Challenging Tunnel Environment at Royal Bolton Hospital Overcome with Innovative PVC Cable Management
When tasked with critical mechanical and electrical upgrades at the Royal Bolton Hospital, contractor Geoffrey Robinson Ltd faced a significant logistical hurdle: how to safely route data cabling through a subterranean service tunnel prone to extreme environmental stressors.
The tunnel, which serves as a vital artery for the hospital’s infrastructure, presented a harsh combination of high heat, humidity, and persistent dampness. This environment had already taken a visible toll on the existing infrastructure, causing severe corrosion to the legacy metal cable trays and threatening the long-term integrity of the facility’s data network.
A Switch to Non-Metallic Solutions
To prevent a repeat of the rapid degradation seen previously, the project team required a containment system that could withstand moisture without the risk of rust or oxidation. After evaluating several alternatives, Geoffrey Robinson Ltd selected Basor PVC Cable Tray from Marshall-Tufflex.
Supplied through LED Electrical in Blackburn, the installation encompassed a total of 1 kilometer of PVC cable tray. By moving away from traditional metal systems, the contractor ensured that the new containment would remain impervious to the corrosive effects of the tunnel’s humid atmosphere.
Efficiency and Ease of Installation
Beyond durability, project efficiency was a top priority. Working in a confined, hot, and humid underground space is physically demanding, and the speed of installation was critical to minimizing labor hours in such a taxing environment.
“The tunnel beneath the hospital is an extremely damp, hot and humid environment, so corrosion resistance was a major factor in selecting the cable management system,” explained Guy Owen of Geoffrey Robinson Ltd. “With 1 km of tray to install, we needed a tray that was easy to work with, and the lightweight design allowed the installation team to complete the work quickly, reducing the amount of time spent working in a difficult environment.”
A Durable Future for Hospital Infrastructure
The successful deployment at Royal Bolton Hospital serves as a clear case study for the advantages of non-metallic containment in challenging service areas. By utilizing the Basor PVC range, the contractor not only secured a maintenance-free, corrosion-resistant solution but also streamlined the installation process, ensuring the hospital’s data systems are supported by robust, reliable infrastructure.
Marshall-Tufflex’s range of PVC cable trays is available to contractors nationwide via UK electrical wholesalers. For more information on finding the right containment solution for demanding environments, visit www.marshall-tufflex.com.
