Introduction
KIMS Hospital identified the need to upgrade their diagnostic imaging facilities at Sevenoaks Medical Centre. The existing 3.0T GE MRI scanner, located on the ground floor, was due for replacement, and the hospital sought to install a new 1.5T GE MRI scanner on the second floor. Friargreen Construction were appointed to deliver the project as a full design and build contract, encompassing complex structural, mechanical, electrical, and shielding requirements.
Client Background
KIMS Hospital is a leading independent healthcare provider, offering a wide range of diagnostic, surgical, and outpatient services. The Sevenoaks Medical Centre is a key facility, and the MRI replacement project was critical to maintaining the hospital’s high standards of patient care and diagnostic excellence.
Project Scope
Friargreen Construction was awarded the project following a competitive tender process. Appointment was based not solely on cost, but also on Friargreen’s proven ability to design value into the scheme and protect the client’s budget. The works included:
- Creation of a new MRI scanner room on the second floor.
- Adaptation of the existing CT scanner control room to serve the new facility.
- Construction of a new MRI technical room with a compact air handling unit integrated within the space.
- Design and installation of new mechanical and electrical services.
- Installation of RF shielding for the MRI scanner room.
- Structural modifications to support the 7-tonne weight and vibration of the new scanner.
- Provision of a temporary load-bearing scaffold platform to enable safe delivery of the scanner at second-floor level.
Challenges
The project presented a number of technical and logistical challenges, including:
- Requirement to install magnetic shielding for the new scanner with high associated costs.
- The new MRI scanner weighed 7 tonnes, necessitating structural strengthening and vibration control.
- Complex logistics of removing the existing scanner and delivering a new one into a live healthcare environment.
Solutions
Friargreen implemented a series of innovative and practical solutions to address these challenges:
- Drawing on experience from the original 3.0T MRI installation 12 years earlier, Friargreen structured the programme to allow the steel shielding from the redundant scanner to be carefully recovered and reused. This achieved a considerable cost saving for the client.
- A bespoke structural solution was designed and installed to support the 7-tonne scanner and mitigate vibration, ensuring stability and long-term compliance.
- A load-bearing scaffold platform was designed and installed to enable the safe delivery and positioning of the scanner at second-floor level.
- A compact AHU was designed and integrated into the MRI technical room, meeting stringent ventilation requirements while optimising space.
- Close coordination with the client’s specialist partners ensured the safe removal of the redundant 3.0T MRI scanner and seamless integration of the new 1.5T system.
Outcome & Impact
The project was delivered successfully, providing KIMS Hospital with a modern, high-quality MRI facility. Key outcomes included:
- The existing 3.0T GE MRI scanner was safely removed by the client’s specialist partners, Medivest Group, making way for the new installation.
- A new 1.5T GE MRI scanner was installed on the second floor, supported by structural modifications designed to handle its weight and vibration.
- A temporary load-bearing scaffold platform enabled the safe delivery and positioning of the scanner at second-floor level.
- Significant cost savings were achieved through the reuse of magnetic shielding, preserving the client’s budget while ensuring compliance.
- A compact MRI technical room with integrated ventilation was created, delivering a practical and space-efficient solution.
- The completed facility provides patients with a welcoming and modern diagnostic environment, while giving staff a reliable and efficient clinical setting.
- The project received positive recognition from KIMS Hospital for Friargreen’s collaborative approach and ability to deliver a high-quality facility on time and within budget.
Conclusion
Through innovation, collaboration, and technical expertise, Friargreen Construction successfully delivered a complex MRI replacement project at Sevenoaks Medical Centre. The scheme not only met the demanding technical and logistical requirements but also achieved significant cost savings for the client, resulting in a facility that will serve KIMS Hospital and its patients for years to come.
