Sustainable refurbishment services for Brentwood Community Hospital

Brentwood Community hospital was commissioned in 2007. Supported by Basildon Hospital and the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, it has 50-beds plus delivers diagnostics and outpatients’ services. This hospital is mainly used by patients with a disability, patients aged 65yrs plus or patients who have dementia.

Integral deliver property asset management services including mechanical and electrical maintenance and fabric services, as part of a PFI lifecycle contract.

The challenge

The exterior render, including several areas clad with cedar timber, was looking weathered and grimy due to 14 years of exposure to the elements. We needed to refurbish an area of approximately 24,200m²  in a safe and sustainable way, while ensuring that staff and patients could continue to access hospital services without delays or disruption. In addition, the timber cladding had been treated to ensure it was fire retardant and it was vital that this was not compromised.

Solution

Steam was proposed as the most efficient and sustainable method for both the patients on site and the environment, as no chemicals were required. This ensured

• the fire-retardant properties and the timbers natural oils and integrity remained intact
• the buildings could continue to be occupied throughout the process
• there was no risk of any contamination to the grounds.

Result

Integral coordinated with the hospital stakeholders to implement a clear 8-10 week program of cleaning and refurbishment works which restored the building to a bright and fresh appearance, with no adverse impact on the hospital services.