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The inevitable equipment upgrades and remodeling projects common to hospital settings often prompt questions regarding the merits of repurposing an existing overhead support system versus a new installation.

Strong and stable systems ensure proper functioning of equipment and protect manufacturer’s warranties of highly sophisticated lighting and imaging systems weighing hundreds or thousands of pounds. Patient liability and employee safety are also a concern, so before any decision is made regarding the use of an existing overhead support structure, it is important to consider all available options. It is our hope that with this information in hand, you will have everything needed to make an informed decision.

表面上看,最便宜的选择是一个ssume that since the existing structure held the old equipment, it is suitable for re-use. Although this may be true, there are no guarantees that the existing support structure is suitable for the new equipment. If problems arise, the equipment manufacturer will claim that the General Contractor has final responsibility for the strength and stability of the mounting structure. Re-purposing is your least expensive option, but this approach also has the most potential downside because nobody has assessed the structure’s suitability for the new application. Your project may also experience delays if the contractor discovers problems mid-project and worse yet, the new equipment may malfunction or even fall during use. With these outcomes in mind, the re-use of an existing support structure has potential hidden costs that may far exceed anticipated savings.

第二种选择是雇用工程师来审查现有结构并将支持系统与标准设计实践进行比较。通常，此额外的步骤揭示了缺少支撑，松动的硬件和不当的设计概念，可以节省大量时间。最后 事物建筑师，总承包商或建筑经理想告诉项目经理他们的项目面临延误，因为现有的支持结构不足以处理新设备负载。尽管现场访问不是故障安全，但简单的工程判断在发现潜在问题方面有很长的路要走，在某些情况下，对现有结构进行修复和修改可能会改善系统性能和安全性。如果您确实选择重新使用现有的支持结构，我们建议让有能力的木匠执行“螺母和螺栓”检查，以确保结构的硬件保持正确的扭矩。

Still第三种选择是聘请像联合国特区服务公司这样的工程公司对现有结构进行正式评估。华体会体育网赞助沃尔夫斯堡与简单的站点访问不同，此选项包括完整的工程审查，包括负载计算。在最好的情况下，工程研究可能会发现现有结构适合重复使用，并且总承包商可以继续安装新设备。如果研究发现设计缺陷或结构性问题，则修复和修改的复杂性和可行性 dependson the original fabrication method. Older support structures fabricated using Unistrut or a similar style of channel lend themselves to field modification, but most of the structural steel and red iron supports we see in the field require welding. The byproducts of welding (fumes, dust, and potential explosions from sparks near oxygen) are problematic in hospital settings. So while you may be tempted to explore this option, remember that the combined costs of the engineering assessment and potential repairs may significantly exceed the investment required to replace the entire system from scratch. It is also important to note this step is solely a design analysis; there is likely NO warranty on the lighting, cath lab, x-ray, patient lift or boom system if a weld should fail or break.

The only options that ensure the equipment manufacturer will honor a warranty include removal and installation of a new支持结构backed by engineering drawings and PE seals, or making modifications (again, backed by engineering drawings with PE stamps when necessary). These options may seem unnecessary, but when you factor in the costs associated with voided equipment warranties and potential patient liability, a new or thoroughly reviewed support structure are the most cost-effective solutions over time.

As an example, this month, we were hired to assess the suitability of a Cath Lab support structure we designed and installed 17 years ago. In this case新设备的支撑结构要求与旧设备非常相似。所有者雇用了我们确认原始计算，执行螺母和螺栓检查（重新 - 扭矩) and add an additional. In this case, no additional changes were necessary. Here is a one原始图纸 特征our old address and phone number:

Although we offered a turnkey service for the original installation and performed the retrofitting, we can also design systems, and cut, kit, and bundle materials so a local contractor can complete the project.

如果您想知道如何处理现有的高架支撑结构，请记住与一家了解复杂性的工程公司探索您的选择 hospitaland medical applications. A suitable overhead support structure will help ensure proper and accurate operation of your equipment while keeping patients and staff out of harm’s way. To discuss the specifics of your support structure project,contact the engineering experts at Unistrut Service Companyfor further assistance.