Infection Control Measures to Take During Hospital Construction and Renovation Projects

Hospital renovations can be one of the most challenging areas of construction and should only be done by experienced professionals. Owners should always request the contractor's health and safety plan and have an (ICRA) Infection Control Risk Assessment created prior to work commencing. It is as important for the owner's representative as well as the contractor to be aware and implement these Infection Control Measures to reduce the facilities risk of spreading or creating infections from construction activities. People are in the hospital to get better not be exposed to situations in which they could get worse.

1. Containment Areas. Properly blocking off and barricading work spaces is one of the most important measures taken during a hospital renovation. The contractor should utilize floor to deck temporary wall partitions to fully seal off an area that will be undergoing construction activities. Typically, thick plastic barriers with zippered doors can be utilized on small projects / short duration projects. While on larger areas, temporary walls constructed of metal framing and gypsum drywall are more practical. In long term projects the metal frame and drywall option will be more durable. Typically the contractor will place 2 doors in these temporary wall partitions for compliance with 2 means of egress. Utilizing barriers constructed of gypsum wallboard, metal studs, and standard interior doors will provide the contractor a space that can be secured when the jobsite is down which will limit risks of theft and injuries. Containing the construction is important for safety of workers / patients wandering into construction areas as well as to prevent dust from spreading into the hospital.

SHEETROCK PRICES

2. Negative Air Pressure. In most cases, when performing construction activities the contractor will be generating dust. For the safety of the hospital and patients the contractor wants to create negative pressure air so that the space under construction is actually pulling air from the hospital instead of pushing air into the hospital. These negative air machines contain HEPA filters and will actually filter the air and are routed to the outside of the hospital through an exhaust duct via a window. The size of the machine to be selected and used will be based on the size of the space and CFM required. Many brands exist and a local abatement supply store is often a good place to find these. Rental stores may carry these as well. The best advice is to compare the HEPA replacement filter pricing as these can be expensive and required frequent changing depending on the size of the space to be renovated and types of dust generating activities to be performed. The one caveat to this is certain areas of the hospital are sterile processing areas and are required to be under Positive are pressure. These areas are the exception to the rule and should not be placed under negative air pressure. 3. Closing off Return and Supply Air Vents. Another important measure in control infections in hospital construction is to isolate the renovation space from the main building's HVAC system. All return air vents should be closed, taped, or blocked off as to keep any dust generated in the construction zone from being circulated and entering the rest of the hospital. All supply vents should be disconnected as well, if possible. This will help with the negative air pressure of the space and keep the dust contained to the area of construction. This is a measure that requires a common sense approach. In some regions, extreme cold and hot weather may not allow for disconnecting of the supply vents because of freezing / overheating risks. These risks are understandable and can be overcome with a larger negative air machine to offset the supply CFM entering the space.

4. Dust Control. Another good practice for preventing dust from spreading into the floor areas of the hospital is to keep a clean jobsite. Utilize HEPA Filtered Shop Vacuums; they filter most of the air particulates to keep down the dust. Also, Dry Mop the area at mid day and end of business and follow that with a wet mop depending on the construction activities ongoing. This will keep the floors clean and minimize dust / debris on workers shoes and the chance of tracking that through the hospital. At the construction entrances utilize a dry mop, wet mop, and walk off mats. Require workers to wipe their feet on a dry mop then a wet mop, and then a sticky mat prior to exiting the space. These mats have a sticky side that the workers and roll carts pass over on the way in and out of the space and it pulls dirt and debris into the mat. Depending on construction activities going on in the space these mops and mats require more or less frequent changing and attention. The best entrance / exit of a space would be through stair wells in most cases. This helps to minimize tracking dirt throughout the entire hospital and also to limit the steady stream of workers from going in and out all day possibly disrupting day to day hospital activities.

5. Trash / Debris Removal. The best practice for removing debris from a workspace is to utilize a trash chute from a window for example that leads directly to a dumpster. Any debris going down the chute should be kept wet in order to minimize dust. Minimizing dust from the debris will keep the outside air vents of the buildings taking the air back in the hospital. If this option is not available covered rolling dumpsters should be utilized. By utilizing these covered dumpsters it will help to prevent any dust coming off the debris as it is wheeled through the hospital on its way to the outside disposal location. If you are a Hospital Representative in need of a contractor for a hospital construction project...

Give us a call. We'll be glad to give you an estimate on your project, produce a construction schedule, and layout an Infection Control Plan to minimize risk to your site.

