Client Overview

The client is a large regional hospital providing comprehensive healthcare services across multiple departments. With a growing number of patients and medical staff, the hospital was seeing an increasing demand for charging solutions for medical devices, staff equipment, and patient mobility aids (e.g., electric wheelchairs, patient monitoring systems). The hospital wanted to install a comprehensive and organized system to accommodate the growing number of charging stations, ensuring both safety and efficiency.

Problem Statement

The hospital’s existing electrical containment system was outdated and could not support the installation of additional power outlets and charging stations needed for medical equipment. The challenges included:

• Insufficient power outlets: Key areas, including patient rooms, nurses’ stations, and treatment rooms, lacked sufficient charging outlets for modern medical equipment and mobile devices.
• Cluttered and unsafe wiring: Current wiring and power solutions were cluttered, often creating safety hazards such as exposed cables or over-loaded extension leads.
• Compliance concerns: Existing setups did not meet current electrical containment regulations for healthcare facilities, which are particularly stringent due to patient safety concerns.(HTM)
• Lack of flexibility: The hospital required a flexible system that could easily adapt to future equipment upgrades and relocation of charging points without major rewiring or disruption.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the project were:

1. Design and install electrical containment systems that met modern healthcare standards(HTM).
2. Implement dado trunking to provide accessible, safe, and well-organized charging stations for medical and staff equipment.
3. Improve electrical safety by reducing exposed wiring and eliminating the use of temporary or overloaded extension leads.
4. Ensure future adaptability by installing a flexible containment system that allows easy modifications or additions to the charging infrastructure.

Solution: Electrical Containment and Dado Trunking Installation

1. Site Assessment and Design

A detailed site assessment was carried out to identify key areas where charging equipment was needed. This included patient rooms, staff offices, corridors, medical stations, and treatment rooms. In collaboration with the hospital’s facilities management team, we mapped out the areas with the highest demand for power.

Key considerations included:

• Healthcare regulations: All installations adhered to local and international standards for electrical installations in healthcare facilities, including proper containment, cable protection, and accessibility.(HTM)
• Patient and staff safety: The design focused on reducing trip hazards and providing easy access to outlets while keeping all cabling secure.
• Future adaptability: The trunking system was designed to allow for easy modification and expansion as the hospital’s needs evolved.

2. Selection of Electrical Containment and Dado Trunking

After finalising the design, we selected PVC dado trunking due to its durability, ease of installation, and flexibility. Dado trunking was chosen because it offered the following benefits:

• Safe containment: The dado trunking system provides a protective conduit for wiring, minimizing the risk of exposed cables and reducing the risk of electrical faults.
• Access control: The design allows easy access to power outlets for both medical staff and technicians, ensuring that charging stations for equipment such as monitors, wheelchairs, and laptops are conveniently located.
• Aesthetic integration: The trunking blends well with the hospital’s interior design, providing a neat, professional appearance while keeping the area clear of tangled cables.
• Modular design: The dado trunking system was modular, allowing for future extensions or reconfiguration without the need for significant alterations.

3. Installation Process

The installation was carried out over several phases to minimize disruption to hospital operations, with particular care taken in critical areas like operating theaters and intensive care units (ICUs). The phases included:

• Preparation and isolation: The relevant, areas with sensitive equipment were isolated to prevent accidental power loss during installation.
• Trunking installation: The dado trunking was mounted along walls, at a height that allowed easy access but minimized visibility. The trunking was placed in corridors, near bedsides, nurses’ stations, and medical stations to ensure that charging points were conveniently located.
• Cable routing and connections: Cables for power outlets and charging points were routed through the dado trunking, ensuring that all wiring was hidden and protected from external damage. Socket outlets were installed at strategic points, ensuring sufficient power supply for devices like infusion pumps, monitors, and communication equipment.
• Testing and commissioning: After the installation was completed, thorough testing was conducted to ensure all circuits were working correctly and safely. Electrical inspections were performed to verify compliance with healthcare facility regulations and the BS7671.
• Documentation and handover: As part of the handover process, I provided the hospital’s maintenance team with detailed as-built drawings of the containment system, including location maps for outlets and trunking sections.

4. Safety and Compliance

The installation strictly followed all relevant electrical safety regulations for healthcare facilities, including:

• BS 7671: The installation was designed and executed in accordance with the latest British Standards, which govern electrical installations in commercial and healthcare settings.

Results

The installation of the dado trunking and electrical containment provided the hospital with several key benefits:

• Improved safety: The containment system eliminated exposed wires and extension leads, reducing the risk of electrical hazards, and significantly improved safety for both patients and staff.
• Efficient use of space: The organized design of the dado trunking helped free up space and reduce clutter, making the hospital more visually appealing while maintaining easy access to power outlets.
• Increased power capacity: The new charging points ensured that medical equipment, mobility aids, and staff devices could be safely and efficiently charged throughout the facility without overloads.
• Future-proofing: The modular nature of the dado trunking system allows for easy expansion, meaning the hospital can easily upgrade its charging infrastructure as future equipment needs grow or evolve.
• Enhanced operational efficiency: Staff now have easy access to charging stations, helping them maintain critical medical devices in a ready state, reducing downtime and improving overall operational efficiency.

Client Testimonial

“We are extremely pleased with the electrical containment and dado trunking installation completed by Edge Electrical LTD . The project was executed with professionalism, minimal disruption to our daily operations, and excellent attention to detail. The new system has made our hospital safer and more efficient, and we now have the flexibility to adapt to future equipment needs. We highly recommend Edge Electrical LTD for any healthcare facility projects.”

Conclusion

This electrical containment and dado trunking installation was a critical upgrade for the hospital, addressing safety, capacity, and future adaptability. By providing organized, secure, and easily accessible socket outlets, the hospital is now better equipped to support its growing technological needs while ensuring a safer and more efficient environment for both patients and staff. The project was completed on time and to a high standard, with compliance to all relevant healthcare and safety regulations.

Client Overview

The client, a family living in a two-story home built in the early 1980s, reached out for assistance with an outdated electrical distribution board (DB).

The home had several electrical issues, including frequent tripping of circuit breakers, insufficient power supply for modern appliances, and safety concerns due to old wiring. The family wanted to modernise the electrical system to accommodate their needs and ensure the safety of the home.

Problem Statement

The original DB was a 60A single-phase system that had become inadequate for the household’s current electricity demands. Over the years, the family added various high-power appliances like air conditioning , a home office setup, and kitchen equipment. The outdated DB could not handle these increased loads, leading to frequent overloads and circuit breaker trips. Additionally, the electrical system lacked the necessary safety features, such as residual current devices (RCDs), which are essential for protecting against electrical shocks.

Objectives

The main objectives of the project were:

1             Upgrade the DB to a modern, more powerful system capable of handling increased loads.

2             Increase safety by installing RCDs and other protection devices.

3             Improve energy efficiency and ensure the system is compliant with current electrical standards and regulations.

4             Minimise disruption to the family’s daily activities during the installation process.

Solution: Electrical DB Upgrade

Client Testimonial

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the DB upgrade! Adam and Billy did an exceptional job from start to finish. Our home feels safer, and we no longer have to worry about the power going out or circuit breakers tripping. The new system is not only more powerful but also gives us peace of mind. We highly recommend Edge Electrical for any electrical work.”