The Hilti MI medical equipment support system offers significant cost savings and versatility, compared to red iron/structural steel supports. This system saves money as it helps keep hospital construction and upgrade projects on schedule by preventing the need for extra work, such as welding and rerouting of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems.
Structural steel and red iron add to project costs by requiring fabrication time in the shop and in the field. Red iron supports must be custom designed to the unique specifications of each piece of medical equipment that is to be hung or supported.
In contrast, Hilti MI components – because they are entirely modular in nature – can be pulled directly off the shelf in stock lengths and installed immediately, requiring no welding. They are designed to accommodate a wide range of equipment models made by major medical equipment manufacturers, such as GE, Toshiba, Siemens and Philips, for operating rooms, CT, x-ray equipment and heart catheterization labs. They provide the strength necessary for supporting even the heavier types of diagnostic devices, such as C arms and heart cath equipment, which can weigh in at 3,000 pounds.
When red iron supports are used, equipment models must be selected early on in the project design timeline. However, when a Hilti MI grid system is used, project planners have more time to make the final equipment selection. Construction can move forward as hospital leaders make their decisions.
The Hilti MI medical equipment support structures are designed to allow all MEP systems to run through and around the support framing. This eliminates the time and expense of relocating the systems — a common problem with red iron supports.
The complicated overlapping foot prints and bracing involved in multiple red iron supports create numerous obstacles and complex pathways for MEP systems to wind through. Because MEP systems are commonly designed and installed before red iron supports are designed and installed, the MEP systems often must be moved to accommodate them.
The Hilti MI system can also be designed as a grid system, drastically reducing time when equipment is relocated or changed out, and offers further cost-saving advantages when it’s time to replace equipment with upgraded models. The existing Hilti MI support system can be used for the new equipment. More than likely, a red iron support would have to be replaced with a new one designed specifically for the new device.
If welding is required for the new support that will further add to a hospital’s expenses. The resulting fumes, dust, debris and airborne contaminants will require the contractor to shut down neighboring operational units, resulting in lost revenue for the hospital.
To learn more about the benefits of Hilti MI medical equipment support structures, or to request a quote or installation, contact Ohio Service Supply for more information. We have years of experience installing medical equipment support systems, and welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
