieve a high level of acoustic insulation and low vibration response. It helps meet strict NHS regulations without compromising on structural strength.
Customization Options For Specific Medical Facilities Needs
Steel buildings are flexible and adaptable to future needs. Some custom features that can increase the functionality of a metal building are:
Clear Span
Clear-span steel construction creates an area with no internal supporting columns and walls. It allows you to create partitions as per the floor plan. You can make a general ward, semi-private/ private room, intensive care unit (ICU), patient’s operating room (OR), and isolation room to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Lean-To
This is a shaded area beside the steel building where you can park ambulances and other emergency vehicles that can be sent or used without any delay. The shaded area can also provide space for parking doctors’/ visitors’ cars.
Gutter & Downspout
It is necessary to protect people from water pouring over their heads when entering and leaving the building. A gutter will prevent water from a downpour from falling directly below. You can also install a collection tank to collect water that can be filtered and used for watering plants.
Color
Metal builders offer multiple color options for medical steel buildings. You can choose a tranquilizing color that matches the hospital environment and relaxes people.
Some Typical Sizes Of Medical Facilities
| Size of Medical Facility
|
Average No. of Beds | Average Size |
| Micro Hospital | 08 to 15 beds | 15,000 to 50,000 square feet |
| Small Hospital | 100 beds | 200,000 square feet |
| Medium Hospital | 100 to 250 beds | 444,000 square feet |
| Large Hospital | 250 or more beds | 1.1 million square feet |
Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
With proper insulation and ventilation systems, regulating the temperature inside a medical steel building becomes easy. They also help reduce moisture and humidity, creating a comfortable environment for patients. They also reduce the chances of mold and mildew growth, which can cause health issues.
Both insulation and vent systems help the HVAC system work effectively, thereby reducing energy bills. Any reduction in the monthly operational cost of a medical metal building will benefit management.
Structural steel is 98% recycled and 100% recyclable. Since it can be reused multiple times without losing strength and durability, it reduces the overall carbon footprint. It minimizes waste and promotes eco-friendly material use. Metal is also anti-fungal, and copper has been reported to be anti-bacterial. It does not emit any toxic fumes with time, making it healthier for medical staff and patients.
Quick Construction Timeline
The pre-engineered metal building takes less time to install on site as most of the parts are designed, cut, and drilled in the factory before being shipped to the construction site. Installing a medical steel building also takes less time and manpower.
Since metal buildings can be constructed quickly, they are best suited for urgent medical facility needs. The time savings are about 4 to 5% of the overall medical building project value.
Building A Healthier Future For Medical Facilities
Medical metal buildings can take on different appearances, giving a sleek and modern look along with an open floor plan that can accommodate more people looking for medical care. With various customization features, high durability, and cost-effectiveness, it stands apart from the rest of the traditional materials.
