INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION METHODS SAVE TIME AND MONEY AT CLIFTON-FINE HOSPITAL

My objective on the Clifton-Fine Hospital Clinic Replacement and Addition project is clear: deliver the highest quality hospital building within budget and on schedule. One particular challenge we have faced is the project schedule with regard to the limited weather window in the North Country. This issue was addressed during the preconstruction process and, as a result, we researched several alternatives to conventional building systems that are typically constructed on-site. After exploring many options, we settled on a precast foundation and prefabricated wall panels since this approach works well for a building of this size and type. To date the results are very positive.  

The precast foundation walls are cured in the factory so the strength of each wall is guaranteed. Foam insulation is also built into the walls – a particularly appealing feature in northern climates like Star Lake, New York. In addition, there is no need for concrete footers so once the crushed gravel base is in place, a crane and crew sets the panels and the foundation is complete – ours was set in just five hours!

Next, we utilized a steel manufacturer that engineers, fabricates, assembles, and ships wall panels anywhere in the United States. The panels were built in a warehouse in Hudson, New Hampshire, while I was able to meet other schedule milestones in the field.  The panels arrived, perfectly designed, complete with the wood blocking in place ready to receive the windows.

The walls will be complete within a five workday period. This process would have taken three weeks using traditional construction methods. This rapid completion means savings for Clifton-Fine Hospital in both project duration and temporary heat and enclosure costs.

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PC Construction sets the wall panels on the Clifton-Fine Hospital Clinic Replacement and Addition project in Sky Lake, New York