Cumberland Infirmary
| Client: | NHS Hospitals Trust | |
| Architect: | Llewelyn Davis | |
| Main Contractor: | Amec Construction |
Project Profile
Cumberland Infirmary is the first PFI hospital in the North of Britain. Built next to the existing Carlisle Hospital as part of the Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust, the new Cumberland Infirmary features the use of Knauf's structural steel Building System (SBS) for all external wall applications and drylining systems for all the internal fit-out and partitions. The specification criteria were dictated by the speed of construction, clinical requirements, affordability, lifecycle costs and the need to minimise maintenance costs.
A variety of board types, together with Knauf jointing and taping materials were used to achieve the various elements of fire and acoustic performance requirements for the project.
Characteristics
Knauf SBS uses lightweight cold rolled steel profiles of exceptional strength. Ideal for loadbearing walls, partitions and floors, they present an economical alternative to more traditional solutions including hot-rolled steel, reinforced concrete and blockwork.
Advantages of Use
An innovation ideally suited to fast-track methods, SBS saves time and ultimately money in a number of ways. As well as eliminating wet trades it offers overall weight savings, in turn saving cost and further time for foundations and structural steelwork.
SBS can be used as a basis for a complete construction package for external and internal walls, floors and roofs. Erection is quick and simple and allows for easy installation of M & E Services, both during construction and any further refurbishment.
Ideal for PFI Hospitals
Cumberland Infirmary is one of many new PFI hospitals to use Knauf SBS systems as an economic and time-saving means of construction.
Other new hospitals to use the system include the Norwich and Norfolk Hospital and Hairmyers Hospital in East Kilbride.
Technical Summary
The complete range of SBS systems have been fully tested in accordance with relevant British Standards.
They offer exceptional performance in terms of fire and thermal resistance, sound insulation and loadbearing capabilities.
Designed in accordance with BS 5950: Part 5: 1987 (Re. Code of practice for design of cold steel sections). Tested in accordance with British Standards at independent NAMAS accredited testing laboratories. Meets BS476: Parts 20 and 21: 1987 fire resistance testing, and BS 2994: 1987 (specification for cold-rolled steel sections: G275).