Vibration Monitoring Experience: Health Care Facilities

About This Project

For construction, renovation, and expansion projects at health care facilities, we have provided noise and vibration monitoring to support patient care and limit effects on sensitive medical equipment. To quantify levels of construction and demolition-related vibration, we deploy multiple instruments simultaneously, often for long periods of time. If levels approach pre-specified thresholds, our monitors can send alerts to the construction team, so they can take action to avoid disrupting patient comfort and imaging, diagnostic, and lab services.

Here is a selection of our recent work on health care facilities:

VANCOUVER GENERAL HOSPITAL 3T MRI FACILITY –

VANCOUVER, BC

To accommodate a new 3T MRI, VGH’s medical imaging department underwent a significant expansion project. During construction and demolition, we monitored vibration levels, deploying two unattended monitors for 22 months to help the project team avoid impacts on the existing imaging operations.

BURNABY HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT – BURNABY,BC

This two-phase project includes two new patient care towers, a new cancer centre, and renovations to existing buildings. Along with a full scope of acoustical design services, we provided long-term vibration measurements at seven locations to measure construction-related vibration.

CARIBOO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – WILLIAMS LAKE, BC

Phase 1 of this project includes a three-storey addition with space for inpatient and maternal care, a new emergency department, and more. We conducted unattended noise and vibration monitoring during construction.

JOSEPH AND ROSALIE SEGAL AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE – VANCOUVER, BC

For this eight-storey LEED Gold certified mental health and addictions facility, we delivered a complete scope of acoustical design services, including unattended vibration monitoring at four locations during construction.

LIONS GATE HOSPITAL ACUTE CARE FACILITY –

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC

This new six-storey tower includes eight operating rooms, perioperative services, urgent and primary care clinics, and over 100 beds. We delivered a full scope of acoustical services, including unattended noise and vibration monitoring at 10 locations for 22 months during construction.

ROYAL COLUMBIAN HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT –

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC

Th We provided full acoustical design services, including noise and vibration monitoring, for phases 1 and 2 of this redevelopment. Phase 1 includes a new 75-bed mental health and substance use wellness centre; Phase 2 includes a 10-storey acute care tower with a new emergency department, critical care spaces, medical imaging areas, and support spaces.

STUART LAKE HOSPITAL – STUART LAKE, BC

For this new 68,000-square-foot hospital with long-term care beds, emergency department, trauma bay, ambulance bay, primary care services, laboratory, and diagnostic services, we conducted noise and vibration monitoring during demolition and construction. We deployed two unattended vibration monitors during construction and six during demolition.

TECK ACUTE CARE CENTRE AT BC WOMEN’S AND BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS – VANCOUVER, BC

We provided acoustical design services and post-project testing for this new hospital, which includes a new emergency department and pediatric intensive care, as well as spaces for oncology, medical imaging, and more. We also monitored noise and vibration during demolition of existing buildings and construction, deploying nine vibration monitors for 88 weeks.

VANCOUVER GENERAL HOSPITAL OPERATING ROOM REDEVELOPMENT (PHASE 2) – VANCOUVER, BC

Phase 2 of VGH’s operating room redevelopment includes the addition of 13 operating rooms and 38 perioperative bays. We conducted vibration monitoring for the duration of this 22-month renovation project.