PROJECT
1 2 3
4 5 6
The Geberit Mepla Pipe System was chosen specifically
for this project. Due to the limited ceiling void space of
the existing building, the design engineers had very little
space to fit each service (Gas/HVAC/Fire/Electrical) into the
ceiling void. The Geberit Mepla Pipes System allows for
much more flexibility to manoeuvre around other services.
The decision to use this pipe system was also based
around safety. The Geberit Mepla pipe is a crimped pipe
system, meaning there is no need to use an open flame
to weld pipe joints. This dramatically decreased the
risk of fires in the building. As the plumbing contractor,
GDM was quite relieved, as the installation was in
the vicinity of operational gas lines as well as the top
four floors still being occupied by the hospital group
executive staff.
DRAINAGE
The GDM Plumbing team had to be very cautious with
the drainage installation, since the building has a post-
tensioned cable design on the floor slabs. This meant
that with each hole that was cored through the slab they
had to first do various scans to make sure they did not
core a hole through a cable, which could have a serious
impact on the structural integrity of the building.
With more than 50 holes being cored on each
floor, the process was time consuming, with reports
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
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and engineers’ consent being required for each penetration.
The room for error on this item of works was non-existent. 1.
DIFFICULTIES OF THE PROJECT
The element of difficulty in this job was the fact that the
building was live at all times, as the employees of the
hospital group continued working on the floors above,
so the various teams could not disrupt the operation of
the building’s services during normal working hours. This
meant that many tasks needed to be done after hours to
ensure that the hospital staff were kept happy and had
minimal disruption in their day-to-day activities. 2.
3.
4.
USE OF PRODUCTS
Products had to adhere to hospital regulations and the
following products were chosen for very specific reasons.
5.
Geberit HDPE sewer pipes with butt welded joints
provide less chance of leaks in ceiling voids compared to
traditional PVC with push-through fittings.
Geberit Mepla water pipes provide a more flexible
approach in the tight ceiling voids, as well the chance of
theft and fire being reduced.
6.
More than 50 holes per
floor were needed to
install the drainage ystem.
Each surgery room has
stainless steel wash-up
facilities.
Some room units are
fitted with baths and hand
showers.
The connection between
the galvanised and HDPE
drainage system will
contain stainless steel
shavings that will reduce
the temperature of the
hot water in accordance
with the recommended
temperature limits of HDPE.
The toilet units for all
rooms.
Each floor also holds two
conventional element
geysers fed by the 600ℓ
hot water cylinder.
Lecico rimless WC pans were selected because the
rimless pan is preferred for the hospital environment
due to the superior hygiene properties of the product.
June 2019 Volume 25 I Number 4