PRESSURE ON FOR TOPLINE
Biomed is a specialist medical asset management company registered by Medsafe (the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority).
The company offers a range of medical services including maintenance, repair and servicing of medical and hospital equipment and ensuring equipment compliance. Their facility at Point Chevalier is an extensive installation from where they oversee the maintenance, repair and safety compliance of the medical devices that health professionals rely on.
The Topline team was recommended for the task of removing an outdated sterilisation preparation unit and replacing it with a new state of the art one, imported from Sweden. The sterilisation unit, known as an autoclave, is a pressure chamber which uses high pressure saturated steam to achieve neutralisation of potentially infectious agents.
topline goes through the roof
Meticulous planning went into the project as the team was working to tight deadlines with extra-large equipment, heavy machinery and several delivery providers. Willie Downie, Operations Manager at Topline was the project co-ordinator. His vast experience of more than 20 years working in the sector meant that he had the expertise needed for this type of complex project.
The first task was to take off the roof, cutting the steel framing. A 100 tonne crane was used to take out the old unit and then drop the new unit into place. The new unit, twice the size of the old one, and with state of the art technology, arrived on a Port of Auckland truck and needed special plinths before it could be plumbed in and connected. The next phase was the re-roofing of the facility using strengthened roofing steel. All the work for the project was done on a Saturday in order to cause minimal disruption.
PROBLEMS OVERCOME
The new unit was sent with the wrong manual which meant that many of the initial calculations were incorrect, resulting in inadequate steam pressure. There were also issues with the existing water supply and water pressure. Topline had the in-depth knowledge needed to overcome these difficulties.
Once Topline had finished the installation, Biomed conducted a six week testing period, putting batches of theatre equipment through the unit to make sure they were being sterilised at the correct temperature.
Project manager Willie Downie said, ‘Topline’s experience in this specialist area was key to the undertaking of such a big commercial project and to devising a workable installation plan where no previous blueprint existed. Meticulous co-ordination between multiple providers ensured the project was completed on time with plumbing and pressure issues overcome.’
“On a complex job such as this one, combining both roofing and plumbing works, the client can rest assured that every tradesperson has been security checked and adheres to industry regulations and licensing rules. At Topline, we are members of both the Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Association and the NZ Roofing Association, offering the client additional peace of mind that we will treat premises or property with respect”
NEIL GILLESPIE | TOPLINE MD & PROJECT MANAGER
