In an effort to support the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Metsä Wood UK has produced over 43,000 linear metres of Finnjoist® I-beams to be used as part of the structure for a new NHS Nightingale hospital in Swansea Bay, Wales.
The Swansea Bay Nightingale Hospital is a new NHS field hospital which is being built specifically to provide beds and specialist healthcare for patients suffering from symptoms of Covid-19. Initially, 500 beds will be available within the first four weeks, with a further 350 beds to follow.
26 tonnes of I-beams left Metsä Wood’s site in King’s Lynn – which is home to timber I-beam manufacturing facilities and a timber treatment tank – on Thursday 9th April. Within four days, T Richard Jones Ltd (TRJ) had already delivered the I-beams to site in Swansea and begun construction on the structure, which is being built inside an existing 11,000m2 building. Further collaboration with Swansea Council and Kier means that the hospital is expected to be open and running within a matter of weeks.
Finnjoist I-beams are produced with Kerto® LVL (laminated veneer lumber) flanges and a high quality oriented strand board (OSB3) web. Typically used in floor construction, Finnjoist I-beams are lightweight yet strong, resulting in quick and reliable installation. This made them ideal for the fast construction of the new NHS facilities.
Numerous Nightingale hospitals and critical care facilities have been announced across the UK. These include temporary hospitals at the ExCel Centre, London, the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, and Bay Studios, Swansea.
“It’s excellent to be able to support the NHS with such a project,” said Dan Hainsworth, Head of Construction at Metsä Wood UK. TRJ echoed the show of appreciation for the national efforts: Owain Jones, Director, said, “Thanks to all those unsung heroes who are continuing to make this possible.”
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