Improved hygiene and patient comfort at Senegalese hospital
Saint-Gobain is proud of the role it has played in ensuring that the people of Tivaouane, a city of about 102 000 people in north-western Senegal, have a brand-new hospital.
The 300-bed Hôpital El Hadj Malick Sy de Tivaouane was built to enhance healthcare access in the West African country’s rural areas. It replaces the city’s previous hospital, which burnt down in May 2022 in a tragic accident. The new hospital offers a neonatal service enhanced with state-of-the-art equipment.
A number of Saint-Gobain products were used in the hospital’s building, helping to improve the new facility’s fire resistance and the ease with which it can be kept hygienic.
Placo®’s Gyptone® Activ'Air® modular hygiene ceiling boards are specifically designed with healthcare environments in mind, and were used in the hospital. Also, the hospital used a line of ceiling tiles – Eurocoustic Minerval® – that are made from high-density stone wool, which provides various benefits in terms of sound absorption, fire resistance and environmental impact.
Improved air quality
Gyptone® Activ'Air®’s patented technology has been shown, through laboratory and real-world tests, to reduce the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as formaldehyde in a room’s air by up to 70%. VOCs can cause various health issues, including headaches and nausea when present in high levels.
Gyptone® Activ'Air® products are classified with an A+ label for indoor air quality, indicating very low emissions of harmful substances. This classification aligns with European standards for building materials, making them suitable for various environments, including homes, schools and healthcare facilities.
Hygienic surfaces
Essential for a hospital, Gyptone® Activ'Air® panels have a smooth surface that allows for easy cleaning, helping to prevent the accumulation of dust and allergens on the surface. This quality makes Gyptone® Activ'Air® an excellent choice for environments where air quality and health considerations are paramount.
The Eurocoustic Minerval® tiles used along with the panels maintain their flatness regardless of relative humidity levels, which is important for ease of cleaning and crucial for long-term performance.
Patient comfort
Gyptone® Activ'Air® panels also provide good sound insulation properties, important for patient comfort and privacy in healthcare environments.
The Eurocoustic Minerval® tiles used in the hospital are categorised as “Class A” for sound absorption, according to international standards. This makes them suitable for environments where noise control is essential, such as hospitals.
The Gyptone® Activ'Air® panels’ high light-reflectance capabilities allow natural light to penetrate deeper into spaces, contributing to a better environment for both patients and staff.
The decorative glass-fibre “veil” on the visible side of the Eurocoustic Minerval® tiles has been shown to enhance the brightness of interior spaces .
Fire resistance
Minerval® Eurocoustic tiles are rated A1 according to EN 13501-1, indicating excellent fire resistance. They also meet ISO 5660-1 Group 1 classification, ensuring safety in building applications.
Gyptone® Activ'Air® panels are non-combustible, produce minimal smoke and do not produce flaming droplets when exposed to fire, according to the EN 14190 standard.
Saint-Gobain’s Glasroc® F V500 smoke extraction and ventilation duct system was used to further protect the hospital against fire. The system has EI 120 performance ratings.
Ventilation and smoke extraction ducts allow the evacuation of some of the smoke produced by a fire by creating a free air space beneath the smoke layer. In the event of a fire, the ventilation duct brings in the fresh air necessary for smoke extraction via the smoke extraction duct.
Looking to the future
The Hôpital El Hadj Malick Sy de Tivaouane is built on a 6ha site, providing ample space for future expansion and additional services. It represents a crucial advancement in Senegal's healthcare landscape, focusing on modern medical care, community development and addressing past shortcomings in patient safety and service delivery. Saint-Gobain is proud of the part it has played in building this new facility.