Infection Control Measures to Take During Hospital Construction and Renovation Projects

At Colossal Construction Company LLC we pride ourselves on helping our customers find cost effective solutions to these type of needs.

Colossal Construction Company LLC
590 Means Street NW
Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone 404.828.0214
A Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business SDVOSB
Full Service Construction Company providing Residential and Commercial renovation, new construction and maintenance services.
http://www.colossalconstructioncompanyllc.com

SHEETROCK PRICES

Save on Construction and Renovation Costs With Discount Contractor Supplies

If you are building a home, remodeling an existing home or renovating an older home for investment purposes, you should know where to get discount contractor supplies - because, assuming you are doing your own work, that will be your largest expense.

sheetrock prices

Some of your discount hardware supply needs are long-term, durable items such as tools. However, these may not be the best things to "skimp" on; if you buy cheap, poorly-manufactured tools, you'll be replacing them every six months - which will effectively cancer out any discount hardware supply savings you might have initially enjoyed.

SHEETROCK PRICES

Where The Savings Are

Some of the discount home supply deals you need to look for include:

o fasteners (nails, nuts and bolts, screws, etc.)

o lumber

o drywall

o electrical supplies (wire, junction boxes, fuses, fixtures, etc.)

o plumbing supplies (pipe, joint compound, plumbing fixtures, etc.)

There are several ways to get these discount contractor supplies at a substantially lower cost - if you know where to look.

Internet Discount Home Supply Sources

The World Wide Web should seem an obvious source for discount contractor supply pricing, but it bears mentioning. Many web-based outlets offer low prices on many items that builders and renovators use on a regular basis.

When going through a discount contractor supply website, it's best to either:

o go through a firm with a local brick-and-mortar location, or

o join a website that offers discounts for members through major outlets.

These are two excellent ways to get discount contractor supplies at low prices.

Other Discount Home Supply Sources

Most cities have discount home supply outlets that carry name brand tools and hardware at prices that are much lower than you would find at a large chain store (many of these discount contractor supplies are overstocks from these same chains).

Another type of discount home supply business that is popping up in communities across the country is one that deals in recycled materials that are salvaged from demolition sites, such as the Rebuilding Center in Portland, Oregon. Virtually all of these materials have been inspected and are in usable condition. When you go this route, you're not only doing something good for the environment, you are usually doing something good for the community as well - since most such businesses provide jobs and resources to disadvantaged persons and neighborhoods.

There are always excellent sources of discount contractor supplies within easy reach when you know where to look for them. Whether it is for yourself or an investment property, you can maximize that investment with a reliable discount contractor supplies source with the discover contractor supplies you need and use most often.

Save on Construction and Renovation Costs With Discount Contractor Supplies

Wayne Hemrick writes about-- Saving On Construction and Renovation Costs

SHEETROCK PRICES

Ideas for Your Home Renovation

If you are considering a purchase of an older home, or a home that needs some work, then renovation ideas probably top your list. Depending on the state of the home, there will plenty of projects to keep you busy and to make your home look its best. As you gather professional opinion about the work that needs to be done in your home, think of this as an opportunity to make your home a truly excellent place to live.

sheetrock prices

Break Down the Jobs:

SHEETROCK PRICES

As you take a look around your home and see that there are things that need to be done, you will want to make a list of each room and the work it will require. For example, look in the bathroom and measure how many sheets of drywall will be needed to be replaced. Consider the big jobs. Get ideas about what you can do such as replacing showers or tubs, retiling and even moving walls. Now make a list of the smaller jobs that need to be completed, such as a fresh coat of paint and replacing lighting and hardware. Getting these ideas in your head and making a list will help you stay on track as you renovate. In addition, when you stay on task, it will often save you time and money. This is the only way to go when you want to change the look of your home.

Redecorate or Renovate:

As you know, redecorating and renovating are two very different things. In many cases, renovating could take days or weeks depending on the project. However, redecorating can be down quickly and will save you money. If you are moving into a home that you feel needs some work, take a look around to see if you can simply redecorate for the time being. Old window blinds can be replaced with something newer and nicer. A painted texture on the wall can give any room an up to date look and of course adding some new hardware to the cabinets will really change the look of a bathroom or a kitchen. If you are updating a bedroom, try to start with new curtains and bedding before spending hundreds of dollars on expensive renovations. Budget your money wisely and complete the most crucial renovations first.

Before you start any home project, make a list of your ideas and then you can get started. Your ideas can spring to life with careful and thoughtful planning. Your home will look great once you know exactly what needs to be completed.

