720
Design Rationale: Ceiling
722
CEILING
722.1
WALK-ON PLATFORM
A key characteristic of the Prototype Design is the walk-on platform, which
was selected from three basic methods of gaining access to services
above the ceiling: Vertical access from below, horizontal access in
combination with catwalks, and horizontal access in combination with a
walk-on platform.
722.1.1
Vertical Access
The advantages of this method are that services can be tightly packed
under the structure so that floor-to-floor heights may be minimized. This is
offset by the following disadvantages:
1. Any access to the space interferes with functional activities.
2. Dust and debris from work increases housekeeping and can mean that
patients and personnel have to be moved while work is in progress.
3. Because services are cramped together, some become inaccessible.
4. Adding new services is difficult.
5. It is difficult to seal access panels if space is used as a plenum.
6. When alterations take place on one floor, interference with other floors
is inevitable. For instance, if the alteration necessitates new drainage,
the ceiling to the room below has to be opened up and two functional
areas are affected by the alteration.
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