When Reading Hospital embarked on a 476,000-square-foot addition to its West Reading, Pennsylvania, location, the goal was to replace and relocate operating rooms spread across four buildings and provide 150 new private patient rooms. The nine-story tower that opened in October includes five floors of private patient rooms, 24 surgical suites, eight minor procedure rooms, reception and recovery areas and an expanded trauma unit. Most of the new facility features noraplan® eco floor covering with nora nTx.
nora nTx is a pre-applied, solvent-free adhesive backing that minimizes prep work and eliminates drying protocols, saving valuable time and money. The product is resistant to high moisture vapor emissions and has no pH limits, eliminating the need for moisture testing and remediation before installation.
According to Hutwelker, the application of nora nTx provided two advantages during construction. “It did not require a moisture mitigation system, which represents a savings in not only dollars, but also in time—two months in our construction schedule. Secondly, we had one company providing all the warranty for the flooring, which is pretty much unheard of in other projects. One warranty from one supplier is very helpful.”
Others involved in the project pointed to additional advantages nora flooring offers. David Major, the hospital’s director of facilities and construction, says “Maintenance of the product is greatly enhanced. We don’t have to unwax or wax the floors.”
Tim Cole, director of environmental services, agrees. “The floor offers as much as 20 to 30 percent in labor savings related to the care and maintenance of the floor. In addition, from an environmental standpoint, you can clean and maintain the floor with less caustic chemicals and cleaners as opposed to other traditional floor coverings.”
The floor’s simple maintenance regimen is also expected to improve patient throughput. Says Cole, “With nora flooring, we can turn over patient rooms very quickly—probably in half the time it would take to do a floor we have to clean and wax.” And he appreciates the floor’s low-gloss finish, which helps older patients sometimes disoriented by shiny floors.
Meanwhile, Marie Keim, Reading Health System’s director of epidemiology infection and prevention, applauds the floor’s contribution to infection prevention. “The surfaces are smooth; we don’t need to be concerned about residual water, bacteria and other items going into cracks and crevices and harboring any sort of bacteria or organisms. The other positive aspect of the nora flooring is that it resists staining...and the floor makes it much easier to stand throughout our day as we provide services to our patients.”
Comfort underfoot, stain and slip resistance, a simple maintenance regimen, improved indoor air quality and construction time and cost savings—together, these benefits support the hospital’s decision to install nora rubber flooring with nora nTx throughout its new tower.
nora systems, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-332-NORA
Fax: (603) 894-6615
Email: info-us@nora.com
Website: www.nora.com/us
Related Stories
Sponsored | Healthcare Facilities | Aug 8, 2024
U.S. healthcare building sector trends and innovations for 2024-2025
As new medicines, treatment regimens, and clinical protocols radically alter the medical world, facilities and building environments in which they take form are similarly evolving rapidly. Innovations and trends related to products, materials, assemblies, and building systems for the U.S. healthcare building sector have opened new avenues for better care delivery. Discussions with leading healthcare architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms and owners-operators offer insights into some of the most promising directions. This course is worth 1.0 AIA/HSW learning unit.
Products and Materials | Jul 31, 2024
Top building products for July 2024
BD+C Editors break down July's top 15 building products, from Façades by Design to Schweiss Doors's Strap Latch bifold door.
Smart Buildings | Jul 25, 2024
A Swiss startup devises an intelligent photovoltaic façade that tracks and moves with the sun
Zurich Soft Robotics says Solskin can reduce building energy consumption by up to 80% while producing up to 40% more electricity than comparable façade systems.
Great Solutions | Jul 23, 2024
41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 22, 2024
5 healthcare building sector trends for 2024-2025
Interactive patient care systems and trauma-informed design are among two emerging trends in the U.S. healthcare building sector, according to BD+C's 2024 Healthcare Annual Report (free download; short registration required).
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 18, 2024
Why decarbonizing hospitals smartly is better than electrification for healthcare design
Driven by new laws, regulations, tariffs, ESG goals, and thought leaders in the industry itself, healthcare institutions are embracing decarbonization to meet 2050 goals for emissions reductions.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 16, 2024
Watch on-demand: Key Trends in the Healthcare Facilities Market for 2024-2025
Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this on-demand webinar on key trends, innovations, and opportunities in the $65 billion U.S. healthcare buildings market. A panel of healthcare design and construction experts present their latest projects, trends, innovations, opportunities, and data/research on key healthcare facilities sub-sectors. A 2024-2025 U.S. healthcare facilities market outlook is also presented.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 11, 2024
New download: BD+C's 2024 Healthcare Annual Report
Welcome to Building Design+Construction’s 2024 Healthcare Annual Report. This free 66-page special report is our first-ever “state of the state” update on the $65 billion healthcare construction sector.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 18, 2024
A healthcare simulation technology consultant can save time, money, and headaches
As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, healthcare simulation is playing an increasingly vital role in the skill development, compliance, and continuing education of the clinical workforce.
Mass Timber | Jun 17, 2024
British Columbia hospital features mass timber community hall
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project in Duncan, British Columbia, features an expansive community hall featuring mass timber construction. The hall, designed to promote social interaction and connection to give patients, families, and staff a warm and welcoming environment, connects a Diagnostic and Treatment (“D&T”) Block and Inpatient Tower.