Featured Projects and Industry Solutions

MultiCare Hospital Tacoma

Industry: Healthcare

Installation type: New Construction

Products: QuietRock 525; QuietRock 527; QuietRock 528; QuietRock 530

MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals. A not-for-profit organization since 1882 and based in Tacoma, Washington, MultiCare is the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. MultiCare partnered with architectural firm Giffin Bolte Jurgens on a substantial new 200,000 sq, ft., five floor addition to their campus in Tacoma, Washington. The project is slated to be four occupied floors, with a fifth mechanical floor. The addition will make MultiCare one of the biggest emergency departments in the Northwest including a new cancer center.

Diagnosis: The Highest Sound Damping Performancy & Standards

Hospitals are noisy. High noise levels can not only negatively impact patient quality of sleep, blood pressure levels, and patient recovery time, but can also seriously compromise patient confidentiality if conversations are inadvertently overheard. When it comes to patient health, comfort, and privacy, effective sound control is a design requirement that cannot be compromised in any healthcare environment. “We looked at Washington State regulatory codes and AIA guidelines and decided to use the AIA guidelines since they are the more stringent. We want to be sure to build to the highest performing acoustical standards,” said Pat Young, architect with Giffin Bolte Jurgens.

“When a hospital like MultiCare takes on a new building project," continued Mr. Young. "It’s important to create a space that goes beyond the basics of what people are doing today - so it continues to be innovative for years to come. They also understand that patient privacy is one of the most important issues to address right now.

“The time savings using QuietRock mitigated the cost of the product. It also stretched construction time. Now we’re not quite as tight in our deadline.”

Giffin Bolte Jurgens specified QuietRock 525, 527, 528, and 530 for use in a variety of applications throughout the building to meet high STC ratings and maximize construction space.

“We knew we had a requirement to keep an 8 ft. space in certain hallways and quickly realized that you burn through an extra inch with a traditional 5/8" double hung design. That adds up over the course of the building,” said Young.

Poorly designed acoustic healthcare environments prevent effective communication between patients and staff and between staff members which may compromise patient safety and maximum health. For MultiCare’s patients, Giffin Bolte Jurgens'acoutic design quality will also yield a more attractive and serene environment to also reduce patient recovery time and maximize overall comfort.

Results Beyond Quiet

“We understood QuietRock is a premium product and would save us a lot of headache and hassle. A single layer installation’s one-step process also means there’s less labor involved, which makes quite a difference. We saved space, got the high sound requirement we needed, and cut down the labor and construction time involved.”

MediCare project benefits from using QuietRock include:

• Noise Damping – Expects to meet stringent AIA acoustic requirement guidelines and Washington State regulations.
• Reduced Construction Time, Labor, Materials and Cost – Single layer installation vs. a double hung or other noise reducing designs saved overall construction time, materials, labor, and costs.
• Saves Space – The project required 8 foot hallways. Traditional multilayer noise reducing design options take up precious additional floor space.
• Mold Resistance – It was necessary to put up some of the drywall before the building was sealed. In the Pacific Northwest, moisture is always an issue. Vulnerable patients cannot be exposed to mold.
• Durability – QuietRock 528 with fiberglass is perfect for use in hallways where heavy gurneys wreak havoc on walls.