Plantroom Canopy for UK Hospital

Client:

UK-based Hospital (via appointed contractor)

Project Overview:

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a bespoke acoustic canopy was urgently required for a 450 kVA Perkins 2206A-E13TAG3 standby diesel generator installed at a UK hospital. The canopy needed to meet stringent acoustic requirements while fitting into a severely space-constrained plantroom environment.

Challenge:

• Acoustic Requirement: The system had to achieve 75 dB(A) at 1 meter, in accordance with hospital noise standards.
• Space Constraints: The generator was located in an extremely tight plantroom, severely limiting access and installation options.
• Time Sensitivity: As this project was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, reliability and efficiency were paramount.

Solution:

To address the project requirements, a custom close-fit slide-over acoustic canopy was designed and manufactured specifically for the space:

• Segmented Design: Due to access limitations, the canopy was fabricated in modular sections of 4.1 meters and 1.5 meters, allowing for easier transport and on-site assembly.
• Integrated Exhaust Silencing: The primary and secondary exhaust silencers were internally mounted within the canopy to reduce installation time and preserve space.
• On-site Completion: After installation, the silencers were lagged and clad on-site to complete the acoustic insulation and meet safety regulations.

Results:

• Delivered a fully compliant acoustic solution that met the 75 dB(A) at 1m requirement.
• Enabled the continued operation of critical hospital infrastructure during a global health crisis.
• Demonstrated adaptability and collaboration under challenging site and logistical conditions.

Conclusion:

This project exemplifies how bespoke engineering solutions can meet both acoustic and spatial challenges in sensitive environments. Despite working under the constraints of a pandemic, our team successfully delivered a critical component that supported uninterrupted hospital operations.