Ideas for Your Home Renovation

Being specifically interested in drywall price and price of drywall, Peter Wilson authored several informative papers in this specific area. Sharing his passion in detailed writings on drywall sheet prices and drywall price the author confirmed his deep knowledge on the topic.

SHEETROCK PRICES

Cheap Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Renovating a bathroom can be a pleasing experience. The end result of a bathroom can create a much more homely feel, which is why many people look for bathroom renovation ideas. The problem is, a lot of people want to renovate their bathroom, but on an extremely small budget. This can be difficult, as high quality products, usually have a high price tag attached. It is surprising how much a little touch can make in your bathroom, so take into account everything. For example, when selecting which type or size of mirror, make sure it fits in with the design of the bathroom. If the design is not inline with the bathroom, then it will ruin the whole feel. Of course, make sure the mirror can withstand the heat and damp from the bathroom. Small bathrooms are hard to renovate, luckily, a lot of bargains can be found.

Looking in antique stores and picking up used bathroom items can save people restoring their bathrooms a lot of money. Remember, make the most of a space, utilize the corners for whatever possible, such as corner sinks or cupboards for storage and the bathroom will feel a lot bigger than it is. The great thing is that the internet gives buyers the power to get the best deals. Search online and then compare in store for the likes of power units. A lot of stores will offer introductory offers such as 10-15% off for new customers, alongside deals like 20% of or more if a customer orders £200 or more worth of product.

SHEETROCK PRICES

Obviously this can make a bathroom renovation a lot cheaper than they ever imagined. The same thing as above goes for the likes of taps and fittings for the toilet. A lot of bathroom suppliers online have close out deals on a regular basis, so it is wise to consult them before paying full price in a retail store. All of these little things can make a big difference to the overall price. Lighting is also similar, remember, do not get distracted by the higher priced items, because they can range into the hundreds and not be much better in terms of quality.

Cheap Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Need help choosing your over bath shower screens? Visit Taylors new site!

SHEETROCK PRICES

Finding the Right Kitchen Cabinets For Your Renovation

Recent changes in the kitchen cabinet business have produced better cabinets at lower prices. The key to finding these better kitchen cabinets is to shop online and use the right type of kitchen cabinet searches. I will explain what I found, how I save thousands of dollars and what an internet search is and how it can help you find things quickly.

The first thing I learned while looking for kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities was that the un-assembled or RTA cabinets were a better buy than assembled cabinets. These kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities are frequently referred to as "RTA kitchen cabinets or RTA bathroom vanities". Simply put - if you choose to assemble your own kitchen cabinets, you will save a good deal of money. So now that you learned what an RTA kitchen cabinet or RTA bathroom vanity is, the next question you might have is the quality of this product. It is a good question and very pertinent in today's building industry. Let's face it; there is a lot of junk being sold that should not be put into your house. Stores like Home Depot and Lowe's sell very low quality kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. (I know you might say, they have some nice stuff, but the quality stuff they do sell is over four times the cost of good RTA products). So avoid these stores and read on.

SHEETROCK PRICES

Shopping online is fast becoming the preferred method of choice when it comes to home improvement shopping. Of course you cannot buy lumber or drywall online, but your kitchen cabinets, lighting, bathroom supplies, and bathroom vanities can all be purchased online for about thirty percent less than buying from a big box retail store. Your next question could be: How is this possible? You probably have been overwhelmed with advertisements form the Home Depot and Lowe's. These stores want you to believe they have the best prices. It is simply not true. Yes, buy lumber from them, these super store buy in bulk and can give a good price, but the super stores cannot compete with online pricing for RTA kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. A big reason for this is because the online stores have less overhead and small costs for advertising. Think of the amount of commercials you see for the super hardware stores, this massive advertising budget is directly subsidized by the higher retail prices that you were going to pay. Shopping online automatically gives you a better price on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.

So when you're online - expedite or quicken your search by using "keywords". These words are phrases like "RTA kitchen cabinets". Easier words will get you directly to the sites that will save you money. Typing in a phrase like kitchen cabinets will get you too may results and will not get you to the money saving RTA kitchen cabinets.

Remember, avoid retail, shop online, and use smart keywords and you should be on your way to saving money in your kitchen or bathroom.

Finding the Right Kitchen Cabinets For Your Renovation

I have been remodeling houses for over 15 years, and I have found a way to thousands of dollars on high quality, all wood Kitchen Cupboards. If you want to find out where the professionals get the best deals on Kitchen Cupboards and New Kitchen Cabinets check out one of these links.

SHEETROCK PRICES