Sydney's greater west is one area in Australia that is reflecting our nation's rapid growth, which means an increased demand on infrastructure and public facilities such as hospitals. The Nepean Hospital, Penrith recently underwent a major extension development to accommodate the area's growing needs.
Hospital projects and aged care facilities pose complex challenges in terms of impact, fire and acoustic requirements, which is why Gyprock EC08t Impact was selected as the wall lining solution for this project.
EC08t Impact is a premium plasterboard that meets all of the unique requirements of healthcare facilities while offering the added benefit of GECA accreditation. Specifically designed for both hard and soft body impact applications, EC08t Impact is ideal for areas in hospitals or aged care facilities which are exposed to bumps and abrasion. This reduces the need for ongoing maintenance, saving the hospital labour and material costs and potential down time. The product also offers excellent acoustic performance and is fire rated - two important considerations for healthcare building design.
Designed by Hassell Architects in Sydney, the three storey 15,000sqm building houses a new ambulatory procedures centre including six new operating theatres, and an additional 60 in-patient beds, with a new corridor link to the existing main hospital, where work included an extended intensive care unit and replacement of the existing chapel.
Hassell project architect Brian Cunningham notes that Gyprock EC08t Impact was specified for the corridors of the hospital extension for various reasons. "The wall lining had to meet fire and acoustic ratings, and being installed in a high circulation area of the hospital it also had to offer a high level of both soft and hard body impact resistance. In addition, the construction was following best practices so the fact that the EC08t boards have Green Star credit made the selection all that more easy," says Brian.
EC08t Impact is one of six boards in the Gyprock EC08t range that carry Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certification and can contribute to Green Star points in the Green Building Council Australia's calculators.
This product is produced with the highest level of recycled content found in the Gyprockt plasterboard range, but unlike mesh reinforced plasterboard, it can be recycled rather than add to the growing waste problem. EC08t Impact is easier to cut than mesh reinforced impact grade plasterboard, making it easier to work with. In addition, because all Gyprockt products are locally manufactured and supported, supply and price can be guaranteed, while also supporting local jobs and ultimately the economy.
