GPJ Consulting Engineers were appointed to improve the gravity drainage system at Lowen Ward. The existing system had a history of blockages and overflow problems which was completely unacceptable for a ward accommodating immune-suppressed patients and which required constant attention from the hospitals maintenance department.
A Vacuum Drainage System was proposed to operate independently of the existing Gravity Drainage System and has been successfully installed complete with a complete training package for the sites maintenance staff.

The system incorporates a new suite of sanitary furniture throughout the ward and a new external plant room which accommodates the main vacuum plant. Waste is transported vertically from WC’s, Sinks and Drains directly back to the Vacuum Plant Room through a system of pipework. The waste is then macerated and pumped to the local foul drain.
The project was managed and phased so that parts of the ward could remain in operation as the old system was de-commissioned and the new vacuum drainage system was installed and phased into use.

Drainage system maintenance issues have now decreased substantially with only one critical fault in twelve months of operation (a blocked pump) providing a substantial improvement on the now redundant gravity system.