DRAINAGE & WATER MANAGEMENT
WHEN WATER CAN’T BE TURNED OFF
Steve Bamforth, UK Strategic Project Director at Polypipe Building Services, explores how prefabrication and offsite work can support hospital retrofits while avoiding costly shutdowns.
Retrofitting hospitals is a major challenge. Drainage and water supply systems are often decades old and under pressure from heavy, constant use, yet the building must remain fully operational throughout any upgrade. With little room for downtime and even less space for plant access, deliveries and materials, estate managers are left juggling efficiency with the realities of complex pipework replacement.
But with the right planning, approach and materials, pipes stuck in a cycle of failure, blockage and repair can be upgraded with minimal disruption. Done well, retrofit work can extend the lifespan and performance of hospital estates well into the future.