Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB), the local health board of NHS Wales for Gwent, is building a new state-of-the-art unit in Ystrad Mynach that will bring together its breast cancer services.
According to ABUHB, the breast units in its area are the busiest in Wales, seeing over 6,000 patients yearly. It is hoped that the new unit will help with this.
BAM Construction with subcontractors, Richard Kemble Contracts, a drywall contractor based in Wales, leads the project development.
Knauf Airless Finish spray has contributed to the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating at the new unified breast unit at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Hospital
Richard Kemble Contracts, recommended using Knauf Airless spray instead of traditional methods, such as the full taping and jointing finish originally specified, or traditional gypsum plastering.
The Knauf Airless Finish spray is by the Knauf Group, a German-based manufacturer of construction materials that utilise sustainable gypsum drywall for interior design, building insulation, and design ceilings.
Mathew Kemble, Director of Richard Kemble Contracts, explained: “I’ve completed several projects using Knauf Airless Spray Finish and have been impressed with its excellent application and finish, so I recommended we use it at the unified breast care unit. This project really showed the system’s value compared to a full taping and jointing finish in both time and money. Here, it worked out cost neutral as it didn’t require a primer sealer.”
BAM Construction with subcontractors, Richard Kemble Contracts, leads the project development
A traditional tape and jointing finish to BS 8000-8:2023 involves bedding paper joint tape into jointing compound, followed by two further stages of increasing widths of jointing compound (including drying time between each layer). A primer/sealer is then needed before a decorative finish.
Knauf Airless Finish can be applied instead of the additional passes of jointing compound in line with BS 8000-8:2023, after bedding the Knauf Paper Joint tape and filling to shoulders of the taper, saving time and materials, with no primer necessary before spray applying Knauf Airless Finish.
The spray was applied internally to the plasterboard partitions at the new centre and it is a spray alternative to traditional gypsum plaster.
The ready-mixed finish is quicker to install than traditional methods
The ready-mixed finish is quicker to install than traditional methods, provides a high-quality finish and brings significant health and safety benefits, including less dust inhalation due to it being pre-mixed, and less strain on the body.
“When you compare it to traditional plastering methods, it’s quicker to apply, and there are fewer defects, so it saves a lot of time on snagging. The end result is a high-quality, fine finish that’s far better than traditional methods,” Kemble added.
Rhodri Price, Senior Site Manager of BAM Construction, said: “The quality of the finish combined with the speed was fantastic. From a health and safety point of view, there are fewer people on site and less sanding is required making for a safer site. It’s been really impressive on site and is something we’d definitely like to use going forwards.”
Due for completion in 2024, the new unified breast care unit will be a ‘centre of excellence’ for breast cancer
A further benefit is that the product comes ready-mixed, which minimises water needed on-site, compared to traditional gypsum plastering which uses around 1.15 litres of water per sqm, which has helped contribute to the centre’s ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating.
Due for completion in 2024, the new unified breast care unit will be a ‘centre of excellence’ for breast cancer, comprising diagnostic, treatment, and counselling rooms, administrative and staff facilities, a reception and waiting area, a volunteer café, outside landscaped spaces, and parking.
The new purpose-built facility will be connected to the existing main Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Hospital, which BAM Construction delivered in 2011, via a glazed link bridge.
