INFRASTRUCTURE
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Narayana Health
Arun Mathur, GM- Projects, Narayana Health
3. The group has opted for a mix of granite, vinyl, marble flooring for various areas
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Narayana Health, a leading healthcare services provider, has a network of 24 hospitals and seven heart centres across India and single hospital overseas at Cayman Islands with nearly 6,000 operational beds across all its centres. The group has opted for a mix of granite, vinyl, marble flooring for various areas: Lobby and reception: The preferred choice of material for the lobby and reception area is usually granite stone slabs. Says Arun Mathur, GM- Projects, Narayana Health, “As compared to vitrified tiles, marble or vinyl flooring, granite has the maximum strength and does not get worn off, as compared to the other materials.” Secondly, granite can be very well polished to provide a high gloss and rich feel to the ambiance. Patient waiting area: The first preference would have been polished granite stone, but if costs are a constraint, than the next alternative is for vitrified tiles. Vitrified tiles are available in large varieties, so the selection criteria is by comparing the flexural strength / breaking strength and abrasion resistance. Diagnostic area, doctor consultation room, patient room: For all the three areas, the choice of material is usually either vitrified tiles or vinyl flooring. ICU and OT: For ICUs and OTs, the pre-
MAY 2018 | HEALTHCARE RADIUS
ferred choice for flooring is vinyl. The basic reason is vinyl flooring provides a seamless finished floor. There are no joints which would allow dust accumulation or chances of fungal / bacterial pores growth. Vinyl floorings are available in 2mm, 3mm, 4mm thickness for normal applications. "For commercial use, heavy traffic areas, we prefer 3mm or 4mm thickness vinyl. For heavy traffic areas, the vinyl quality preferred is one with PUR (Polyurethane Reinforced ), for handling better wear and tear. It is preferred to use homogenous vinyl, which has a uniform structure, as compared to heterogenous vinyl, which is composed of different layers," says Mathur. For OTs, , it is recommended to go for anti-static and conductive vinyl, which take care of dissipation of any static charge build up from the medical equipment. “For physio-therapy dept, we usually prefer ‘sports vinyl’ which is 4.5 – 5mm thickness or more, and has an underlayer for shock-absorption. It is meant to ensure safety of patients from falls and injuries,” says Mathur. Canteen: The flooring can be either vitrified tiles or vinyl. In some cases, even polished Kota stone is used. Vendors NH uses for flooring: Gerflor Vinyl, Armstrong and Tarkett.